I need an ice cream maker.

I'm rapidly turning into an ice cream snob.

First came the days of Breyers, whose classy (and actually minty) Mint Chocolate Chip made me turn up my nose at Edys' green, nearly flavorless junk. Then Haagen-Dazs, with its rich vanilla and decadent caramel. Now I balk at anything less than Oberweis, in my opinion the nation's finest iced cream (narrowly beating out Gilles Frozen Custard, mainly because of proximity).

And after seeing all these recipes for DIY sorbet, gelato, custard...I have to make some of my own. Meaning I need an ice cream maker. Meaning, unfortunately, I need to spend more than they charge for a shake at my local Ice Cream Shoppe.

Now, I'm not opposed to spending money on indulgences. I have a staggering DVD collection and I'll be wasting $400 come September so's I can play one game. But those things last forever! Ice cream doesn't last an hour in my house!

Still, I must. A whole world of culinary experimentation and unnecessary weight gain beckons, yearns, cries "Smylie!" at night while I sleep--

Look, I'm not crazy, I just really like ice cream. So I need your help. Where should I start? What brands are the best? Do I go manual or spring for electric?

Oh ye all-known sages of confection (all of whom, like, totally read our blog), please give me some tips. Because I need to make this recipe as soon as possible.

-Jim, hoping he gets to try all these soon, too

Last minute Mother's Day Gifts (Homemade of course!)

In just two days it will be Mother's Day and do you know what you are giving your mother? Trying to come up with an idea or a gift to buy your mom on Mother's Day is sometimes more difficult than shopping for your whole family on Christmas or Hanukkah. Your mom has been by your side your whole life during the good times as well as all the bad times, but not once did she ever judge you, she just loved you. So, how do you show your mom how grateful you are?


I believe giving your mom something you actually make with your own two hands shows her how much thought you have put into her gift. Don't be that person who goes out and buys her a gift certificate to her favorite restaurant or spa. Make her a special and extravagant dinner with her favorite foods or make her some fragrant lotions or bath oils or do what I am doing and make her a couple dozen of chocolate covered strawberries!

Simply Delicious Strawberries in Rich Chocolate

Ingredients
Fresh strawberries, washed and dried
Your favorite chocolate (Hershey's, Godiva, etc.)

Directions
Melt chocolate in microwave 15 seconds at a time until smooth and creamy. Stir gently. Dip strawberry 3/4 into chocolate. Place on cookie sheet lined with wax paper and place in refrigerator until ready to serve. Allow to sit at room temperature before devouring.

You should also check out the contest Recipe4Living is having which is totally in honor of all the mom's out there! Below is some info. on the contest. You better hurry because the contest ends on Mother's Day (Sunday).

Send us your favorite recipes, just like mom always made them and tell us why your mom deserves to be "Best Mom." Click here for more details and instructions.

Happy Mother's Day to all the mom out there and most importantly, Happy Mother's Day MOM!!!