I just returned from taking a newish colleague out for a creemee. Actually, we were out driving around so Peter could practice recording audio in a moving car for a story he's doing next week.
Since summer is waning I suggested we drive to the creemee stand, and proceeded to tell him the long and sordid history of our traditional workplace creemee runs.
As we got in line he commented on all of the various Flavorburst options. I explained to him that if he were to order a Flavorburst cone that he would most certainly be mocked by me and our other colleagues. At which point, right on cue, the old lady in front of us at line turned around, holding a giant red and white Flavorburst cone. Maybe she didn't hear me.
Peter ordered chocolate.
Friday, September 18, 2009
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
The Magical Taper and Decreased Creemee Consumption
Dear Readers,
I have a few reports to write up, but please excuse me if I have no new creemee adventures to document over the next few weeks. I'm training once again for the Vermont City Marathon on May 25. Long-distance running is one of the great joys in my life, both for the sheer fun and endorphin high of running itself, and because it allows me to pretty much eat whatever I want.
Not necessarily in that order. Let's face it: it's really all about the snacks.
My hard training culminated in my final 20-mile run last weekend, however, I have now embarked on what is possibly the most difficult part of a training program: the taper. That's the three (or so) weeks that you reduce your mileage and let your body rest and heal before the race. In theory, it's a great idea. In practice, it pretty much sucks. Sure, I have more time to sleep and enjoy the spring weather, but what they don't tell you is that this new-found freedom often comes with feelings of restlessness and anxiety. You're so used to running 30-40 miles a week that your body just doesn't know what to do with itself.
The reason I am telling you all of this is because during the taper period I also have to watch my diet carefully. I don't want to gain weight that I then would have to carry along for 26.2 miles in a few short weeks. See where I'm going with this? No creemees for me. Well, that may be an overstatement. Far fewer creemees for me. All the more reason to hate the taper.
So go out there and knock back a few for me, please, and I'll report back after the marathon. Email your creemee stand reviews to idreamofcreemee at gmail dot com. And thanks!
I have a few reports to write up, but please excuse me if I have no new creemee adventures to document over the next few weeks. I'm training once again for the Vermont City Marathon on May 25. Long-distance running is one of the great joys in my life, both for the sheer fun and endorphin high of running itself, and because it allows me to pretty much eat whatever I want.
Not necessarily in that order. Let's face it: it's really all about the snacks.
My hard training culminated in my final 20-mile run last weekend, however, I have now embarked on what is possibly the most difficult part of a training program: the taper. That's the three (or so) weeks that you reduce your mileage and let your body rest and heal before the race. In theory, it's a great idea. In practice, it pretty much sucks. Sure, I have more time to sleep and enjoy the spring weather, but what they don't tell you is that this new-found freedom often comes with feelings of restlessness and anxiety. You're so used to running 30-40 miles a week that your body just doesn't know what to do with itself.
The reason I am telling you all of this is because during the taper period I also have to watch my diet carefully. I don't want to gain weight that I then would have to carry along for 26.2 miles in a few short weeks. See where I'm going with this? No creemees for me. Well, that may be an overstatement. Far fewer creemees for me. All the more reason to hate the taper.
So go out there and knock back a few for me, please, and I'll report back after the marathon. Email your creemee stand reviews to idreamofcreemee at gmail dot com. And thanks!
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Office Hijinx
When it comes to conspicuous creemee consumption (and, let's face it, everything else really), I am not a woman known for her subtlety. During the recent spate of warm, sunny, gorgeous spring days, many of my office interactions have gone something like this: my friend Jonathan sends me an email about carpooling to a work function because it's the "green" thing to do. I reply, "Awesome. Are creemees green?"
If no such opportunity to slip creemees into a conversation presents itself, I've taken to stalking Jonathan at his desk, which is situated behind a floor-to-ceiling shelf of CDs. I sneak up and peer at him through the shelves, and start whispering loudly "creeeeeemeeeee....." until he gets his keys. If that doesn't work, I'll start mumbling and muttering about creemees to Dan, who has the formidable task of sharing an office with me.
It doesn't usually take much convincing, and we spent many a sunny afternoon last summer sneaking out to get creemees at Ray's Seafood, which is around the corner from our office. I took to calling it the Great Creemee Escape.* We did it so often I never bothered to blog about it, as I always figured I'd get the next one. So what better way to inaugurate the 2008 season than to report on Ray's Seafood?
