Ice Cream Delivers a Taste of Summer

As the weather begins to slowly break here in Michigan, one of my family’s favorite summertime treats is (Can you guess? Yep!) a good ice cream.

Oh, how I love the sounds of summer: The birds chirping, the swings at the park squeaking and the ice cream truck. Okay, so maybe the sound of the ice cream truck sometimes. It never fails he comes around at nap time or dinner! 

My thoughts begin to take me to those warm evenings when dinner is done, the kitchen is clean and an evening walk with a stop at the local ice cream shop is in order. Mmmm, the taste of summer! It is safe to say that I love ice cream probably as much as I love my coffee. That means I really like it!

Wally’s Frozen Custard in Harper Woods is one of our local family favorites. We love Wally’s. Actually, we love it so much we rented the fire truck for our daughters' joint 2-year-old and 5-year-old birthday party last year. I would recommend it to anyone. The fire truck is great for birthdays, block parties, sports events and pretty much any event when you would want to enjoy a yummy treat with friends.

I also invite you to try out on the Nautical Mile. Why not sit on the bench outside for a relaxing evening watching the cars go by on Jefferson? Where else can you sit by the lake, eat ice cream and count fish flies?

At you can grab a hot dog and an ice cream to go!

Who can forget the family tradition of the local (Dairy Queen)? Thank goodness for traditions. There is nothing like a Blizzard in the middle of the summer. Yes, the kind you eat and not the one with snow and wind. I think we certainly had our share of the real thing this winter.

Are you craving ice cream yet? I am!

When a trip to the local ice cream shop isn’t an option, here are some of our favorite alternatives for a cool-down treat on those memorable warm-weather evenings with the family.

We love to make our own “OJ Pops” for a healthy alternative to popsicles.

Calling all cookie lovers. Why not make your own ice cream sandwiches? Two cookies and a scoop of ice cream and you have a delicious treat ready in minutes. You can even make mini ones so you are not so guilt-ridden afterwards. Even better, make a bunch in advance and wrap them in wax paper, stick them in the freezer and your treat is ready for later.

We also are huge fans of the ice cream sandwich cake like this one here.

So maybe the weather hasn't been so cooperative these days, but I know one thing for sure. Yucky weather or not, my family will be enjoying the tastes of summer from now until fall. I hope you will join us.

Be sure to leave me a comment on the Patch or at amamajourney@gmail.com.