Kathleen is having her monthly challenge at Let's Dish! This month's theme is Farewell to Summer, and I'm setting my outdoor tea with my fairy garden and my frog planter. I was inspired by Alycia at Tablescapes at Table Twenty-One, when she recently did a table with some cute frogs. I spotted my frog that's always out on my patio, which was given to me by our next door neighbors when we moved from Ohio to Michigan back in 1985. I've kept him all these years, and he even hopped to Texas with us back in 1986. I love a little table whimsy and I'm using my polka dot plates on top of my polka dot table covering, with my bee napkins and mismatched teacups. We're going to have ice cream in my crystal wedding goblets, along with some easy frog cookies.
Can you spot the tiny frog in the bird bath? My oregano is getting out of control and needs a major trimming as it's covering up my waterfall!
My sister gifted me with this pretty teacup and it's perfect for Summer!
This Copy Cat DQ Ice Cream recipe comes from Cathy at Wives With Knives. I asked Cathy if she minded if I shared the recipe because my grandchildren and I loved it, and she told me to spread the ice cream love around. I mixed up all the ice cream ingredients the day before and then when the kids came over we could make the ice cream in my Donvier Ice Cream maker. You can find Cathy's recipe here.
I have cut the recipe in half to fit my small ice cream maker and it works great. Make some ice cream to enjoy this summer! I made a Peanut Buster Parfait to enjoy. For a great hot fudge sauce recipe, look here.
COPY CAT DQ ICE CREAM
- 1 envelope Knox gelatin
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 2 cups whole milk (I used 2%)
- 1 cups sugar
- 1 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 and 1/2 cups whipping cream
- Soak gelatin in cold water
- Heat milk, but do not boil.
- Remove from heat and add gelatin, sugar, vanilla and salt.
- Cool and add cream.
- Chill 5 to 8 hours.
- Pour into a 1 quart ice cream freezer can.
- Process according to manufacturer's directions.
- Cathy says to put this in a container and freeze several hours or overnight. I personally love this right after it's made when it is still soft, and the grandkids did, too!!
When you look at these cookies from this angle, it looks like the frogs are smiling! I love that!
FROG COOKIES
There are some incredibly cute versions of Frog Cookies when you google, but I wanted one that kids could actually do quickly and enjoy. This version from Kraft, fit the bill. The original recipe can be found here.
Chocolate Sandwich Cookies (Oreos...I used the Birthday Cake flavored ones)
peanut butter
Chocolate Flavored Bark
mini pretzel twists
M&M"s
Melt the chocolate flavored bark (I used one square) in the microwave according to package directions.
Spread a little peanut butter on one side of the chocolate sandwich cookie, then dip in the chocolate.
Press two mini pretzel twists into the chocolate with the wide part of the pretzel facing out, placing on waxed paper.
Add two candy eyes, attaching with some melted chocolate. I found that adding two dabs of chocolate to the top of the cookie made it easier to attach the eyes.
Enjoy!
I am sharing this with:

The frogs are so cute! And that's a very pretty cup and saucer too! But what really caught my eye is the PigSkin Cheese Ball all covered in bacon in your 'you might also like' features:@)
ReplyDeleteThe ice cream looks delish, Kitty. Thanks for sharing the recipe! I've made ice cream 3 times this summer and I want to try at least once more, with this recipe. You've made it all the more tasty as a peanut buster parfait! Yum!
ReplyDeleteOh Kitty, can I have ice cream right now at 6:39 in the morning? Surely it's okay..... :) And those cookies are too cute! The second I saw the picture of them I was smiling and thinking of my son. Thank you, sweet friend, for giving us so many wonderful ideas for tasty food.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy your Monday! Hugs to you!
Cookies are soooooooooo cute!! and That is such a pretty cup and saucer!
ReplyDeleteAhhh....your cookies are so cute! And I love the bright summer floral teacup. A beautiful setting for farewell to summer. Hasn't it gone fast?! I can't believe the kids are back to school! Thanks so much for linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
ReplyDeleteruth
Hi Kitty,
ReplyDeleteOh my, you are so creative! Wouldn't the kiddies love those cookies? Love that summery teacup too.Have a wonderful week! Karen
Wow! I absolutely love the fairy garden! Your garden setting is perfect for the beautiful summer teacup and saucer. The crystal goblets are so elegant with the DQ ice cream! Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteStay Cool,
Pam
I love frogs and whimsy and ice cream and tea! I think you have all my "loves" covered! ;) Wonderful tea cup and a very special gift. The kids are back to school here this week so I guess it is the end of summer! Happy Tea Day!
