I love making homemade ice cream not only because I know exactly what’s going into it, but because there are so many varieties and flavors you can play with, and so many fun little treats and additions to throw in. The kids also think it’s pretty neat that you can make it right in your own kitchen and get really excited when I bring the ice cream maker out from the cupboard.

homemade chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream

Our favorite around here is an Oreo cookies and cream. Using a simple sweet cream base (no vanilla added) and some chopped Oreo cookies, we get a pretty refreshing dessert that everyone loves.

Last week I tried a cherry ice cream, but I need to play with different varieties of cherries a little more since it ended up being nearly tasteless (so sad!).

We’ve also made our own chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream (which is amazing, if not a bit of work), and a chocolate chip malt ice cream.

Also check out:

~ Green Tea Ice Cream
~ Avocado Coconut Milk Ice Cream
~ Candied Bacon Ice Cream
~ Chocolate Stout Ice Cream
~ Green Tea and Soy Sauce Ice Cream
~ Black Sesame Seed Ice Cream

What’s your favorite ice cream to make?

Post from: Blisstree

Homemade Ice Cream

As most people know, dogs keep cool with a combination of sweat pads in their paws and panting, so keeping comfortably cool on a hot summer day can be a challenge if they’re not able to run through a sprinkler or jump into some water too.

If water play isn’t an option (it’s not for us) check out the Cool-It Bandannas from Kyjen. They’re made with nontoxic polymer crystals that absorb up to 30 times their weight and stay cool for hours. Edged with reflective tape for visibility and safety, they’re also reusable and hand washable.

They’re available in three sizes (and two color combinations) for small (fits necks 8-14 inches), medium (fits necks 14-19 inches) and large (fits necks 19-26 inches) dogs. I think these would work pretty well for people, too!

As always, if your dog is outside for any length of time, make sure they have access to clean, fresh water, no matter what cooling gadgets you use for them.

The bandannas are available at Amazon and Kyjen.com.

[image: amazon]

Post from: Blisstree

Cool-It Bandannas for Your Dog

I can see why some of the items are on the list. I have had three rice cookers, all three given to me by my dad, and I have rarely used them. I have a bread machine that I use constantly for pizza dough. I’ve only made bread in it a few times and one time I made a huge batch of dough for cinnamon rolls (I was a hit with the neighborhood kids), but for pizza dough, it’s a real time saver.

Also on that list – books. Books?  I love books. I have a large collection of cookbooks and while I do look things up on the internet, I love to sit down with my cookbooks and find new dishes. I’m never going to be a kindle person, because I love holding the book in my hands, looking at the glossy photos, making notes on the pages, looking at the books lined up neatly on the shelf. The idea that books might grow obsolete just does not make sense to me. It’s heresy. Honestly, it makes my stomach hurt a little.

Ice cream makers are lumped with bread machines, they don’t even get their own place on the list, the author finds them that worthless. I don’t have an ice cream maker now, but I did at one time and we would use it a couple of times a month. It wasn’t the most cost effective appliance, but the kids loved it and some things you do just because they are fun. The same goes for the Polaroid camera. Some things in life are not about ease, they are about the process.

When I was a kid, my grandma had an old school ice cream maker that required rock salt and an incredible amount of noise. I can remember the machine going at family reunions and the ice cream took forever in coming, but the taste of that fresh vanilla or strawberry desert was better than anything else I had ever tasted.

When I think about Grandma’s machine, the whole family reunion experience is there – in and out the back door with the cousins, the warm sun, smelling something on Grandpa’s barbeque, swimming in the pool, lots of hugs and kisses. Not everything is about fast, easy, and convenient. Slow down. Pull that useless ice cream maker off the shelf and make something cold and yummy with the kids.

Image credit: Directron.com

Post from: Blisstree

Don’t Throw Out the Ice Cream Maker

I love these doggy life jackets. Available in sizes from XXSmall to Large, the sturdy vests have brightly colored prints and reflective strips for easy sighting, and a handle on top for fast retrieval. They also have a mesh underbelly which allows water to drain away from the dog, and heavy duty Velcro to keep everything in place.

Dogtopics.com also offers some general water safety tips, including being mindful of what your dog is drinking, rinsing your dog off with fresh water after they’ve been in the water, and keeping your dog hydrated and rested.