Ray's is on the corner of Susie Wilson Road and Pinecrest Drive in Essex Junction. They have an outdoor creemee window in the front, which of course is always the preferred way to enjoy a cone. It's especially handy at Ray's Seafood, because as the name suggests, they sell seafood, so the inside of the restaurant smells heavily of fish. I like fish, but I'm not really a fan of smelling it.
Their cones are a bit small for the price. A baby will run you a dollar, but you get a cone a little bigger than a golf ball. The smalls are a good size for a weekday afternoon, maybe tennis ball-sized. They're about $1.60. Sprinkle application is good - not fantastic, and the consistency of the creemee is pretty good too, maybe a little grainy at times. They do offer sundaes and other concoctions, including that God-awful Flavor Burst gel, but loyal readers already know my biases when it comes to that.
All in all, Ray's serves up a decent creemee. Not the best I've ever had by a long shot, but it's convenient and hits the spot when you're stuck at the office on a nice day.
*I should note that we do not really have to slip out undetected. We rarely take lunch breaks, and our schedules are fairly flexible. However, I have been regaled with stories about staffers literally climbing out windows to get creemees under a former manager. In fact, I think it is my humble office window that facilitated the escapes!
If no such opportunity to slip creemees into a conversation presents itself, I've taken to stalking Jonathan at his desk, which is situated behind a floor-to-ceiling shelf of CDs. I sneak up and peer at him through the shelves, and start whispering loudly "creeeeeemeeeee....." until he gets his keys. If that doesn't work, I'll start mumbling and muttering about creemees to Dan, who has the formidable task of sharing an office with me.
It doesn't usually take much convincing, and we spent many a sunny afternoon last summer sneaking out to get creemees at Ray's Seafood, which is around the corner from our office. I took to calling it the Great Creemee Escape.* We did it so often I never bothered to blog about it, as I always figured I'd get the next one. So what better way to inaugurate the 2008 season than to report on Ray's Seafood?
Ray's is on the corner of Susie Wilson Road and Pinecrest Drive in Essex Junction. They have an outdoor creemee window in the front, which of course is always the preferred way to enjoy a cone. It's especially handy at Ray's Seafood, because as the name suggests, they sell seafood, so the inside of the restaurant smells heavily of fish. I like fish, but I'm not really a fan of smelling it.
Their cones are a bit small for the price. A baby will run you a dollar, but you get a cone a little bigger than a golf ball. The smalls are a good size for a weekday afternoon, maybe tennis ball-sized. They're about $1.60. Sprinkle application is good - not fantastic, and the consistency of the creemee is pretty good too, maybe a little grainy at times. They do offer sundaes and other concoctions, including that God-awful Flavor Burst gel, but loyal readers already know my biases when it comes to that.
All in all, Ray's serves up a decent creemee. Not the best I've ever had by a long shot, but it's convenient and hits the spot when you're stuck at the office on a nice day.
*I should note that we do not really have to slip out undetected. We rarely take lunch breaks, and our schedules are fairly flexible. However, I have been regaled with stories about staffers literally climbing out windows to get creemees under a former manager. In fact, I think it is my humble office window that facilitated the escapes!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Will Bike for Creemees
Morgan of the blog Montpelier Matters found I Dream of Creemee via the Rutland Herald earlier this week and sent me an email including his recent post about perhaps one of the most perfect, symbiotic summer traditions: the creemee accessed by bicycle:
"Although my blog post is not a really creemee report per se -- certainly not a complete report anyway, just in case it is of interest (by the way, if and when I am able to do so, I will try to blog up a more complete report sometime; plus I have not yet blogged about the Morse Farm creemee ride yet, nor have was I able to do one for the Route 2 Creemee stand [ i.e., the former DQ], as when I went there, I did not have cash and they do not take credit or debit cards. Will try it both when I have cash on hand and I ride by there sometime next, etc.), fyi:
Due to having not ridden a bicycle in about twelve years prior to receiving this bike, I am taking my time and being careful not to over do it too quickly in doing a lot of riding.
