ICE CREAM!!

It was only a matter of time until another blog loaded with calories. Summer (or really any other season for that matter) would not be complete without wonderful visits to different ice cream parlors. Living in Middleton, I could probably recite most of Richardson's numerous flavors without hesitation. And no matter how many times I visit there and encourage my family to try something new, we always retreat back to our favorites - Purple Cow for my husband, Oreo for my son, and German Chocolate Cake for me.

Of course, when you're in the mood for soft-serve, Dairy Queen gets our attention. Those Blizzards are really something - so many textures and flavors, you have no choice but to feel happy inside. And I hear they are coming out with a new mini-size Blizzard for those of us watching our figures!

Hodgie's in Amesbury and Salisbury is big on quantity. Visit here with friends, encourage them to order the large, then watch their faces - it is like a half-gallon in a cup! Although we can rarely all make it past their kiddie size, I admit I occasionally pretend to forget they are so big and go for the small. It is my way of living on the edge.

A fun day out includes a visit to Kimball Farm in Westford. Here you can play mini-golf, cool down in their water bumper boats, browse their Country Store, and top it all off with their homemade ice cream. Their sundaes are so large that it takes a really confident person to walk away from the counter with one. So, if you're trying to improve your self-esteem, why not give this a go?! I suppose you can add two spoons to at least look like you're planning to share.

During a trip to Florida a few years ago, our hotel had its own "Emack and Bolio's," a popular Boston chain that we rarely visited before. We decided our vacation would not be complete without a visit here every day to try to their various new flavors -usually a different one added each day. Hey - we were on vacation and a family has to have goals! On the day we had to fly home, the three of us sat at their counter, cones in hand and toasted our return one day. So what if it was 8am! This past week, we visited their Charlestown location and were happily transported back to a very happy time in our lives. Their Chocolate Moose is so smooth and thick, it can't be legal!

Two of our favorite ice cream parlors are located in Cambridge - Christina's and Toscanini's. We like visiting them on a Thursday evening after checking out the latest exhibits at the Institute of Contemporary Art in Boston for free. Christina's Homemade specializes in exotic spices creating unique flavors like Cinnamon, Mexican Chocolate, and Toasted Marshmallow. Toscanini's has some of the best hot fudge I've ever had - and topped upon Burnt Caramel or Malted Vanilla - one can feel as if everything is right in the world.

So indulge in ice cream and see the world from a different perspective. When an icy treat can build esteem, foster togetherness, and create happiness and harmony, you owe it to yourself to do it for the betterment of mankind - at least once in a while!