Best-laid plans of mice and men oft go astray

Planning is fabulous. I love to plan, to make lists and to see the possibility of worldwide germination of information for all things that excite me and delight me. However Mr. Weather of Spring 2012 has had another plan for me. Grey, wet, cold describes the landscape (that I see) and have seen as I peer over water towers and skyscrapers.

The idea of going to every Ice Cream shop in NYC in May was a palatable one, a hopeful one and definitely something to plan for; maybe even to experience with friends. Sometimes plans are thwarted. I do press on as I know we all need to smile and what makes people smile more than Ice Cream? An all expense paid trip to Mexico? Sure...maybe...but I can bet my life on the fact when you get to Mexico you are going to have something frothy and frozen i.e. frozen daiquiri or a frozen coffee topped with a dessert liquor or a frozen margarita. Any one of these being delectable dessert drink reminiscent of ice cream but in a grown up application.

Frozen Hot Chocolate with chocolate and heavy cream

creating a ganache blended with ice

http://www.joyofbaking.com/ganache.html

www.nunuchocolates.com

NUNU Chocolates 529 Atlantic Avenue (bet. 3rd and 4th Ave.) Brooklyn, NY 11217

Today was a happenstance event as I could not have imagined traipsing about in this dismal weather. Upon entering this adorable cafe, I could have had anything on the drink menu but I chose a frozen hot chocolate. (Ironic since I am wearing a jacket and carrying an umbrella.) It took some of the gloom and doom off my mind as I looked into the eternal gray sky and kept me on-track for my destination. What is my destination? To have created a beautiful children's book about ice cream within the next two years. By following this blog you will take the journey with me.

Since NUNU is on Atlantic Avenue, feel free to replace Electric Avenue and sing along.

Boy
Boy

Down in the street there is violence
And a lots of work to be done
No place to hang out our washing
And I can't blame all on the sun, oh no

We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Oh we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher

Workin' so hard like a soldier
Can't afford a thing on TV
Deep in my heart I'm a warrior
Can't get food for them kid, good God

We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Oh we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher

Oh no
Oh no
Oh no
Oh no

Who is to blame in one country
Never can get to the one
Dealin' in multiplication
And they still can't feed everyone, oh no

We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Oh we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher

Out in the street
Out in the street
Out in the daytime
Out in the night

We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Oh we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher

Out in the street
Out in the street
Out in the playground
In the dark side of town

We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher
Oh we gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher

We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher, Electric Avenue
We gonna rock down to Electric Avenue
And then we'll take it higher, Electric Avenue
---
"Electric Avenue" as written by Eddy Grant
Lyrics © EMI Music Publishing

Read more at http://www.songmeanings.net/songs/view/3530822107858519973/#Je1Z8Wrbt7kvFzVh.99i

Love this article on Ice Cream

http://www.recitherapy.com/2012/05/jenis-splendid-ice-creams.html Delicious little article!

The Triple R Ranch

From the time I was 7 years old until I was 21 years old, camp was a part of my life. Often I wish that I could go to camp as an adult. I know that they exist, but unfortunately they are less about fun activities and more about drinking (for some that might be fun, but not for me, I prefer canoeing and horse back riding).

Triple R Ranch in Chesapeake, VA was the camp I went to every summer. It was a life changing experience. Home was a turbulent place and camp was a country refuge to transport me to a place of peace and contentment I had never known before or possibly since.

As a camper we were given Trading Post dollars by our parents to spend on trinkets, snacks and t-shirts. Popsicles were always a part of my purposeful purchase, it was really hot! To be specific push-up creamsicles were my steady addiction over the course of a week.

However as I grew and began to serve the camp as a CIT-counselor-in-training/Horse Wrangler something really special occurred every week, we had a night off and we got to go to Dairy Queen. Warm sticky mosquito filled air followed us as we piled in cars and trucks to a far away land of the fluffy cold substance called Ice Cream. Giggling and gentle innocent flirtations were shared among the staff as we had left our daily duties on the dusty ranch. New life was breathed into our bodies with each crispy cool bite.

Welcome

The Journey Begins!

Greetings all ice cream lovers out there. There is one thing I know for sure, there are millions of you. It's one topic that never divides and usually unites family, friends and even strangers. Having always loved icecream, this love only deepened when I went to Italy to study abroad. My love went straight to the level of obsession. Yes, years have passed since my university days but my gelato love has remained.

This blog will take you into the making of gelato, the visiting of ice cream shops and factories and the illumination of a children's book idea that I had more than 11 years ago. Inspiration sprouted from a little sea fairy name Carlotta in Sardinia, Italy.

To all ice cream and gelato lovers, I wish you a sweet and enchanting journey,

Please send recipes to resourcegirllovesicecream@yahoo.com