However, when the weather was more cooperative one day last week I did manage to take a creemee ride out to the Bragg Farm, located in East Montpelier - about a mile out on Route 14 North from the East Montpelier general store. Never had a creemee there before and it certainly was well worth it and, I am not someone who gets creemees much, especially given that I usually prefer hard serve ice cream. The ride was great and I even made the hill that leads to the place, never having to stop along the way, yet making sure I drank water when needed while riding.
By the way, for those whose favorite for Maple creemees is Morse Farm, not to worry as I intend to ride up there too -- maybe early this evening, if I am able to do so anyway.
"Although my blog post is not a really creemee report per se -- certainly not a complete report anyway, just in case it is of interest (by the way, if and when I am able to do so, I will try to blog up a more complete report sometime; plus I have not yet blogged about the Morse Farm creemee ride yet, nor have was I able to do one for the Route 2 Creemee stand [ i.e., the former DQ], as when I went there, I did not have cash and they do not take credit or debit cards. Will try it both when I have cash on hand and I ride by there sometime next, etc.), fyi:
Thursday, August 9, 2007
Montpelier Matters blog
Local Creemee Rides: http://montpelier-vt.blogspot.com/2007/08/local-creemee-rides.html
Last month I was out of state visiting with a friend as well as with family members. During my third and final week of visiting I stayed with one of my cousins for a two nights and he ended up giving me a bicycle -- one very nice road bike -- which originally belonged to a mutual aunt of ours.Due to having not ridden a bicycle in about twelve years prior to receiving this bike, I am taking my time and being careful not to over do it too quickly in doing a lot of riding.
However, when the weather was more cooperative one day last week I did manage to take a creemee ride out to the Bragg Farm, located in East Montpelier - about a mile out on Route 14 North from the East Montpelier general store. Never had a creemee there before and it certainly was well worth it and, I am not someone who gets creemees much, especially given that I usually prefer hard serve ice cream. The ride was great and I even made the hill that leads to the place, never having to stop along the way, yet making sure I drank water when needed while riding.
By the way, for those whose favorite for Maple creemees is Morse Farm, not to worry as I intend to ride up there too -- maybe early this evening, if I am able to do so anyway.
I am sort of surprised that thus far none of these creemee stands (i.e., Morse, Bragg and the former DQ in Montpelier) are really bike friendly, since none of them seem to have bike racks one can put one's bike and lock them up (especially for those bikes like mine that are not only very valuable (and are therefore a worry to become stolen if one walks about a little to tour the place) but also do not have a kick stand, etc.). If they were to become more bike friendly, they would attract more bicyclists on a regular basis and not just drive-in's by motorists. It is just a thought."
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Creemees, Fame and Fortune...
Well, almost. Creemees? Of course. Fame? Possibly...at least in that sort-of creepy Internet sort of way. Fortune? I wish - creemee-reviewing is a losing proposition, even at just a buck-fifty a pop.
Anyway, I was very excited to find out that my humble little blog was noted in today's Rutland Herald!
Perhaps I should start updating more often....don't forget to send me your reviews at idreamofcreemee@gmail.com!
Anyway, I was very excited to find out that my humble little blog was noted in today's Rutland Herald!
Perhaps I should start updating more often....don't forget to send me your reviews at idreamofcreemee@gmail.com!
Friday, August 3, 2007
Gas Station Goodness
Jolley Mini Mart is at 977 Shelburne Rd., South Burlington (on the southbound side of Route 7; though on my way back I think I saw another Jolley with a creemee sign on the northbound side, just south of this one).
In my travels I've always been a bit wary of gas station mini-marts purporting to deal in creemees...like somehow the very practice of selling a creemee under the Exxon-Mobil or Shell name rapes it of the quirky authenticity we so cherish here in Vermont.
But this afternoon was no time to pull the liberal, tax-hiking, government expanding, latte-drinking, Volvo-driving, New York Times reading anti-corporation, holier-than-thou routine. I was stuck in lunchtime traffic on the notorious Shelburne Road, struggling to get my 12-year-old Subaru's air conditioning to provide me some small shred of relief in today's 90-degree heat and humidity. Stopped at yet another traffic light, I saw a giant creemee-shaped sign shimmering like a beacon of hope. Heck, the sign was even spelled Cree-mee! I mean, I'm a little confused about the hyphen (does it assist out-of-staters with pronunciation?), but hey, there are four e's aren't there?
