I love Dairy Queen.
I come by my love of DQ soft-serve honestly. When my mother was pregnant with me, she craved Dairy Queen like nothing else on earth.
My dad tried hard to honour her cravings. She wanted DQ All. The. Time. Finally my exasperated father took a large cooking pot to the local Dairy Queen and asked the counterman to “fill ‘er up”. Can’t understand why I was only 6 lbs. when I was born near the end of July.
When I was a teenager, most warm summer nights would find me and my friends at some point sitting on the cement wall next to that same local DQ, sucking back shakes (always me, always vanilla) or Mr. Misty Slushes.
My son was born in August of the same year that the DQ Blizzard was born launched. (If that wasn’t a sign from the universe, I don’t know what is.) My lovely baby sister would bring me a Skor Blizzard every day that I was in the maternity ward. That was back in the days when you were expected to stay in hospital for a number of days after giving birth. I was there for 5 days. Do the math.
When I gave birth to my daughter my sister wasn’t around to bring me Blizzards. But a family friend worked in the hospital kitchen, and she added an ice cream sandwich to my tray for every meal. Which was super nice of her, but it was no Dairy Queen.
When they were much younger, I loved the infrequent opportunities to take my kids to DQ. On a scorching summer evening (when their buzzkill dad was not around to suck the joy outta life disapprove) I would drive us to DQ, where we would have Peanut Buster Parfaits instead of dinner, as a special treat. Because the peanuts make it worthy of meal status. Somehow. Work with me, people.
Nowadays I no longer prefer my DQ with a lot of add-ins and sugared-up, syrupy fanciness. My current favourite of All Things Dairy Queen is the humble chocolate dipped cone, size small. And DQ “season” (for me, anyways) is coming up soon.
Yeah, I know there is one in the mall, and it’s open year-round. But that’s not where I’ll go for my soft-serve when the temperatures rise.
This summer I’ll be heading back to that local, seasonally-run DQ that has been an ongoing part of my life, starting in-utero. It just reopened, for 2018. Exciting!!!
Do you DQ? What is your favourite DQ treat?
Rock on,
The WB
Can you guess my theme for this year’s A-Z Challenge? All of my A-Z posts this month will be tied into my theme, which is represented by the title of a song that was popular when I was a child. Can you figure it out as the days (and posts) go by? Leave your guesses (one per day only, please) in the comments. At the end of the challenge, I will reveal the theme. Have fun!
Yup, I DQ, Deb. My favourite is a small hot fudge sundae, heavy on the hot fudge. I love the sauce, but it’s really that combination of chocolate fudge goodness with soft-serve icecream that is magic.
There’s a DQ nearby but, like you, I’m waiting for the season to begin. How many more sleeps?
Yep, there is something about the combo of soft-serve and chocolate. I am not much of a chocolate fan, but the thin layer of hard chocolate shielding the soft serve inside it’s shell in a dipped cone is pure delight for my tongue. Too many sleeps, unfortunately.
I’m kind of a plain Jane DQ gal, I like a vanilla cone – may be boring to some, but I love it!
Trying to think of songs that have to do with food? Probably need a few more posts before I make a guess.
Nothing wrong with a plain vanilla cone. That is my second favourite DQ treat. Take your time guessing – lots more letters to go through yet!
We really must be sisters. DQ is my favorite. I love a dip cone. Then again, any Blizzard at all will satisfy as well. And a hot fudge sundae. It has to be ice cream though. There’s no reason to go to DQ for something that’s just sugar water and ice.
Still going with summer for the theme.
Agreed! You can get a slushie at any gas station – not that I *shudders* ever would. Still need that guess framed as a title of a popular song from days gone by in order to qualify as a true guess, sister!
I didn’t grow up with DQ and very rarely had soft ice cream – so it’s just not a thing with me. I have SO MANY vices and this one doesn’t register at all.
… and I’ve landed on a new theme, but can’t find a song! I’ll keep searching …. 😏
You had me laughing out loud with your crossed out words. I have to learn how to do that. I love the memories you’ve shared.
I love ice cream and growing up I had it every day after school at the drugstore up the street. We didn’t have DQ’s around so I never got hooked but I do like it when it crosses my path.
Thank you Jean! The crossing out of words is an option on the WordPress blogging platform I use and I love it!
P.S. I just read your “about the widow” page. Wow, you’ve sure been through a lot and the name of your blog suits your new place in the grand scheme of things. What doesn’t kill us makes us stronger…you’ve proven that. What general part of the world do you live in? If you don’t want to share that detail, I’ll understand.
Thanks Jean! I live in Canada, in the province of Ontario.
This is so fun. I love that the nurse tried to keep your sister’s tradition alive. That is so sweet. And I would sometimes have ice cream for dinner with my daughter (but not DQ). I didn’t grow up with DQ and have not lived anywhere where they’re prevalent or easy to get to.
Ice cream for dinner, yeah! ‘Cos you know you’re gonna eat some afterwards anyways…why not make it the occasional meal? Thanks for commenting, Akilah!
I love soft ice cream, but allas no DQ here… Time to come over and have a taste.
I remember the soft serve from Jamin when I was just a wee lass. Dipped in real chocolate, which hardened quickly leaving a crunchy outer layer… Mouth watering still.
That’s what a DQ chocolate dipped cone is like! Yes, time for you and your man to come over, Cuz!
Hey Widow! you’ve taken me a trip down memory lane! Whenever we went on a road trip in college, we would make it a point to stop at DQs: for a Blizzard (no sharing!!!!) and a pee break. We don’t have DQs here in Singapore, which maybe is just as well, as the Metabolism doesn’t quite work as well anymore!
Isn’t that the truth, Ju-Lyn! A small cone is about all that my metabolism will accept anymore. Any more (or bigger) than that just ends up on my hips (and now my belly too), and makes me feel sluggish afterwards.
Deb
I hear you, Deb! I had a McDonald’s milkshake all to myself the other day, first time in a long time where I didn’t share with the kids & husband, and gave myself a belly ache!
Oooh, I used to love those. Haven’t had one in years. Probably would give me a belly ache as well!
Sigh, looks like these are better remembered than actually consumed these days!
That’s the way I feel too!
My first job was working at DQ. I was a miserable failure at making those swirls on the tops of the cones, but I showed up regularly so I kept my job! I’ll tell you a secret: before what you call a Blizzard existed, there was a Blizzard on the DQ menu. It was a milkshake made with club soda instead of milk, thus resulting in an icier treat.
Mind. Blown. Thanks for sharing, Ally Bean!