happy anniversary TLDK; a favorite ice cream recipe and giveaway to celebrate!

As hard as it is for me to believe, it has been a year since I began the blog.  In fact, it's been a year and four days!  Its anniversary actually fell on the 4th of July.  And although we weren't able to celebrate in big fancy style (fireworks were ousted by the torrential rains), we partied hard in the den eating my absolute favorite frozen dessert and playing Mario Cart!  Truth be told, I didn't play but let our guest, Kendra, use the remaining remote and cheered on John as the boys made fun of my, "Oh look, Honey, you're in first place!"-es.  Kendra, at nearly a week with us with only a couple of days left, was clearly mourning the impending departure from our family.

Or was she just doing her best to block out our crazy chaotic selves, willing herself through just 36 more hours...

Who knows?!?  At any rate, we had so much fun that night playing, and while at it, ate a ton of FROSTY!  

Yes, friends.  I said, Frosty.   

Legend has it that when I was not even three weeks old, my family took me to DQ late one night to have my very first taste of ice cream.  Ma testifies that the following night I was inconsolable and she is - to this day - convinced I was begging for another bite.  I have no idea how often I really got the frozen treat as a newborn, but I can tell you, I've had ice cream more nights in my 38 years than not.  And although I love a good Dairy Queen Blizzard as much as the next guy, my love for ice cream grew ten-fold when I was introduced to the Wendy's Frosty.  Especially with a side of fries for dipping.  

So why wouldn't I want to celebrate The Lazy Daisy's special day with this quick, simple, and tastes-just-like-the-original version of chocolate ice cream perfection in a cup?  I, personally, can't think of a single reason.    

Oh!  And wait.  Only one last thing would make the celebration complete... 

A giveaway!

I looked back at my stats for the blog and found one of the most viewed posts, with thousands of clicks, was the Amish Sandwich Bread.  So after reviewing several options, I thought it might be fitting to give away a highly reviewed and extremely authentic Amish cookbook (not to mention the companion item to a PBS cooking show series hosted by the author) to add to someone's repertoire.  

Cooking from Quilt Country: Hearty Recipes from Amish and Mennonite Kitchens can be yours by entering below.  Being raised in the Midwest, particularly Indiana, many of the recipes from the book take me straight back to community fairs, church potlucks, and childhood happenings of all kind.  You'll really enjoy it too, so celebrate with me and enter below!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
One Year Ago  - tasty mac 'n cheese and spice (RE) mix

Homemade Frosty 
makes approx. 1/2 gallon
Ingredients:

• 12 oz. frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 can sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 gallon chocolate milk

~ In canister of 2 quart ice cream maker, thoroughly mix whipped topping and condensed
    milk.  
~ Add chocolate milk to fill line and mix.  
~ Freeze according to ice cream maker manufacturer's directions.