Carvel Ice Cream Cakes......

Carvel Ice Cream Cakes.......makes a Birthday a party!

Yesterday, was my grandson Zachary's 13th. birthday. I cannot believe that he is now officially a teenager......oh my goodness where did the years go. I was on the phone this morning talking to Ariana, his younger sister and she was telling me about what a nice day they had. She spent a long time describing that they had a special treat......a Carvel Ice Cream Cake.

As Ariana described this cake I found myself going off into my own childhood memories of this "gourmet treat". As she described the layers of the cake and broken Oreo cookies, I chuckled to myself. Us adults who grew up with Carvel, from the Carvel Store not the freezer at the grocery store, know better...we are talking about the incredible tasting chocolate crumbles that come from the Flying Saucer Crackers, that you can only get at Carvel.

As a kid growing up one of my special treats was when we piled into my dads car and headed for a Carvel store. These stores dotted Long Island and were as familiar a site then as McDonald's are today. Mom and dad would let us choose Vanilla, Chocolate, or whatever the special soft ice cream flavor of the day was. Most often we would choose the twist of chocolate and vanilla, with sprinkles of course!

My reminiscing took me back in time, so I googled Carvel to see what would come up. Tom Carvel started selling his product in 1934. To celebrate its 70th anniversary, Carvel Corporation actually built the world's largest ice cream cake at a celebration in New York City's Union Square Park. Weighing in at just under 11,000 pounds, the cake was made of Carvel's premium vanilla ice cream, its "famous chocolate crunchies, and Carvel's delicious chocolate brownie base." Carvel reports that it took 40 people about one hour to build and assemble the cake, which was about 18 ft long, 8 ft wide and 3 feet high when completed. I wish I could have seen that.

Carvel ice cream cakes and ice cream novelties can be found today in most grocery store freezers. This is not the same experience as going to the Carvel store, but this is what is available today. If you have not experienced a Carvel Ice Cream Cake, go for it....give it a try. Other products that Carvel handles are many novelty ice creams. I remember often I brought home packs of Flying Saucers for my girls. These are terrific, not like any other ice cream sandwich. They stay hard in the freezer and give that excellent Carvel creaminess once out. Brown Bonnets are another favorite.

So Happy Birthday, Zachary.........thanks for the memory. If you have any of the cake left have a bite for me. Carvel ice cream cake makes a birthday a party. This is not a commercial, just a wonderful childhood memory.

Fire in the Oven.....

Fire in the oven is a scary event.....

Last week I was cooking dinner in my oven. I walked into the kitchen and through the glass door on my oven it looked like a fireworks extravaganza.......a bit scary for me. I opened the oven door and peeked in and could see flames as from sparklers shooting off my lower oven heat element. I quickly turned off the oven and removed the food I was attempting to cook, never thinking to turn off the breaker.

I thought about calling the Fire Dept. but decided against it since the fire was contained and I just kept the door shut as I observed the flame dancing from one end of the element to the other until it put itself out when it completed the cycle, about 15-20 minutes later.

Well the next day as I began to think about life without an oven, I decided to make some phone calls to figure out what had really happened and if this can be fixed and how much it would cost. This would not be an opportune time financially to purchase a new unit. If you know me personally, you would think that I just must have burnt my oven out from lots of use as I do cook all the time.

The first repairman I called, told me that it sounded like it was in fact the oven element that burnt out, more common then I thought, and he can easily get the part which ranges between $160-$225, just for the part not including labor. If that be the final result, I would have been forced to replace my 10 year old stove, as it did not make sense to invest this much into it.

Next I called Magic Chef, a division of Maytag, the manufacturer who talked to me and told me the part can be sent out to me for $47 +tax, + shipping......this is starting to sound much better. They also described about how to do the installation. They were very helpful until it was suggested that "I let my husband" do it for me. Well I don't have a husband and was really shocked to hear this comment. I thought that the world had advanced well beyond that type of thinking. Now I was not too happy with them at the moment, so I did not order the part from them.

