One of my favorite presents

This past Christmas my husband's family decided to do a Not So Secret Santa Exchange.  My sister got me.  I think I'm pretty darn easy to buy for (I'm sure the Hubster would disagree).  She asked me for an idea and I told her I would love an ice cream machine.  I almost bought one several months earlier but the Hubster scoffed at me, thinking I'd never use it.

I have no idea what made him think that.  First of all, I love ice cream.  Secondly, I use all of my kitchen gadgets fairly frequently!

Anyway.

I got this one.  I love it.

I just keep the freezer bowl in our freezer so it is ready to go whenever I decide we need ice cream.

So anyway.  Ice cream is pretty expensive these days, especially if you like the name brand stuff.  On top of that, the real reason I wanted the machine was because of Big One's peanut allergy.  It is just easier to have control of the ingredients myself.  Plus, I can use organic milk, which I love.

You know what is even more expensive than good ice cream?  Sorbet.  Which the Hubster prefers over ice cream, hands down.  He will be the first one to tell you that he is not a little bit upset that I have a new kitchen toy!

I thought I'd share some of the recipes I've tried so far.

Basic Vanilla.  This was very good.  I also decided the last couple of times I made it to cut the sugar a bit.  So I used 2/3c of sugar instead of 3/4c.  I have also added mini chocolate chips to this and it was extra yummy.

Lemon Sorbet.  This was a huge hit in our house.  It actually makes two batches in my machine, which works out nicely.  We went strawberry picking and I hulled some strawberries (2 cups maybe?) and put them in the food processor and then added them to the mixture (half of the mixture!).  So yum, Strawberry Lemon Sorbet.

I also made Strawberry Ice Cream.  Which was good.  I can't find the recipe right this second.  And we still have some in the freezer after 6 weeks.  So.  Yeah.

I just saw this recipe today for Strawberry Orange Sorbet.  I cannot wait to try it!

One of these days I will try a custard.  I just need to get over a really funny text conversation I had with my girlfriend while we were on vacation.

C: So I'm making my own ice cream and there are white chunks in it... sugar?  Should I be concerned?
Me: Maybe sugar but probably cream.  Taste it.  I'm sure it is fine!
C: In the cooking phase... no cream yet just eggs, sugar, milk, and cocoa...
Me: (clearly not realizing she was making a custard) Whisk it.  Hard.
C: Chunks of cooked eggs??? Ewwww
Me: (Light bulb finally turned on)  I've not done custard.  But maybe you cooked it too fast?  Ew egg chunks.  lol

I really should ask her how the custard turned out...

So who has a tried and true recipe for me??

Playroom Update

We have this great space in our basement.  The previous owners were using it as a sewing room when we bought it.  At the time I didn't sew.  So we decided to make it into a playroom.  (Boy was that silly of me.  Heh.  Hindsight is 20/20, I suppose.)  I picked a cheery yellow color for the walls, green chalkboard paint for another area, and some cute alphabet stickers.  Only problem?  The girls never used it.  Sigh.

I recently decided I hated the alphabet puzzle mat we had on the floor because Little One was constantly pulling it apart.  Letters everywhere.  Drove. Me. Bonkers.  So my brainstorming began.  We need a new rug.  I started to look online at teacher stores.  Then I started to look on Pinterest.  And that kind of morfed into redoing the room.  On the cheap.

Kind of boring, right?  And that puzzle mat.  Sigh.

We've had the book shelves for like 3 years.  And picked up the beanbag chairs after painting the rooms.

I picked up the coat racks at Target.  Mirror at Walmart.  The shelf under the window used to be in the girls' room (and is now perfect for pretend make up and dress up shoes).  The "stools" are actually mega blocks (hello dual purpose!).  The basket I've had for years and is great for tutus and hats etc.  There is also a little key rack (Target) I got and the Hubster screwed it on the side of the shelf so they can hang their necklaces etc.

Spot for me and a spot for guests to sleep when they come to visit in droves!

The Hubster's old tv (the shelf was already there).  The dollhouse (that Santa brought the girls for Christmas) is sitting on another piece of Ikea furniture that has been in Big One's closet for awhile.  I found the kitchen on Craigslist a couple of years ago.  And the easel we've had for a few years is also from Ikea.

So, I do still need to find a rug that is bigger than the one under the table and chairs (Ikea).  But for this make over I spent about $35!  Nice, right?  The girls love it down there!  

Next up?  Guest room bedroom

Ek! Four months?!

Sorry about that!  Things have been a little busy.

Here are some of the highlights.

Big One had her first real ballet recital and she did awesome!

I made super yummy Rosemary Bread.

I went several states away to see one of my dearest friends from college get married.  By myself.  

Spring sprung and Little One loves the swing.  And outside!

The Hubster sliced off the tip of his finger.  It took a few months to heal.  Sigh.

Big One had her first sleepover!

Easter!  Big One was really into it this year!  Easter egg hunt and all!

I snuck away for a day to visit my sister while my mom was visiting!

 

Little One also discovered her love of the slide.  

Little One finally learned to sleep without the woombie... except now it is her blanket.  Sigh.

I cooked my first whole chicken.  Beer Can Chicken that is.  Yum!

The Hubster and I celebrated our five year anniversary.  And he spoiled me.

Big One had her first swim lessons without me in the pool with her!  And she did awesome!

I finally started using my ice cream machine.  Amazing!

The girls got dress up clothes... and this is why I have very few pictures of them together :)

We planted a lot of lettuce.  

Little One got a rocking chair (Big One's used to be The Hubster's).
Hey!  They aren't choking each other!

My sister stopped by one afternoon and we went strawberry picking!
Little One only liked the green ones!

And then I made strawberry jam for the first time!

The Hubster and I got away for a weekend without the girls.  First time since before Big One was born!

We went to visit my family and the girls went swimming and to a water park!  They  love the water!
(PS - Little One was waiting for her suit... but was in a diaper)

Wedding #1 (in 8 days)

Wedding #2 (in 8 days)

Wedding #3 (in 8 days)

The fun of being potty trained...

The In-Laws came to spend the weekend with us!

As you can see, we have been very busy.  And it is going to be a very busy summer as well!!  Hopefully I can do a better job with blogging!  I'm sure I was so very missed ;)