Semi-Homemade Avocado Ice Cream!

My grandparents had an avocado tree on their property in Guam.  Along with the avocado tree, they had coconut, guava and starfruit trees.  I can close my eyes and picture exactly where each tree is even though I haven't visited since I was a teenager.  The avocado tree is right next to this little hill.  We used to get cardboard from cases of soda and slide down that little hill.  Sometimes we'd land right in fallen avocados.  Other times I would be chasing my brother or little cousins and slip on an avocado.  I hated them for a portion of my childhood.  Seriously.  Not because they weren't yummy but because they would interfere with playtime!  Some days though, I would stand under the avocado tree, with its massive branches to hide from the piercing sun and pluck one, squeeze off the skin and have the freshest snack right there.  That was the life.

My nana used to yell at me, "Bring in some avocados".  And then she would make the yummiest avocado sweets ever.  One was "ice candy" - you can make it with coconut or mango but my favorite was avocado ice candy.  I don't remember how she made it but I do remember them sitting in bags in the freezer.  I would open the freezer door and my nana would yell, "close the door, they aren't ready yet!"  Hours later, she would call me in the kitchen, cut off the top and push me out the door to eat on the porch.  It was great being a kid!

Avocados from Mexico remind me of home and family.  The Holidays are all about home and family, here is my version of my nana's avocado ice candy - I hope it makes you feel like a part of our family.    


Semi-Homemade Avocado Ice Cream Ingredients

• 1 Avocado
• 3 tablespoons Sugar
• 2 scoops Vanilla Ice Cream
• 1/2 cup Milk

Directions

• Cut avocado in half, remove pit and skin
• Add avocado, ice cream, sugar and milk in blender.  Puree until smooth
• Pour in a bowl and serve!

You can also put this in a glass and drink it like a milkshake/smoothie.

{ Celebrity Chef Pepín shares Avocados From Mexico Posadas Recipes }

Disclosure:  This is a compensated post in collaboration with Avocados from Mexico and Latina Bloggers Connect.  All opinions are my own.

Getting Inspired At The Laundromat

It's funny how a trip to the laundromat inspired me to start taking "photos" again.  I really miss being in the darkroom.  

I can't stop thinking about our trip to the laundromat this morning.  (Who does that?)  Maybe my Grandma might be saying hi to me from beyond.  (Because I can't explain it any other way.)  Her Birthday just passed on August 26th, she's a Leo like me.  (After I published this, I looked up the Leo dates and my Grandma wasn't one!  I wonder why my Mom told me she was!)  It's sad I can't remember when she passed away (It's something like 18 years ago) - she was sickly, had diabetes and was on dialysis.  We were already living in Southern California and majority of our family was still on Guam - it was crazy expensive to fly out for her funeral so I didn't get to go.  Her death was tough for me since it was the biggest loss of life in my family and I couldn't even be there to say goodbye.  It has bothered me ever since.    

I remember when I was a little girl and would help her with laundry.  I secretly loved alone time with her and would jump to do it.  (Yeah, laundry.  Which I hate doing in my adult life.)  She had a clothesline outside and I would hand her clothespins, I loved the smell of her laundry.  Sun baked towels and hot Levi's buttons.  I remember all the times I would sneak a glance at her face with the sun shining down hard, she was a warrior.       

I don't think I've ever mourned her like I am today.  Finally.