糖心vlog官方入口

鈥淪ummertime and the livin鈥� is easy.鈥�

Some in the Low Country would argue that it is not so easy in summertime, what with the humidity and the scorching sun that makes it difficult to walk outside.

Pollen is another matter even though its terror is short lived. Mosquitoes keep us inside when we could be enjoying the late afternoon. Creepy, crawly things tend to proliferate in warm, moist environments.

Summer in the South is also the time when one puts on a jacket after being outside and upon re-entering a frigid controlled inside air space. Some would surmise that summertime in the South is far better than winter in the North.

It鈥檚 also the time when our thoughts turn to our love of cold food, namely ice cream. Standing in a cold supermarket with a winter jacket on in front of a refrigerated mind-blowing array of cold food, it makes us lose our ability to choose just one. We visit a supermarket because our need (our want?) on these easy days of summer is ice cream. Cold, creamy, sweet, flavorful chocolate, vanilla, banana nut, cherry, strawberry, neapolitan - how can we ever choose the one we visited the supermarket for?

And where do we store the ten quarts that we couldn鈥檛 resist? We could go downtown to one of the local ice cream shops to sit inside as we shiver, enjoying our triple scoop of caramel walnut along with a gigantic piece of cake or pie or a brownie.

Or we could sit outside, fight off the flies and the occasional marauding wasp to lick our ice cream in a waffle cone as it drips down our hands onto our clothing or the already sticky pavement.

Or we could do as Najgy, my mother, did on those hottest days of summer - direct Luther, my father, to get out the hand-cranked ice cream churn and make our own frozen treat.

The only downfall was that the churn could produce just enough to make us all want more, and she could make only one flavor at the time. Ah, but how rich and satisfying to the mouth to spoon it up and let it glide down our throats so easily.

After all, summertime is easy, so they say. After the ice cream base is made, Najgy lets it cool before pouring it into the canister. Whole milk is added 鈥� no low fat for Najgy鈥檚 family.

The dasher is put into the canister, the cranking mechanism attached, and then the delicate balancing of ice layered with rock salt is added.

A thick towel tops the loaded wooden bucket with its hand crank and we start the fight over who gets to sit atop the churn until it becomes too difficult to turn (or before a strong adult or a teenage football player has to turn it).

Sweet, succulent watermelon cut open to reveal its crimson interior is on a table.

This step is best done outside on a grassy lawn for all to enjoy while we wait for the ice cream to 鈥渟et.鈥�

While adults chat in lawn chairs, various youngsters try to catch the just-emerging fireflies as they begin their enticing bobbing flights. Najgy puts out wet towels for face and hand wiping. At last, Luther announces that the treat of the afternoon is ready and we all clamor around to watch the unpacking.

One lucky person gets the wooden dasher where the coldest ice cream clings as it is withdrawn from the canister. Sometimes there is no luck involved, it鈥檚 just the one who can move faster than anyone else. Joyful sounds emanate as we spoon Najgy鈥檚 creation into the waiting bowls.

Eating too fast, generally what we all do, sometimes would produce a brain-freeze that lasts for some excruciating seconds.

As the muggy late afternoon turns into the cooler twilight air, lawn chairs are folded and stored in readiness for the next ice cream party.

Parents gather their sticky, sleepy little ones and goodbyes are said. Guests begin to disburse to their own homes, already looking forward to the next gathering to celebrate what truly might be the easiest and best of summer life. Many are slow to leave because the next gathering could be some time away.

When all have left, Najgy and her budding sous chef tidy the kitchen, wash the churn, turn it upside down to dry, hug each other and say good night. Tomorrow is another day to rejoice in the bounty of our Lord鈥檚 beneficence and His enduring love.