ReplyDeleteOh, I bet your kiddies loved those frogs and the ice cream looks delish! Yes, I spotted your wee frog in the bird bath; so cute! I love some whimsy on the table too, Kitty. A wonderful tea setting today and thank you for joining me.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sandi
Oh those frogs are so cute. I am going to have to make them one time as the grands are fascinated by our pond dwellers.
ReplyDeleteThe tea looks so nice and thanks for sharing the ice cream and frog cookies (how adorable)! Wishing you a wonderful week.
ReplyDeleteJulie
What a beautiful outdoor set up, Kitty. The ice cream looks yummy. And yes, I see the frog!...Christine
ReplyDeleteI just love the frog cookies! I really need to bring them to some party and wow the crowd. I also love every little whimsical part of your summer table (frog and all). That teacup is just perfect for summer, too. (And I would LOVE that oregano at my place. )
ReplyDeleteHello my friend! Love the frog cookies. I am going to make some for my grandchildren, they will love eating frogs! Your tea cup is lovely, a perfect party. Thanks so much for sharing. Hugs, Martha
ReplyDeleteJust too danged cute, Kitty! Love love love those little froggie cookies. Now if one day I could ever get grandchildren......................:
ReplyDeleteHugs.
So cute Kitty! I'll bet your grands had so much fun with these cookies. And the ice cream looks delicious. Maybe the fairies are taking their showers under the waterfall, and enjoy the privacy the oregano is providing!
ReplyDeleteVery cute table today, Kitty - love the frog, the fairy garden and those cute polka dot plates. The frog cookies are adorable - I might make some for my 'big kids' next time they come over. The ice cream is the perfect treat. xo Karen
ReplyDeleteLooks like you've been having fun in the kitchen...with delicious results! Your teacup is so cheery. Have a great week :)
ReplyDeleteI have my ice cream bowl freezing in the freezer to make some ice cream. I am not ready for fall.
ReplyDeleteMadonna
MakeMineLemon
Your Daisy Tea Cup is so pretty, that I simply had to pin it to my Tea Cup Tuesday Pinterest Board, linking directly to your blog post. It was is so nice sharing Tea Cup Tuesday with you. My blog is marywaldsvintageplace.blogspot.com stop by for tea cup fun, and say "hi".
ReplyDeleteHi Kitty...well, you got me on this post! Fairy garden, cute frog cookies, DQ, and such a beautiful tea cup too! What a fun post. I love it all.
ReplyDeleteLove your cookies Kitty and thanks for making me want ice cream this morning, LOL. Beautiful tea cup!
ReplyDeleteCindy
Dear Kitty, so darn cute! Something so sweet and in a lovely setting too. The froggie cookies would be a big hit with my Grands. Have a wonderful week! xo
ReplyDeleteDear Kitty, so darn cute! Something so sweet and in a lovely setting too. The froggie cookies would be a big hit with my Grands. Have a wonderful week! xo
ReplyDeleteOh how cute! Wish that I had found this yesterday! Must pin!
ReplyDeleteOh my - your ice cream looks so delicious - it is a distraction! What a fun theme here and I love your Fairies! Thanks for sharing at Tea In The Garden!
ReplyDeleteI love your whimsical table, Kitty. Your little frog cookies are so cute and look yummy. I could eat several. I am going to pin the recipe to make for my grandchildren. They will be excited.
ReplyDeleteI am also loving your beautiful crystal stem full of the copy kat DQ ice cream. Looks decadent.
Hi Kitty! Those frog cookies are great! My mother loves frogs--I'll have to show her this post of yours :). I really like the whimsy of your table with the green polka dot plates and that great frog planter! Thanks for visiting my blog--I hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteKitty, Ice cream in your crystal glasses is such a beautiful & delicious treat! Your frog cookies are adorable too and I love that they look like they're smiling :) They make me wish I had someone to make them with. Love your pretty blooming tea cup too ♥
ReplyDeleteWhat a cute table Kitty. I like the frog that's been hopping around with you all these years. My fairy garden has gone out of control and needs a haircut. The frog cookies look too good! The tea cup is beautiful- what a nice gift!
