Creamsicle Smoothie

One of my favorite kid-hood memories is running after the ice-cream man, trying to get my hands on a "Creamsicle"! Remember those?! I wonder if they still make them.

Last summer I actually heard the familiar music of an ice cream truck! But getting my purse, finding my money, putting on my shoes and running after him...

Ain't gonna happen. Especially the 'running after' part.

So, the other day I had a real craving for that Creamsicle taste. If you've ever had one, you'll never forget it. Yummm!! I went online and found several links that had recipes.

(I googled raw Creamsicle Smoothie recipe.)

So, I combined, removed and came up with this. A trial run.

These are the ingredients I thought I'd be using. The stuff in the bottle is Organic Vanilla Extract.

I had to buy a cleaver (yikes!!) to open the young coconut. If you've been reading this blog, you know that I'm totally freaked-out by big ol' honkin' knives!! And this is a BIG one!!

I finally worked-up some nerve, put my left hand behind my back, so as not to whack it off, since I plan to use it again... and hacked away!! They make it look sooo easy, when they open coconuts on YouTube. Fibbers, all of 'em!! I hacked. And hacked. With my toes curled under.

I finally turned the coconut on its side and shaved some of the top away.

Saw that on YouTube too.

Hacked at it some more. Hold on! I think I'm getting there!! I see white!

Yup! I finally got through!! I had to keep hacking until I got through all the way around.

Then I was able to lift the top off. Not an easy feat. My fingers slipped and I jammed one into the wood. Ouch. But, through it all, I kept my left hand glued to my back!!

I emptied the milk into a glass. I was surprised at how much was in there. Nice.

But the meat... a disappointment. It was much harder than the other young coconuts I've eaten.

Much too hard to scrape out of there with a spoon. I'm not the most patient person in the world, when it comes to stuff like this. I gave up after a few tries.

I poured the milk and the meat into my BlendTec Blender (which I love!) and added one banana.

Then two oranges.

One of the things I love about my BlendTec, is that the fruit/greens/whatever, doesn't have to be cut into tiny pieces, like some blenders, to blend completely. Just fling 'em in.

Then I added 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla. I was going to use the mango, but decided against it.

I set the BlendTec on the 'Large Smoothie' setting and let it do its thing.

I did a taste-test and it needed to be a little sweeter. I had three choices; Agave Nectar, Alcohol- Free Stevia, or Alcohol-Free Vanilla Stevia. I used the latter, because it made my mouth water. The next time I make one of these, I'm going to add another orange.

It needed to be ice cold, so I added some crushed ice.

I gave it another whirl...

And there it was! A Creamsicle Smoothie!! Ohhh yeahhh.

But I'm still trying to get over my fear of knives, cleavers and...

The movie, "Psycho"!!

Schriek

Schriek

Schriek

Schriek

Let me leave you with a much more pleasant image...

ENJOY!!!! ~

What are some of your favorite kid-hood treat memories?

For more about smoothies;

Green Smoothies

Raw Food, Desserts And Green Smoothies For Kids

There are SO many things to love!

I love "Followers" and comments too!

Thank you.

Signing off for now,

gabriele

We Love Dale Watson

His voice is fabulous!! If you like Merle Haggard (love him!) or Johnny Cash, you'll like Dale Watson. His voice has that same low quality and he's a heck of a great songwriter!!

My daughter and I are huge fans. Here are some of her CDs by Mr. D.W.

The rest are in her vehicle. I think she has every one he ever made. Told ya. Huge fan.

I only have twelve. Dangit!! (Time to play catch-up with my girl!)

On a recent visit to Oregon, my daughter and I went to this... the "River City Music Festival". But you already figured that out, right? We were SO happy to be able to see him live, onstage! He usually honkers-down in his home state of Texas, or tours Europe. We lucked-out!

A cozy venue.

He sang several songs we knew and loved.

But we didn't sing along. It was be-kind-to-others week.

He had a good rapport with his musicians, which is always nice to see.

He didn't hog the spotlight. Although, in this picture, he did. And is making a liar out of me.

His voice was as strong and right on-pitch, as it is on his CDs. What a talent!

He told great little stories, which were funny and gave us a better idea of what he's all about. Loved that.

He sang several songs from his current CD, "The Sun Sessions". Which was a big hit with the audience. I always know when I've been to a good concert... my hands hurt from applauding.

My hands really hurt when we left.

Here's my daughter, getting a few shots of him with her phone.

The show was over and we decided to go to the table in the lobby, and buy his new CD, for me. She already owned it. Of course she did.

As we're standing in line to buy the CD, who comes around the corner? Mr. Watson, himself!!

Oh! Oh! Please sign my CD!!

I was a little cooler than that. But not much.

I'm not really wringing my hands. I'm holding my glasses. Or I'd be wringing my hands.

Look at me! I met Dale Watson and he shook my hand!

I had to spell my name for him. I have to spell my name for everybody. In my next life I'll be Betty Smith.

Say, "Cheeese".

One more, for good measure.

And let's not forget my daughter! He shook her hand and chatted with her too.

He's not uppity in the least! Another thing we love about him.

If you're reading this, kid, thanks so much for taking me here! And introducing me to his music, many, many years ago!

While walking through the lobby, we saw this group of people and heard the upbeat sound of bluegrass. As we got closer...

We saw this young boy playing the fiddle. And play that thing he did!! Such a talent, at such a young age!

We had a wonderful time and can't wait to catch Dale Watson in concert again!!

In the meantime, we'll be enjoying his music on his CDs and on Pandora Radio.

And watching his videos on YouTube!!

For tour dates, videos, and purchasing his CDs, please check out his website;

Dale Watson - "America's premier honky-tonk, country, Americana rock 'n roller".

PS Dale's record company people found my blog and forwarded it to him. (Small world!)

Much to my surprise and delight, he sent me an email, thanking us! Wow!

A true class-act, Country Gentleman!!

He also said he'd be in Oregon more this year, so if you're in the vicinity, go listen to the man!

I'm hoping that he'll take pity on all us Californians and show up here as well!!

UPDATE! I'm caught up!!!! :-D

Ohhh yeahhh, baby!!!!

I'm listening and dancin' from room to room! Not a pretty sight, but what the hey!

Thank you Dale Watson, for the great music!!!! We LOVE you!!!!!!!!

What's your favorite music and musician/group? ~

There are SO many things to love!

I love "Followers" and comments too!

Thank you.

Signing off for now,

gabriele