Monday, May 28, 2012

Summertime: Off to a great start

Summer Vacation: Day 2 


Our first day of summer vacation is best left alone. My husband and I were both sick from a stomach bug and I'll spare you the details.  Day two was much better. My daughter and I made this "frozen chocolate peanut dessert" for a dinner I had planned for my mom's arrival into town and my in-laws coming over.  

Frozen Chocolate Peanut Dessert
Freeze a large bowl and a 13X9 pan for about 15 minutes.  Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine 30 coarsely chopped oreos and 1/4 cup butter and set aside. 
Place ice cream in the chilled bowl; slightly soften ice cream by using wooden spoon to press against sides of bowl.  Spoon ice cream into chilled pan and press into even layer.  Sprinkle the cookie/butter mixture onto the ice cream.  Top with 1 cup salted peanuts.  
Put 1 12 oz. jar of fudge ice cream topping into a ziploc bag.  Cut a corner of the bag  and drizzle over the layers in the pan. Cover and freeze for at least 4 hours. Let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving. You can top with cherries or sliced bananas. Makes 15 servings. 

We loved this recipe and it tastes similar to either a peanut buster parfait from the Dairy Queen or an ice cream cake. 


Summer Vacation: Days 4, 5, 6

 My husband and I got to go on a mini-vacation alone for our 10th anniversary.  With a trip to Las Vegas scrapped (darn black out dates for frequent flyer miles) we decided to go a short distance from home to Brown County, Indiana. A beautiful area with a state park, a historic town with shops (Nashville,IN), walking/biking trails, a campground and trails exclusive to horses and their owners, and much more. 
 
 Wonderful Brown County State Park, Indiana


The Story Inn- Story, IN
Historic little town that is basically owned by one person. Other little houses/cottages surrounding the inn and restaurant are also for rent nightly.  We didn't stay here but will remember it for a future mini-vacation. 


On our last morning at the state park, my husband and I took our last hike. This loop was 1.5 miles through the woods around Ogle Lake within Brown County State Park. Very beautiful-especially in the morning. We were at the park for 2 days and hiked about 7-8 miles. Wish it could have been more but the 90 degree weather didn't help.


8 comments:

  1. Hello Jennifer, I'm a new follower from MBC!. I saw your comment and I was happy to check out your blog. We have some of the same interests, in fact I just did a design post about my master bedroom, if you want to check it out here is the link:http://gwenmossblog.blogspot.com/2012/05/my-master-bedroom-update.html
    Hope you have a great Memorial day!
    Leslie (aka Gwen Moss blog)

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    1. Thank you for following! I will be certain to follow back. I'm hoping to keep up my 'Photos of Summer Vacation' so keep coming back to view!

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  2. I am a new follower from the MBC!First, I want to say Happy Anniversary! 10 years is a milestone! And that dessert looks so YUMMY!

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    1. Thank you for stopping by! I like your blog as well and will follow back!

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  3. Looks like a wonderful start to a great summer. When the madness slows down we will have to catch up.

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    1. Thanks Michelle! Yes, we'll have to catch up. ;)

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  4. wow! You are off to a busy start! Hi there :) I found you on Mom Bloggers Club. You have 1 new follower :) I am over at www.theredheadedprincess.com Nice to meet ya!

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  5. Yummy. Love the Frozen Chocolate Peanut Dessert.
    New follower from http://www.chinese4u2go.com

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