This is a big week.! Like, Lebowski sized. For 2 reasons.
First, the ever so clever Billy at Wit & Vinegar has given us a very good reason to chow down on frozen treats for the next 7 days: #PopsicleWeek! That means a poop ton of popsicle recipes comin’ at ya from around the blogosphere. And with the temperatures sitting in the mid-30’s here in Vancouver the past couple of weeks (that’s about 100 for my American homies), I can’t think of a better way to cool down.
Second – and this one’s a doozie – I’ve made a decision that will change the rest of my life. Forever.
…You have to whisper forever. It makes it creepier. And funnier.
As of today, I’m officially a full time student. Again. I’ll be honest – since moving back to the coast, I’ve felt a little lost. I’ve wanted to do something challenging that I feel passionate about, but I’ve also wanted to do some good. Help make some real change happen, ya know? Make the world a better place, lofty ideals, clichΓ© dreams, blah blah blah. You get the idea.
Generally, I want to be awesome.
Sure, I’m able to do some of that through the blog. Helping people create delicious meals through my recipes is so rewarding. Not to mention delicious and boozy. Mmmmm.. delicious and boozy. And yes, I get to help a lot of bloggers and entrepreneurs reach their dreams through my branding and design company. But when I imagine what I want for my life, the ideal scenario doesn’t involve 6 long days a week in my laptop.
So after some serious soul searching and regular blog neglecting, I’ve come to a decision. A life choice. A path that’s so fundamentally different from what I’ve been doing otherwise for the last 5 years, I can’t help but be excited about it. Or afraid. Either way, a little pee just leaked out.
Here it is: I’m going back to school for biology with a concentration in marine studies and a specialization in conservation.
Animal welfare. Conservation. Fisheries. Public awareness. General badassery.
Oh yeah, and math. Fuck. MATH. Did I mention my last degree was in Women’s Studies and Sociology and that I haven’t done serious math since grade 11?? That’s a whopping 18 years ago. A whole other person who can drink ago. And even then, I rarely went to class. It would seem that for some reason unbeknownst to me, a degree in the humanities doesn’t = acceptance into a hard science program.
I know, right?
So the over-achiever in me (cough – the saddist in me – cough, cough) has to upgrade her math and sciences. That means a whole year of pre-program level Pre-Calculus, Physics and Chemistry. Ouch.
Hold onto your butts my darlings, I’m in trouble.
So this is what all this math BS has to do with you: For the next 2 months I’m learning Math & Physics full time, in addition to running the business. Sadly, all math and no food makes Kristy a dull girl. I won’t be as readily available (aka no time to develop recipes, eat, food style and photograph, write, edit and create posts) here on the blog. I’m still around, just not as often. I’m going to be kind of like a semi-absent parent: I’ll show up for the fun stuff but won’t be entirely reliable, I may disappoint you from time to time but hey – when I’m here, there are unicorns and balloons and good food all around. And deep down, you know that I love you.
I will however, still be posting on Instagram regularly. Obvs. I’m addicted to that shit like middle aged married men are addicted to porn. Compulsively, shamefully and every time the better half leaves the house.
In the meantime though, there will be Popsicles. Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita Popsicles.
You can sub out any fresh berries you have on hand or in the back alley for this. The same goes for the nectarines. Peaches, plums or any other stone fruit would be akin to eating Summer in glorious frozen form.
Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita Popsicles
Yield 8 popsicles
Ingredients
- 4 Nectarines, pitted and roughly quartered
- 2 C (approx 1 pint) blackberries
- 2 Tbsp organic, local honey
- Zest and juice of 2 limes
- 6 Shots of tequila
Instructions
- Chuck all the ingredients in a food processor and puree until mostly smooth.
- Pour mixture into popsicle molds, leaving about 1/4" space at the top for the mixture to expand as it freezes. Finish off with the popsicle sticks. Freeze until solid (at least 5 hours).
- Enjoy!
Notes
If you don't have a mold, you could pour the mixture into an empty ice cube tray, cover with tin foil and then use a sharp knife to make incisions in the center of each cube. Slide the popsicle sticks into the foil to hold upright and freeze as above.
