My first ice cream experiment was mint chocolate chip…not the easiest of ice cream recipes. Naturally, it was an utter failure.

Not having the muscle memory for heavy cream warming, mint seeping, custard skimming and water bath stirring, I completely ruined about an hour’s worth of hard work by dipping the bowl of ice cream into a bowl of ice water.
Doh!
Pouting and frustrated sighs ensued.

It’s been a year or so since I started attempting homemade ice creams. Since Andrew’s birthday was last week and mint chocolate chip is his favorite flavor, it seemed like a great time to give it another go.

I tried a different recipe this time – from my new favorite cookbook – and the end result was ah. may. zing. When your husband says it’s the hands-down best ice cream he’s ever had and he’s not drunk, trying to sweet talk you or get himself out of trouble, you know you’ve done well.

Since I messed things up so badly the first time, let me walk you through the steps…

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There’s something about tin roof ice cream that is decidedly adult.
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Have you treated yourself to lavender ice cream yet? If your answer is no, you’re seriously missing out.

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What’s better than homemade ice cream?

Homemade ice cream with BOURBON. Duh!
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There are pros and cons to gardening.

I can go on and on about the pros. They do, in fact, outweigh the cons.

But…
One of the cons? Everything harvests at the same freaking time. It’s so much fun when you pluck your first cantaloupe (insert vegetable/fruit here). You bring the little goodness in to show the hubby…
‘Look. I grew this. I planted the seed. I watched the little seedling push its way out of the soil. I painstakingly weeded around the growing plant. I watered it every day. Look.’
It’s exciting.

And the next day, when you venture to the garden. What’s this? It’s not just one more cantaloupe ready for harvest. No…back there behind the garden box, a stray cantaloupe vine has been growing. You have two cantaloupes that are ready to be consumed. Sweet!
You devoured yesterday’s little trophy, so this is perfect.

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