I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream for Ice Cream!

What is better than homemade ice cream in the summertime?

Cody and I had our neighbors over for some homemade cherry ice cream and Cherry Cola Brownies on Tuesday night. We haven't had a neighborhood get-together in a while, so it was nice to visit with one another. It has been so long, I think this is the first time we have all been together with all the neighborhood babies that were born in the past year or so. Hershey had a good time playing with all the babies--Jake loves to throw the ball to him, Grant loved Hershey's toys, and Sophie liked to watch Hershey run after the ball.

Not everyone can say that they have such good neighbors, nor that they consider their neighbors friends. We are definitely blessed!

Mom's Homemade Cherry Ice Cream
1 can evaporated milk
2 pts. whipping cream
2 c. sugar
6 t. almond flavoring
16 oz. Cheerwine
20 oz. Maraschino cherries, cut up (with the juice)
milk

Mix all ingredients together, except the regular milk, with a whisk and pour into ice cream freezer. Add regular milk to the fill line and turn on the ice cream freezer.


Cherry Cola Brownies
Brownie
1 box Betty Crocker original supreme brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch)
1/4 c. cherry cola
1/3 c. vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 tbsp. cherry juice

Frosting
1/2 c. butter
3 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa
4 c. powdered sugar
1/3 c. cherry cola
2 tbsp. cherry juice
maraschino cherries

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Grease bottom only of 13 x 9 inch pan with cooking spray or shortening. In medium bowl, stir brownie mix, chocolate pouch, 1/4 c. cherry cola, oil, eggs, and 2 tbsp. cherry juice until well blended. Spread in pan, and bake 28-30 minutes. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

In large bowl, beat frosting ingredients (except maraschino cherries) with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Spread evenly over brownies. Garnish brownies with maraschino cherries.

A Special 4th of July Celebration

Cody and I made a special trip to Taylorsville to visit with our new nephew, Jackson Eric Wingler. Cody's brother, Jared, and his wife, Erica, delivered their baby boy on the morning of July 4th. He was born at 31 weeks, so he only weighs in at 4 lbs. 8 oz., but he is thankfully doing very well. Please keep him in your prayers as he continues to grow and strengthen.

Three Down, One More to Go...

Well, Cody finished his 3rd year of medical school yesterday--he is now officially an M4! I can't believe how time flies! I am so proud of him! We can't believe it's only one more year before he will be an MD!

Cody has orientation for 4th year today, and then he starts his rotations again on Monday. (They don't believe in giving them much of a break!) I think he starts off doing a PM&R. I think that means Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. (I'll be amazed if I actually got that correct!)

Apparently, 4th year does have some perks:

• Of course, you are the "big man" on campus.
• You get to choose your own rotation schedule.
• No overnight call, and not many call days.
• Several weeks of vacation.

Along with those added perks, comes added stress:

• You start to apply and interview for residency programs.
• You have to take Step II of the medical board exams.

Please keep Cody in your prayers as he finishes his last year of med school!