Everyone is thrilled it is back-to-school time again…
Businesses have sales – and lots of them! Deals for everyone.
Kids 5 to 18– hey! You get to see your buddies again, and everyone loves homework! For college kids – you’re off on your own, tasting independence (kind of), learning amazing things and nearing the point when you can start the rest of your life! Parents… The kids are at school or college!
OK. I know in reality not everyone is thrilled…not even all parents. In my family we have only one college…no more high school, no more elementary school…. It’s such a strange place to be – though we all seem to be adjusting just fine to the changes. I did find myself wandering the aisles of the school supplies at stores wondering if there might just be something we need this year….
Do you remember the first time you didn’t have to go back to school and September rolled around?
Posted by Carolyn K under Eats & Treats on June 21st, 2012
SUMMERTIME!! DQ®!!! Treats!!!
I love all four seasons and up here in Minnesota, summer always seems to be the briefest… poof! It’s gone.
We have a lovely patio in the front of our house – perfect for entertaining, or impromptu gatherings. Dilly® Bars, Buster Bars®, No Sugar Added Bars…and DQ Cakes and Blizzard® Cakes… any of these treats turn a regular gathering into a party. I love the cakes and the Dilly Bars, personally, and am always surprised at how quickly the Buster Bars go when there is a choice.
When our kids were little and playing on ball teams, the DQ treats we’d bring for end of game or end of season parties were always a huge hit – and less work for me!
I love theater- music, drama, dance…the arts. Just love all of it. One of my earliest memories is as a tiny girl going to see The Nutcracker Ballet with my parents. If I close my eyes I can still see that stage and the dancers. Wonderful!
I am currently assisting one of our local community theater groups with props for their April production. With most of our city currently buried under several feet of snow, garage sales are out of the question. Rats. Thank goodness for second-hand stores, discount stores and online sale sites.
I have made a connection in the last couple of days that will help me find the last bits of furniture I will need for our set. Connections. That’s really what it’s all about isn’t it? Connecting with others in your community, building relationships and getting to know people…really know them, not just the “Hi,” “Bye,” “I’ve seen you in the community,” kind of know.
This kind of connection is what American Dairy Queen Corporation upholds as one of our values — giving back to the communities in which we live, work and do business. It’s one of the reasons I’m so proud to be part of the DQ Family.
What kinds of things are you doing in your community?
Legal Disclaimer: To ensure our legal team does not have a collective heart attack, all the DQ® products used below are appropriately trademarked as DQ Blizzard® Treat, DQ GrillBurger®, Brownie EarthQuake®, MooLatté®Frozen Blended Coffee, FlameThrower®GrillBurger, Dilly®Bar, and Arctic Rush®Slush.
On the first day of Christmas, DQ gave to me… An ice cream cake decorated with a Christmas tree.
On the second day of Christmas, DQ gave to me… Two Blizzard Treats and an ice cream cake decorated with a Christmas tree.
On the third day of Christmas, DQ gave to me… Three chicken salads, two Blizzard Treats and an ice cream cake decorated with a Christmas tree.
On the fourth day of Christmas, DQ gave to me… Four FlameThrower GrillBurgers, three chicken salads, two Blizzard Treats and an ice cream cake decorated with a Christmas tree.
On the fifth day of Christmas, DQ gave to me… Five. Onion. Riiings… Four FlameThrower GrillBurgers, three chicken salads, two Blizzard Treats and an ice cream cake decorated with a Christmas tree.
On the sixth day of Christmas, DQ gave to me… Six ArcticRush Slushes. Five. Onion. Riiings… Four FlameThrower GrillBurgers, three chicken salads, two Blizzard Treats and an ice cream cake decorated with a Christmas tree.
On the seventh day of Christmas, DQ gave to me… Seven BrownieEarthQuakes, six ArcticRush Slushes. Five. Onion. Riiings… Four FlameThrower GrillBurgers, three chicken salads, two Blizzard Treats and an ice cream cake decorated with a Christmas tree.
On the eighth day of Christmas, DQ gave to me… Eight Dilly Bars, seven BrownieEarthQuakes, six ArcticRush Slushes. Five. Onion. Riiings… Four FlameThrower GrillBurgers, three chicken salads, two Blizzard Treats and an ice cream cake decorated with a Christmas tree.
