Extraction Pains

"They've got to come out."

"Putting it off will only make things worse."

"It's not healthy in the long run to keep them."

"They desperately need space."

"It's time."

The dentist was talking about my son's wisdom teeth.

I was thinking about leaving my daughter on a curb at JFK airport with bulging duffle bag and a ticket to Africa.

He got ice packs and meds for his extraction pain.



I got to come home* and make milkshakes for both of us.

His recovery is going great, especially now that the freezer is fully stocked with ice cream**.

Me?
I'm still poking at the hole that was left behind***.

Classic Vanilla Milkshake

by Sharon Graves

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: none

My mom used to make these by hand for my son, anytime he even had a hint of a sore throat, or just needed a little spoiling.  She let the ice cream soften on the counter, then used a whisk and a mixing bowl and elbow grease instead of a blender.  I find a blender works wonderfully, but use her secret to making these extra-excellent: add your own vanilla, and a little extra sugar.  

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Ingredients

• Your favorite brand of vanilla bean ice cream
• Whole milk
• Vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
• Sugar

Instructions

Take the ice cream out of the fridge and leave it on the counter for a couple of minutes to soften just a bit.

Place several healthy scoops in a blender, then add a splash of vanilla (more if using vanilla paste, less if using extract), and a generous sprinkling of sugar. 

Pour in some milk, just enough to come up to the lower edge of the pile of ice cream.

Blend until smooth, adding more milk as needed.

The potential flavor variations here are endless, but in situations like this, we swear by vanilla.

*  I did take her to NY myself, by way of Boston.  While she was doing a two-day soccer clinic, I walked for miles and ate my way through the city.  Evidence on Instagram.
** I know they guy is an awful, awful man, but this bit by Bill Cosby about getting ice cream when you have your tonsils out is still hilarious.
*** And stalking her online, of course.  So far, so good.