A great beginning to the new year...

What makes the new year so good already?  Well, first I got to go sledding and the camera worked, so Kelly got a photo for the nieces.  They have no snow.   I just wanted to remind them how much fun Aunt Bonnie is.  Ahh... I was young again for about 10 seconds.

The next good thing for the new year was my husband was able to get outside and piddle around on his tractor.  He has had a broken ankle and crutches since before Thanksgiving, it was positive progress.  I don't know if it helped his ankle, but was good for his cabin fever.

The other good start to the new year was I was finally able to pick up the Christmas presents from my parents.  The presents were too big to mail, mom sent them back to the hills with some of my relatives that recently moved to Spearfish.  I had a great visit with Bob and Phyllis.  The visit was an enjoyable way to spend the afternoon. 

Then of course there was the excitement of presents.  The crate is perfect for holding my wine bottles.  I especially like how it is labeled, because I had a batch of wine once that was not fully fermented when I bottled it.  Those corks were popping right and left. 

The final present was my favorite.  In fact I've added to my new year's resolution.  I am not going to lose 10 pounds, I am going to gain 10 pounds.  How am I going to do that?  By eating lots and lots of  HOMEMADE ICE CREAM.  Yahoooooo.

I'm sorry.  Did I mention that I was also using my 4-H hot fudge sauce on the homemade ice cream.  Maybe I should shoot for an additional 20 pounds.

Every time I tell somebody I got a homemade ice cream maker for Christmas I get the same answer.  "I have such good memories of homemade ice cream."  Mom and Grandma both shared some great memories of Grandma's sisters all getting together, bringing their husbands and children, and their ice cream makers and all enjoying ice cream.  I have grand memories of Mom's homemade ice cream in the summer and at my sister's wedding. I'm going to share my Aunt Pauline's recipe.  I highly recommend it. 

Aunt Pauline's Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

6 eggs

3/4 c. sugar

1/4 t. salt

2 c. whole milk

Heat in a saucepan until it thickens and coats a metal spoon with a thin film or 160 degrees.  Put in the freezer immediately.   Keep in freezer for several hours.  Mix in

1 c. sugar

a scant 1/4 c. vanilla

1 pint of cream

1 pint of half and half

enough whole milk to the mark on the ice cream maker.  Sorry on my Mom's side they like to keep the directions a bit vague.  After that follow the instructions on the ice cream maker.  If you haven't ever used one before know that it is about a day long project.  Also follow my Mom's advice and have the maker on when you add snow, otherwise it will stick. 

I can't wait to add to the great memories of family, friends, and home made ice cream.   In closing, I just want to share the ending of the pirate hat project.