Summer Memories

When I was a little girl, summertime meant running through the sprinkler, building forts, riding my bike, and playing outside till well after dark. It also meant my mom's homemade popsicles, made in her Tupperware popsicle molds. If you grew up in the 70's, you probably know what I'm talking about.

I vividly remember sitting on our front porch or the back patio with the neighbor kids, licking those cool, icy pops. Not only did they cool us off on the sizzling days of summer, but the popsicles seemed to spur our imaginations. Some days we'd apply the popsicles to our lips like lipstick. Other days, an afternoon of playing house ensued. The empty popsicle sticks looked similar to baby pacifiers, and we'd crawl around with the sticks hanging out of our mouths, pretending to be babies.

When I became a mom, I inherited the very popsicle molds that I'd eaten from as a small child. And for years, I've been making popsicles for my own boys in those 30-year-old molds. I've smiled to myself as I've watched them enjoy that familiar sense of comfort and nostalgia.

But alas, it became apparent in recent days that it was time for an upgrade. The original set of 12 had dwindled to a set of 9. Several of the sticks had met their demise in our garbage disposal. And much to my chagrin, it was time to move on...

After a bit of research, I settled on a couple of sets of these: Tovolo Yellow Groovy Pop Molds. The reviews were positive, and the molds were bigger than your typical popsicle molds. That's all my guys needed to hear!

We were excited last week when the new molds were delivered to our doorstep. And every couple days since then, I've been whipping up a different recipe to try 'em out. Below are some of our favorites, both old and new. Hope they enhance your summertime memories and bring you much fun and refreshment!

Fresh Fruit & Yogurt Popsicles
2 cups bananas, strawberries, blueberries, or raspberries (or a combination)
2 cups yogurt
1/4 cup white sugar

Place fruit, yogurt, and sugar in a blender; process till smooth. Fill popsicle molds and freeze at least 5 hours.

Strawberry Lemonade Popsicles
1 (12 oz) can frozen lemonade concentrate
3 cups cold water
16 oz. strawberries

Combine lemonade concentrate and water in a large pitcher. Place strawberries and a bit of the lemonade mixture in blender. Puree till smooth. Stir strawberry puree into the lemonade. Pour into molds and freeze till firm, at least 4 hours.

Popsicles
1 pkg (3 oz) jello, your choice of flavor
1 envelope (.15 oz) unsweetened drink mix, matching or coordinating flavor
1 cup sugar
2 cups boiling water
2 cups cold water

In a bowl, dissolve jello, soft drink mix, and sugar in boiling water. Stir in cold water. Pour into molds. Freeze until firm.

Aunt Jeanne's Pudding Pops
1 pkg. pudding mix, not instant
3 1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. sugar

Combine and cook over low heat as for pudding. Pour into molds and freeze.