Long lines form to the two serving windows at Blast Softserve, 206 West Rose St., Owatonna.
SUNDAY AFTERNOON AND THE LINES at Blast Softserve in Owatonna stretch sometimes 15 deep.
Lots of dogs waiting with their owners. Some of the canines got ice cream, too.
Families and couples and teens and dogs (yes, canines, too), all waiting for ice cream treats. No one complaining. No one seemingly in a hurry. Not even me, Ms. Impatience.
A peach pie flurry.
But after this Winter of Our Discontent—the winter that has blasted us with too much cold and too much snow—I am delighting in the 64-degree weather. No snow, although I order a peach pie flurry. Winter still on the brain, apparently.
Taking an order at the outdoor service window.
I am still dressed in warm threads, too, a flannel shirt, while some here are baring their winter white arms and legs.
So many choices…including grasshopper treats.
The mood is jovial. My husband jokes with a boy, about nine, that getting grasshoppers for a grasshopper treat may be difficult given they are out of season.
His father, quick with the wit, shoots back: “Maybe they bring them (the grasshoppers) in from South America.”
And they all laugh.
The building that houses the ice cream shop and Rose Street Pizzeria. Lots of loitering going on down the sidewalk to the right at the walk-up ice cream window order area and patio.
You can’t help but feel happy here at this hometown ice cream shop.
Lots of kids lining up for ice cream treats.
Sun and clouds. Kids and dogs. Shirt sleeves and shorts.
Kitschy signage.
Bikes parked in the bike rack. Stenciled letters. Kitschy art.
Just in case…
A bell to ring.
A blueberry sundae.
Dripping ice cream cones. A mother wiping chocolate ice cream from her son’s face. Temporary brain freeze.
Stenciled on the roof overhang above the serving windows.
Life is good on a Sunday afternoon in April in southern Minnesota.
© Copyright 2014 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
I’m glad the weather is warming up but for me, I’d say it’s a little too soon to be breaking out the ice cream – I’d be still lining up for a hot chocolate. I do hope, that after this shocker of a winter, that you have a stifling hot and long summer xx
A long summer would be great, although I’d rather not have stifling hot. Temp is supposed to hit 70 later this week. Glorious.
I think we all had those same feelings this weekend when the weather was so much warmer and nicer. We opted for a road trip on Saturday and a hiking trip on Sunday and it felt so good to get out!!! Yay spring! The ice cream looks delicious.
Sounds like you had a great weekend.
Mmmmm…ice cream or frozen yogurt. Very hard to pass up. I love hometown shops like this.
We don’t often treat ourselves to ice cream out. But on days like Sunday, after a long, cold and snowy winter, we deserved it.
It’s still a bit cold in Duluth…but when it warms up, I shall devour ICE CREAM!!!!! The photos are scrumptious.
I always wonder how Duluth residents survive a winter that is typically even longer than that in southern Minnesota.
Glad you enjoyed this taste of summer.
Nothing Better than a Warm, Sunny Day and an Ice Cream Treat:) Happy Monday – Happy Week!!!
You got it. And more warmth on the way here in Minnesota.
Going to Hit the 70’s here this week:)
Ahhhhh…..the signs of the pending season!!!!! Yay!!!!!!!!!!
I know and isn’t it wonderful to finally have these warm and sunshine-filled days?
YES!!!!!!!
We have a popular local place, Ollie’s, that sells frozen custard. Everyone looks forward to its opening each spring. I haven’t stopped by yet, but seeing your yummy photos makes me think I’d better head over there soon.
The ice cream shop I featured here just opened last week. Ollie’s sounds like a fabulous place.
Now you got me wanting ice cream…I think a trip to the dairy queen is in order tonight 🙂
That sounds like a plan. Randy has a two-fer coupon tucked in his wallet for Dairy Queen in Faribault. One of these warm evenings…but since we just went out for ice cream, we’ll wait awhile.
YUM! Okay, definitely need to make that DQ run now. 🙂
With babe on hip and husband along, right? I can just picture Elliot’s sweet mouth circled by melting ice cream.