as you may have noticed, we took a bit of a break this week. but we’re back. today we are having an old fashioned ice cream social. do you remember having those as a kid? i remember going to school-related ice cream socials at the end of summer, to welcome new students. while our towns and cities are beginning to open up and small gatherings are resuming, i thought an old fashioned cream social might be a great way to welcome family and friends back to our homes. we have all the fixings for ice cream sundaes, floats and even a boozy milkshake for the adults! so join us as we host an ice cream social.
outfit of the day
it finally feels like summer here in Athens, so i am keeping cool and casual with linen shorts and a light summer sweater. espadrilles are the shoe for summer, and i am sporting a pair of cap toe espadrilles. today’s OOTD is light and airy, perfect for going between the heat outside and the air conditioning inside.
setting up the sundae bar is made easy with a muffin tin to hold toppings. pre-scooping ice cream onto a serving plate is another way to make it easy for your guests to self-serve. we have waffle cones and waffle bowls, fudge and caramel syrups, and whipped cream.
get creative with your toppings. cereal or even potato chips make great ice cream sundae toppers. i have Cheerios, Heath Toffee crumbles, mini M&Ms, chocolate covered pretzels, chopped walnuts, mini Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and fresh blackberries.
homemade vanilla ice cream was one of mr. style’s favorite desserts, so i am making vanilla ice cream, and i have two store-bought flavors: mint chocolate chip (my favorite!) and salted caramel. if you don’t already have an electric ice cream maker, i definitely recommend you get one! homemade ice cream is so easy and such a wonderful summertime treat.
In a small pot, simmer heavy cream, milk, sugar and salt until sugar completely dissolves, about 5 minutes. Remove pot from heat. In a separate bowl, whisk yolks. Whisking constantly, slowly whisk about a third of the hot cream into the yolks, then whisk the yolk mixture back into the pot with the cream. Return pot to medium-low heat and gently cook until mixture is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (about 170 degrees on an instant-read thermometer).
Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a bowl. Cool mixture to room temperature. Cover and chill at least 4 hours or stir mixture in an ice bath until completely cool. Churn in an ice cream machine according to manufacturers’ instructions. Serve directly from the machine for soft serve, or store in freezer until needed.
don’t forget the root beer floats! scoop ice cream into mason jars and place in the freezer until your guests arrive. they can pour over the root beer and top with whipped cream. i have fun, fluted sundae cups with sundae spoons, special for this occasion.
This is a fun boozy milkshake for the adults at your social, you can adjust the amount of Baileys to make the shake more or less alcoholic. i used a blender to mix, but if your ice cream is soft enough, you can use a hand mixer or whisk to mix. i am serving these in Irish coffee mugs.
well gang, this closes another fridays with oscar. so far, 2020 has been a doozy. but let’s all keep our heads up and eyes forward with positivity and compassion as we head into summer. there will continue to be challenges ahead and if we can lead with love in our hearts and minds, we will find those challenges to be surmountable. oscar, ollie and i wish all of you a peaceful weekend.
is our 40s+ fashion & food contributor. She posts a Daily Look on Tuesdays, writes about Fashion on Thursdays, joins Beth for Fridays with Oscar and shares a new recipe Sunday evenings.
She’s 47, 5’0, and a petite 0/XS.
Kelly also has a food blog called Djalali Cooks, which you can find by clicking the world icon below.
Hi Beth,
I finally received my red and white skirt from Talbot s that I ordered the same day you posted it. The skirt would be perfect for an ice cream social, a picnic, or a blue grass concert if they ever happen again. It will go with many things I have in my closet like a blue or white jeans jacket, a chambray shirt, a peasant blouse,etc. I can’t wait to go someplace to wear it.
isn’t that skirt adorable?! i know it can be frustrating these days what with Covid impacting shipments too. and you’re right, that skirt will take you lots of places this summer. we’re slowly opening up. praise the Lord!
We have been loving the blueberry vodka cocktail you posted previously. (We even decided to buy a simple bar set to mix drinks.) We have an ice cream maker, and in the summer I love to make frozen yogurt with the fruit of the season. Basically Greek yogurt and cut up fruit in the machine.
Your outfit looks great! You look so cool and comfortable.
Love your OOTD. It looks very casual and comfortable. I personally cannot pull off the shorter shorts, but you’re rocking them. Glad you took some time off. You deserve it!
What a sweet idea. We use to travel and stay RV parks for a few days. To introduce their guests to each other they would hold ice cream socials. We met some nice people that way. I love these shoes you are wearing. Did Oscar get a bite?
Buonasera Beth sono italiana quindi la patria del gelato….. Che bella idea questo ritrovarci con un rinfrescante ice cream. Sei molto dolce quando associ qualche cosa a tuo marito in questo caso un suo gusto di gelato favorito. Un grande abbraccio gentile signora!!!
