Ice Cream Blues: I survived the great Blue Bell famine of 2015

I’m pretty sure I’ve lost 3.678 pounds this year. And it’s not because of lame weight loss programs. And trust me, I haven’t been working out.

This is like a bad breakup, but worse.

It’s what brings people together around a table during the summertime.

It’s drizzled with Magic Shell at birthday parties and sold for one dollar at the Ballpark on Sundays.

It’s the dessert that Texans crave and love.

It’s family.

It’s a good ’ole bowl of Blue Bell ice cream; and it’s been gone for the past 6 months.

For the first time, in its 108-year history, Blue Bell stopped making its delectable, delicious ice cream last spring due to a health/safety recall. Since then, they have rebuilt their plants from the inside. Texans were heartbroken. We eat no other ice cream.

How am I expected to live without my Cookies ’n Cream and The Original Homemade Vanilla?

The world is coming to an end.

This summer, I walk slowly by the food stands at the Ranger’s Ballpark. A tear treads down my face as I slowly read the sign: “The Texas Rangers and our… concessionaire… are committed to providing a quality and safe experience… In light of recent events and out of an abundance of caution, we will not be offering Blue Bell Ice Cream products…”

WHAT?

I quickly walk back to my seat on the third baseline, trying to wipe my tears without anyone noticing what a big baby I am. I’m kidding. But not really.

This is a BIG deal people. A piece of my heart just broke off and went down into the dumpster along with all the unopened, wasted Blue Bell containers.

The Rangers ballpark isn’t the only place I miss this treat. Spring Creek Barbeque still taunts me with their sign boasting their partnership with the beloved company.

Their sign above their bread station hangs in haunting silence and reads:“Spring Creek and Bluebell make a great team.”

Even though they have kept the sign up in hope and faith of it returning, the sign hangs for the past 6 months in silent, haunting fashion.

No other ice cream is acceptable. It’s go Blue Bell or go home. Wails of “I had to buy that Dreyer’s stuff!” and “It’s just not the same!” are heard from around the Texan borders.

Hope lives.

Signs exclaiming “Blue Bell is coming back!” flood the barren walls of grocery stores this fall. The month of October was the final countdown to Blue Bell’s come-back here.

I think that, second to Jesus coming back of course, the reappearance of Blue Bell has been the most awaited event in Texans’ lives for a while.

I am very proud to say that I did, in fact, wake up at 5:45 am on November 2nd to drive to the local Kroger to be the first one in line to get two gallons of Vanilla and Cookies ‘n Cream in my Birkenstocks and pajamas.

And man, it was worth it!