Strawberry picking

(Source)

Tomorrow Neal & I are going strawberry picking! I've never been and I'm super excited. He wants to get a lot for cheap so he can make jam. And I am hoping to convince him to whip up a batch of strawberry custard that we can churn into ice cream. After his last ice cream experiment, things are looking good.

I also get to celebrate a lovely friend who is getting married in 21 days! The festivities are a surprise to the charming bride, so I can't give any more details. But I'm so looking forward to having fun with her and the rest of the ladies.

And, as if this weekend couldn't get any better, Neal & I are finally heading to the newly opened Chick-fil-a this evening for dinner! You might remember I was just a little excited for it to open.

To top it all off, we get to enjoy the Fountain Square Art Festival in downtown Evanston on Sunday after church. And then see a showing of X-Men: First Class with some fellow Virginians. What a wonderful weekend ahead! Do you have any fun plans?

Burnt Sugar (and butter) Ice Cream

Shelburne Falls

Last summer when Neal & I were visiting his family in Massachusetts we drove to Shelburne Falls, MA and spent the afternoon enjoying the quaint town. There is a lovely pedestrian bridge, the Bridge of Flowers, which the locals maintain with many varieties of native plants and flowers. It's absolutely gorgeous and even has its own website!

We happened upon an ice cream shop along our walk through town. And who can resist an ice cream shop? Especially one that serves homemade ice cream? Not this girl. And what do you know, I found my new favorite flavor: Burnt Sugar and Butter. Smooth, just the right amount of sweetness, satisfying after taste, delicious. I've never found it anywhere else, which is a tragedy. Because it is so good. And everyone should have access to it.

About a week ago, Neal found a recipe for Burnt Sugar ice cream in Martha Stewart's The Martha Stewart Living Cook Book: The Original Classics. I was convinced it wouldn't be the same - it was only burnt sugar, not burnt sugar and butter - but excited to try it all the same. Neal labored away; apparently it's very difficult to make the burnt sugar custard. Burning the sugar just enough but not too much is a tricky task. But the result is a slightly bitter, light rust colored concoction that tastes like...burnt sugar. I know, that's a terrible description. It has a distinct burnt flavor, but also a sweet after taste. It's truly unique. If you have the patience, or a wonderful husband to make it for you, I highly recommend it.

However, I'm still on the search for burnt sugar and butter ice cream.