snow ice cream

Wow!  78* today.  This is my kind of weather.
Just a week ago, we had a record 17 inches of snow on the ground.  What a difference a week makes.
It seems so funny to me to write this entry today but I just couldn't get to it any sooner.

Hannah asked to make snow ice cream during both of the last two snow storms.  I was being a stick in the mud (or snow, as the case may be).
I just don't like to get out in the snow.
I don't like to get out a bunch of bowls.
I don't like to drag out all the ingredients.
I don't like to clean up a sticky mess.
But then I got this fabulous recipe from my sweet friend, Amy.  She's the kind of mom that does all the fun, creative things with her kids.  She's the kind of mom I want to be.  In fact, we have a term for things like Amy would do, "Amy Jonesy things".  Snow ice cream is an Amy Jonesy thing to do.

So, I relented and told my kids we would make snow ice cream last Saturday afternoon.  In God's perfect timing, Amy called shortly before we started this project.  Her precious girls needed a place to hang out while mommy went to work for a bit.  I was soooo excited to have the extra help and expertise!  (actually, my love tank was a little low and this was the perfect way for me to refill it - loving on baby Gretchie)

We gathered up some clean snow (thank goodness there was still some left!).

Miss Gretchie wasn't really into gathering snow.

Next, it was time for the "mixing":

1 cup milk (or half & half)

1/2 cup sugar

1 tsp vanilla

dash of salt

Add the mixture to the snow...(you don't need near as much snow as we scooped)

and stir together until it's the consistency of homemade ice cream:

and taste!  We give this recipe two thumbs up :)

It's much better if eaten with a friend and a smile

Miss Gretchie says "no, thank you"

"I'd prefer to read my books.  Maybe next time."

I'm so glad we took the time to slow down for an afternoon.

We had lots of fun playing in the snow and experimenting with friends.

The ice cream was so yummy.  It tastes just like homemade ice cream!

I feel like a good mommy.

My love tank is full again.

Hannah's love tank is full.

Abi's love tank is full...

and our sweet tooth is satisfied.

Thank you, Amy, for this suggestion and for loaning us your girls.  They are precious!

More blessings:

7.  Baby Gretchie

8.  a phone call from a friend

9.  snow ice cream

10. Sophie

11. little girl smiles with grown up teeth

12. a sticky dining room table