6.7.17
Where did summer come from? It snuck up on everyone, especially me. April and May were on and off chilly, and while our evenings aren’t warm quite yet, the sun is out more. It’s helped with keeping a positive attitude through busy and stressful days. While not all stress is bad, it still takes a toll and May has taken a toll. I decided to take on a new job while also beginning rehearsals for a show. So smart right? Yes. Super smart. Well, balancing both has left little time for anything else. What do my friends’ faces even look like anymore? I just don’t know. On the few days I’ve had off sprinkled here and there I’ve taken solace in time with Phil, going for runs, and gin and tonics. Not necessarily in that order. I’m hoping to level out within a few weeks. But for now, I’ll enjoy weekend mornings walking around the city with Phil. And some ice cream. Because both those things will always make me happy.
If you’re like me, you are a sucker for Girl Scout cookies. Anytime friends or co-workers tell me their daughter is selling them, I’m definitely going to buy some. Sometimes it leaves me with more boxes than I care to eat in a reasonable amount of time. So why not make some ice cream with them and really embrace the warm weather with some coke floats? I used the basic no churn ice cream recipe I have and turned it into something easy, but magical.
Talk about a pre-made party food. Hosting some friends over a beautiful weekend or your kid is turning three? Make this ice cream the night before, buy a six pack of coca-cola and forget about it. Everyone will be impressed that not only is the ice cream homemade, but the fun flavor is so inspired!! No one has to know this only took five minutes of your time and that you don’t own an ice cream machine.
Over Memorial Day weekend we treated ourselves to a weekend together, which involved a lot of outside time, taking ourselves to dinner and bowling. Because I love bowling. Have I ever mentioned this before?? Not being facetious. Love it. So much that for my birthday last month Phil’s present was a pass to a bowling lane in midtown to bowl for free all summer! It’ll be the perfect solution to cool off in some AC on a hot day.
It was such a nice escape from such a hectic month, for both of us in fact. We’ve been ships passing in the night for weeks. Ice cream floats and bowling….what more do you need? How about red pants? Yeah, add that to the list. Comfy red pants.
Remember when I met with Leah for her podcast last year? Well, on my way out she offered me these pants because she knew they’d sit in her closet gathering dust. I made no promises, but I said there’s a strong chance I will give them a good home. And look at me now!!! Casual and breezy, a perfect piece for a day out.
I paired them with a basic black top and my current summer staple, white Converse. I’ve wanted them for so long, and now I wear them almost every day.
So here’s to a fun, busy, productive summer with plenty of BBQ and sunshine and baking that actually requires as little oven time as possible. Raise your float and cheers!
Banana Republic tank (old) / jogger red pants (similar!) / White Converse
**Shameless plug. If you’re living in NYC and want to see me play a socially awkward assistant to a Hollywood executive, you can by tickets to my show here! It’ll be a fun time.**
**Second plug. My husband is a killer musician! I am so proud that he’s releasing his album in the fall. But he’s released a single TODAY. Head over to his website to check it all out!**
Thin Mint Floats
Ingredients
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 2 cups heavy cream
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- splash vanila extract
- pinch of salt
- 1 sleeve of Thin Mint Girl Scout cookies
- 6 pack of cola (I used Whole Foods Brand to feel a little better about myself)
Instructions
- Chill the bowl and whisk attachment to a stand up mixer for 10-15 minutes in the freezer
- In a large plastic ziplock bag, crush up an entire sleeve of Thin Mint cookies, stopping when they’re all broken up in rough chunks, and before it becomes just powder
- In a medium bowl, whisk together condensed milk, vanilla, cocoa powder, and salt until smooth
- In chilled bowl of mixer, whip heavy cream with whisk attachment until stiff peaks form
- Fold half of whipped cream into condensed milk mixture and fold carefully until combined
- Fold cream and milk mixture into remaining whipped cream until almost no white streaks remain
- Fold in 3/4 of broken Thin Mints into mixture until evenly distributed
- Pour into loaf pan and smooth out, sprinkling remaining broken Thin Mints on top
- Cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill in freezer over night
- Pour cola into 3/4 of glass
- Top with scoop of ice cream and garnish with a few more cookies if desired
- Enjoy, and carefully rewrap any left over ice cream for future use
