Ann Kelly, in Kelly’s Kitchen and we have a winner! Melissa McKeith sent her good friend Bailey's favorite recipe for Chicken/Beef Pops, which sound like the perfect way to give the big guy a cool summer treat. Melissa has won a $50 gift card to Sweetbay Supermarket, for which Bailey requests you visit the pet aisle first, please! And yes, that is Bailey's sweet face. Thanks Melissa, and to everyone who entered their favorite pet recipes and stories. There's more to come soon.

You all made me so proud! Thanks to everyone who came out in our rotten, rainy weather and joined me at the Party for the Paws Happy Hour at Ferg's Friday night. All the money raised will help Pet Pal Animal Shelter’s emergency medical fund. It was that fund that helped save the life of Lotus, who was a mistreated, sick 4 month old Pitt Bull puppy that someone had chained to a piece of wood and abandoned in a canal in St Pete. We’re lucky a Good Samaritan came to her  rescue, and Pet Pat Animal Shelter gave her the second chance at life. Lotus was in the house for a special appearance, and I have photos for you to check out on Facebook. Please remember to check their site at www.petpalanimalshelter.com and see how you can help, too.

Reminiscing in Kelly’s Kitchen this weekend…some of my fondest summertime memories are thanks to my Grandpa Forster. I remember the old fashioned ice cream churn, and the fresh peach ice cream he and my Grandma made each summer. You know, the kind of churn that used rock salt?! Nothing tasted better, since the secret ingredient was love. I miss that, and them. But I have an assignment for my fellow foodies. I'm asking for your help in finding the finest ice cream in Tampa Bay, as we celebrate National Ice Cream Month! Next Sunday is National Ice Cream Day, and I think it’s time we found your favorite place to indulge in a scoop…or two…or three! Here’s the deal; you can send those nominations right along to me at  949comments@coxtampa.com, or on my Facebook page; I’ll keep posting your entries, and we’ll let you know who deserves to be recognized for bringing out the kid in all of us during these sultry Southern summer days. A recent newspaper article didn’t make ice cream fans across Tampa Bay very happy when they failed to recognize even a single Pinellas County ice cream store, so let’s find the best and spread the word! 

And it wouldn’t be Kelly’s Kitchen without a freebie! Think of how much ice cream you could buy with a $50 gift card to Sweetbay Supermarket. Just tell me what year President Reagan declared the third Sunday in July as National Ice Cream Day! One winner will be chosen at random, and announced on Sunday, July 17th - National Ice Cream Day. Send those replies to 949comments@coxtampa.com.

Words of Wisdom From Kelly’s Kitchen

Seize the moment.  Remember all those women on the Titanic who waved off the dessert cart.  ~Erma Bombeck