Does Blue Bell still make red velvet ice cream?

Does anyone else find themselves singing the Blue Bell "moo mooooo, moo moo, moo moo, moo moo" song randomly throughout their day? Just me? Well, I still think Belle is one of the best singers of our generation.

Blue Bell ice cream is, for many many Texans, the flavor of our childhood, the flavor of happy memories, the flavor of family reunions, and the flavor of binging your best feel-good TV. It's just a really nice, really comforting, truly Texas thing.

Part of what keeps Blue Bell exciting is the limited edition and seasonal flavors they offer. Right now, Blue Bell is offering Coconut Cream Pie, Chocolate Sheet Cake, Milk & Cookies, Strawberry Cheesecake and Krazy Kookie Dough as limited flavors, along with their perirenal favorites like The Great Divide and Moo-llenium Crunch. I'm very happy to say that Bridal Cake is now listed as a permanent flavor, as I think it might be my personal favorite.

We've seen many flavors come and go, but here are some that I think are due for a comeback.

Retired Blue Bell Ice Cream Flavors That We Want Back

Texas-favorite Blue Bell has several limited and seasonal flavors. It's high time some of them make their way back to store shelves. 

Honorable Mentions: Century Sundae, Blueberry Cheesecake and literally any other flavor Blue Bell ever made because there was never a bad one.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Blue Bell revealed its latest ice cream flavor to hit stores this week is Red Velvet.

Just in time for Valentine's Day, Blue Bell revealed its latest ice cream flavor to hit stores this week is Red Velvet.

Blue Bell said in a post on Twitter the luscious red velvet ice cream comes packed with pieces of red velvet cake and a cream cheese icing swirl. It's officially back in stores as of Monday, according to the Twitter post.

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Blue Bell lovers can celebrate V-Day by grabbing the "sweet as cake, smooth as velvet" ice cream, now available in half-gallon and pint sizes. The ice cream will be available for about three months, officials said via Twitter.

Just last month, the Brenham-based creamery released its popular Mardi Gras King Cake ice cream, which features a cinnamon cake-flavored ice cream with a cream cheese swirl, colorful candy sprinkles and pastry pieces in King Cake colors.

Rebecca Hennes covers community news. Read her on our breaking news site, Chron.com, and on our subscriber site, houstonchronicle.com. | [email protected] 

Red Velvet Cake isn't scheduled to return at this time. But, we'll continue to add more of your favorite flavors to our line up.

Y'all, we hate to say it, but the holiday season is very close to coming to a close, and that means that if you haven't watched all of your Christmas favorites yet, you're running out of time.

We're talking about those Christmas specials we all grew up watching -- the ones that have aired every year since the '60s and tingle that joyful since of nostalgia within us. Of course, everyone has a favorite, and we wanted to know which one folks like best.

That's why we asked members of The Potluck, It's a Southern Thing's subscription membership program, to rank some of the classic Christmas specials that have come to be part of our holiday traditions. You can see how they measured up below, and then make sure you curl up on the couch to take in your favorite before Dec. 25!

#5) 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town'

While "Santa Claus is Comin' to Town" might find itself at the bottom of this ranking, that doesn't make the stop-motion musical, which aired as a televised Christmas special in 1970, any less of a classic among its fans. Based on the beloved holiday song of the same name and featuring the iconic voices of Fred Astaire, Mickey Rooney and other famous stars of the era, the film is still aired annually.

#4) 'Frosty the Snowman'

The "Frosty the Snowman" special was brought to life for the first time in 1969, and it quickly became a seasonal classic for many families thanks to its sweet message and catchy tune -- you know the one. Sure, it might not quite be able to compete with the heavy hitters on our ranking, but we're still happy to know Frosty will return for another airing each December, just as he has for more than 50 years.

#3) 'Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer'

While he might be at the head of Santa's sleigh, Rudolph isn't leading the pack in this ranking. Still, the 1964 stop-motion special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is very much a holiday classic that kids and adults alike look forward to watching every year thanks to its adorable cast of beloved characters like Hermey, Bumble, the residents of the island of misfit toys and, of course, Rudolph.

#2) 'A Charlie Brown Christmas'

Now here's where the race for best Christmas special got a little tight in our ranking. Though it ultimately came in second place, "A Charlie Brown Christmas" put up a good fight and is likely the winner in a lot of folks' minds. It's worth noting the 1965 animated special, based on the "Peanuts" gang by Charles M. Schulz, is the only Christmas special without a major musical number that has managed to withstand the test of time.

#1) 'Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas'

If you gather with your family to watch The Grinch's heart grow three sizes in "Dr. Seuss' How The Grinch Stole Christmas" every December, you aren't alone. The 1966 animated special, based on the 1957 children's book of the same name, took the Christmas crown in our ranking and seems to be the most beloved holiday special of 'em all. With a catchy tune and some perfectly hilarious animation, it's not hard to see how this one has managed to stay a classic for generations.

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Christmas is coming, y'all, and we're admittedly excited to see what's waiting for us under the tree.

