Hi Neighbor!

Happy July to you! Can you believe we’re almost halfway through Summer 2021? Last year, we were dreaming of “when things return to normal” and here we are (almost) back to normal and time is just flying by. Well, since we’re officially into Summer, I’ve been making sure to enjoy all the delights this sunny season yields. You know, like all those fresh fruits, berries and vegetables…

Just kidding, I’m eating ice cream. Lots of ice cream. I can’t help it, ice cream simply means joy to me – it’s just always a happy experience. Do you ever notice how our favorite foods often coincide with some of our favorite memories?

My mom infamously tells a tale of being pregnant with me and well past her due date. She went out to Friendly’s for ice cream and ordered a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Sundae. Extra Large. Twenty-four hours later, I was born. And, almost 40 years later, we still go to Friendly’s once a year for a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Sundae and special mother-daughter time. And yes, we still order the Extra Large.

Here’s another favorite: Years ago, I was living in New York City with my boyfriend (now husband). Early in our relationship, we would spend hours walking around Central Park on Sunday afternoons, eventually making our way to 16 Handles for frozen yogurt (if you know, you know). Fifteen years later, we know each other’s ice cream orders by heart – and sometimes we’ll even share.

But I saved the best for last: Long Beach Island, August 2019. My daughter was 11 months old and we gave her ice cream for the very first time. To set the scene, my family was sitting on the deck at sunset, overlooking the ocean with a picture perfect “peach sorbet” sky above us. We gave our daughter a small spoonful of vanilla ice cream from The Skipper Dipper. She licked her lips, paused and considered the taste. Then she catapulted herself off my lap to reach for more – much to the laughter and applause of her adoring surrounding family. Two and a half years later, she’s still got a sweet spot for ice cream and I can still remember every splash of color from the sky that evening.

I’ve made it a goal to sample a few new (to me) Main Line ice cream spots this Summer. Do you have any favorite spots, or perhaps a hidden gem? Let us know!

Cheers,
Marisa

P.S. If you’re an ice cream fan who is still looking for a Summer adventure, check out the 4th Annual Pursue Your Scoops Ice Cream Trail!