My sister is one of those lucky people who has an iPhone, and she quickly learned how valuable they are when she dropped hers. Her heart sank because she knew she scratched the screen of her brand new phone before she even picked it up. Now she protects her iPhone with iphone screen protectors. The invisibleSHIELD is only 0.2 millimeters thick, but protects the phone from wear and tear and scratches while being completely invisible so that you can show off the latest technology.

A phone case is supposed to add to your phone by offering an extra layer of protection against scratches and scrapes, not take away from your phone by being unsightly and cumbersome. That’s why the invisibleSHIELD is the obvious choice in iPhone screen protection.

I’ve been tardy the past few weeks, and I was determined to not be late with this week’s Four Foods on Friday, so I decided to post early.

1. What’s your favorite white beverage? If you don’t have one, what’s your favorite beverage with something white in it?

I hate milk, but the booze make me forget that it is an ingredient, so I’m going with White Russians!

2. What’s your favorite white gravy, sauce, condiment, dressing or topping?

One of my clients sells an Old Fashioned Peppered Gravy mix that is quite tasty, so I’m going to have to go with that in case he ever finds my blog.

3. What’s your favorite white item from the refrigerated section?

Cottage cheese, cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, vanilla yogurt…I can’t choose just one!

4. Share a recipe for something white.

Our new ice cream maker is the best and worst thing we’ve ever purchased, and I’m dying to try Alton Brown’s Serious Vanilla Ice Cream recipe.

2 cups half-and-half
1 cup whipping cream
1 cup minus 2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons peach preserves (not jelly)
1 vanilla bean, split and scraped

Combine all ingredients (including the bean and its pulp) in a large saucepan and place over medium heat. Attach a frying or candy thermometer to inside of pan. (see note below) Stirring occasionally, bring the mixture to 170 degrees F. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Remove the hull of the vanilla bean, pour mixture into lidded container and refrigerate mixture overnight to mellow flavors and texture.

Freeze mixture in ice cream freezer according to unit’s instructions. The mixture will not freeze hard in the machine. Once the volume has increased by 1/2 to 3/4 times, and reached a soft serve consistency, spoon the mixture back into a lidded container and harden in the freezer at least 1 hour before serving.

I was really glad to hear that the California Supreme Court lifted the ban on gay marriage today, and that gay couples could begin to marry in less than a month. The sexual orientation of a couple has absolutely no bearing on their ability to enter into a committed relationship and take responsibility for their partners and their families.

“Essentially, this boils down to love. We love each other. We now have equal rights under the law,” declared a jubilant Robin Tyler, a plaintiff in the case along with her partner. She added: “We’re going to get married. No Tupperware, please.”

I hope more states begin to follow suit, as the ban is absolutely absurd, but considering it took four years for California to follow Massachusetts in their ruling, I don’t imagine Indiana will be next in line.

Mike and I are both going to be gone at the end of the month, so Oliver needs to be boarded. He was downright spoiled with the Good Dog Hotel when we lived in Indianapolis and the closest thing we can find in Northwest Indiana is Auntie Barbara’s Bed, Bath and Biscuit.

My parent’s dog, Floyd, does very well when he stays at Auntie Barbara’s, with a huge farmhouse, a barn that’s been converted into pet suites, and 10 acres to run and play.

We have to take Oliver in next week for an “interview,” which lasts 30-45 minutes, to see if he qualifies to stay at the Bed, Bath and Biscuit. When I called to schedule, Auntie Barbara didn’t even ask my name or phone number, but wanted to know lots about Oliver. We’ve been instructed to bring his vet records and toys to the interview, and we’re praying he doesn’t bite her because we haven’t started dog training yet.

We’re such suckers and can’t fathom putting Ollie in a kennel while we’re away.

I babysat last night and we decided to throw a kegger. A root beer kegger.

It all started when Mike and I went to Costco and I sent him to the back of the store to grab a case of water and he came back with a keg of root beer. I mean, how great is a keg of root beer? Who could pass that up?

The kids were super excited and helped “tap” the keg. We drank so much root beer that we couldn’t have done a yoga dvd if we wanted to.

Mike and I are such bad influences.