Of course, Christmas presents can surprise you. The ones you might not be all that excited about at first can end up being the ones you find coming in handy throughout the year.

With that in mind, we decided to ask our followers on the It's a Southern Thing Facebook page what the most useful Christmas present they've ever received is. We got more than 1,000 responses, and they ranged from tool kits to hot chocolate makers to electric blankets, egg timers and even socks -- yes, socks.

Of course, a cast-iron skillet also made the list because, well, how could it not?

You can read 28 of the replies below, and you can read all of the submissions on our Facebook page.

Socks

Amazon

$8.99, Amazon

"It never occurs to me to buy new socks throughout the year, but I always get some for Christmas from someone. Judge me if you want, but socks are the best and most useful gift I have received! I have used them, of course, to wear, but also to curl my hair and even make toys for my cats! I'm sure I'll find more uses for them over the years. Just can't beat a good pair of socks!" -- Melissa Shearer

Train tickets

"My sister gave me train tickets to come home -- 300 miles from where I was living. I had recently separated from my husband after 20 years, and my sons were spending Christmas with him and his parents." -- Judy Beckert-Jones

John Deere quilt

"My aunt and uncle made me a John Deere quilt when I was in my early teens. I used it every night. I took it hunting and fishing. That quilt lasted over 20 years." -- Seth Jones

Maglite

$36, Amazon

"A giant Maglite flashlight. It is helpful in power outages, and it doubles as a weapon. I have had it for 15 years. Every woman needs one!" -- Lindsey Hubbard

Baby blanket

"My blankie. I didn’t really get it for Christmas, but my Granny made it before I was born, and I wasn’t born until the end of November so it’s kind of a Christmas present. It’s 44 years old this year and now framed." -- Lisa Trower

Climbing rope

"I was a kid borrowing dad's rope to climb trees. So he bought me my own so I'd stop taking his. I used that rope for so many things for years before I retired it." -- Nara Mourine

Clock radio

"When I was 10, I begged for a clock radio. I got one for Christmas and used it everyday for the next 50 years. I loved it, and it served me well." -- Cheryl Wyzard

Instant Pot

Amazon

$79, Amazon

"My husband got me an Instant Pot last year. We use it at least once a week, usually two or three times a week." -- Nikki Hill

Duke's Mayo

"I once received Duke's Mayo when I lived in a area where it wasn’t available. It was a great gift. Thank you, Dad!" -- Susan Rollins

Portable fan

"A small portable fan from my husband. It comes out when I’m flashin’." -- Renee Butler

McCall's cookbook

"The Christmas before I got married, my mother gave me a McCall's cookbook. This was 1963, and I found many of my favorite recipes in it. I'm not a neat cook, so there were a lot of splotches in it. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina washed away my home, and it was a few years before I realized how much I missed that cookbook. Two years ago, I found a copy on Amazon and I still enjoy it." -- Dianne Gaines Cunningham

Cast-iron skillet

Amazon

$20, Amazon

"I've used it almost daily for over 45 years." -- Warren Capps

Glade plug-ins

"When I was about 20 years old, my grandmother gave me a bunch of Glade plug-ins. At the time, I thought it was horrible, but now-a-days, I might actually like that gift." -- Marla Jean Mitchell

Tool kit

"My husband bought me a tool kit for inside the house jobs -- things like hanging up pictures, putting together bookshelves, etc. We use it almost daily for switching out batteries in toys. Most useful gift ever!" -- Natasha Green

Singer sewing machine

"When I was 10 years old, Santa brought me a Singer sewing machine. I used it for 45 years before it played out. I made clothes for myself, the children, household things and quite a few quilts." -- Bonnie Ransone

Foldable utensil set

Amazon

$8, Amazon

"A foldable camping utensils set that I used everyday at work." -- Seth Claiborne

Rubbermaid dishes

"My yearly new Rubbermaid dishes. Those plastic bowls gets gross, so I get a fresh set every Christmas!" -- Monica Ann

Typewriter

"When I was in high school, it was a typewriter. I cried. It was a much needed gift for school." -- Jennifer Mulberry

Towels

"Years ago my grandma asked what to get me, and I told her towels and washcloths. For years after, all of her granddaughters received them." -- Ellen Miller Kemp

Hot chocolate maker

Amazon

$40, Amazon

"My mother-in-law bought me a hot chocolate maker one year. I love this thing. Best hot chocolate ever!" -- Natalie Milton Monteiro

Roomba

​"My Roomba. I love being able to tell the thing to clean the floors, leave the house and come home to clean floors. It is amazing to have something in the house that actually listens when I say do something and doesn't talk back to me." -- Sarah Hendrix Chumley

Glue gun

"I received it years ago from my sister, and it’s still going strong today. I’ve used it hundreds of times." -- Melinda Ferguson

