BKYD Life

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Homemade Ice Cream, without a Machine

When it is hot, I love ice cream. Oh, who am I to talk…I have been known to enjoy an ice cream cone any time of year, in any weather. But, is there anything better on a hot day than a cool treat?

How about homemade ice cream? And even better, let’s make it without a machine. I have too many gadgets in my kitchen so I really don’t want another one. So, recipe first then the process.

Recipe

This recipe will make approximately 1 1/2 quarts of vanilla ice cream

  • 1 3/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 1/4 cup whole milk
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

HINT: If you want to make the ice cream really flavorful, you can scrape the seeds out of 1 vanilla bean pod and use them INSTEAD of the vanilla extract)

Process

Keep all ingredients cold as you combine them. Pour it into an 8 or 10 inch square baking dish.

I typically use a metal pan (because it freezes so quickly and easily), but a glass pan will also work.

Place it in the freezer for 90 minutes. Remove from the freezer and whisk the mixture, scraping the sides of the pan and breaking up any frozen chunks. Since the mixture is starting to freeze you will need a heavy duty whisk.

Return the pan to the freezer.

After 45 minutes, you will once again take it out of the freezer and whisk the mixture. Again, remember to scrape the sides of the pan. Return the pan to the freezer.

After 30 minutes, you will once again take it out of the freezer and whisk the mixture. Don’t forget to scrape the sides of the pan. Return the pan to the freezer.

Repeat this process every 30 minutes until it is the desired consistency. The more you times you whisk the mixture, the airier and fluffier the ice cream will become.

Making ice cream without a machine does take practice. Good thing it is a long hot summer, it will give you plenty of time to practice.

But now the fun begins ~ top with whatever your heart desires…chocolate, hot fudge, cookie crumbs, fruit, whipped cream, maybe a cherry on top ~ you can’t go wrong with this ice cream as your base!

Tag @bkyd.life on IG so we can see how it turned out!

Stay Hydrated!

Summer is a time to be outside gardening, swimming and playing in the sunshine. It is so important that you get plenty of fluids – on a hot day dehydration can sneak up on you faster than you might expect.

Growing up in Phoenix, AZ, we learned from an early age how to deal with the heat. We always had (and still have) water on hand. Melons were (and still are) a staple in the summer. Hats are a regular part of the wardrobe and sunscreen is a must.

So here are my tips for getting through the summer heat.

5 Tips to Stay Hydrated

  1. Don’t wait till you’re thirsty to drink. If you feel thirsty, you are already slightly dehydrated. First thing when you wake up, drink some water and continue to do so throughout the day. Always drink water while enjoying an adult beverage, especially in the summer and even more so if you are out in the sun.
  2. Flavor your water. It can be tough to drink enough water so make it fun. Add some of the fruits listed below to your water. I like to keep a pitcher with fruit-infused water in the fridge so that it is cold and flavorful.
  3. Eat water-rich fruits and vegetables. Fruits and veggies like watermelon, cantaloupe, peaches, lettuce, tomato and cucumber can help you get more fluids. You still need to eat during the hot summer months, make it light. You can stay hydrated and enjoy a salad or snack.
  4. When it is really hot (heat advisory hot), stay out of the sun. If you can stay indoors in an air conditioned space then do it, movie theater’s are great for this!
  5. Wear light colored, loose fitting clothing. Keep a hat and sunscreen handy, too. What you wear can impact how your body deals with the heat. Dark clothing will absorb the heat while light colors won’t. Loose fitting and light weight clothing will help to wick away the sweat and keep you cooler. Do your best to avoid getting sunburned as this will add to the heat you feel on top of being more uncomfortable.

It is best to drink water, but sometimes you need or want something else. Try our favorite, Lauro. It is not only a nice addition to your water consumption, but, if you are dehydrated it has electrolytes to help you.

We talked with Lauren Robson all about her fabulous beverage made from prickly pear puree. You can read that article here.

