Mom’s homemade vanilla ice cream brings back wonderful memories of summers in South Arkansas. On the most special occasions mom would make a second batch, homemade peach, a favorite of my dad’s and mine.

I have always been a fan of the old-fashioned ice cream makers with rock salt and all. But for Christmas my brother and his family gave me one of the newfangled ice cream makers from Williams Sonoma and this great book, Sweet Scoops.

So now I am on a mission to try tons of my favorite ice cream flavors like homemade chocolate chip.

I’ll probably create gorgeous treats with gourmet sherbets and sorbets.

A few coffee flavored indulgences are likely in my future.

And when I’m feeling healthy, varieties like pomegranate gelato,

and pineapple sorbet might just hit the spot.

I will surely whip up a batch or two of berry sherbet.

Or maybe fresh honey ice cream will be just what the doctor orders.

Blueberries make ice cream calorie-free right?

I hope so because I will have to have something to negate the cookies in my ice cream sandwiches.

On this cold and wintry Day 12 of the Things I Love, dreaming of ice cream helps me have visions of summer in my head.  What is your summery flavor of choice?

images from Martha Stewart, Gourmet, Epicurious, and Kiss My Spatula.