My husband retired yesterday after 32 1/2 years at the same consumer products company. Steve wanted to serve ice cream to his team on his final day at work…so he started a few weeks ago. 12 flavors, 40 pints. My kitchen was completely taken over. The whirl of the KitchenAid mixer is now merely background noise in our home. As familiar as bird song.
Here Steve is chopping up homemade toffee to add into salted caramel ice cream. (It’s ta-die-for.)
In these pix, he’s blending in add-ins. He makes his own shaved chocolate chips, as well as toffee and crumble. The ice cream has to freeze in a special container for one hour…then buzzers go off and pandemonium results. The ice cream has to be immediately scooped out and placed into air-tight containers. Air is disastrous to ice cream.
At last…the day of retirement arrived.
Steve was surprised by the amount of people waiting for him. Sprinkled around the room were pictures of his 32+ year career.
Such kind people.
Steve got all choked up. Actually…we all did.
And here we are…serving ice cream! My daughter-in-law, Amanda. My son, Gary. My daughter, Meredith. And moi.
A little retirement advice. Missing one more: 4. Suzanne’s to-do list.
The company even had customized aprons made for us! And an engraved ice cream scoop for Steve.
I think we served over 60 people and many kept circling back to try a new flavor. The most raved about flavors were the unusual ones: Meyer lemon, balsamic strawberry, salted caramel, almond cherry with chocolate chips, blackberry crumble. I think everyone was surprised by how delicious Steve’s Serious Ice Cream is…and it is. Trust me on this–I’m the Chief Taster and Head of Quality Assurance.
All in all, it was a day we’ll never forget! A career we’ll never forget. People we’ll never forget.
We are so…thankful.
P.S. The winner from last Wednesday’s giveaway is SIERRA FAITH! Please email info {at} suzannewoodsfisher {dot} com to claim your prize!
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Just finished looking at all the pics and remarks re: Steve’s retirement party. Wish I’d been there. I love ice cream. Have followed you on fb for a long time and feel like I know your family personally. I am sure Steve had a long and satisfying career but is happy to look forward to what God brings next. My wish for your family: good health, joy and a continued faith in Christ!
Hi Vivian! Thank you so much for your kind words. I’ll pass them on to Steve. So glad we’ve “met.” Warmly, Suzanne
Congratulations on your retirement, and thank you so much for sharing your day with us!! …and, if in the future, you need taste testers, I would be willing to volunteer! lol!!
Will keep your offer in mind, Ammie! Thanks for dropping by. 🙂
Congratulations!! I enjoyed seeing the beautiful pictures of the party! Looks like all you folks had a very lovely time and enjoyed some delicious ice cream.
Thanks, Ruth! It was a memorable day.
Suzanne, it was a pleasure to be a part of such a joyous day for your family. Thank you for including us with the pictures and commentary.
Grateful you stopped by, Suzanne!
Suzanne,
thanks so much for sharing these pictures of Steve’s retirement. What a fun day for all of you. I did have to laugh at his to-do list. Congratulations to Steve and to you for being right there with him.
Thanks, Joyce!
Thanks for sharing pictures of Steve’s special day! Retirement is fun having Bobby around so much but he is busy. Love all the hugs during the day and we have time to chat. We serve communion on Sunday. Hope to see you and meet Steve since there is only one service.
What a great time it looks like was had by all. I hope Steve (and you ) have a wonderful retirement !
How Sweet and How Cool ! Pun intended ! lol What a great way to celebrate his retirement.
Linda
Enjoyed seeing the pics of Steve’s retirement party! Thanks for sharing. It looks like you all had a fun time! Congratulations and God’s blessings to him and your family!! You all looked wonderful!!
Thanks for sharing Steve’s retirement photos. I can only imagine what a wonderful time you all had. The ice cream looks yummy and getting his own engraved ice cream scoop….”Awesome”. You can tell by the work Steve puts into his ice cream, that if he is doing something, he is doing it right. Congratulations, Steve! Hope you and Suzanne, enjoy every minute on your new journey.
That looks so fun! Congratulations. Makes me real hungry for ice cream!
Always enjoy learning more about your family through your blog. Looks like Steve had a great retirement party.
I’m not sure retired is going to be the right word. I see an entrepreneur in the making. “Steve’s Serious Ice Cream sold here!”
Congratulations to Steve on his retirement! I just bought 10 cartons of Dreyer’s at Target yesterday and joked to the cashier that I was opening an ice cream shop. Maybe Steve should think about that. Steve’s flavors sound delicious.