Summertime… when the living is easy. Or at least it was when I was a kid. I have fond memories of playing Red Rover, having dance contests to politically incorrect songs, working lemonade and brownie stands on 30th Drive, playing Wonder Woman in my underoos. Life was easy and carefree. As I got older, playing outside turned to sun tanning on tin foil with baby oil (hello, skin cancer), bleaching my hair with Sun In and listening to top 40 tunes (which are now considered retro/oldies…am I really that old??)

Even though the memories of the activities I participated in during the summer changed over time, there is one thing that was present all throughout my childhood during the summertime. My mom and her love of Ice Cream Soda floats. I cannot have an ice cream float without flashing back to being in the kitchen watching my mom pour the soda over the ice cream and watching the bubbles fiz up, almost pouring over the edge, but stopping just in time. For me, summer is not complete without our fair share of ice cream floats.

That’s why when Simple and Delicious magazine had this delicious looking Cherry Chocolate Float in their most recent issue, I knew I had to have one. My kids had never had an ice cream float, other than root beer, and I couldn’t wait to share with them what equals summertime to me.

What do you think about when you remember your childhood summers?

Cherry Chocolate Ice Cream Float from Simple and Delicious Magazine

• 1 cup water
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 cups carbonated water, chilled
• 3 tablespoons maraschino cherry juice
• Chocolate syrup
• 14 scoops chocolate ice cream
• Whipped cream in a can
• 7 maraschino cherries

• In a large saucepan, bring water and sugar to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer for 5 minutes. Cool. Stir in carbonated water and cherry juice.
• Drizzle chocolate syrup in each of seven chilled glasses. Place two scoops of ice cream in each glass. Pour carbonated water mixture over ice cream; top each with whipped cream and a cherry. Serve immediately. Yield: 7 servings.

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I sat down today and wrote out some of my goals for the new year. I’ve been reflecting for quite some time on what I really wanted to focus on in 2010, and have decided that 2010 will be time for me to get back to me. I want to get back to things that make me who I am…things I truly enjoy – like writing, photography, my family and my me time. As I am sure many of you are, I am going to try to find that sweet spot of balance between work and play.

My focus for 2010 will include:

• Read at least three chapters in a book each week (I love to read, but haven’t read hardly at all since Leah was born! I miss reading and have a huge pile of books I want to get through this year)
• Menu plan weekly and stick to it (This is essential to balance for me… I MUST start doing this again!)
• Blog at least two times per week (I miss blogging so much and can’t wait to commit to it again!)
• Have a date night with my husband at least one time each month (With 4 kids it is difficult and babysitting is expensive, but we need this… I miss being a couple instead of just mommy and daddy!)
• Participate in and complete Project 365 – a year in pictures (Find my daily submissions in my Project 365 Flickr Set)
• Host a blogging retreat – as of this morning, plans are in the works!
• Make a schedule for work versus play and commit to it (Hard to do when you work from home, but again… I love my job and want to continue to love my job for a very long time – having separation is a must!)
• Create an achievable To-Do list on a daily basis with no more than 5 items per day
• Send cards and snail mail more often
• Plan something for the kids to look forward to each week
• Be more consistent

To get a great jump start on my goals, I am participating with several other bloggers in Ten in Ten: Ten Weeks to Healthy in 2010. Check it out and I hope you’ll join us!

What are some of your goals for 2010? Are you excited to start the new year or are you sad to leave 2009 behind? Either way, I hope that you enjoy health, happiness, prosperity and peace in the new year! I can’t wait to see what 2010 has in store for all of us.

Here is my first of many recipes to share with you for the year. I hope you enjoy!

In a large bowl, combine 1-1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast and
seasonings. In a small saucepan, heat the milk, water and cubed
butter to 120°-130°. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until
moistened. Add egg; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining
flour to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about
4-6 minutes. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
Divide dough into thirds. Shape each into a 15-in. rope. Place ropes
on a greased baking sheet and braid; pinch ends to seal and tuck
under. Cover and let rise until doubled, about 25 minutes.
Bake at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Brush with
melted butter. Remove from pan to a wire rack to cool. Yield: 1 loaf
(16 slices).

To make life easier, put all the ingredients except the final melted butter, in your bread machine and let your dough cycle do all the initial work.

The post Looking Forward to 2010 (Recipe: Garlic Herb Braid) appeared first on Dine and Dish.