End Of Summer Social

As the warmth of summer begins to fade (oh, if only it would . . . a little), there's just time enough to fit in an ice-cream party. Make and send out cute invitations in the shape of ice-cream cones to family friends or relatives. Assign everyone one topping to bring. Suggest bananas, chopped nuts, homemade sauces (recipes follow), maraschino cherries, chopped candy bars, fresh berries, sprinkles, whipped cream, and so forth. Either make your own ice cream or buy your favorite flavors from the store. As soon as the toppings and ice cream are in place, your work is done. Enjoy mingling and chilling out in your very own ice cream parlor.

Butterscotch Sauce
Makes 1-1/2 cups

3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/2 cup heavy cream

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Boil for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir vigorously for about 30 seconds. Cool slightly before serving. Serve warm over ice cream.

Divine Fudge Sauce
Makes 1 cup

3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into bits
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup dark brown sugar, firmly packed
1/2 cup Dutch process cocoa
1/3 cup heavy cream
Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until butter melts. Turn heat to low and continue to stir mixture, scraping sides of pan as needed, until all of the sugar melts. Serve at once, or allow to cool slightly. Store in the refrigerator. Reheat in a double-boiler slowly.


If you wish to play some fun after everyone is finished devouring their ice-cream sundaes, how about an old-fashioned of tag . . . with a twist.

Japanese Tag
Choose a player to be "It." "It" pursues the remaining players and tries to tag one of them. When one has been touched, he must keep his hand on the spot where he was touched and chase the others. His hand cannot be freed from this spot until he has tagged someone else. When you're it, try to tag people in inconvenient places (ankle, knee, elbow, etc.)

Object-Passing Tag
Select an object such as a handkerchief, ball, or stick. The object is to be passed from one player to another. Choose an "It" (or two in a large group). Players can only be tagged when they have the selected object in their possession. Another player must take the object as soon as it is offered; if he refuses to take it, he immediately becomes "It."

Pose Tag
Choose a player to be "It." This player strikes some funny or awkward position. When all have seen this position, "It" begins chasing the others. When a player is about to be tagged, he can avoid it by striking the same pose that "It" did in the beginning. When a player is tagged, he becomes "It" and strikes a new pose to continue the game







--Share your Family Fun-Time Ideas with us by sending them to Desi@DVO.com --