Peppermint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream

All this needs is a thick, chewy, chocolately brownie to make it perfect! But it was so good, I couldn’t even wait for it to firm up…

1 cup whole milk

3/4 cup sugar

Whisk together until the sugar dissolves.

Add:

2 cups heavy cream

1/2 Tablespoon peppermint extract

Pour into ice cream maker and make according to manufacturer’s instructions.

Stir in 1/2 – 1 cup of chocolate chips.

Freeze until firm.

Rhubarb Bars

I went to make these on Sunday, got on my blog and couldn’t find the recipe… How could I have not shared this one already??? I’ve been making it for nearly 20 years and it has been a family favorite for even longer than that!

I was hoping to get a picture of a nicely cut bar with the leftovers from the church picnic, but there weren’t any leftovers. They cleaned me out! Everyone loved them! Some people didn’t even know what it was. A couple of people said they wouldn’t have tried one if I told them it was rhubarb while eating their second one…

Yeah, it’s a good one!

1 1/2 cups sugar

4 Tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 cup water

1 teaspoon vanilla

4 cups chopped rhubarb

Mix sugar and cornstarch in large saucepan. Whisk in water and vanilla. Add rhubarb. Cook over medium heat until thick, stir often.

1 1/2 cups oatmeal

1 1/2 cups flour (I use 1 cup flour, 1/2 cup whole wheat flour)

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup butter or shortening

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

Combine dry ingredients. Cut in butter or shortening until crumbly. Stir in nuts. Reserve 1 cup and press remaining mixture into the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan.

Pour filling over oatmeal mixture. Sprinkle on remaining crumbs.

Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or until topping is golden brown. Cut into bars while warm.

4th of July: Patriotic Treats

The 4th of July is possibly my favorite holiday of the year, after Christmas of course! I love the warm summer weather, picnics with family, and the FIREWORKS! I am an absolute sucker for things that blow up, shoot sparks or need to be lit with a punk or blow torch!

This is our 2012 fireworks show. I’m not the only junkie in our family… ;o)

It’s actually a genetic thing. My grandfather was a fireworks junkie! He loved them! He was anal about emptying the dryer vent to prevent house fires, but would shoot off bottle rockets with reckless abandon. Can your toddler stand on his own and hold something in his hand? Then he is totally ready for sparklers! I think all of my boys held their first lit sparkler before they turned 2…  I think I miss my grandpa the most on the 4th of July!

this is my grandpa at his fireworks stand in the early 40’s

I also love the food on the 4th of July! Not surprising, huh?

I made all red, white and blue treats this year…

fruit salad with watermelon stars

  

strawberries dipped in white chocolate and blue sparkly sugar

3-layer punch. Fill cup with ice. Pour in red Kool-Aid, followed by blue Gatorade, then topped with sparkling water or club soda. The secret??? Pour VERY slowly over the ice!

I wish I could say I made this gorgeous strawberry-rhubarb pie with the sweet little blackbird pie vent, but it was my super-talented little sister! But if I ever make pies, I’m getting a pie bird! You can buy your own at eBay, HERE.

Hope you all had as wonderful a 4th as we did! And remember to be thankful for this amazing country we live in!