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Friday, September 23, 2011

The Happy Anniversary

Deep breath. Mmmm, ahhh! Finally, a free evening that didn't begin at 10pm. Gym-ed, showered, fed and rested, I can catch up on my blogging! So many events have been attended, delicious food has been cooked and eaten, and many friends and family have been visited. I promise, now, I will catch everyone up on what's been going on.

The wedding anniversary of my in-laws went uncelebrated this year following some sad family news. My mother-in-law seemed pretty down since she felt that their special day would now hold only the sad memory of loss. The idea of that really upset me so I came up with a plan. While doing laundry at my in-laws (while they were at the cabin), I ran and idea by C's aunt and cousin: an anniversary surprise party! We decided to host the party that weekend. They were due to arrive back home from the lake on Saturday, so we planned the party for Sunday. I would invite them over for dinner, just the 4 of us. We split up the cooking and started working on the party.

I had promised C's dad that when I had them over for dinner that I would make ice cream for dessert: his choice. He picked chocolate. "Would you like anything in it? Chopped chocolate? Nuts? Marshmallows? Candy?", I asked hopefully (I'm a big fan of delicious chunks of goodies in my ice cream). "Nope, just chocolate" he replied. So, as per my hubby's Pop's request, chocolate it would be! David L's recipe looked amazing and his description of him licking the beaters clean, fresh after churning, sold me. I picked up the cream, whole milk, and chocolate from the grocery store and got to work!

First things first, heat the milk and some of the cream with sugar and cocoa powder.
Step 1 of chocolate ice cream making
While the first part of the base is cooling, we start the next part of the chocolate base. Time to melt some more chocolate! We can't have too much of that in an ice cream. Look at that smooth rich chocolaty goodness. Mmm, I could stop the process here and just drink this part of the base, but then, no ice cream for my father-in-law.

Stage 2 of the base
Now, what could we add to this to make it even more rich and creamy? Hmm. Righty-o, the rest of the cream. Seriously, I am going to have to start going to Boot Camps if this ice cream making keeps up.

Cream to the base

That's right. Allll the cream...
 By now, all of you are all old pros at tempering the eggs into the hot liquid, so I don't need to go over that process with you. The eggs, now brought to temperature, can be added to the rest of the base. 
Egg mixture being added, to thicken the base
After about 30 minutes in the frozen drum of the ice cream maker and out comes the most divinely rich, smooth, creamy, and chocolaty ice cream I have ever made! Plain chocolate. Good choice.


Finished chocolate ice cream for the anniversary surprise party
Fast forward to Sunday. Despite my in-laws coming home from the lake 2 days earlier than planned, and C's aunt not realizing immediately that she was on speaker phone while talking about plans in front of C's mom, the surprise wasn't spoiled. Everyone arrived about 30 minutes early to prepare the house and lay out the food. We decided to have a BBQ since the weather was nice so there were crisp refreshing salads, burgers and wieners, grilled vegetables, and fruit, waiting to be served.
Burger and wiener fixings

More fixings and salads
Now, my in-laws are not the kind to be late for anything, if anything, they are often early. Knowing this, I was frantically shoving family members into the hallway with a camera at 3 minutes before zero hour. After 10 minutes in the hallway and no sign of the happy couple, I decided to call them. A phone call to the house, each of their cell phones, and the house again with no answer. Finally, after much animated debate about what might be keeping them, the phone rang. They were running behind but were on their way. Everyone back in the hallway! When the arrived, I walked them in, everyone jumped out and the smiles, laughs and chatting began. They were late because they were buying an anniversary present for us! Now that the guests of honour had arrived, we got the BBQ fired up and started grilling. European wieners, homemade lean burger patties, and zucchini and yellow squash were tossed on. Let's not forget, this house is Pro-Veg so nobody gets away without having some.

Enjoying the summer sun with the grill
After dinner, the much anticipated dessert was brought out. My aunt-in-law made a lovely fruit cake covered in marzipan and fondant, decorated for their anniversary. We had them share in the duty of cutting the cake together, just like at a wedding. I have to say, it was adorable to watch and also very uplifting to see a couple, married for over 30 years and still so much in love.
The cake cutting
The cake was cut, dessert was served, and everyone hunkered down to some sweet treats to end the plentiful meal. The men congregated in the living room, sipping beers and chatting. The women traded stories in the kitchen, cleaning up the dishes and the leftovers. Yes, definitely a flash-back to different times, but there are still many traditional roles that spill to the surface after a party. Yawn. The party is done, it's getting late as I type this. My one post that was supposed to be many more is not to be tonight.
But fear not, faithful readers (if there are any of you out there), I will write more blog more this weekend.
So, goodnight faithful readers. Sleep well.

Moist sweet fruit cake

The dessert table: the chocolate ice cream, watermelon, chocolate cake, and fruit cake



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