suzette roberts

// Piña Colada Sherbet

Early last month, I started thinking about a frozen summer treat for our upcoming warmer weekends. We'd been hearing all sorts of wonderful thing about warmer weather and what it 'magically' could do to our current state of 'what on earth just happened in the world', and I'm hoping just as much too, that this sort of hot magic will give us the reprieve we've been desiring so — more okey dokey outdoors with our younger kids, and not just our backyards. But I do agree, and I'm sure you do too, our quiet backyards are a great start and a blessing. And because I wanted our little ones to have as much fun and refreshing celebration too, I went with a favourite non-alcoholic blend as we make a splash or two out back: 'The Classic Piña Colada', now slushed, to add some tropical beachy-ness to wherever our mood-sails take us, including right on our now green front lawns, sunscreen-slathered of course. Another weekend is on our heels and this time we get to say, "Hello Summer!", (Saturday, June 20th at 5:44 pm EDT). Here's to a little more ex-haling.

 

And a very happy Father's Day to our loving dads out there doing it and doing it, through the thicker and thinner things of it. We love you and appreciate every bit of you for always being there for us through the everydays and crazies of this world. :) ~xo

// Strawberry Moscato Frosé

If we're being honest, right around now, and even if you're reading this before 12 noon, all moms (empty-nesters included, #thisistrue) would welcome a fizzy! sip to thaw out and chill-lax for a few with balancing the kids: monitoring online school modules and indoor activities, work from home adjustments on all levels, and of course... the housework, always an ongoing of some kind. I thought about this — I really did — and decided on a refreshing and playful frozen rosé blend (very Dad-doable) to embrace our succulent spring-season strawberries, a soft pink booze to celebrate Mom, and desired fuss-free prep, for a laid-back afternoon or evening with or without the homemade pizza, but I'd say, make the pizza or other homemade favourite too, keeping it light and fun. Happy Mother's Day to all our moms: current, expecting, and moms-in-spirit...  ~xo

// Naked Mocaccino Ice Cream

Hello April!~ It feels like our uninhibited morning espresso or coffee moment, meeting that tempting square of after-lunch dark chocolate, for dessert. And the poetry behind it makes it that more inviting... For weeks now I've been enjoying little nibbles of a vanilla-infused dark chocolate (which I keep in the refrigerator), and so in demand these days that our grocery store is now out of stock! for the first time ever since I began shopping there six years ago. 'Out of stock' is another new norm these days and evidently I'm not the only one soothing thyself avec le chocolat...

// Coconut Ice Cream

One could say, "For those days when you want the 'colada' before the 'piña', or when you just want to stay put in the cozy comforts of winter living, while still keeping a connection to island life—, or even to include a quiet, lazy day (or hour) with a new edition of a loved mag or curious new book, a familiar fluffed throw, and blank moments, because they too are important pieces of our balancing act." This is the flavour to take that needed time-out and to just be: the casual Coconut Ice Cream. A fresh, light and breezy, no eggs, at-home make and indulgence. Late winter meets early summer? Easy recipe included after the jump. And three lovelies from our workweek: here, here (funny truth!), and also here (as promised), to go. :) Have a restful sleep-in weekend. ~xx

// Pistachio Nut Ice Cream

'Where I get so much joy these days— working on new ice cream blends. To say I have been wanting to delve into this favourite nut flavour in its purest form, is an understatement. It's been on my quiet(er) mind for at least two years now. But, yes there's a but; I wanted the best green pistachios known, and wasn't going to 'go there' until said nut was literally in my bare hands. It remained on my to-source list. Well, said ingredient spectaculaire arrived out of the blue the first week of this year, 2020, without any request, or even warning, and I almost couldn't believe it, and after closing my front door, I twirled and had my full-on happy dance mid-afternoon, as right there and then my month had already hit a pretty high note. I am ecstatic with the rich deep-bodied pistachio bite, sweet nutty aroma, and smooth velvety elegance of this month's flavour which took me over the moon (and I'm still not back as yet): Pistachio Nut Ice Cream. :) A few beginning behind-the scenes after the jump... Have a snuggly weekend. ~xx