The heat can be dangerous, so be safe and stay hydrated.

Interview: Tracy Ann Battaglia

Let me introduce you to Tracy Ann Battaglia. Tracy is the genius photographer behind many of the photos you see on our website and our social media pages. We love working with Tracy ~ she not only takes amazing pictures, but she is so fun to work with that we can’t wait for picture day!

We have been working with Tracy since last November. Her energy is infectious and her photos are amazing. While we love her and love working with her, we almost didn’t want to share this interview of her with you. We worried we would have a tough time getting on her schedule. But, we love to share ~ so here is Tracy!

Tracy has a Bachelor’s Degree in Film Photography, so she really knows what she is doing. She has had her own business for 15 years, Fully Alive Photography. She can do it all ~ weddings, engagements, families, maternity, newborns, branding and marketing photo shoots.

Being a natural light photographer, she loves outdoor photo shoots. This is one of the reasons why we love working with Tracy ~ we have a shared love for the outdoors and specifically the backyard. As a matter of fact, one of our most recent photo shoots was in Tracy’s backyard. She has a fabulous garden and pool with wonderful space for a picnic right outside her back door.

Some of Tracy’s favorite activities, when she isn’t behind the camera, include spending time with her family, enjoying a good cup of coffee and playing with her cats.

I asked Tracy if she would share 3 tips for capturing memories in your backyard.

  1. Use a Polaroid, it’s fun and great for kids to use.
  2. Use the photos from the Polaroid and found items from the backyard (i.e. leaves, small sticks, etc.) to create multi-media art projects. This is a great idea to help the kids get involved with memory making/documenting and it will also keep them busy during the summer.
  3. Take photos in the morning and/or evening. The lighting is better, softer early and late so take advantage of it.
  4. Take fine art photos. Get creative. Look at the trees, flowers, walls differently. This can be an inexpensive way to fill your indoor spaces with art.
  5. Use the sunlight to your advantage, put it behind your subjects. When the sun is behind the subject it is called backlighting or backlit. The photographer would look into the sun. Use a DSLR on manual mode to soften the background. This helps when you are taking photos of people ~ they won’t be squinting!

Yes, you counted correctly. I asked Tracy for 3 tips and she suggested 5. She is so kind to share so many great thoughts on capturing and documenting memories in the backyard.

I asked her if she looked to any other photographers for ideas or inspiration. She told me that she actually makes a conscious effort not to look at what other photographers are doing. Tracy wants her style to remain her style and not have it be influenced by the choices others in her industry are making. I found this so important and inspiring. I think all too often we get ourselves into that comparison trap and I think Tracy is so smart to make the decision not to do it.

If you have ever been the subject of a photo shoot, then you know how nervous and anxious it can be. Tracy has such a great way of putting everyone at ease. And, she has awesome tips for what to do with your hands ~ try creating shape or movement, put them on your hips, just slightly in your pockets or hold onto a prop. Think of making a triangle with your body.

Have an event coming up or just want some family photos? Reach out to our favorite photographer at Fully Alive Photography, you will make memories and have fun doing it!

5 Tips for Capturing Backyard Fun

Summer is backyard gathering season. Are you ready to capture those memories?

Whether you are hosting or enjoying someone else’s backyard, you will want to remember this time. Photos help us to remember, not only events, but the emotions that go along with the gathering. I am not a photographer (but we will be talking with one soon, look for that interview early next month), but here are 5 tips I have learned.

Tip #1

The best camera to use is the one in your hand. So many of us keep our smart phone with us at all times, so use it to document the moment.

I don’t recommend this lightly. I am a firm believer that when we are gathering together, phones should be put away so everyone can stay present in the moment. Being present while gathering is all about making connections and forging bonds in relationships. That can’t happen when even one person at a family gathering has their nose in their phone.

That said, even simple gatherings or a day of fun in the yard is worth documenting.

Tip 2

Mix up candid and posed photos. If every photo is posed then they don’t tell the whole story of the event. You want your photo gallery to be rich in diversity. Take some posed, but get creative and take some less expected photos.

