Snow Ice Cream

Well the forecast yesterday called for lots of snow around here, and we definitely got it!  So as I ran my errands in the morning, I made sure to pick up one essential ingredient, half and half.  Whenever we get the first snows of the season, my kids start asking me when we will make snow ice cream.  I've been making it for years with my three kids, and I don't think we can have winter without making it once!

As the snow started falling, I put my biggest bowl outside on the table on the deck to start collecting snow.  My girls had a half day of school and as soon as they got home, started monitoring the fullness of the bowl.  I received frequent updates as the afternoon wore on: "There's a LOT of snow in the bowl, Mom."  "Mom, the bowl is more than half full."  "Mom!  The snow is over the top of the bowl!!!!" 

Aaaah.  Now it is time to make the snow ice cream.  I brought the heaping bowl of fresh snow in and placed it on the counter.  My eager kids gathered around as I added the ingredients.  First, some sugar.  (The sugar always gets some ooohs and aaaahs from my kids.)  Then some half and half.  A little vanilla.  Some more half and half and some more sugar.  After lots of mixing and some taste testing, we declared this batch perfect!

I pulled out the pretty sundae glasses and served up the snow ice cream.  The kids loved it!

Now, if only I didn't have to go back out and shovel again!

My Nephew's Baptism

I attended my newest nephew's baptism this past weekend.  It was quite lovely.  He wore his great grandfather's christening gown that several members of his family have been baptized in, including his mother and grandmother.  There were only four babies being baptized, so it wasn't too long.  And two of my three kids got tapped to assist the priest by holding the oils that he anointed each baby with.

My sister-in-law and brother-in-law hosted a great party afterwards.  Lots of yummy food (homemade lasagne!) and good company.  Our kids and my brother-in-law's nieces and nephews get along great.  Everyone had a good time.

As a Catholic, I take the sacraments that we can receive very seriously.  I bought my nephew a stuffed lamb and three board books about Jesus.  When I went to buy a card, the cards at the Christian bookstore were clearly not for infant baptism.  So I ran to the Hallmark store the morning of the baptism and found several nice cards that mentioned baptism and were clearly for infants.  I found one that had a sentiment that I liked and purchased it.

Fast forward to the party where my sister-in-law was opening the gifts.  She received three of the same card (not the one I bought) and that led us to a discussion of the lack of variety in Baptism/ Christening cards.  I mentioned how that is true at many stores, but not at Hallmark where there seemed to be at least five cards I liked that all mentioned baptism specifically.  One of the women there said that
 she doesn't like to buy cards where the wording is too "religiousy."  Really?  I just shook my head and smiled.  The reason for a baptism is to welcome a child into God's family and the church family.  Isn't that the point?  How can you be too religious with a baptism?  I just don't get it.