Let's Dish

Before I talk about my vacation, let's have some Strawberry Ice Cream Bread (recipe courtesy of the Hungry Housewife) with cream cheese and catch up on the happenings of the past week and a half while I was gone.  

I’d like to give a shout out to some fantastic bloggers whose giveaways I’ve recently won.  Don’t you find bloggers to be amazingly generous people?

Cindy @ Cindy Adkins' Whimsical Musings

If you haven’t met Cindy, you are truly missing out on a kind, generous, and talented soul.  Cindy is a mixed media artist with an incomparable eye for detail.  A visit to her blog, magazine, or Etsy shop is refreshing and soothing.

She resides in Louisiana with her husband.  Check out these two exceptional pieces Cindy recently sent me.

Photos by Cindy

Michael @ Designs by Gollum

Michael Lee West hosts the weekly Foodie Friday meme on her blog, Designs by Gollum.  She lives in Tennessee with her husband.

Recently, Michael gave away several copies of The Welcome Home Garden Club, by Lori Wilde.  I was one of her lucky winners.  I am currently reading the book and will write my first review shortly. 

Michael is also the author of Gone with a Handsomer Man.  I received a copy from her today and can't wait to start reading. 

Lynn @ Happier Than a Pig in Mud

Most of you are friends with Lynn.  If you are new to blogging and want to visit a fun blog, visit Lynn.  Lynn is a collector of all things swine.  Her blog mascot is Earl the pig.  He is always up to something and is liable to pop up just about anywhere.

Lynn hosts a monthly Celebrity Cook Along meme on the 15^th of each month.  May’s celebrity chef is everyone’s favorite southern belle, Paula Deen.  Last month, Lynn coupled the Celebrity Cook Along with celebrity chef, Ree Drummond aka. The Pioneer Woman with a blog giveaway.  I was the lucky winner and won this wonderful collection of goodies.  She also included a pig key-chain that oinks when you press a button on its head.  I need to rig it to my fridge!       

Photo by Lynn

Leslie @ The Hungry Housewife

Leslie has a food blog with a comedic twist.  Her blog is so fun to visit and the food is AMAZING!  She is witty, charming, and a very talented home cook.  Leslie lives in Florida with her husband and two children.  She appears on Home Shopping Network demonstrating Nordic Ware.

I won an autographed copy of Rocco Dispirito’s book, Now Eat This! Diet.  The book includes a food plan, exercise plan plus 75 recipes.  I will be trying some of the recipes once I am settled back into a routine from vacation.  

In keeping with the spirit of dieting….or not, here's the recipe for ice cream bread.  YUM!      

Ice Cream Bread

2 Cups Ice Cream, softened (any flavor)
1 1/2 Cups Self-rising Flour

Preheat oven to 350*. 

Spray and flour a 8 x 4 loaf pan, or line it with parchment paper.  My pan is 9x4 and the loaf was a little shallow.  

In a medium bowl mix the ice cream and flour together until just combined.  Scoop into the loaf and and smooth out.

Bake for 45 minutes or until a toothpick stuck in the loaf comes out clean.

Remove from the pan and allow to cool.

MAKE IT A GREAT DAY!