Candid photos take some practice. Getting someone in the air as they jump into the pool can be difficult, but so worth it. Keep clicking and you will get some good ones. That’s the genius of digital, it’s easy to delete the bad photos.

Tip 3

The photographer doesn’t need to be an adult. It can be fun to see what the kids focus on when they get to take photos. Let everyone have a turn at taking a few photos. This, again, will increase the diversity of your photo gallery.

Tip 4

You don’t need a big event to grab the camera. It can just be a day with you and the kids in the backyard playing, maybe swimming in the pool.

I know I love the photos I have of my own children when it was just the 3 of us playing in the pool. They were such hams, jumping in the pool over and over. It gave me plenty of time to practice my skill of capturing them in mid-air. Those photos are just as precious to me as the professional shots of the 4 of us posing for the camera.

Tip 5

Those photos you just took are great, but will be better categorized and put in an album. It can be either a physical album or digital. But doing it as soon as possible after your take the photos is best.

You will want to note the people in the photos, in case there is some extended family or friends. Doing it 20 years later makes it tough to remember every name with every face.

You can share albums and use them to look back on past traditions. I love looking at photos of my grandparents, long gone, but so happy at family gatherings.

I hope these tips help you enjoy your backyard fun, over and over again.

Friday 5

We are starting a new feature…The Friday 5. You won’t find it every Friday, just once a month on the last Friday we will give you something to think about on, well, a Friday.

Here’s our first one. 5 things that you can grow in your backyard, or any outdoor space really.

1. Fruits and Vegetables

This comes as no surprise if you have been here for a bit. Want to read about the costs of a garden? You can do that here. Bottom line is that once your garden is established the costs are minimal and the savings you see at the grocery store will be maximized. But most of all, gardening is good for the soul ~ and that is priceless.

2. Flowers

While fruits and vegetables are good for the body, flowers will put a smile on your face. Having a cutting garden to brighten up the inside of your home is so worthwhile. If you have room in your backyard, I can’t emphasize enough that having both a vegetable garden and a space to grow flowers is something that will bring you days, weeks and maybe months of joy. They also attract hummingbirds and butterflies ~ and if they don’t bring a smile to your face, then I don’t know what will!

3. Animals

Clover

My first thought is that my dog loves to run and play in the backyard. We really do consider her a member of the family. She also loves to go on walks around the neighborhood and say “hi” to her friends. But maybe you have the space and are zoned for other animals. Maybe you have chickens, goats, donkeys? Many people would consider spending time outside with animals as a great stress release. Growing or raising animals is fantastic way to help children learn responsibility and compassion for others. What I know for sure is that when I am outside with my dog, Clover, I am completely present ~and that’s a good thing!

4. Relationship with Your Family and Friends

Do you love to entertain? When the weather is right, hosting a gathering of family and friends in the backyard is a great way to spend an afternoon or evening. I remember when I was younger, Sunday’s my family spent the day together at my grandparents house. Grandma and Grandpa had a swimming pool and my brother, cousin’s and myself would spend summer Sunday afternoons in the pool. The adults would tell us “Your lips are turning blue, get out for a little bit.” Of course, we didn’t want to get out. We loved to splash and have swimming races. Creating those memories and those bonds are what summer’s in the backyard are all about ~ oh, and ice cream, too!

5. Relationship with Yourself

This might be the most important thing you can grow in the backyard. Taking time to get quiet and really check in with yourself is a great backyard or outdoor activity. Whether go for a walk or even a hike, get your hands dirty in your garden or pots on the patio, or sit on a lounge chair with or without a book we all need time to breathe deep. When we take time for ourselves, we end up as better people for our loved ones and our community. We can envision our dreams and know our next steps to get there. Let the sunshine on your face, take a deep breathe and know you are worth knowing ~ the birds are singing your song!

Happy Friday, enjoy the weekend in the fresh air!