Desperate times...

...Call for desperate measures. Yeah, whatever. We all know the expression. We've all been there before. Everyone has desperate times.

Tonight is one of those desperate times for me. No energy to get out to do things for myself; instead, I'd rather have someone else be doing my dirty work. And while I am not a huge fan of this, I think it will all be worth it.

Now that I have either thoroughly bored you or intrigued you, I will tell you what the desperate measure is. (cue drum roll) I need ice cream. Not just ice cream, but an ice cream sundae. Not sure why on earth I have such a craving, as it is cold outside and normally any type of ice cream will do. I know in my post yesterday I listed all the things that I am grateful for. I left off my #1.

In my desperate times, pm is always there. While ice cream doesn't always qualify as my most desperate of times, bless his soul ... he's making an ice cream run for me right now.

The fact is this "run" has me laughing. Just a few short years ago, I never would have dreamed about going on an "ice cream" run on a Friday night. Nope. It was cheap beer all the way. Oh, how we've grown...

Winter Lake

I have been neglectful here lately. Sorry folks. We've been busying ourselves with too much these days, even if it's never enough. I always feel like we have to take advantage of the nice weather before it is gone. I've had good intentions to write more often. I will get better. I promise. We should have loads more new photos and material by the beginning of next week. (Waiting for some film as we speak to be developed. Get excited!)

That said: The heat has been reminding me of winter walks. This photo was from the lake surrounding our apartment in Ypsilanti. I cannot say that I miss the apartment, but I miss the winter walks.

What have you been thinking about lately to stay cool? (Other than ice cream; I have been thinking way too much about ice cream. Someday I am just going to have to buy a maker and all elastic pants. :))

30 Days of Creativity - Day 18: Blackberry Gelato

I'd like to believe that you have all been waiting patiently to hear about how our homemade gelato came out. Before I get into those details let me just say - I am not longer to refer to this creation as gelato. It's custard. I don't think that gelato uses so much creme and whole milk.

I could be wrong, but personally I consider gelato to be "more healthy" than custard or ice cream. Maybe because it's an Italian thing. Or maybe just because I'd like to believe that this delicious treat is indeed healthy. It's got calcium right?

The anticipation is over. This custard turned out AMAZING. I was so surprised with how creamy and fruity it tastes. We'll be eating it for some time to come - as it made much more than I anticipated.

Here is the recipe that we used:

1 c sugar

3 c whole milk (eeks!)

1 c whipping cream (double eeks!)

6 egg yolks (!)

1 t vanilla

3 cartons of frozen blackberries

Put sugar in sauce pan. Stir in milk, cream and egg yolks. Heat and stir until mixture thickens. Add vanilla once mixture thickens.

Place sauce pan in ice water. Let cool and stir occasionally. Chill mixture in fridge overnight.

The next morning thaw out blackberries. Blend berries together until smooth. Be sure use A SIEVE to remove the seeds. (I forgot to do this step out of excitement). Then stir the blackberry puree into the chilled custard mixture. Put mixtures in containers of choice (old ice cream tubs work great :)) and freeze. Then ENJOY!

We will continue to enjoy this treat. I am already hoping to make another batch. Maybe strawberry this time. Or lemon. Or peach. Or something. It'll have to be a smaller batch.

Random Baking Desire. 100th Post!

I don't know if there has ever been a time in my "baking" life that I have ever wanted for a recipe to turn out as badly as I do now.

If you know me then you know that I am a huge lover of ice cream. If I had to choose one thing to eat for the rest of my life I think it would be ice cream. My parents have an ice cream maker, and since I have a birthday in the summer I always requested that we made the ice cream. I loved churning it, sprinkling in the salt, and ultimately eating the final product.

We do not have an ice cream maker. I guess I should have thought of that when we did our wedding registry. Oh well. The other day I made custard over the stove top. I also blended a portion of our blackberry load in order to make it a blackberry gelato. It is now in the freezer waiting for judgement day. I am hoping that tonight we get to judge if it turned out well or not. (I did sample it, and if it tastes anything like the sample we will be in business).

Patience is a virtue. Patience is a virtue. But can't the freezer freeze any faster? Come on!

Also - today we are celebrating our 100th post!! Woot woot. Any words of wisdom of what you'd like to see / hear more of? We're taking orders. :)