[image: petco.com]

Post from: Blisstree

Dog Water Safety

Image: sxc.hu

 We often don’t realize what’s out there.  Until I wrote travel articles for a regional magazine and was given assignments to visit local attractions and report on summer activities, I had only a vague idea what my community and nearby areas had to offer.

 So check out what’s going on in your town, county and state.  Much of this even might be free of charge.

•  Summer library programs
• Community concerts on the common
• Fairs
• Craft shows
• Hiking and nature trails
• Nature centers
• Historical sites
• Beaches
• Local parks and recreation programs
• Community theatre

 What have you found in your community for family enjoyment?

Post from: Blisstree

Summer Theme Weeks Begin – Local Activities

~ Strawberry Lemonade Bars from Playing House

~ Broiled Peanut Butter Frosting at Megster Meter

~ Sweet Cherry Orange Peel Poppy Seed Loaf from Healthy. Happy. Life.

~ Italian Soda at Cooking Dunkin Style

~ Inside-out Pizza from Our Best Bites

~ Strawberry and Rhubarb Pate De Fruits at Tartelette

~ Savory and Sweet Zucchini Cups from Culinerapy

~ Malt Gasoline Cocktail at Kaiser Penguin

~ Pecan Bars from Annie’s Eats

~ Salted Caramels at Finding New Flavors

~ Homemade Maraschino Cherries from Cupcake Project

[image: flickr]

Post from: Blisstree

Weekend Foodie Links

Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Shrimp Kabobs

INGREDIENTS :
10 slices OSCAR MAYER Fully Cooked Bacon, cut in half
20 uncooked large shrimp (about 1 lb.), peeled, deveined
2 zucchini, trimmed, cut into 10 slices each
2 yellow peppers, cut into 10 pieces each
1 cup BULL’S-EYE Original Barbecue Sauce

HEAT grill to medium heat. Wrap 1 bacon piece around each shrimp. Thread 2 each shrimp, zucchini slices and pepper pieces alternately on 10 skewers.

GRILL 3 to 4 min on each side or until shrimp turn pink, turning and brushing occasionally with barbecue sauce.

I am looking forward to making this. I think it’ll be a great addition to meat kabobs during summer parties as well.

(Image/Source : Kraft Foods)

Post from: Blisstree

Bacon-Wrapped BBQ Shrimp Kabobs

I kind of look forward to when we bring out the floor fans as the temperatures rise because Honey likes to situate herself in front of one to cool off. She’ll roll from one side to the other, sometimes going straight onto her back to make sure her tummy gets optimal cooling coverage.

Since she’s a rescue I’m not sure if this is something she’s always done or if it’s something she’s only figured out since she’s been with us, but I think it’s one of the cutest things ever and can’t help but harass her with tummy rubs when she’s got it bared for all.

Have your pets figured out ways to keep themselves cool during the summer months?

Post from: Blisstree

The Dog Days of Early Summer

IMG: Sxc.hu

Char, from Casual Keystrokes made a summer chore chart just for her kids one year that I think many will like. I like that she added her children’s pictures on this to help those that may want to argue, each child has their own chores they are expected to do.

The Charming Cards lady mentions the MomAgenda and how it has 50 tear out sheets and five spaces for chores. This would be great to write up and tape to bedroom doors or the tv set.

For me and my family we basically write out a chore list for the next day per child and hang them on the door. We give a list of chores (basically what they normally do) with one or two assignments to start off with.

Example: SoccerBoy has to do dishes and kitchen counters, then read 3 chapters of a book he picked out to read. Course I had to do a writing assignment as I don’t want them to slack off on either reading or writing and he must to a brief summary of what he read for that day. He does have the option of writing a blog entry as well, this however is more for fun because each child has a blog that they reactivate every summer and love trying to make money from google on it.

Pick chores you think your child will be able to do, here’s a list of age appropriate chores. Once all chores and assignments are done they are basically free to play or hang out with friends on the street. Keep in mind kids like to see that they will be rewarded for their hardwork so give them something they will enjoy in the end. In our case it is playing outside or video games, but only if the chores get done.

Post from: Blisstree

Making that Summer Chore List

Image: sxc.hu

I shall announce the themes as soon as I get them planned, starting in mid-June, when school is out in my area (New Hampshire) and I’m not substitute teaching any longer.

 If you have interesting, enjoyable, and informative activities you do in those areas, I’d like to have you share them with me and our readers.

 If other Blisstree bloggers would like to join in, so much the merrier!

Post from: Blisstree

Theme Weeks for Summer Vacation