My Best Lemonade Recipe (& more good books)
My goodness, have I got a treat for you this morning, friend. But first, I’d like to start with a couple of confessions.
#1 — I’m sad to tell you that I couldn’t keep going with Michelle Zauner’s memoir Crying in H Mart. Just after writing last week’s message, I encountered the pages where her mother’s illness progressed and I had step away from the story and admit I’m just not there yet. I’ll pick it up again later, I just know it. If you have any tips for reading memoirs about hard things without letting them feed your fear demons, let me know.
#2 — I’ve recently been neglecting my morning book stack in favor of summer shenanigans like yoga on the porch, watering my garden, and long coffee dates overlooking our mountains, which means I’m way behind on my daily Simple Abundance meditations and playing catchup. And that’s exactly where today’s big treat comes from (more below).
Confession over, now let’s get down to it — Here are my five little things for this week ⤵
#1
While reading my backlog of Simple Abundance pages, I stumbled upon Sara Ban Breathnach’s recipe for homemade lemonade and turned down the page. Then, last night, I made a batch, and let me tell you it’s the best lemonade I’ve ever had. Here it is ⤵
“Boil two cups of granulated sugar and one cup of water with the rinds of three lemons cut into thin strips for five minutes. Let the syrup cool and add the juice of eight lemons. Strain and store in a covered container in the refrigerator. Use two tablespoons of the syrup for every glass of ice or carbonated water to make a fizzy lemonade.” ~Simple Abundance
And here’s how it came out. . .
(Mason jar juicer top and pour tops from MasonJarLifestyle.com)
#2
While scrolling the interwebs this week, I ran across an extremely inspiring & challenging Instagram reel for those of us with teenagers in our lives. It’s been front of my mind ever since. Here’s the video link & the words (for those staying off IG) ⤵
“Dear parents,
It’s summer.
I want to be off my screen more.
But it’s hard.
My brain loves quick dopamine hits.
Please don’t just yell ‘Get off your phone!’
Help me find alternatives.
Remind me what I used to love.
My phone is like a magnet and I’m not that strong yet.
But connection helps.
And I still need yours.”
And here’s the link to advice and printable resources offered by the Gozen.com team to help with screen time conversations.
#3
Also while scrolling the interwebs this week, I watched the latest video from author Mary Kay Andrews. This video inspired me and made me want to read more of her work. Maybe I’ll start with The Fixer Upper or at least finish Summers at the Saint since I started it this winter. Here’s the link to the video. (Also, trying to track down where I can get one of those Gulf of Mexico t-shirts she’s wearing in the video. Let me know if you have a source.)
#4
I’m so excited to leave the interwebs behind this weekend and throw our tents, hammocks, bikes, and camp stove in the truck for a few days of camping and outdoor adventures. Hopefully I’ll have some fresh forest wisdom to share with you next week.
#5
Something that’s going in my bag for the camping trip is this camp-themed watercolor workbook from artist Emily Lex⤵
I’ve been painting a little in it here and there for the past couple of weeks, and I love it so much I had to share. I also recently learned from my sister that the bad guys in the world are selling horrible knock-off versions of Emily Lex’s entire watercolor workbook collection, and this made me determined to share the real thing with folks every chance I get. But truly, I love mine.
Wherever you are this weekend, I hope you find a few moments of sheer delight — and if you try the lemonade recipe, let me know how it goes :)
⊹⊹⊹
Happy summering,
Celeste