Lavender Lemon Aid, Yum!

Nothing is better in the summertime than fresh, squeezed lemon aid. Everyone seems to have their spin on lemon aid and there are so many wonderful recipes. My all time favorite has to be, lavender lemon aid. 

I think lavender and lemons just go together. The flavor may not be for everyone. Many folks do not care for floral/herbal flavors in their drinks. I love all of the subtleties that floral herbs bring to a warm or cold drink. 

Years ago, I was introduced to lavender lemon aid while on vacation. I came right home and tried my hand to making it. The first few times that I made it, I over did it with the lavender and it was very strong. I have decided, a few teaspoons to a couple of tablespoons for me, adds plenty of flavor.

I made a bit today after doing a bit of housework. It was very refreshing. 

There are many ways of making it so, if you decide to try it, check out a few recipes on line. This is how I typically make it.

I start with the juice of several lemons. I will need about 1 ½ cups of juice.I add it to a sauce pan with about 2 cups of water and heat on medium to high heat. 

While that is warming, I add a couple tablespoons of lavender to a mesh teabag and toss into the pan.

Remove from heat and let it steep for 30 to 40 minutes, or longer if you really love lavender flavor.

 

Then I added some water and ice to a ½ gallon Ball jar, leaving enough room for the lemon/lavender mixture to be added. While the lemon/lavender mixture is still warm, add your sugar or sweetener and stir until dissolved. I used Agave sweeten my lemon aid. I do not use much sweeter of any type so, I only add a couple of teaspoons of Agave. Agave seems much sweeter than even honey so, it doesn’t take much. If you want to use regular sugar, a basic lemon aid recipe calls for about 2 cups of sugar for a half of a gallon of lemon aid. That just seems like a lot of sugar to me, for only a 1/2 of a gallon.

I poured the mixture over the ice and added more water to fill the jar to the top and stir. Remove the mesh teabag of lavender. If you really want more lavender flavor, you could let the bag rest in your lemon aid. The more lavender you use, the deeper pink to even purple color your lemon aid will be. 

Serve over ice and enjoy. I do think, the next time I make a jar of lavender lemon aid; I am going to add a few sprigs of fresh mint to it while it steeps. I have never had it that way but lavender and mint do work well together. 

I like to save my lemons rinds. I add them to a jar of white vinegar and sit in the window sill for a week or so. Then I strain the vinegar off and store in a jar. I use the vinegar as a citrus infused household cleaner. You can add a few more drops of lemon essential oil, if you would like. 

When I am ready to use it, I add ¼ cup of vinegar to a spray bottle, fill the rest of the way up with water and shake. It is great for cleaning in the kitchen or bathroom. I do not use it on the windows or mirrors. The oils from the lemons will leave oily streaks on glass surfaces. 

I just love how pretty and colorful the lemons mixture looks sitting in the window sill too. It just says, "summer." 

May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine upon your window pane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near to you and
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.

Until next time, many blessings!

Midnight Science Projects & Chocolate Chip Cookies

Since Doodlebug is on a summer break from homeschooling, we have not been a stickler about what time she turns in when she is here. I am pretty sure her folks are letting her stay up later too. I mean, isn't that the great thing about summer when you are a kid?  So, we let her stay up past her bedtime when she spent a couple of night with us last week and she played games and did science experiments with Papaw. They had the best time together.

They made every kid’s favorite thing, green slimy goo that glows in the dark. Is there anything better than green slimy goo that glows in the dark? We’re pretty sure that’s at the top of the “Best Things In The Whole Wide World List,” for a seven year old. She had a blast, as you can see.

"Does it get any better than this?"

 Several days ago, while enjoying playing outside with a friend, she and her little friend got into some poison ivy. Doodle’s little friend broke out very quickly and had to go to the doctor. Doodles didn’t show any signs for several days and then, she was hit with it and hit hard. Her little legs are so broken out. She has been soaking her legs in oatmeal baths and using lots of Calamine lotion and she too had to go to the doctor. So, one of her nights here, she was itching, we had given her Benadryl and were waiting for it to start helping. To take her mind off of her itching, we made chocolate chip cookies from scratch. She really enjoyed that. She said, “Mamaw, you and I have not been in the kitchen baking in such a long time.” I told her I know and I have missed our baking together.  I bought quiet a lot of peaches today from a roadside produce stand and I see some peach turnovers in our near future.

It has been a good weekend. Doodles spent the weekend visiting her other grandparents so, it gave us some time to get a few errands in. 

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and have a great week.

Many blessings to you all!

Words of Wisdom and Tid Bits of Daily Life...

Remember always that you are just a visitor here, a traveler passing through. Your stay is but short and the moment of your departure unknown.

None can live without toil and a craft that provides your needs is a blessing indeed. But if you toil without rest, fatigue and weariness will overtake you and you will be denied the joy that comes from labor’s end.

Speak quietly and kindly and be nor forward with either opinions or advice. If you talk much this will make you deaf to what others say and you should know that there are few so wise that they can not learn from others.

Be near when help is needed but far when praise and thanks are being offered.

Take small account of might , wealth and fame, for they soon pass and are forgotten. Instead nurture love within you and strive to be a friend to all.

Truly compassion is a balm for many wounds.

Treasure silence when you find it. While being mindful of your duties, set time aside to be alone with yourself.

Cast off pretence and self-deception and see yourself as you really are.
Be of good cheer and with this understanding, summon strength and walk on.

Faith is like a lamp and wisdom it is that makes the flame burn bright. Carry this lamp always and in good time the darkness will yield and you will abide in light.

This was written by Buddha. I know I will be adding a copy of it to my Inspiration Journal.

Since our break from school, I have been doing a bit of sewing for Doodlebug and Doodlebug has been having a blast with summer activities. It is so good to see her enjoying her summer so.

Below is a photo of a little country girl top that I made. She is really into wanting to dress like a country girl these days.


I am still intending on adding an applique of a chicken to the bib top and making a little pair of ruffled leg capri pants to go along with it. I think I will add a farm animal to it too. She loves it and it fits pretty good. I made it from a McCall's pattern that I had not used before. I was not pleased with the pattern. I had to make quiet a lot of adjustments. I will be adding a note card to that pattern envelope with all adjustments needed so, that won't be a problem again.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful summer and also too, I hope all the dads have a wonderful Father's Day!

Blessings!!!