The next call I made was to a local appliance parts distributor who could order me the part for the $47 +tax and no shipping. They described to me how to change the part and reminded me to turn off the power breaker first.

I asked them to please call me on my cell phone when the part came in so I could pick it up right away. Of course this did not happen, they called me at the home number and I did not get the message until after 5 o'clock and they were then closed. I called them first thing this morning (Saturday) to find out that they are open until 1 o'clock. I went to pick up the part only to find out that they have moved to a new location several miles away from the old location. When I called to find out where they are now, they also told me "oh by the way, we also changed our name". An interesting chain of events. Well the outcome of the story, I finally found them, got the part, it was the correct one........and just me myself.......no husband involved, flipped the breaker off and fixed my oven! Hooray for me and shame on the 1st repair person who was ready, willing and able to rip me off. my oven is working again. Bon appetite!

Moral of the story, patience does pay off, don't give up!!!!!

Seriously kitchen fires can be serious, I was lucky. In the event you find yourself in this situation, I will share this information that I found on the Internet....... after my incident.

How to Stop an Oven Fire
by eHow Home & Garden Editor
Introduction
An oven fire is serious business. It needs to be tended to immediately and effectively. Fire spreads quickly and even a slight delay could mean your house could go up in flames and your family could be injured or worse. The following will help you quickly smother and take proper precautions in putting out an oven fire.
Instructions
Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Stove top Fires
Things You'll Need
Oven mitt or towel
Metal lid or cookie sheet
Baking soda or salt
Dry chemical fire extinguisher
Steps
1 Step One
Turn off the burner. This will remove the energy behind the fire.
2 Step Two
Put on an oven mitt or tightly wrap your arm with a kitchen towel to protect you from the fire.
3 Step Three
Place a lid or cookie sheet on the fire. This will remove the oxygen supply and help smother the fire on your stove top.
4 Step Four
Smother any grease or oil fires with a large amount of baking soda or salt.
5 Step Five
Get everyone out of your home immediately.
6 Step Six
Call 9-1-1 if you cannot put out the fire.
Tips & Warnings
Use only a dry chemical fire extinguisher on grease or oil fires.
Remember, stop, drop and roll if you are on fire.
Never leave the kitchen while you have a burner going, especially when you are frying something with oil.
Oven Fires
Steps
1 Step One
Close the oven door to cut off the oxygen supply.
2 Step Two
Turn off the oven.
3 Step Three
Leave the house immediately.
4 Step Four
Call 9-1-1 if you cannot put out the fire.
Tips & Warnings
Remember, stop, drop and roll if you are on fire.
Do not throw water on electrical oven fires.
Resources
* Fire safety in ovens.
* Stopping fires in the kitchen.

The Enchanted Cottage.....

Welcome to Historic Longwood, Florida Longwood, Florida was founded in 1873 by Edward Henck of Boston, Massachusetts and was named after a fashionable suburb of Boston. Longwood is the oldest city in Seminole County and has been known as the "Friendly Crossroads". Longwood was incorporated as a Town in 1883 and as a City in 1923.

Historic Longwood, with its old-fashioned charm, has many historic building and acres of public parks within its thriving community. Longwood is known for its quaint Victorian charm. While Longwood is a city with a colorful history, it is also a city firmly rooted in the present. Longwood is nestled in the heart of Seminole County, Florida and is part of a greater metro area of Orlando.

The Enchanted Cottage

The Enchanted Cottage, known as the "Perfect Place for the Perfect Gift" located in Historic Longwood, after 25 years in business will be closing its doors. Locals as well as tourists have visited this local shop in search of the perfect gift and novelty. If you are in the area stop by and take advantage of the great reductions on all inventory, until the end of February. We are sorry to see you go and you will be missed.

Orlando Realtor

Florida Freeze.....

Contrary to what some folks think, Central Florida does get really cold.

On these nights the fragile or more pampered plants get moved inside to protect them. Mine go to the bathroom off the patio. This year they have already been moved in & out several times.

