1. How has your favorite ice cream flavor changed since childhood?
My mom used to take us to Baskin Robbins every Sunday after church if we behaved ourselves. This was not always a sure bet because we often did not behave ourselves. There were six of us after all. We couldn’t even share a room without dividing it in half with masking tape, let alone sit side by side for an entire hour without incident. If my sisters and brother and I were not jockeying for elbow space on the holy pew, we often distracted ourselves by picking loose hairs off of the cardigans of the women sitting in front of us. We either spent the entire hour quietly fighting, making each other laugh, or bobbing our sleepy heads into prayerful hands to catch a few z’s.
But on the occasion we were able to keep our hands to ourselves and Oh Hosanna our way through mass successfully, we earned ice cream. I transitioned between pink and purple every visit. They were my two favorite colors so I was committed to lick them each equally. My Mom ordered the Pralines and Cream every single time and I could not figure out why she would not venture into something a little more interesting. For example, Bubble Gum was not only a beautiful shade of pink, but there is actual gum in the ice cream. Two treats in one. It’s a no brainer.
I don’t know who is responsible for introducing me to Peanut Butter and Chocolate, but it because my Pralines and Cream. One taste of that little slice of heaven and my purple and pink ice cream no longer turned my head like it once did. I only had eyes for Peanut Butter and Chocolate.
When I moved out on my own I realized Baskin Robbins sold it by the quart and I stocked my freezer with it. That was a proud moment in time where I got to call the shots. I didn’t have to wait for Sundays to eat ice cream and I didn’t have to sit through church to earn it. I did have to find a better paying job though, so my expensive habit of stocking up on Baskin Robbins ice cream did come to an end.
Now as an old lady, I avoid ice cream if I can. I say “if I can” as if sometimes there is just no avoiding it. Sometimes the ice cream forces you to find it and eat it. But I think I’ve become one of those people who doesn’t get along with dairy as much as I once did. But if I’m forced to eat it, it’s still Peanut Butter and Chocolate all day erryday.
What’s your flavor?
John Holton says
Oh, geez, becoming a little lactose-intolerant? That sucks. You aren’t an old lady, by the way.
Gigi says
I stay away from ice cream generally just for the calories. But if I do indulge, I have several favorites but generally stick with vanilla soft serve with hot caramel.
Abby says
The old behave-in-church-and-get-ice-cream-after bribe! Makes me wonder just how much ice cream revenue has been generated by that tactic.
Honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever had peanut butter and chocolate ice cream. I’m a vanilla girl myself. *YAWN*
May says
First of all—your mom! This is just one glimpse into her life that keeps my sense that she is destined for sainthood alive. I can’t imagine how overwhelming her life was after your dad died…but 6 kids in a pew for an hour of “quiet reflection”….whew!
And second—rocky road.