Warning: do not let your children (or grandchildren) see this post.

Ice Cream is always a delightful sweet treat during hot summer days. While my favorite will always be the Graeter’s brand from Cincinnati, I also enjoy a nice soft-serve cone. The concept was born by a young fellow named Tom Carvel – you may have heard of him. When his ice cream truck broke down and couldn’t be quickly fixed he started selling the softening stock to customers who enjoyed the new consistency. He worked out a formula and machine to serve soft ice cream on purpose and an entire industry was born. He soon had many imitators. My favorite growing up was the local Dairy Queen and later became enamored of the soft custard at Rita’s Italian Ice. But it was always a going-out option as no one could afford one of those big whipping and dispensing machines for the home. But guess what I recently came across…

Behold the Cuisinart Mix It In Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker for the kitchen counter. It is advertised to easily allow you to whip up some soft-serve in your very own home. You can also mix in chopped nuts or sprinkles automatically. And look, they have a place to park the cones! I have never tried it but apparently you can get them at Amazon, Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond and other retailers for under $100! Here’s the Cuisinart page link to check it out:

https://www.cuisinart.com/shopping/appliances/ice_cream/ice-45

Now, if the Cuisinart people wanted to supply me with a free version I would be happy to test it and review it for the blog! For scientific purposes only, of course. Just sayin’.

As always you can find more at http://www.walterthinnes.com and on Twitter @walterthinnes

#ATOBTTR update – Well, my dear Cincinnati Reds, you are neither sneaking nor streaking. By splitting the Cardinals series you did not gain the ground you needed. It is still possible to fight your way into the playoffs, especially facing a lighter schedule here at the closing weeks. Get busy, do it. I still have faith you can make this a thrilling September! Go Reds!