Three turns, two lanes of traffic and a few lights later, I popped into the Jolley (Mobil) mini-mart on the southbound side of Shelburne Road. Feeling way more out of place than a girl ever should in a cloned mini-mart, I ordered a small vanilla cone from the underage, slightly ornery woman at the counter (ah, now I feel at home!).
I am pleased to report that I am pleasantly surprised by my first gas station creemee! It was $1.64 and the ice cream part was probably about 5 inches tall. Having endured my share of driving on a hot day-related creemee disasters, I was half expecting the creemee to not only be not up to snuff, but melting all over my car. But it delivered even on that crucial element by holding up wonderfully, non-cooperative air conditioning and all. The only time I got dripped on was in eating the very bottom part of the cone - but I'm going to attribute that to consumer error.
My only problem with the experience was that it was a bit on the sweet side, even for a creemee. But it did the trick, and I was cooled enough to make it home without crying or whining too much.
In my travels I've always been a bit wary of gas station mini-marts purporting to deal in creemees...like somehow the very practice of selling a creemee under the Exxon-Mobil or Shell name rapes it of the quirky authenticity we so cherish here in Vermont.
But this afternoon was no time to pull the liberal, tax-hiking, government expanding, latte-drinking, Volvo-driving, New York Times reading anti-corporation, holier-than-thou routine. I was stuck in lunchtime traffic on the notorious Shelburne Road, struggling to get my 12-year-old Subaru's air conditioning to provide me some small shred of relief in today's 90-degree heat and humidity. Stopped at yet another traffic light, I saw a giant creemee-shaped sign shimmering like a beacon of hope. Heck, the sign was even spelled Cree-mee! I mean, I'm a little confused about the hyphen (does it assist out-of-staters with pronunciation?), but hey, there are four e's aren't there?
Three turns, two lanes of traffic and a few lights later, I popped into the Jolley (Mobil) mini-mart on the southbound side of Shelburne Road. Feeling way more out of place than a girl ever should in a cloned mini-mart, I ordered a small vanilla cone from the underage, slightly ornery woman at the counter (ah, now I feel at home!).
I am pleased to report that I am pleasantly surprised by my first gas station creemee! It was $1.64 and the ice cream part was probably about 5 inches tall. Having endured my share of driving on a hot day-related creemee disasters, I was half expecting the creemee to not only be not up to snuff, but melting all over my car. But it delivered even on that crucial element by holding up wonderfully, non-cooperative air conditioning and all. The only time I got dripped on was in eating the very bottom part of the cone - but I'm going to attribute that to consumer error.
My only problem with the experience was that it was a bit on the sweet side, even for a creemee. But it did the trick, and I was cooled enough to make it home without crying or whining too much.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Review: Goodie's - West Addison
Thanks to my dear friend and former roomie Jefe for scouting Goodie's and contributing this blog's first review!
Goodie's is on Route 17 in West Addison*, VT, across from the Addison General Store.
**Editor's Note: Full disclosure here. I think orange and blackberry should be permanently banned from the creemee flavor rotation. Maple is the only acceptable flavor option aside from vanilla and chocolate, in my opinion. And don't even get me started on those "Flavor Burst" cones that have that toothpaste-like gel swirled all over the cone. Blech! Okay, now you know my biases.
Goodie's is on Route 17 in West Addison*, VT, across from the Addison General Store.
- Price of a small or regular cone: $1.65
- Size of a small cone: Huge. Including cone, approx. 10". A medium would be too much, even for me, Jeff says.
- Flavors: Vanilla, chocolate, twist & one rotating flavor (includes maple, orange, etc.)**
- Sprinkle Aptitude: I don't know, no one ordered sprinkles while I was there.
- Other Fare: Full food menu (burgers, fries, veggie burgers...)
- Creemee Impression: Damn good. The creemee was served very cold so held its form with less than average melting on a very hot day.
- Other Impressions: Staffed by very nice and helpful high school girls, ample outdoor seating.
**Editor's Note: Full disclosure here. I think orange and blackberry should be permanently banned from the creemee flavor rotation. Maple is the only acceptable flavor option aside from vanilla and chocolate, in my opinion. And don't even get me started on those "Flavor Burst" cones that have that toothpaste-like gel swirled all over the cone. Blech! Okay, now you know my biases.
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