I’m looking for something sweet and cool to enjoy after lunch and for some reason I thought the Javawocky coffee place on the corner served ice cream. They don’t. So I have to keep walking. I’m passing by Waterfront Confections and I there was a lady getting a cone. I heard her say, “Oh, that’s way too much...just half will do...” She was referring to her large cone which was stacked with at least three different flavour scoops. The server removes half of the last scoop and hands to cone over. I decide on the spot that this is the place for me.

Here’s a post on some chocolate and ice cream, because who doesn’t like chocolate and ice cream? This is Cherub Chocolate in downtown Nanaimo. It’s a small operation and often when I walk past this place I can see the owner/chocolatier making her creations at the back of the store. However, not today. Today it was a different staff member running the chocolate shop.

**UPDATE 2014: Danforth Deli is now closed. Nooooo....why!?**

As promised, I’m heading back to my diner-crush for ice cream. Before I take the three minute stroll down to Danforth Deli & Grill, I have to peel myself away from my number one distraction.

So yes, I currently have projects and assignments snowballing in front of me, but some of this is my own fault. As you know, I also procrastinate with the best of ‘em. I mentioned earlier I would share some of the reasons why I can’t seem to get work done.
Here’s one of the reasons:

Baby Seagull Chicks

The weather has been pretty agreeable out here in Nanaimo. It’s sunny, with a cool breeze. I’m taking a little stroll today to check out my temporary ‘hood. I find myself at Jakeob’s Ice Cream Parlour.

The Pink Panther on the sign initially caught my eye. I’m not sure how the Pink Panther links with Jakeob’s Ice Cream Parlour? I convince myself that I can definitely use a scoop on this sun drenched afternoon.

I’m by myself for a few minutes when I enter. It’s dark in here. I scan the ice cream cooler on the left and the four tables topped with red and white checkered cloths. Are they even open?

**Some of you have been getting the 403 error lately. Thank you to those that let me know something was awry. The error was only happening from certain locations, so I didn't realize any errors were occurring. Thank you for your patience. I hope www.lvoe.ca is accessible to all now.**

Happy fourth of July to my American friends.
It's hot.

Gourmet Kettle Fudge and Popcorn is located in the small square building at the Valley View Shopping Complex parking lot. As I approach, I spy a minivan and two late model sedans with drivers all enjoying a soft serve cone with one elbow resting on the retracted side window. It’s hot and sunny today and I suspect they will drive away with that Driver’s Arm Tan. I knew Gourmet Kettle offered fudge and popcorn but I didn’t know they offered soft serve too.

With one of our last warm days upon us, I decide to make a pit stop in Lytton on my way home. If you ever come through Lytton there is only one place to grab some ice cream: Suncatcher Crafts.

The Kingsway Deli sits next to Tung Hing Bakery, near the corner of Kingsway and Inverness. For years I've been playing out my own version of the Battle of the Bánh Mì between these two. If you come to get a bánh mì at the Tung Hing Bakery, then you must stop by Kingsway Deli as well. They also serve bánh mì, and it is tasty too. Kingsway Deli's subs are slightly cheaper than Tung Hing, but the real reason why I come here is for their popsicles. Yes, my friends, the frozen fruit pops!

It’s still early in the afternoon, so I deak into Moo-Lix for ice-cream before the weather gets too warm today. Yes, it is possible for the weather to be too warm to enjoy a cone.

Is it just me or has the The Old Country Market become a huge tourist trap over the years? I use to come here about once a month to shop for specialty products and to pick up my Maldon Salt. I thought I’d grab some flakey sodium today, but when I spy their newly inflated prices on the 8.5 ounce box, I take a pass. It’s still a fun place to browse and their pies are still some of the best I’ve encountered.