Big Traditions

I often marvel at the unique personalities of my two children. In many, many ways they are very much alike- I attribute this to growing up in essentially the exact same environment and the fact that their mother and father are also, very much alike. But don't be mistaken- we all have our differences.

And to that end, one of my children is simply obsessed with family traditions. There are many things I must do for this child throughout the year simply because, at some point in the past I did it before. Now, it's our tradition. Unfortunately, I am not always aware that it has become a tradition until it's time for it to happen. We make do.

The part about this that humors me, I suppose, is that I would not have expected this from this particular child. I bet you are thinking I am talking about the opposite child, right now in fact. Because my child that is traditional in thinking, conservative in beliefs, mature beyond their years and family oriented above all things- is Duncan. My tradition obsessed child is Caroline.

Caroline insists upon family traditions at all points of the year and holidays are really only the jumping off point. I personally love family traditions. The very fact that our little family is not only still intact after all these years but thriving is my greatest source of pride. Doing things with them fills my heart.

However, I prefer to keep things simple. I just feel the more elaborate traditions become the harder they are to carry out and the more stress they induce and the less fun they are all around. On this particular point, my daughter and I can sometimes agree. She tends to enjoy the elaborate ones too but then again she ain't the one doing the work or footing the bill so who can really blame her?

So, our Family Fourth of July celebration is tradition. And, man it's hard work. But I thought I would share with you in case you don't yet have a Family Fourth of July celebration of your own, you might want to try ours, if you're up to it.

First of all, you should stay inside until at least 5:00 P.M.- umm, this would be my addition to the tradition, what can I say? It's July in Texas, do not attempt to be outdoors people, that's just stupid. Okay, then if you are lucky like us your town, city or Ville will have a fireworks celebration. I must add a personal aside here because I often poke fun at Hill Billy Ville and I don't mention the benefits of living here nearly enough- we have an absolutely top-notch fireworks celebration every year. For real, not kidding. It's fantastic. So, if you are lucky enough to have one in your town too, then you should pack a picnic and head out there to see the fireworks.

But before you go, you need the recipe. Be forewarned, it's alot of work. This is a time consuming difficult process which I reserve for our Family Fourth of July celebration. But if you think you're up for it- here you go.

You will need one of these. It's a counter top ice cream maker. You could use one of those old-fashioned cranking kind with the salt and all that but the recipe is so much work, I wouldn't add to it if I were you. All you have to do for this one is freeze the canister the night before (I keep mine in the freezer so it's ready whenever we are) and then plug it in. Life is good.

Okay, so now for the ingredients. Don't say I didn't warn you- this is complex folks.

Yes, those are the ingredients. Big Red soda and Eagle Brand milk. To be fair I should have put two of the HEB brand Big Red sodas in the picture but I didn't. I have issues with symmetry, okay?

Here's what you do- you turn on the ice cream maker, you pour in the Big Red and Eagle brand at the same time- otherwise, you can end up with frozen Eagle Brand Milk at the bottom which isn't all bad but not exactly what you're looking for. Then I always drape a kitchen towel over the top and walk away. That's all. It took mine about an hour today to be frozen. And *frozen* would be a relative term because it's still a little slushy when it's done. I put mine into a plastic container and into the freezer this morning so it will survive our trip to see the fireworks tonight. Because that is actually the tradition, per my daughter. Eating Big Red Ice Cream while watching fireworks on Fourth of July.

Doesn't it look yummy? It so totally is. So, there you have it. The top secret recipe for the Hill Billy delicacy Big Red Ice Cream- enjoy!