Tuesday, July 14, 2009

Calling All Torchbearers

The Director of Student Activities when I was working at Southern Methodist University was an amazing and inspiring woman. Think I'm exaggerating? I'm not.

So amazing and so inspiring is this woman that, of nearly 1.3 million people living in the Dallas/Fort Worth area in 2002, she was one of very few people selected to be an Olympic torch bearer. Enough said.

When you walked in her expansive Student Activity Center, buzzing with motivated and empowered student leaders there was a beautifully made sign, the length of the wall, reading "We care most about that which we help to create."

It's true.

I, for instance, am not losing sleep over how big the turnout for Mean Green Field Day is at the University where I work. I'll attend, but that's it.

Do I care if American Airlines reaches their third quarter goals? Not really. I couldn't have any less to do with American's business planning activity.

Conversely, I'm hosting a bake sale at Matthew and Jack's preschool on Friday morning to support the organization Bake For America. I've recruited fourteen bakers, pre-sold baked goods to at least three families, and yesterday morning, launched a five day advertising campaign in the lobby where parents must pass each morning and afternoon.

The relationship between effort and investment is pretty indisputable.

Why do I mention this?

Today at 7:15 p.m., approximately 15 short hours from now, Heather, Cheryl, Katie, and I will meet at Baskin Robbins to tape Friday's Free For All video. We're going to splurge and share a decadent, over-the-top-sundae, in honor of National Ice Cream Month. The kind of sundae that would make Ray proud... or at least make him spew with sarcasm.

I want you to care about our sundae.

So, in the spirit of Arlene Manthey, torch bearer extraordinaire, I am going to have YOU create OUR sundae. Below is a five-question survey for you to answer. The first three questions allow you to select from Baskin-Robbins' 30+1 flavors of ice cream (minus a few because of my peanut allergy) and the other two questions are about toppings (dry and wet). Place one vote per question.

Whichever flavor from each question receives the most votes will serve as the base of our sundae. Then, the two wet toppings and three dry toppings receiving the most votes will top off our decadent dessert.

Got it? Show you care. Help create a sundae for Heather, Katie, Cheryl, and me. Vote now then tune in on Friday to find out the results.



P.S. Kat and Ray sitting in a tree K-I-SS-I-N-G. Kat is so in tune with Ray, she guessed that his favorite flavor of ice cream is CHOCOLATE. Congrats on winning the one and only printed edition of the Van-Choc-StrawberRay shirt. What do you think, does that make him boring or a lover of classics?

Signing off until tomorrow...

21 comments:

cassie p said...

Ray is by no means boring...in this case, he has great taste...literally!

Chaotic Kristi said...

LOL...yes, chocolate is GOOD... therefore Ray is GOOD, not boring!!
I love the survey... and I think, if it all possible, I will build the winning sundae for Friday night's movie gathering!

Heather @ HouseofShine.com said...

Ooooohhhh ice cream sundaes! I can't wait. I love a good sundae.

Seriously though Ray liking chocolate seems perfect. My favorite is vanilla, pure simple goodness. I think of chocolate in much the same way.

Chaotic I love thinking that you will eat our sundae with us, that's so awesome. Who else is on board. Will you also eat the winning sundae with us to help celebrate National Ice Cream "Weak"?

Brian K. Root said...

I'm already craving ice cream, and it's 8:30 in the morning! Good job, ladies!

Haha... Enjoy your sundae tonight. When I plan on loading on the toppings, vanilla is perfect for me. I choose other flavors when I don't plan on using toppings.

Anyone a fan of Cold Stone Creamery? I've been there 2 or 3 times. One time I created my own -- vanilla ice cream with peanut butter cups, peanut butter, and reeses pieces. Yum Yum.

Kat said...

Woo Hoo! I just knew that Ray and I had the same favorite!

Brian- I like Cold Stone, but I looooove Maggie Moo's. My favortie there is either lemon ice cream with fresh strawberries and whipped cream, or dark chocolate with brownie bits and peanut butter. Wow. I really need some ice cream now...

heather said...