On the ninth day of Christmas, DQ gave to me… nine Crispy Chicken Wraps, eight Dilly Bars, seven BrownieEarthQuakes, six ArcticRush Slushes. Five. Onion. Riiings… Four FlameThrowerGrillBurgers, three chicken salads, two Blizzard Treats and an ice cream cake decorated with a Christmas tree.
On the tenth day of Christmas, DQ gave to me… Ten Banana Splits, nine Crispy Chicken Wraps, eight Dilly Bars, seven BrownieEarthQuakes, six ArcticRush Slushes. Five. Onion. Riiings… Four FlameThrowerGrillBurgers, three chicken salads, two Blizzard Treats and an ice cream cake decorated with a Christmas tree.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, DQ gave to me… Eleven Premium Fruit Smoothies, ten Banana Splits, nine Crispy Chicken Wraps, eight Dilly Bars, seven BrownieEarthQuakes, six ArcticRush Slushes. Five. Onion. Riiings… Four FlameThrowerGrillBurgers, three chicken salads, two Blizzard Treats and an ice cream cake decorated with a Christmas tree.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, DQ gave to me… Twelve MooLatté Drinks , eleven Premium Fruit Smoothies, ten Banana Splits, nine Crispy Chicken Wraps, eight Dilly Bars, seven BrownieEarthQuakes, six ArcticRush Slushes. Five. Onion. Riiings… Four FlameThrowerGrillBurgers, three chicken salads, two Blizzard Treats and an ice cream cake decorated with a Christmas tree.
I was back in the Chicagoland area this past September, and had a chance to take my youngest daughter to the DQ store my family used to go to when I was a girl. Such memories – and it hasn’t changed much. When I was younger it was out in the middle of no place – of course everything has built up around it. We moved from that area when I was 10…so it feels as if it has been a couple of lifetimes since I’d been there.
Mom and Dad always made trips to the DQ store a special treat. We didn’t go too often – but on a hot summer night, nothing beat a DQ treat. Usually we got cones or sundaes – though I remember Mr. Misty’s (now our Arctic Rush), DQ Push-Ups (Do any of you remember the pushups???) and root beer floats. If we were really good, or had done something special, we could order the BIGGEST item on the menu – the Banana Split.
Of course we took photos. My daughter just laughs at me – and then poses for the photo. This one is one of my favorites. Right up there with photos of us at the World’s Largest Frying Pan, The Field of Dreams and the Spam Can…
I recently returned from a two-week honeymoon in Europe, where my husband and I lazed over cheap bottles of wonderful house wine and plates of cooked-to-perfection pasta. Meals were hours long, always with the promise of some tantalizing dessert to follow. I spent 15 glorious days eating gelato in Italy, chocolate in Switzerland and profiteroles in France. But something didn’t feel right.
I couldn’t quite put my finger on it until we were halfway through Switzerland. I wanted a Dilly® Bar. Make that, I HAD TO HAVE a Dilly Bar. The sweet delicious taste of creamy DQ® vanilla soft serve engulfed in a thick hard shell of delicately salty but sweet chocolate, with a trademark curl on the front. But not only are there no Dairy Queen® stores in Europe, nobody has even heard of the Dairy Queen brand. I’d never felt so lost.
As we celebrate our 70th birthday this year, I can’t help but think I’ve taken for granted the wonderful brand I work for. Sure, I picnicked where Caesar Augustus picnicked, ate crepes mere meters from Napoleon Bonaparte’s summer home and had truffles by Roger Federer’s home court. The weird thing is, none of these experiences compared to how I feel when I eat DQ® food and treats. We’re a legacy.
I remember nothing more vivid than how excited I was when Grandma would take us to the local DQ store, visions of cherry Dilly Bars dancing in my head. I guess what I’m trying to say is, Europe can have their art, architecture and history, but give me a Dilly Bar and red-roofed building any day. Little league teams stop after wins and losses, couples become engaged over Peanut Buster® Parfaits, and motorcycle groups tour states stopping at our stores. The list goes on and on.
