Running Errands

I had to run a couple errands over the weekend. Since I wanted to let Esther have some time to herself, I took the kids with me. Of course, nothing is free. The cost of dragging the kids along with me to three different stores: ice cream.

On the way back from the shopping misadventure, we stopped at Carvel in DeWitt. I remember going to Carvel as a kid. It’s changed through the years, but still remains a good place to have great tasting ice cream. In fact, recently Carvel increased their portions. The “kiddie size” is now closer to a small.

Since we were on a schedule (after all, I broke a cardinal rule and had ice cream BEFORE dinner), I asked the kids to share a flavor. Here’s what they thought:

S6: I went to Carvel with G8 and Dad. [G8 and I] got Chocolate Crunch. I LOVED it. It was great. It was chocolaty!

G8: We went to Carvel! S6 and I had Chocolate Crunch. It is made of chocolate ice cream and crushed Oreo! I really liked it because there were sometimes chunks of Oreo in it! I liked to eat the chunks of Oreo with ice cream! I liked the store because it is [a] very yummy store! I also like it because it is very, very close.

I tried Chocolate Volcano. It was primarily a vanilla ice cream with chocolate mixed in. It also had those small chocolate crunchy morsels of goodness that they sometimes put on ice cream cakes. You end up with vanilla and chocolate mixed together with a light crunch in every bite. The combination may sound simple, possibly even boring. But when it hits your mouth, you realize the elegance that is conveyed through its simplicity. Genius. Sheer Genius.

Next time, maybe something with peanut butter cups…

School’s Out!

Last week,  we went out for a celebratory end-of-the-year ice cream cone.  This is the second year we've done this; the girls love it so much I think it's going to become a long standing tradition.

From G8: School is out! We went to Kimberly's [in Manlius, NY]!  I got Cotton Candy [ice cream].  My sister got the same thing.  I really like the ice cream because [the flavor] is very cotton-candy-like.  I have tasted cotton candy before, [so i know what it tastes like].  I love Kimberly's!

S6’s take on things: I went to an ice cream/candy store.  I went with my sister and mom.  My sister and I both ate KaBoom Cotton Candy ice cream.  It's cotton candy ice cream with sprinkles [mixed in].  I love it!

Mom’s note: The girls have only eaten real cotton candy once…and they didn’t really like it.   They love  that cotton candy flavor in an ice cream, though! 

While the girls gobbled up their cotton candy ice cream with an explosion of sprinkles, I enjoyed Kimberly's specialty flavor, Amaretto Peach Toasted Almond.  It was a smooth creamy peach ice cream with a hint of amaretto, with little chunks of peach and bits of toasted almond mixed in. Fancy, but not too fancy!  It’s inspired me to try making a peach ice cream.  I just need to have patience while I wait for the peaches to ripen!

The atmosphere at Kimberly's is fun, relaxed, with a touch of class. They make all their own ice creams and sorbets and have a variety flavors, from Holy Canoli to “Just Plain” Vanilla (made with bourbon vanilla…nothin’ plain about that!)

In addition to ice cream, Kimberly’s carries ice cream cakes, pies and premium chocolates.  I kicked myself for not thinking of Kimberly's for all those end-of-the-year teacher gifts.  Oh well, there's always next year,right?

In the mean time, happy summer vacation!