Yankee Doodle Went to Town

Another 4th of July is almost on us and I am already making lists. I am also getting that familiar frantic feeling. I went back and noted a blog from years gone by and thought it was appropriate. I will try to remember my own advice as I prepare for another 4th of July. Oh and Happy Birthday America!
Hope today finds you with a smile on your face after the 4th of July holiday. Ours was the filled with family, friends and traditions that have not changed since I was in the 3rd grade. Flags, fireworks and food. Parades, parties, and perfectly lovely catching ups.

I do have one complaint. Why is it that when all my tribe is converging in one place, I feel it necessary to become Super Mom? I know many of you do the same thing. We kill ourselves the week before, and once everyone gets there, it's the being together that is special, not the ironed sheets or waxed floor.

Case in point. I got it in my head that we just HAD to have homemade ice cream for the holiday. There is nothing better than peach ice cream, straight off the paddles. So....To Porter for peaches. Then Braums for half and half and whipping cream. The grocery for rock salt and sugar. Oops, forgot the ice...another stop. All the while, my group is arriving and you know, being together.

I am in the kitchen, making the custard for the base. Swimming? "No, I have to keep the eggs from curdling." Layering the ice and the salt. Ding Dang container won't spin. Start over. Visiting out on the deck? "No, have to undo and reload." Finally begins to rotate. Make note: Grandchildren could care less about the process. Add ice. Add salt. Can't hear the conversations of my family and friends over the whir-whir of the motor. Finally the maker stops. Oh yeah. Empty and repack with ice and salt so the concoction can "ripen".

At last, the great unveiling. I unscrew the lid and pull the paddle from the canister. The peaches and vanilla ice cream are in soft mounds and the results smell like summer. It's perfect. It's delicious. It's ready and .....there's no one here to taste it but me. Everyone has gone. To the lake. To float the river. To shoot fireworks. To play tennis. To celebrate the holiday.

So, I empty the salt and ice, clean up the machine and put the ice cream in the freezer. Anyone who has made ice cream knows it is never as good as when it first comes out of the machine. My family has missed the moment. Actually, while I trying to be Martha Stewart, I was missing the moments. Lots of them.

I will remember next time. It's my holiday too. I'll say 100 times, "Keep It Simple." "Keep It Simple." "Keep it Simple."

Now, I've got to run. I had the idea to needlepoint belts for all the men in my family. There's only 6 months until Christmas and that's a whole lot of stitches. chrissie