Posted by Carolyn K under Eats & Treats on March 11th, 2010
I have two favorite memories of spring break. They stand out because most of my breaks were quiet, lay-around-the-house lazy days. The first was during my first year of college – my grandparents offered a week at their place in Brownsville, Texas. A free trip? I was IN, and I had a great time! They planned a day trip for me to South Padre Island with other “young people” – wonderful fun. My favorite memories, though, were really of the time I spent with my grandparents. We crossed into Matamoros, Mexico, went to the zoo in Brownsville, and had an evening or two out with their friends. I was given the opportunity to spend time with them, all by myself. Memories I treasure now that Grandpa is gone.
The other was with my son a couple of years ago when his high school choir went to Spain. What an opportunity – absolutely BEAUTIFUL country. My mother and I were able to tag along with the kids on their trip. Unbelievable music in the most amazing venues. I learned Mom and I could travel well together, and I loved being there with my son to see him and his friends enjoy the opportunities before them. Now he’s off to college, and, again, I’ve got those great memories.
Both of those trips were a bit unconventional when you think of spring break and the kinds of vacations people usually plan. Here we are in another unconventional year – and big trips may not be an option for many. What to do instead? Whether you’re a college student or a family looking for something to do, there are lots of options for you! Explore your community or your county; think of places that you might only take visitors to see. Why wait? Does your family have a cabin? Movie or game nights at home?
A trip to a DQ® restaurant can be a great way to brighten a long week at home! Try our Sweet Deals menu for dinner, or a Blizzard® Cake would make a perfect treat for game night…and our Blizzard of the Month might just be the best treat while watching movies at home.
Posted by Carolyn K under Eats & Treats on October 7th, 2009
Everyone has their favorite DQ® treat – and one of mine happens to be the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard® Treat.
Really.
If you like pumpkin pie at all – this is really delicious. Honest. I enjoy lots of different Blizzard Treat flavors, but always say the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard Treat is my favorite. So, in honor of the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard of the Month, I give you my Ode to the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard Treat.
Ode to the Pumpkin Pie Blizzard Treat
O Pumpkin Pie Blizzard how I wait for thee!
Your appearance each year is altogether too brief.
The air is crisp, the leaves are changing;
I know your time is come!
Delicious pumpkin and pie crust pieces swirl in my cup –
A dance with cold creamy vanilla DQ soft serve.
A white cloud of whipped topping dusted with nutmeg
Completes the perfect confection!
All the flavors all year long pale in comparison
Sweet treats, delight, but only just tease
I long for – hope for – dream of Pumpkin Pie Blizzard perfection –
I know your time is come!
Summertime! Here in Minnesota that means days at the lake — volleyball, picnics, fishing, boating, splashing at the beach. Most folks go up Nort’ don’t you know. We headed south and west to Okoboji Iowa. Iowa? Okoboji? The Iowa Great Lakes region in Northwest Iowa is absolutely beautiful – and a little warmer than northern Minnesota. I’ll bet you didn’t know there were lakes in Iowa, did you?
I’ve been vacationing at Lake Okoboji since I was a small girl – my mother’s family farmed in the region. We recently spent a week there – visiting the family farm, my aunts’ and uncles’ cabins and the lakes. It was a great vacation surrounded by family and memories, and making new memories. My mother, aunt and I took the kids to the Iowa Lakeside Laboratory and artist David Rogers Big Bugs display – giant insects made out of wood. Kinda cool and creepy at the same time. I didn’t even know there was a lakeside laboratory…neither did my mom or my aunt. It’s been there since 1909! I know, not a beach story, but it does segue nicely to our trip to one of the local DQ® restaurants for a cool treat to beat the summer heat. Sullen children who are tired of art, parks and photos perk up nicely when given a DQ treat.
I hope my kids came away from this trip with good memories of the beach and Arnold’s Park, boat rides around the lake, and a fondness for an area of the world I have always loved. I know my youngest’s favorite evening was Saturday night – all the family was together at my aunt and uncle’s cabin, there were fireworks across the lake, we had a bonfire and s’mores….We finished the evening by enjoying a fabulous view of the Milky Way, which is nearly impossible to see near any city.