Mmmmmm. Less than a block away from us is a “Goodberry’s” frozen custard shop, and I tend to be a purist–I typically don’t do toppings. My favorites are the straight frozen custard flavors, like Burgundy cherry, peach, blackberry, etc. There are big chunks of the fruit mixed all throughout–it is delicious. And of course there’s “jamocha,” which is scrumptious. I would not turn down that Bailey’s infused concoction, though, trust me! Enjoy and hope you have a pleasant weekend. Your outfit is cute–love those shorts. It has definitely been a year for the books. This is one I’ll be happy to close the door on, but I am increasingly hopeful that we may be on the brink of some positive things coming of all of this.
Ooooo Beth! I cannot wait to try that milkshake!
Also, you look amazing in those shorts!
I like seeing the slightly shorter length. Your legs look miles long. Personally, I am on the shorter side and find that length of shorts looks best on me. Although, I sometimes get caught up in what is “appropriate” for my age. Love seeing you rock those shorts and still look classy.
Have a great weekend!
Ex UK now in Oz never heard of an ice cream social but what a fantastic concept. I’m a convert definitely can go with the boozy versions. We are moving into winter down in Tasmania but it’s on the agenda for summer.
So glad to see you and Oscar are back!! Missed not seeing and reading your fun posts! Have a great weekend Beth
it feels good to be missed! i hope you enjoy your weekend too, stephanie.
Thank you Beth for the wonderful post just what I needed! Those shorts look terrific on you! Have a safe and relaxing weekend 🙂
thanks, francesca! i will share that these shorts are just about the most comfortable pair I’ve ever worn. love them!
Missed you very much this week! I understand you need to take a break. Hope all is well and glad your back!
thanks so much, jeannette! all is well. but it’s so nice to be missed.
Hi Beth,
I finally received my red and white skirt from Talbot s that I ordered the same day you posted it. The skirt would be perfect for an ice cream social, a picnic, or a blue grass concert if they ever happen again. It will go with many things I have in my closet like a blue or white jeans jacket, a chambray shirt, a peasant blouse,etc. I can’t wait to go someplace to wear it.
isn’t that skirt adorable?! i know it can be frustrating these days what with Covid impacting shipments too. and you’re right, that skirt will take you lots of places this summer. we’re slowly opening up. praise the Lord!
We have been loving the blueberry vodka cocktail you posted previously. (We even decided to buy a simple bar set to mix drinks.) We have an ice cream maker, and in the summer I love to make frozen yogurt with the fruit of the season. Basically Greek yogurt and cut up fruit in the machine.
Your outfit looks great! You look so cool and comfortable.
mr. style loved vanilla ice cream and vanilla frozen yogurt with all the toppings. enjoy!
Love your OOTD. It looks very casual and comfortable. I personally cannot pull off the shorter shorts, but you’re rocking them. Glad you took some time off. You deserve it!
One more comment; I love your porch planters.
I think a black and white gingham bow on your front door wreath would look great!😉
that is a great idea! guess who’ll be on the lookout for gingham ribbon?
thanks so much, deanna! i have to say these shorts are so comfortable. the perfect pair to hang out in the house.
What a sweet idea. We use to travel and stay RV parks for a few days. To introduce their guests to each other they would hold ice cream socials. We met some nice people that way. I love these shoes you are wearing. Did Oscar get a bite?
oscar loves ice cream! and frozen yogurt. but i try to give him the healthy variety made for dogs.
Buonasera Beth sono italiana quindi la patria del gelato….. Che bella idea questo ritrovarci con un rinfrescante ice cream. Sei molto dolce quando associ qualche cosa a tuo marito in questo caso un suo gusto di gelato favorito. Un grande abbraccio gentile signora!!!
Mmmmmm. Less than a block away from us is a “Goodberry’s” frozen custard shop, and I tend to be a purist–I typically don’t do toppings. My favorites are the straight frozen custard flavors, like Burgundy cherry, peach, blackberry, etc. There are big chunks of the fruit mixed all throughout–it is delicious. And of course there’s “jamocha,” which is scrumptious. I would not turn down that Bailey’s infused concoction, though, trust me! Enjoy and hope you have a pleasant weekend. Your outfit is cute–love those shorts. It has definitely been a year for the books. This is one I’ll be happy to close the door on, but I am increasingly hopeful that we may be on the brink of some positive things coming of all of this.
i hope your right about positive things springing forth from bad. lovely way to look at 2020.
Ooooo Beth! I cannot wait to try that milkshake!
Also, you look amazing in those shorts!
I like seeing the slightly shorter length. Your legs look miles long. Personally, I am on the shorter side and find that length of shorts looks best on me. Although, I sometimes get caught up in what is “appropriate” for my age. Love seeing you rock those shorts and still look classy.
Have a great weekend!
i am telling you these shorts are one of the most comfortable I’ve ever worn. perfect for knocking around the house in.
Beth,
Nice gams!!! Love the shorts. I can’t wait to try a Guinness milkshake.
you will love the milkshake, lyn. a little decadent but worth every calorie!
Oh yummy recipes. Ice cream! Perfect timing.
And you look super cute & comfy today!!
Oscar handsome as always
the summer temps have arrived! and ice cream with it. love this time of year.
Ex UK now in Oz never heard of an ice cream social but what a fantastic concept. I’m a convert definitely can go with the boozy versions. We are moving into winter down in Tasmania but it’s on the agenda for summer.
Thanks
L