I Scream, You Scream!

It is hot! In the nineties today with high humidity. Really a different change in weather from recent summers. I won't complain. But I will look for some yummy ways to cool down. What better way than, you guessed it -- Ice Cream!! Where in Rapid City can you find the really good stuff? I have a few "insider" secrets for you:

The best locally made, homegrown with fun flavors: Fjord's Ice Cream Factory, Inc. This is truly gourmet. With over 40 flavors daily, plus desserts and fine chocolates, even herbs from their own garden -- what's not to love? Lines to Fjords, when it was a tiny building on Canyon Lake Drive, used to stretch for blocks. Now they have a new and improved location. Well worth the visit! 3825 Canyon Lake Drive.

Driving downtown in the early evening? Notice a BIG group of people in front of a little white building with a goofy animal on the sign? Could this possibly be another Rapid City ice cream secret? It could! It's Armadillo's Ice Cream Shoppe at 202 Main Street. Is the ice cream really that good? Just read these reviews and then check it out! You won't be disappointed. Scoot on over there this summer, they close in the winter months.

Want entertainment with your specialty waffle cone? How about flavors like "Knights in White Chocolate". Enter Cold Stone Creamery, not far from the Re/Max offices around the corner of Jackson Blvd and West Main: 1925 W. Main to be exact. Have them mix up your favorite flavors like cake batter with gummy bears and M&M's. They'll scoop it, place it in a chilled marble mixing board and smoosh it all together for you. Simply to die for! And here is a tipping tip -- if you tip the counter folk, they'll sing you a special song! Zippety Doo-Dah!

Other quick ice cream stops include, Dairy Queen, Culvers, TCBY & Dippin' Dots in the mall. And there is an ice cream truck that patrols around town. I've seen it here and there.

Enjoy the summer in Rapid City and the Black Hills! We've got a lot coming up-- The Sturgis Rally, The Central States Fair. Stay tuned for more insider tips from my blog!

--Dana

Summertime Recipe!

Rapid City and Black Hills gardens are doing wonderful! The spring and early summer weather has been ideal. Now we are getting into harvest time: lettuce, summer squash and zucchini abound! There are even radishes left that haven't gone quite woody yet. I found this lovely summer salad recipe to share. The colors look so inviting together. Add some grilled chicken to make this a complete, easy light meal. Or, says the recipe creator:

"Great for a light lunch when you are rushing around. Made with summer squash, this is a great twist on salad."

Serve on lettuce for a beautiful presentation.

Summer Salad from All Recipes

• 
  
• 1 yellow squash, diced
• 1 zucchini, diced
• 3 green onions, sliced
• 1 carrot, cubed
  
• 1 radish sliced
  
• 1/2 green bell pepper, diced
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1/2 cup ranch dressing or preferred dressing
  
• salt to taste
• ground black pepper to taste

1. Toss vegetables with dressing, and chill for at least 1 hour. Season with salt and black pepper, and serve.

Pair with a nice white wine from our local winery: the Prairie Berry

Rapid City also offers a Farmer's Market. Lots of fresh vegetables, jellys & jams and the most amazing blueberry muffins! The market meets Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings starting at 9am on Omaha Street, by what we Rapid Citian's "affectionately" call the "Big Fish". You will recognize it when you see it!

Check back on Friday for our newest open house feature and I'll see what I can round up for fun things for you to do this weekend!

Rapid City and the Black Hills in July

Have you recovered from your 4th of July celebrations? There was so much to see and do in Rapid City and the Black Hills. This is always a lovely time of year, and we are enjoying exceptional weather this year with comfortable temperatures and lots of moisture to keep our gardens growing and the flowers blooming!

There are lots of things to do in Rapid City and the Black Hills this weekend. Just a few that come to mind:

The Nemo Volksmarch, Saturday July 12, 2008 from 6:30am - 1:30pm. For more information visit the Black Hills Volkssport Association.

Saturday will also host the Black Hills Rod Run in Hill City, South Dakota. This includes a show and shine, poker run, parade and more. Visit the Counts of the Cobblestone Car Club for more information.

The Story Book Island Children's Theater will kick off its summer season this week starting with "Jack and the Beanstalk". Shows run daily. Visit www.storybookisland.com for more information.

As our great weather continues it is a perfect time to get out in the Black Hills and hike and explore. We have many terrific lakes for water activities from Pactola and Sheridan Lake in the Black Hills to Angostura South of Hot Springs. Custer State Park also has a wealth of nature activities, lakes and trails to explore., as well as the Black Hills Playhouse.

When you are finished enjoying our wonderful Black Hills, I invite you to stop by my open house in Rapid City on Sunday, July 13 from 1:00-3:00 pm. This open house is at Sandstone Ridge #340 at 3600 Sheridan Lake Road. The two bedroom, two bath condo has beautiful views of the Black Hills. Carefree living with lots of amenities such as a car wash, very large storage unit, heated indoor swimming pool, hot tub, dry sauna, tanning room and a party room with full kitchen. Use the handy map below to find us and I look forward to seeing you there!




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Happy 4th and an Open House for You!

Happy Fourth of July! I thought I would provide you with a few links to activities going on in Rapid City and the Black Hills this weekend:

Of course there is the Independence Celebration at Mt. Rushmore. This event draws spectators from all over the world!

The Black Hills Heritage Festival features fireworks at dusk and a host of other activities.

For more, check out these Black Hills Events:

Rapid City
Black Hills Heritage Festival through Sunday at Memorial Park. Fireworks will begin at 10 p.m. at the park

Arrowhead Country Club fireworks display at dusk

Elks Golf Course fireworks display at dusk Friday

Belle Fourche
Fourth of July parade begins at 10 a.m. No fireworks display

Custer
Old Time Country Fair, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Sunday, at the fairgrounds, 1880 Museum

Fireworks display Friday on Pageant Hill

Hot Springs
Festivities begin at 7 a.m. on Main Street. Fireworks will begin at dusk

Lead-Deadwood
Gold Camp Jubilee Days parade at 3 p.m. Friday in Deadwood, 4 p.m. in Lead. Fireworks at dusk

Sturgis
Fireworks will begin between 9-9:30 p.m. Friday off Ball Park Road


Open House!

This Sunday I will be hosting an open house from 1:00 - 3:00 PM just outside Rapid City at 1611 Morningside Drive. When you have finished with all the great festivities, stop by! This home is in an excellent location with excellent views. It is a very neat and tidy home, with lots of storage, 2 car garage with a carport. The back yard backs up to a hillside for privacy. The lower level is a walkout. There is a large laundry room and hobby room.


Follow this handy map to find us, and we look forward to seeing you there!



View Larger Map

Staging your Home

I came across this interesting article at MSN the other day that talks about staging your home for sale. Now, the homes in this article are professionally staged, however some of the tips and ideas could be useful for even the do-it-yourselfer right here in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Consider a neutral-colored throw on your sofa, or a mantle cleared of clutter with a tasteful painting centered against the rock-work. A mirror would be even better, as this will reflect light and make the room seem larger.


Throw pillows make a chair or couch look inviting. Remove extra items to storage and pull a room together with a neutral-colored inexpensive throw rug.

Special touches like these can add to the presentation of your home, making it even more appealing to prospective buyers.

Thank you for visiting my blog! Please check back on Friday for a listing of my upcoming open houses in the Rapid City area, with an easy map on how to get there. And please, don't be shy -- feel free to leave me a comment. I'll be happy to entertain suggestions for any future articles you might like to see.

In the meantime, enjoy this wonderful Rapid City weather! What a gorgeous start to our summer!