My Beautiful ground cover on my island......not so pretty now. Spring will bring it back again.

In January 2009, Central Florida experienced some of the coldest nights of the winter. In the mornings to follow, plants were covered in ice. Grass had a thin layer of frost. Icicles were hanging from trees, and the cold pretty much destroyed many tropical plants as well as plenty of non-tropical plants in my garden. The good news is many will grow back and 75-80 degree weather is scheduled to return this weekend.

I guess I shouldn't do much complaining as others are still constantly shoveling snow this winter season.

Florida is still a great place to be.......Thinking of a move here to escape the long winters....then give me a call.

Orlando Realtor

Savour the Moment......

My girls

Hold your babies close to you......Savour the moment, we only have one opportunity to do so!

I remember my Mom saying to me "don't wish your life away, the older you get the faster it goes". Boy was she right!

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending a FLICA meeting where my daughter was invited to be a guest speaker, promoting her Medical Practice and book, PERMISSION TO MOTHER. As I listened, learned and observed the attendees in the room, discuss: mothering, skin to skin contact with your baby, breast feeding, baby wearing, etc., I realized the significance of this method of "mothering" and thought about all that I had missed out on only because I did not now better.

When I had my babies, at a very young age, my male Dr. had never discussed or promoted breast feeding and right in the hospital I was given bottles and formula. I did not know there was another way. Why would I question doing it any other way? Bottles and babies go together like bacon & eggs or ham & cheese, right?

My point or advice here is really simple. Enjoy your babies and children, every single moment as the years really do pass so quickly. Do not wish away those terrible two's or three's! (If you want to wish away some parenting years it will be better saved for the 14th, 15th 16th and 17th years)

Time, truly goes by in the blink of an eye. I feel like it was only yesterday when I was putting my girls on the school bus for the first day of school and look at them now! I remember clearly, as I am sure most of us remember thinking at some point of time, "parents don't know anything!". If this is the case, then how come we all reach an age where we consider, I would like to be __fill in the blank__years old again, knowing what I know now!

The Hunt for the Perfect Valentine.......

Valentines Day is just around the corner......

While some of us are still hunting for a Valentine........

Others are stressed over what to give to their Valentine.........

I can remember when Valentine's Day was exciting and simple, many moons ago, back in the days of Elementary School. A shoe box would be decorated with pretty paper doilies and we would either make our own Valentine notes or if we were fortunate purchase a "punch out" book or box of Valentines to distribute to our friends. Those were exciting days.....wouldn't it be nice if we could get excited over little things like this again?

The truth is we can, it is a choice isn't it. Why do we feel stressed and/or obligated to find the perfect Valentine gift to express our feelings towards someone? Should it be big, small, how expensive, etc.? We have brought this onto ourselves, is the answer. We have allowed everything to become so commercialized.

Valentine's Day is just around the corner. Do you really know what Valentine's Day is all about? I think that Valentine's day is the best day to tell the person you love that you love them. Love the person you are with, appreciate them for their differences and take the time to really let them know how much they add to your life and how much they mean to you. But if we have this special person in our lives, shouldn't we be doing this on a regular basis?

Since the economy is as it is, would it be bad to get back to basics. Let's not judge on what things are valued at. Think about your special person and what they are passionate about, what do they like and what would you like to do for them. It can be simple, it can be elaborate, for sure it does not need to cost a lot of money.

Think about these ideas or others of your own:
1. Recreate your first date together. If the date goes well, you might even get another.

2. On a rainy day, pack a romantic picnic to eat i an unusual place indoors. It could be a walk-in-closet, the attic, the basement, or on the floor of the bedroom. Have fun, and be a bit bizarre together.

3. Get out early in the morning and graffiti a message in chalk where your special person will see it. It could be on the driveway, the sidewalk, or outside where they work.

4. Plant a tree and dedicate it to your special person. Pack a picnic and head to the tree to reveal your gift. It symbolizes a growing relationship.

