Lime Ice Cream

My neighborhood is having a "Favorite Things" party next Friday and I'm planning to bring one of my favorite recipes, Lime Ice Cream.  I found the recipe on AllRecipes a super long time ago but I can't find it there anymore.  Thankfully, I've printed the recipe out, but still, this thing should be online for the rest of the world to know about, it is that good! And so, being the good person I am, I will post it here and make sure it gets on pinterest, because, really, I love this ice cream! It is truly one of my favorite things.

This picture is my place holder until I make the real deal this weekend.

Lime Ice Cream  
found on AllRecipes.com in 2007, from "field editor Betsy Hedeman"
(I wish I could take credit for this!)

Prep time: 20 minutes
Ready in: 20 minutes
Serves: 4

Ingredients:
2 c. milk
1 1/4 cup sugar
1/3 cup lime juice (1-2 limes)
1 1/2 tsp grated lime peel
I cup heavy whipping cream

Directions:
In a saucepan, combine milk and sugar. Cook over medium heat until sugar is dissolved and mixture reaches 175 degrees F. Cool to room temperature. Stir in the lime juice and peel.  Freeze in an ice cream freezer according to manufacturer's directions.

Transfer frozen lime mixture to a bowl; allow to soften slightly. In a small mixing bowl, beat whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into softened lime mixture. Allow ice cream to firm up in your refrigerator freezer for 4 hours before serving.

Enjoy!I love to serve this with a few fresh raspberries on top, it's irresistible and so very fresh!

And, someday, I'm going to do this with the ice cream:

from: suziesweettooth.com

My mouth is watering...

Just a Day's Work

The day is finally here and Carter's soccer season has officially begun! He had his first soccer practice today and his first soccer game on Saturday. I might be more excited about this then he is, but I really try to hide it. :)

And Miss Avenly...she didn't get a very good nap today so by the end of Carter's practice she was pretty tired, but bedtime was just two hours away, so I made the decision to keep her awake those few hours. During those hours I had planned to have dinner, have family home evening, and mow the lawn and I was determined.

I don't know whether to say Avenly mowed the lawn for her first time tonight, or brag that I mowed .31 acres with one hand because I was carrying Avenly the whole time...seriously. She was sooo tired. She just walked behind me crying so hard. I laid her down to sleep and she screamed and screamed like never before. I fed her dinner. She ate, but that didn't change anything. Finally after I was halfway through, I remembered my baby sling. That would at least help I figured. And for the rest of the ride, she sat, quietly in the sling, finally falling asleep near the end. And yes, it was dark by that point.

After this experience, I think maybe, if I was asked to do it, I could walk across the plains, because I imagine it would be similar --at least as hot and sweaty-- to mowing the lawn with one hand while carrying a 15-month old. Makes me wonder if pioneer women made baby slings?

August 21, 2013

County Fair

I have been wanting to take Carter to a carnival/fair for a few years now to test out his courage on the rides.  We finally made it to the county fair this year.  Our first priority was the rides.  We showed Carter all the rides and let him choose a few to ride on.  He choose 2 merry-go-ride-esque rides (boring). We compromised on the roller coaster and the motorcycle merry-go-ride.  Carter was the only one on the ride and a little shy about looking at us (maybe he realized it was a lame ride...ha ha).  Finally, near the end of the ride, we convinced him to put his hands in the air and we got a glimpse of a smile!

Carter was less shy about the roller coaster ride and totally loved the Children's Tents where he got to see- but would not touch -tarantulas, spiders, and scorpions.  I wouldn't touch them either, so I don't blame him.  And the 3-Little-Monkey's tent has some really fun toys.  Carter was only persuaded away from the sandbox by the vacuum like tubes that sucked balls across the roof of the tent.

Avenly was there too.... =)  She enjoyed the fair from her stroller and had lots of fun cheering Carter on for his first rock climbing experience-which he was awesome at! And when he broke a board with a newly learned karate chop.  I have videos of both but can't seem to get either to load...bummer.

The very best part about going to the county fair was being with Nate, Carter and Avenly.  This summer has kept Nate busier than ever, and I had to weasel my way in to get a Saturday night all together, one of a few this summer, and definitely cherished!

August 17, 2013

8"

I lost 8" today!

April 4, 2013

Easter Eve

On the night before Easter, all through the house, moving boxes sat unpacked, waiting on the honey-do list I've made for my spouse.

And that's as far as my rhyming goes for tonight. :-)

Yesterday was my birthday. My mom worked long and hard on a beautiful and delicious cake for me, covered in things that I love-chocolate covered strawberries and Cadbury milk chocolate eggs...yummy! ! ! 

Carter worked hard on his Easter eggs, dipping each egg in every color until I finally had to say we were done.

Avy watched from her high chair feeding herself peachers and making a real mess.

And Nate worked hard on putting together Carter's bed, now it's just noon and dad whose mattress on the floor!
:-) We are getting there!

March 30, 2013

Chocolate cake anyone?

Because this cake is evil and delicious all at the same time! I had to send a good chunk of leftover birthday cake down the disposal to stop the sabotage on the weight I've lost - through the holiday season even!

Birthday season is when I usually fall (January-March around here).

January 15, 2013

A New Me

January 4,2012 Did you notice the change in my blog's introduction about me?  

It used to say this:

I AM...

{a mother to a 3-year-old boy, an expectant mom to a very active baby girl, a wife to a hard working HVAC guy, a recent graduate in mental health counseling, an even more recent new-hire experiencing a huge learning curve, I am also some sort of community organizer, working to raise money for new playgrounds, and I am a co-founder of a non-profit organization working to build habits for healthy, balanced lifestyles.  In short, I am}

...VERY BUSY!

Now, thanks to the completion of this...

(We completed raising funds for the playground just a week before Avenly was born.
The playground was installed near the end of July 2012. Such a beautiful sight!) 

The description of me has been shortened significantly!!!! and it makes me soo happy!  I have been working so hard to narrow the roles in my life down to wife, mother, and part-time therapist.  For now, this will do. But I hope to some day eliminate the therapist role. I want to focus more fully on raising my children and strengthening my family.