It really doesn’t get much easier than this.  Sadly, most of the end product was consumed before I could snap some photos. What you see here are stock images found on Pinterest. The spirit is the same!

I’m really going all in this summer, trying to max out on activities and fun times with the girls.  I’m marvelling at how quickly they are growing up and I want to be really present to enjoy these times.  I haven’t really enjoyed the girls as much as want to, given all the challegnes that I’ve been facing trying to recouperate. There’s been a lot of me telling them “No” and “I can’t do that” or “You have to wait for someone else”.  Not much fun when what they really want is to spend time with me.

Slowly, slowly, I’m rectificying that.  Last week-end, I took C and V with me to the Home Depot.  We loaded up on herbs, marigolds, begonias and potted plants.  Pinterest said all you need is some herbs and a dream to make your backyard garden a reality.  I bought into it 100%.  We spent the bulk of Sunday afternoon elbow deep in potting soil and watering cans.  I think I enjoyed it more than the girls did.

Memorial Day, the girls and I christened the grill for the 2015 year, firing up hamburgers, hot dogs and chicken breasts. We sat outside and had a lovely time around the picnic table and under the umbrella.  I passed around some cans of Coke and you’d have thought they’d each received a golden ticket. I mean, what’s a cook-out without some Coca-Cola, right?

While I do have a more tricks up my sleeve to keep us entertained this summer, I’m dangerously close to blowing my wad in the next few days.  Yesterday, I made a grocery list, asking the girls what kind of sweet treats they’d like to have. Ice cream sanwiches were top of the list.  Ahh, the ice cream sandwich, a true summer time staple, only surpassed by the ice cream sanwich made with chocolate chip cookies.  We’re a big fan of those.  The girls put their requests in and off I went to the store.

My hands were on the box of 6 Good Humor Chocolate Chip cookie sandwiches when it occurred to me, this is so easy. I could make these myself.  So, that’s what I decided to do.  The box went back into the depths of the frozen food department. I navigated my way around the aisles, grabbing a gallon of Breyer’s Homestyle Vanilla and a package of Break and Bake Toll House cookies.  At home, I turned on the oven, dropped the cookies on the sheet and let them bake.  Once they were  done, I let them cool while the ice cream softened on the counter.

I ended up with a dozen good sized cookies, upon which I dolloped a healthy scoop of softened ice cream and then topped with another cookie.  All told, I finished with six CD sized ice cream sandwiches, which I slid into the freezer to harden.  Could I have rolled them in sprinkles or chocolate chips or some other sugar based confection? Probably.  Did I? Nope.  First time out of the gate, I went for simplicity. We’ve got the whole summer ahead of us; plenty of time to coat ourselves (and the floor) with a rainbow of sugary crystals. Despite the rather plain appearance, the reaction to this dessert was anything but.  Who doesn’t love an ice cream sandwich? And an ice cream sandwich made by Mom?! #winning !

What’s your favorite summer time ice cream treat? Tell me all about it in the comments!

Happy Friday, y’all!

Yum, yum, yum!

Chocoloate Chip Cookie Ice Cream Sandwiches

recipe via Cooking on the Side with some edits by Hilary with One L

Ingredients

1. 1 package of 12 break and bake (or slice and bake) cookies

2. 1 pint of vanilla (or your favorite) ice cream

3. Sprinkles, chocolate chips, nuts or other toppings (optional)

Directions

1. Bake the cookies according to the directions on the package. Allow cookies to cool.

2. While cookies are cooling, allow ice cream to soften, no more than 5 minutes.

3. Divide the cookies into pairs.

4. Lay one cookie on a flat, clean surface, bottom side up. Place a small, round scoop of ice cream on the center of the cookie. Close the sandwich with a second cookie, gently pressing down so that the ice cream spreads to meet the edges of the cookies evenly.

5. Carefully roll the sides of the sandwich in your decorations (gently press them into the ice cream to help them stay put) and immediately transfer the sandwich to your tray in the freezer.

Enjoy!