a series of firsts

This weekend was one of many firsts.

On Saturday I prepared bezels, and poured resin ~ ALL DAY! 

Worked on cuffs and pendants.

Poured and poured, watched for bubbles and poured some more.

Part of the "family tree" became a bezel, which is a piece of a future class proposal.

But, the best part of the weekend happened yesterday,

as our grandson (and his parents =) came over to eat barbecue and watch fireworks.  

Later in the evening we took our lawn chairs over to our 

church grounds to watch the fireworks across the freeway.

But, first Alton had to visit our church's 

playground where giant bugs reside.

And, a wonderful world of slides exist.

 

 At first he thought the best way to go down the slide was backwards!  Why not, that's the way 

he successfully scales the stairs at home.

 

There was climbing walls waiting to be conquered.

 Yes, we did have ice cream before we left to see the fireworks.  

Would the Fourth of July be complete without it? 

I actually used our small Cuisinart ice cream maker

and made ice cream!  Hadn't done that in awhile.

Let me say, there is nothing like homemade vanilla bean ice cream.

Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

2 cups heavy cream

2 cups whole milk

1 2" piece of vanilla bean, split lengthwise

2 egg yolks

1/2 cup sugar

2 tablespoons vanilla extract

Combine cream and milk in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add vanilla bean and heat until mixture almost boils, about 5-8 minutes.  Reduce heat to low.  Meanwhile beat yolks, sugar and vanilla extract in a small bowl until light yellow and smooth, about 1-2 minutes.  Add 4 tablespoons hot cream/milk mixture and stir until combined.  Gradually add egg yolk mixture to warm cream mixture, stirring continuously to prevent the eggs from curdling.  Cook over low heat until slightly thickened and mixture coats the back of a spoon, about 3-4 minutes.  Cool completely.  When cool, scrape seeds from vanilla bean and add to ice cream mixture.  Discard bean shell.  Stir until well combined.  Pour into freezer bowl, turn the machine ON and let mix until mixture thickens, about 20-30 minutes.  If desired, transfer ice cream to an airtight container and place in freezer until firm, about 2 hours.  

*****

So, now I want to share the winner of the giveaway.  

Alton drew the name for me right away.

Here is what I did with the metal lens rings I found last weekend.  

Yes, more resin work from Saturday!

BTW...no butterflies lost their lives by me, 

as I gathered these off my husband's truck grill after he returned home 

from South Texas one weekend!

Janet Bernasconi please contact me.  

If you do, you will have something coming in the mail!

You will likey =)