ReplyDeleteI always love being in your cozy kitchen, but the porch isn't bad either. Love the frogs but I like the ice cream sundae even better. Hopefully, it's hot fudge!
ReplyDeleteNothing says summer better than homemade ice cream Kitty and yours looks irresistible! And frog cookies too, your grands must love coming to visit! I always love seeing polka dots in abundance when I visit you, they are perfect anytime of year but especially summer!
ReplyDeleteJenna
I wish one of those frog cookies would jump onto to my desk right now! That ice cream sounds wonderful too. I'm baking zucchini bread this evening using your recipe since it was voted #1 in my office!
ReplyDeleteHi Kitty,
ReplyDeleteWhat a darling end of summer table!! I think frogs are cute (always have). When I was a kid, I used to catch them at my grandparents' lake house. I always let them go without hurting them; I just thought they were so cute. :) I'm a polka-dot kind of girl, and I LOVE your polka dot plates and table cover -- they're so cheerful. Your fairy garden is just precious. I have seen some wonderful fairy gardens this summer on various blogs and Pinterest; I may have to do one next year.
As always, your recipes look so tasty, Kitty. Those are the cutest frog cookies ever!! Thanks for sharing and I hope you have a good week, my friend.
Warm Hugs,
Denise at Forest Manor
Kitty, the frog cookies are adorable, but that ice cream sundae is screaming my name. Yum! What a perfect summer treat.
ReplyDeleteCute table...love the frogs and that teacup of lovely...
ReplyDeleteKitty, what cute smiling frogs! I noticed the birthday cake sprinkles in their mouths before you said that you used those Oreos. I still haven't been able to find those. They are advertised, but they are always gone. I bet they are great!
ReplyDeleteAlas, summer is leaving, always too quickly. Your ice cream sounds yummy too, but we don't give up homemade ice cream with the end of summer. Maybe I will make a batch this weekend.
Have a wonderful Labor Day.
Love the frog cookies and your parfait looks so good! Wishing you a very happy Labor Day weekend.
ReplyDeleteBig Texas Hugs,
Susan and Bentley
Cute! Cute! Cute! Oh, how I love those frogs and the mock DQ ice cream. I am definitely going to try these. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeletexo
Sheila :-) who is smiling back at the frogs and you!
Cute table, Kitty. I ♥ the polka dotted plates. The icecream sounds yummy...I may make it next week while one of my Arizona grandsons is here visiting.
ReplyDeleteHave a wonderful week.
Drooling while you're using internet at the library is not a pretty thing...but I can't help myself. Thanks for that copycate DQ recipe. You certainly met the tablescape challenge Kitty! :)
ReplyDeleteWell, I would leave those adorable cookies for the grands but would really want some of that ice cream! Everything looks so cute ~ I'm sure the kids had a blast. I so miss doing all those fun things with mine.
ReplyDeletexo
Pat
How FUN, Kitty! You sure do like to play with your food!!
ReplyDeleteYour oregano is amazing & I love seeing your outdoor settings...they look so cool & lush.
Thanks for the recipes & directions.
Kitty, your froggy setting is adorable. As for the ice cream, pass it over! Cathy is great, isn't she, always such yummy posts! Thanks for taking the challenge!
ReplyDeleteKitty,
ReplyDeleteYour ice cream looks delicious and cool...Your posts are always a welcome friendly read..I just could not get it together to make the challenge this time. Maybe next time...
Love, Mona
Hi Kitty,
ReplyDeleteI just love your cozy setting for your ice cream and precious frog cookies! Hope you are having a great Labor Day Weekend and thanks so much for sharing your awesome recipe with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
A fun ode to summer Kitty. The frog cookies are too cute! Thanks for sharing with SYC.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Oh dear Kitty, such yumminess in this post! Those frog cookies my grands would love, love!
ReplyDeleteAdorable Daisy teacup...wait, maybe I'll take my g'girls to your house, lol!
Hope you are having a great LD weekend.
FABBY