5. Make a relationship album, jot down all the things you enjoy together. It could be an occasion, movies, books, restaurants, places you want to visit together, events of your relationship or anything else.

6. Send your Valentine a Thank You Note for something that meant a lot to you, or for just being in your life. Make them feel appreciated.

7. Have dinner at home...make your sweetheart's favorite meal, from cooking to cleaning up. If the food and service is good you might even get a good tip.

8. Invite your hone out for an evening of old-fashioned romantic cliches. Bring flowers to begin to the final walk up to the doorstop, play the romantic roles.

9. A romantic message in any unlikely place will surely make your sweetheart smile.

10. Hide a photograph or something that will evoke an intimate memory in your Love's lunch box, briefcase, personal calendar, etc. the discovery will be amusing and a surprise.

11. If you don't already know, do a little detective work and find out your honey's favorite children's book. Track it down and present it. It is a particular timely gift for a special occasion or a special non-occasion when they may be weary from the pressure of being adult.

12. Make up a Sweets Box. Buy a few pieces of candy and put them in the box with other things of your choosing. You could include a photograph, a flower, some seashells from your last beach trip, movie tickets, a poem you write, or anything else you think of.

The bottom line is, actions speak louder then other things. If you have someone special in your life let them know, not just on Valentines day, but every day.

Why not, make everyday........Valentines day!

Some Old Fashioned Valentine Traditions........

Some people used to believe that if a woman saw a robin flying overhead on Valentine's Day, it meant she would marry a sailor. If she saw a sparrow, she would marry a poor man and be very happy. If she saw a goldfinch, she would marry a millionaire.

Think of five or six names of boys or girls you might marry, As you twist the stem of an apple, recite the names until the stem comes off. You will marry the person whose name you were saying when the stem fell off.

Pick a dandelion that has gone to seed. Take a deep breath and blow the seeds into the wind. Count the seeds that remain on the stem. That is the number of children you will have.

If you cut an apple in half and count how many seeds are inside, you will also know how many children you will have.

Interesting Fact
According to the Greeting Card Association, an estimated one billion valentine cards are sent each year, making Valentine's Day the second largest card-sending holiday of the year. (An estimated 2.6 billion cards are sent for Christmas).

The History of Valentine' Day

Most of all, have a happy Valentines Day!

Inauguration Day 2009.....

MOVING DAY FOR 2 FAMILIES

A picture of history, a picture is worth a thousand words!Moving Day.......... White House Transition

This is indeed a historic day, as outgoing President George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush say good bye to D.C. and hello to Texas. Our country, with Americans desperate for change, watch as President elect Barack Obama prepares to take his position as President of our country and move his family into the White House.

Moving day.......always filled with emotion. Letting go of the past and embracing a new and unknown future. This move of 2 families will have huge effect on all of us as Americans, while the physical move is not as most Americans experience.

"WASHINGTON - The peaceful transfer of power that will take place at the Capitol on Inauguration Day is, to many, a miracle of American democracy. But down at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue, another sort of miracle will occur: Moving Day.

President Bush and his wife, Laura, will wake up at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue on Tuesday morning, just as they have the last eight years. But by the time the new president, Barack Obama, returns from the inaugural parade with his family in late afternoon, there will be nary a box of theirs left to unpack. Clothes will be neatly folded in drawers, pictures will rest on dresser tops and walls, stuffed animals will lie on beds, as if the Obamas had always lived there.

The highly orchestrated quick-change operation, conducted by the 93-member White House residence staff, has no parallel in the outside world. The entire affair is over and done with in a matter of hours, without a single moving man setting foot inside the Executive Mansion.

“It’s controlled chaos,” said Ann Stock, who was social secretary in the Clinton White House. “They have about four to five hours to completely unpack, put everything away in the closets, put the family pictures up and to really make the house the Obamas’ home by the time they come in from the parade. It’s really quite an extraordinary switchover.” ( taken from an article By Sheryl Gay Stolberg, The New York Times )

For our new incoming President we must stand together and wish for him unfailing wisdom and strength. America has come a long way.