Electric blanket

My dad was very hot-natured and turned off the heater every night during the winter months. I, on the other hand, was very cold-natured and practically froze at night. I was so cold, I couldn’t sleep. All I asked for Christmas when I was 15 was an electric blanket, and that’s what I got. That night I slept better than I had in a month." -- Ricki Knox McKinley

Mug warmer

Amazon

$36, Amazon

"I use it almost every day, and it’s super handy at work when I’m up and down from my desk all the time." -- Claire Miller

Hedge trimmer

"Because I’m not trying to die of heatstroke keeping the yard in shape all summer with only garden shears." -- Susan Phipps

Postage stamps

"My mom used to put a roll of postage stamps in my Christmas stocking." -- Beckie Anderson McKeethan

Egg timer

"I got an egg timer in my stocking last year. I’ve used it so much that the numbers have rubbed off of it." -- Madison Tyler Rushing

Kitchen Aid stand mixer

Amazon

$260, Amazon

"The first-year we were married my husband gave me a Kitchen Aid Stand Mixer. It had been on my wish list for years. That was 20 years ago, and I still use it." -- Michele Gustafson

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Once upon a time, over the hills and through the woods to grandmother’s house we’d go. These days, it’s more like over the speed limit and through the traffic. Sometimes it’s over our better judgment and through a sense of obligation. But maybe this Christmas for you, like me, it’s over the rainbow and through the memories to our Granny’s house we go.

When I think back on those South Alabama holidays at my Grandmother’s house out in the woods, there are some things that always stand out in my memory – the things that just made Christmas…well…Christmas. Come with me to my Granny’s house. I’ll bet you a baggie full of reindeer food that you’ll probably see a lot of things that take you back too.

A Lane Cake consists of coconut, raisins, pecans and booze.(Frank Couch)

Granny’s house has an official front door, but everyone comes in through the kitchen. At the heart of her (and every home), there’s a flurry of activity going on to prepare for Christmas dinner. A Lane Cake is in the works on the kitchen table. Invented by Alabamian Emma Rylander Lane in the late 1800s, this cake features layers separated by a boozy filling of coconut, raisins and pecans. We’re also making homemade fudge, divinity and pralines. A mountain of dishes waits for attention in the white cast-iron sink.

READ MORE: Vintage Christmas decorations your grandmother definitely owned

On the sideboard is a teetering stack of decorative Christmas cake tins. Filled, or waiting to be filled, with gifts of sugary treats to be given to family and friends, some showcase elaborate, snowy holiday scenes and some are just plain red. Some are new, and some are familiar containers that have been passed from friend to friend over the years. All of them contain as much love as good things to eat.

In the dining room, the table is set with the Holly and Spruce Christmas china (I always loved the little teddy bear under the iconic tree), the ruby glassware, and the “good silver” we’ve spent days polishing in preparation for the holiday feast. In the middle of the table is a big centerpiece filled with red, pink and white camellias, nandina berries, and holly – all from the yard, not the florist.

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The mantle above the roaring fire in the living room is decorated with evergreen boughs that came out of our woods. Interspersed amongst the greenery are some pinecones, okra pods and other dried plants that have been spray-painted gold or silver. The stockings are hung there with care, of course. And the angel chimes complete the display. I can’t wait for one of the grownups to light the candles so that the angels will magically fly around striking the tiny chimes.

Ribbon candy (Shutterstock)

The candy dish on the end table is filled with ribbon candy waiting for someone to pry a piece loose. Next to it is the Whitman’s Sampler we get every single year from the same uncle, bless his sweet heart. And a dish of pomanders – fresh oranges studded with cloves – make the whole room smell warm and cozy.

Read more: 18 stocking stuffers we used to get

I mean, really, weren't NOMA bubble lights just gorgeous? Photo By Harold Hoch/MediaNews Group/Reading Eagle via Getty Images)

The tree sparkles in the corner. One year we carefully clipped candles to different branches and lit them all for a brief minute. This year, bubble lights are interspersed with other string lights – the old-timey kind with the big bulbs. We’ve spent the last few months around the kitchen table pinning all manner of beads, sequins, velvet ribbon, and brick-a-brack to shiny satin balls, and now those new ornaments hang from the tree among those from years past. Paper chains my little brother and I glued together surround the tree like a hug.

In the corner by the living room’s big plate glass window sits the upright piano. The latest Ideals Christmas book rests on the music stand, but it won’t be too long before someone pushes it aside in favor of the hymnal. Carols are played and a joyful noise is raised as one by one family members hear the singing and come to join in. We hold hands and wrap our arms around each other's waists while we sway and sing.

The window is black because even though it’s barely 5 o’clock, it’s dark outside and there’s no light except from the moon and stars. As I look out into the night, I always imagine what we would look like to someone looking back from the outside. I bet it’s a picture framed by that window that is part Norman Rockwell, a smidge of Truman Capote, and a bit of Flannery O’Connor – just like every other Southern family celebrating a happy Christmastime.

Does Blue Bell still make red velvet?

What brand has red velvet ice cream?

Who makes red velvet ice cream?

What is Blue Bell's most popular flavor?