Oooh Brian you sound like a man after my own heart. I love peanut butter (and I think Katie would agree) in ice cream.
We have this place called Dragon Berries which has frozen yogurt and you add your own toppings and pay by the ounce. I get vanilla yogurt with caramal sauce and tons of peanut butter cups...YUM!

Katie said...

Oh, Brian! I love peanut butter!!! My favorite ice cream is Graeters and my favorite flavor is peanut butter chip! Someone once have me a birthday gift of all things peanut butter and I loved it! Unfortunately, Claudia is allergic, so there will be nothing with peanut butter tonight!

Peggy said...

Yum-o!

Chaotic Kristi said...

http://www.amysicecreams.com/

Amy's Ice cream in Austin R O C K S !!! White Lightning is sweet cream ice cream w/7% butterfat & RUM!

Cheryl Houston said...

Have I mentioned that I'm a picky eater? This is going to be a challenge for me. I'm cringing slightly and hoping that crushed pineapple doesn't win. Don't get me wrong, I like pineapple. But not on my pizza and not on my ice cream.

We went to Baskin Robbins just last night. I was in search of my favorite Cotton Candy and they didn't have it!!! sad.

I'm campaigning for Chocolate chip cookie dough and caramel sauce!! VOTE FOR COOKIE DOUGH AND CARAMEL SAUCE!!! Thank you.

Unknown said...

I am always a fan of fruit and ice cream together - Graeter's Black Cherry has been my favorite since the 4th grade when I decided I didn't like chocolate chips in my coconut ice cream. I hope some fruit makes it into the sundae! (no pineapple though...I'm with Cheryl on that one)

Cheryl Houston said...

No Fruit! (Maybe a cherry on top)

Don't forget to vote for

CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE DOUGH & CARAMEL SAUCE!!!

:)

Claudia said...

Good morning, everyone. So glad to see so many ice cream lovers up and about already.

I am a no-fruit in my ice cream kinda gal. The closest I'll come is Ben & Jerry's Cherry Garcia and that's only because there are LOTS of chocolate chips in it.

Texture is also really important to me. I don't get the same fulfillment out of eating ice cream when it is void of something crunchy. I need chips, graham crackers... something.

My vote is on mint chip, mocha chip, and chocolate chip cookie dough.

Can't wait to see what you come up with.

Claudia said...

So far our sundae is looking pretty conventional...

vanilla, chocolate, cookie dough, brownies, whip cream, and hot fudge.

Surely you can get us further out of our comfort zone than that!

Share today's post with your friends and family.

I'm not advocating for crushed pinneaple, but with 31 flavors, vanilla and chocolate???? REALLY?

P.S. Voting must be done by 7:00 p.m. CST

Robin said...

Okay, I lose 4 lbs and you guys talk about ice cream! No fair! Oh wait, it's life, never mind. ;-)

Enjoy your sundae. We have a tradition in our family, that when you count to 100 for the first time we all go to get ice cream and the counter gets a sundae. The bigger kids wanted an equivalent so if you memorize the periodic table you get to go again. (No one has taken us up on that offer...)

Cheryl Houston said...

At 12:40 here were the standings:

Vanilla & Pralines & Cream are tied for the first scoop at 20%.

Chocolate and Strawberry Cheesecake are tied for the second scoop at 20%.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough is winning the third scoop at 30%. (yes!)

Brownie is winning the dry topping at 27%.

CARAMEL is winning the wet topping at 37%! (double yes!)

Pralines and Creams? Does that have pecans in it? bleh!

Cristine said...

Have fun tonight guys. Definitely take pictures - maybe we can send pictures of "ice cream" moments (I have a good one of the boys)
We'll get some frozen custard this weekend in your honor (never have had it - think ice with twice the fat).
I hear the treadmill calling my name.

Tera said...

I love EVERYTHING ice cream. I think that Treye and I will go for dinner...I mean dessert :)

cassie p said...

PS i did get my chocolate coconut almond fudge from graeters last night!!! :-D

b.k.root said...

only one of my toppings made it into the sundae... i hope those brownies tasted delicious!

heather said...

All I can say is "mmmmmm"

Cristine I LOVE frozen custard...yummo!

Cassie my favorite is coconut almond fudge, it is to die for.