Tropical Sundaes

A year ago yesterday we moved into our lovely vintage house. I still type this in a room with paneling... The move jump started us in so many ways. I started the Vintage Cookbook talks, we all made lots of new friends, and we do a lot more as a family. It's amazing with a different house and town can do. We actually keep up with keeping things neat inside and out - I hadn't thought that was possible, though I can see we need a little pickup around here this morning...

On to the Tropical Sundaes. This photo is still from the BHG Barbecues and Picnics book - and that is Hawaiian chicken salad. Usually "Hawaiian" in vintage cookbooks means something has a little pineapple on it, but that actually looks a bit more elaborate. There are menus galore in here for "Hawaiian" picnics, but I liked this very interesting Hawaiian Tropical Sundae:

3 tablespoons mashed ripe banana

1 1/2 tsp. lemon juice

1/2 cup pineapple-apricot preserves (not sure they have this at Target...)

Rum flavoring to taste (oh boy)

Vanilla ice cream

1/2 cup flaked coconut, toasted

Tonight I have our annual Chicago Swordplay Guild program at the library for teens. We'll have our own Teen Corps picnic outside first. Tomorrow I return to the library for work, then back tomorrow night to give my Vintage Southern Treats talk based on the book The Help. I'll be serving red velvet cake, pralines, coconut pie, and Moon pies. I think all of these things will be fun, except perhaps the picnic with the teens.... Outdoor events bring out the teen in teens.