[Adjective] Girl Summer

So today is the first day of summer, and we always find a way to celebrate.  I don't mean that my family holds some big solstice celebration and puts on A Midsummer Night's Dream for the whole neighborhood or anything; we might do a "summer craft" of some kind, whatever that means, and we're also going to one of those outdoor concerts our town holds each Tuesday with a picnic, and I'm gonna make ice cream in a bag.

You have made ice cream in a bag, right?

It was something we did in the first grade.  In the days leading up to summer vacation, each day had some sort of special theme or activity, and one of those days was dedicated to making ice cream.  They provided the supplies, and our little first grade-selves brought the man power.

All you need is:

• 1 gallon-sized Ziploc bag
• 1 sandwich-sized Ziploc bag
• Enough ice to fill half the gallon-sized bag
• 1 cup of milk or half-and-half
• 1/2 cup of salt
• 2 TBS of sugar
• 1/2 tsp of vanilla

And then:

1. You put the milk, sugar, and vanilla in the sandwich bag
2. Put the ice and salt in the gallon bag
3. Put the sandwich bag in the gallon bag
4. Shake!

It takes a little while, but then you have ice cream in the little sandwich bag, and all it took was like...15 minutes of shaking.  We were all incredibly impressed by the process when we were seven, and I have a hankering to do it today, so I will.

It's also a day for a few errands.  I'm tagging along with my dad and brother while they do some stuff, but I also placed an order for pickup for a couple of shirts that I have convinced myself are going to make me a better person simply by wearing them.  I know, I know - that makes it sound like I've completely sold my soul to beauty standards and late-stage capitalism, but they are very cute shirts that I not only have I had my eye on for a while, but were finally on sale.  So I win!  

In all seriousness, I know that they're not going to make me more beautiful or anything.  They're just shirts.  But I like them and they fit the vibe I'm going for (maybe best put as somewhat aimless and nervous, but in a fun, beachy way), so that's what counts.  And this is hot girl summer - literally, because it's not even noon and it's 90, and I'm too awkward for the other meaning to apply - so I gotta dress the part!  That means lightweight, oversized cotton in cute colors, baby!!  

I also have to go to Michael's because I need some supplies for the clay pots I'm painting for my mini greenhouse, as well as for a painting I'm doing for my sister and her roommate's apartment.  They want a watercolor of daisies in a vase.  I think I can swing it.  I'll post the finished products of both projects when I'm done.  Maybe I'll even have a reader or two by then who will get to see them!

I hope whoever - if anyone - is reading this has a wonderful first day of summer.  It's a hot one, so drink lots of water and eat lots of handmade, slightly-salty ice cream. <3