Other delicious popsicles I’m putting in my mouth as we speak:
- Maple Bacon Bourbon Popsicles | Donuts Dresses Dirt
- Strawberry & Watermelon RosΓ© Popsicles | Holly & Flora
- Raspberry, Lillet and Lemon Verbena Popsicles | The Bonjon Gourmet
- Berry Beat Goat Cheese Pops | Cheese Grotto
- Thyme Roasted Strawberry & Cream Popsicles | Erin Made This
- Mango Bourbon Smash Popsicles | The Frosted Vegan
- Moscow Mule Popsicles | Shutterbean
- Bourbon & Black Cherry Boozey Popsicles | Jack & Parker
- Strawberry Rhubarb Crumble Ice Pops | Take A Megabite
- Spicy Ginger Watermelon Popsicles | With Food & Love
- Dark & Stormy Popsicles | Brooklyn Supper
- How I Met Your Mother Inspired ‘Sumbitches’ Chocolate, Peanut Butter & Caramel Popsicles (pretty much the best name ever, right? Legend…wait for it.. dairy!) | Lace & Lilacs
- French 75 Cocktail Pops | Probably This
Kirsten
July 13, 2015 at 1:55 PMKristy,
I am so very glad for you! It’s wonderful to be at peace with a momentous decision.
And boozy popsicles to boot! Lovely composition on the photos.
Thanks!
Kirsten recently published…Grilled Korean Chicken Thighs with Squash and Peppers
Kristy Gardner
July 14, 2015 at 6:48 AMThank you lady love!! It’s so wonderful to see you. I hope your Summer is going well. I miss you! I’m making a trek over to your blog right now π
Kristy Gardner recently published…#PopsicleWeek: Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita Popsicles
Jacqueline Gum
July 13, 2015 at 3:59 PMWow! Just …wow! And here I thought you couldn’t get any awsome-er. Because you own awesome honey…flat out:) You’re gonna kick ass in class, then get out of school and I feel sorry for those whalers in Alaska. Or whoever else’s butt you aim to kick! Ouch! You’ll kick it good and the world will be better for it, I just know:) Congratulations Kristy! And stay in touch:)
Jacqueline Gum recently published…Like a Man… Where’s The Justice?
Kristy Gardner
July 14, 2015 at 6:49 AMOh Jacqueline, I can ALWAYS get more awesome-er. YOU can always get more awesome-er. WE will always get more awesome-er π
Thank you so much – your support means heaps to me!
Kristy Gardner recently published…#PopsicleWeek: Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita Popsicles
Shareba @ In Search Of Yummy-ness
July 13, 2015 at 6:09 PMGood luck with your new education Kristy! And your popsicles look fabulous π
Shareba @ In Search Of Yummy-ness recently published…My Dirty Little Secret
Kristy Gardner
July 14, 2015 at 6:50 AMThank you Shareba! I’m so glad you like them π Happy Tuesday! (it IS tuesday, right? the math is already confuzzling me).
Kristy Gardner recently published…#PopsicleWeek: Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita Popsicles
Sharon D.
July 14, 2015 at 5:40 AMYou are a sadist – too bad I could not return the help studying as you did for me – I stunk at calculus. Congratulations again!
Kristy Gardner
July 14, 2015 at 6:51 AMAH! I don’t even KNOW what calculus IS Sharon! hahaha.. Oy. I hope your Summer is going well. I’m going to go send you an email right friggin now. Thank you thank you thank you!
