Ice Cream

single gumby cone ice cream

Ice Cream Ornaments

I scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. Who doesn't love ice cream.

Welcome to the home of the unique and original Gumby Cone pattern idea. It's named Gumby because the resulting cone resembles the crooked headed Gumby doll.

One day, while trying to chip out enough frozen ice cream for an ice cream cone out of a hard brick that I'd just extracted from the dark depth of my freezer, It dawned on me that if I just use a knife and cut off a rectangular hunk, then diagonally slice the rectangle to form two triangular pieces of ice cream, the two triangles would neatly slot into my sugar cones, no fuss and less muss. Of course you have to start with ice cream in a square or rectangular box, not a tub, for this to work. The result is sort of an off balanced Gumby-looking ice cream cone.single cone ice cream

Other cone designs are more traditional, single scopp, double and triple scoops.

Shopping List for a Well Stocked Pantry

An organized kitchen is key to saving money on groceries. The less organized the kitchen, the more time is wasted looking for ingredients, finding substitutes, running to the neighbor's house to borrow or driving to the store to potentially pay more for the item in the long run.

Keep this list handy. When you get low or run out of something, cross it off the list or otherwise make a mark so you can plan for the next shopping trip, check sales and make plans on which stores to visit to save the most money. Keep these items on hand and you will always be ready for spur of the moment meals. Adjust can and bottles sizes and amounts according to your preferences.

Stock up on sale items! Realistially a 3 month supply of the basics is a good money saving goal. Most properly stored items can last for years regardless of sell by date. Items to buy in bulk for a more than 3 months supply include paper and chemical products such as toilet paper, paper towels, shampoos and soaps. You don't have to stock up for doom's day to save a few bucks but a supply to three weeks or longer will hold you over in emergencies.

Grocery Staples to Keep on Hand

  • Pastas:
    • fettuccine
    • macaroni
    • twists
    • bow ties
  • 1 package long grain rice (2 pounds)
  • 1 (6 ounce) can chicken
  • 1 (6 ounce) can tuna
  • 1 can pitted, black olives
  • 2 cans sliced mushrooms
  • 2 (8 ounce) cans whole kernel corn
  • 2 (16 ounce) cans refried beans
  • 1 (14 1/2 ounce) can (or carton) chicken broth
  • 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of mushroom soup
  • 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can cream of celery soup
  • 1 (8 ounce) can of dried, unseasoned bread crumbs
  • 2 cans (6 ounce) cans tomato paste
  • 2 cans (8 ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 2 (14 1/2 ounce) cans whole or diced tomatoes
  • 1 (24 ounce) bottle red wine vinegar
  • 1 (12 ounce) bottle salsa
  • 1 (3 ounce) bottle seasoned salt
  • 1 (1.62 ounce) bottle seasoned pepper
  • 1 (1.25 ounce) bottle garlic salt
  • 1 (1.25 ounce) package taco seasoning
  • 2 (1.25 ounce) package spaghetti seasoning
  • 1 jar spaghetti sauce
  • 1 jar fettuccine sauce
  • Saltine crackers

Freezer

  • 1 (10 ounces) package frozen mixed vegetables
  • 1 (10 ounces) package chopped spinach
  • 1 (10 ounces) package frozen broccoli
  • 1 (6 ounces) package frozen snow peas
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 pound ground chicken or turkey
  • 1 pound grated cheddar cheese
  • 1 pound grated mozzarella cheese
  • 1 pound Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1/2 pound Parmesan cheese (block form, not grated)
  • 1 dozen flour tortillas
  • Frozen orange juice concentrate
  • Frozen cooked shrimp
  • Frozen chopped bell peppers, package of assorted colors

Extras

  • 1 can miniature corn
  • 1 jar Dijon mustard
  • 1 jar Capers
  • 1 jar pimiento
  • Nuts:
    • chopped walnuts
    • chopped or sliced almonds
    • chopped pecans
    • shelled peanuts
  • Wood skewers
  • Soy sauce
  • Teriyaki sauce
  • Minced garlic
  • Grape jelly (easily makes into a good substitute for sweet/sour sauce)

Food Fun