keep your peepers open!

keep your peepers open!

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

pucker up

As summer winds down, I have yet to eat something barbequed on the grill. Come to think of it, I don’t think I’ve had any frozen custard either. This is just tragic since summer for me has never passed without having either treat especially barbeque since I’m really not an ice cream person (though I salivate if I hear the Mister Softee jingle and have been known to drive across the state line in order to pucker up my lips to press them against the curl that is the top of a soft serve cone before I take the first long lick…I do have a thing for soft serve). The other day I did have a yen for ice cream. Some companies have been kind enough to make single serving containers of basic and a few gourmet flavors for those of us who only want a little treat every now and again and for those who can easily devour a pint and wish to practice a little self control (you know who you are!). I was about to get in the check out line when the craving hit. I hung a sharp left with my cart and headed to the last aisle; they were out of pistachio. Oh well, I thought, none for me until I saw a bright green box.

Though I haven’t enjoyed my real summer musts, I have ventured into new territory with a couple of tried and true favorites. That box in the frozen food section contained a surprising twist on the ice cream sandwich. Ciao Bella (they also make that tiny pistachio carton I was after) has paired key lime gelato with graham crackers. Perfectly square, they’re all natural with creamy yummy lime that is just tangy enough to make your lips pucker a tiny bit.
  
Then there is lemonade, a cold drink sometimes pink that is a serious thirst quencher on a hot day. Lemonade calls to my mind a picture of anyone rocking on a porch wiping their brow as they bring a perspiring glass to their mouth, tip it back and smack their puckered lips after that first sip. The first time I decided to make lavender lemonade, I didn’t have as much sugar in the pantry as I thought. Not thinking, I used what I had rather than go to the store; honey and raw sugar made it resemble very pale iced tea but damn if it wasn’t just as good if not better! Each time I’ve served it, folks lap at their glass trying to get every drop.

You know I have had a grilled Bali-barbeque turkey burger and grilled veggies this summer, somebody at Whole Foods made them. Both were tasty but the smell of charcoal combined with whatever food is cooking over it are key for a true grill experience; that meal doesn’t count which means I need to make a big bowl of potato salad along with a huge jug of lavender lemonade and beg one of my friends to fire up their grill. It may be dark before 8:30pm once again but summer is not over yet! Enjoy the last of the crazy lazy days and…

keep your peepers open!® 

1 comment:

  1. now i can use a tall glass of lemonade, strawberries and ice cream and some shade to relax in. really enjoyed this blog and love all of the photgraphs.

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