Kristy Gardner recently published…#PopsicleWeek: Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita Popsicles
Jeri
July 15, 2015 at 11:27 AMBoozy Popsicles are indeed a great way to beat the heat! And congrats on making the decision to return to school. You’ll do awesome, even if the math makes you freak out every now and again. Math and I have never been close friends π
Jeri recently published…#WritingPrompt: Sentence Sounds
Kristy Gardner
July 16, 2015 at 4:03 PMThank you Jeri! I’m pretty much determined to make math my bitch, err, best friend so if it works out, I’ll be sure to let you know. Maybe the 3 of us can have dinner some time π
Kristy Gardner recently published…#PopsicleWeek: Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita Popsicles
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July 16, 2015 at 11:40 AM[…] Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita Popsicles, via She Eats […]
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Julia (@Imagelicious)
July 17, 2015 at 8:46 AMSuch beautiful photos! I can see how refreshing and cool these popsicles are. I have to confess, I’ve made ice cream before many times, but I’ve never made popsicles… I think it’s time to fix that!
Julia (@Imagelicious) recently published…Radishes with Butter and Salt
Kristy Gardner
July 17, 2015 at 2:16 PMAw thanks Julia! I appreciate that so much. I think you should most certainly make popsicles! And I should make more ice cream. Can you believe I’ve never made my own before?? I just drool over everyone else’s. I’ll be investing in an attachment for my KitchenAid stand mixer this Summer though. And then it’s ice cream city, population me bro π
Kristy Gardner recently published…#PopsicleWeek: Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita Popsicles
Jon@localkitchener.ca
July 17, 2015 at 9:32 AMKristy, these look so awesome, and since we’re out west in Olympia visiting my family I reckon we have everything we need to make them, including the scars on our arms and legs from picking the blackberries!! So, thank you for the inspiration.
And congrats on your decision to go back to school and learn sweet stuff about the world around us! I hope that all goes well!!
Kristy Gardner
July 17, 2015 at 2:22 PMOh ouch Jon!! But so worth it right?? There’s something innately satisfying about tending the war wounds that come from foraged food. Err, rather, the journey that’s involved in foraging the food. Hopefully the food itself doesn’t inflict wounds. Ouch. Thank you so much for stopping by – it’s great to see you!
PS. The best thing about these bad boys is that they’re full of tequila! That should help at least peripherally with the scrapes and scratches and scars π
Kristy Gardner recently published…#PopsicleWeek: Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita Popsicles
Homemade & Yummy
July 17, 2015 at 9:48 AMHey…I’m not a popsicle fan…but if you put booze in them…that would change my mind for SURE!! Awesome!!
Homemade & Yummy recently published…Crispy Cast Iron Potatoes
Kristy Gardner
July 17, 2015 at 2:22 PMhahahahaha I feel like if you put booze in anything, it gets about 6782 X better π
Kristy Gardner recently published…#PopsicleWeek: Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita Popsicles
Chrissie
July 17, 2015 at 11:34 AMThese look so good! Love your photos π
Kristy Gardner
July 17, 2015 at 2:22 PMThank you Chrissie!! I appreciate that π
Kristy Gardner recently published…#PopsicleWeek: Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita Popsicles
Alanna @ One Tough Cookie
July 17, 2015 at 12:51 PMTequila and popsicles all rolled into one — does it get any better than that?! Haha, these look amazing! My inner lush can’t wait to try them. Best of luck with all your schooling!
Alanna @ One Tough Cookie recently published…Smashed cucumber salad with blackberries and pistachio
Kristy Gardner
July 17, 2015 at 2:24 PMIt most certainly doesn’t Alanna. At least not in my life. Unless you have a blackberry tequila cocktail to dip them in π
PS. You have an inner lush?? Mine came out a few years back and I can’t get her back in! lol… Thank you for taking the time to comment – it makes me feel good to hear from you π
Kristy Gardner recently published…#PopsicleWeek: Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita Popsicles
Abby
July 19, 2015 at 2:44 PMThese pops are GORGEOUS! Love the combination of nectarine and blackberry. <3
Abby recently published…The Lace & Lilacs Podcast ♥ Episode Three
Kristy Gardner
August 17, 2015 at 10:32 AMAbby cat! Thank you so much π I appreciate that – I hope your Summer is going well!
Kristy Gardner recently published…Sauteed Calamari with Smokey, Spanish Romesco Sauce
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July 19, 2016 at 7:03 AM[…] Sweet Summer Blackberry & Nectarine Margarita Popsicles from She Eats […]
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