25 June 2014

Summer is "Officially" Here - Time for something Cool...

Good Morning!! This morning I'm writing to wish you all a Happy, Healthy, fun-filled Summer!  
That being said, I am not much of a Summer person, myself. I'd pretty much prefer any other Season, actually!  I don't know if it is because I live in California and we get some very hot days here!! Eeeks! High 90's -100's Hot, or if it's just because I, So enjoy the other seasons so much. Hmmm. Point for me to personally ponder, I guess. I had Happy Summer Childhood memories, so nothing there. Oh well! I will not complain, as I know many people would love to trade places with me, and I probably wouldn't Love all of their seasons either! Aren't we funny creatures?!

One thing is for sure, I LOVE the time spent with the kids, the family gatherings and the celebrations, that we could not have any other time of the year!  So, on that note I wanted to share with you one of my new favorite recipes, that really is something to be enjoyed in the Summer!!  Do you like Lemonade? I have never been a real big fan.  However, now that i have discovered this new (well, new to me, anyway) infusion of raspberries, it has quickly become one of my all time faves! Odd, isn't it, how our tastes change over the years? :) 
   Have you tried it yet?! If you are new to this wonderful drink, like me, may I highly recommend that this is a recipe best made with the fresh ingredients?! It is very easy to make, as well...I also, highly suggest, you make a double batch while you're at it.

























We just recently celebrated 3 of my family's Birthdays and Father's Day all together! I made this for the celebrations, and it was the first thing gone for both adults and kids

And, as you can see, you can dress it up and make it lots of fun! Like this beautiful shot of it in a pretty little mason jar or something a little fancier, in a cocktail glass. The sky's the limit! Use your imagination on how you want to include it at your next event, or just make a nice big batch to have in your fridge!

The recipe couldn't be easier!!
5-6 Large Lemons
6 ounces Fresh Raspberries
1 cup Hot water 
1 cup of sugar 
3-4 cups of cold water
That's IT!!

Simmer the sugar in 1 cup of water, until dissolved. Halve your Lemons and extract juice. Either, manually or with a juicer, you should end up with around 1 cup of fresh Lemon juice. Blend or pop your Raspberries in the food processor until smooth (Don't forget to save 6-8 berries for garnish! They look so pretty in your pitcher!) Ok, are you 
ready for the hardest part of this recipe? Strain out your seeds.. Pour the juice through a colander or sieve, so that your don't have any seeds in your lemonade. You will find that the raspberry pulp with seeds doesn't really want to go through, so here's a good trick: combine your Lemon juice and simple syrup (the sugar and water you just warmed) and pour it over the raspberries that you are straining, this should help the wonderful raspberry goodness come right through! If you don't think you got all the raspberry goodness go ahead and pour one more of your cups of water through,  That should do it!  Then finish by adding your last 2-3 cups of water. Serve over Ice with a coupe fresh berries floating around! If you want to get really fancy, you can always add a sprig of mint and a pink or red striped straw...Just have fun with it. Isn't it amazing how when we take a little extra time to make things pretty, we feel that much more spoiled? And, you know it always tastes better, when it looks pretty!

I hope that the weather is as you like it, where you are and that you get to enjoy your time with your Family and Friends.
Blessings Always,
~Theresa.

I'll be sharing this recipe with:
Tweak It Tuesday @ Cozy Little House
Life With the Crust Cut Off Lovely Ladies Linky
The Ultimately Linky @Wonderful Wednesdays Blog Hop 
Ivy & Elephants What's It Wednesdays
The Brambleberry Cottage Time Travel Thursday
DIY Vintage Chic Friday's Five Features
The Charm of Home Home Sweet Home
A Delightsome Life's Home and Garden Thursday
Natasha In Oz Say G'Day Saturday
Colorado Springs  Friday Favorite
How Sweet The Sound: Pink Saturday



30 comments:

  1. I'm not crazy about summer either, since I grew up in sunny California! Now live in the PNW and summer's are cooler. Have to try your recipe! Looks yummy!

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    1. Thank you so much! So, I guess you know what I'm talking about! This recipe is fantastic you will be happy you tried it. I guarantee it'll be a new favorite. :)
      ~Theresa

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  2. YUMMO! This recipe & the cobbler recipe below has me hungry! They look delicious!

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    1. Thanks so much, my Friend!! Well, I know you, you'll have no problem with either of these recipes! How wonderful to see your comment, Heather!
      Blessings, Dear.
      ~Theresa

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  3. This looks so good. I was just telling my co-worker how I'd rather drink then eat sometimes. I just love fresh juices, and fruity drinks in the summer when it's hot. These sound really good!

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    1. Thanks, Elle, I am the same!! I think you'll really enjoy this!

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  4. This looks delicious. I am so glad it is summer the winter was the worst.

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  5. okay all that looks delicious! a great cool drink for a hot summer day

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  6. I will have to give this special twist a try, it looks so refreshing! Never really gave raspberries a try in lemonade but it does elevate it from casual to fancy. Love it! Thanks for sharing.
    Hugs,
    Patti

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    1. Thank you so much, Patti! I hope you like it! It changed my view on lemonade altogether!
      Ha!
      Hugs,
      ~Theresa

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  7. I have always loved lemonade. My mom made it for us when we were kids growing up in Cali. Now I live in Utah and the summers are still hot. I will definitely try this one out. Last summer it was-get this-cucumber & mint limeade. I loved it, but need a change, so bring on the raspberry lemonade!

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    1. I know exactly what you mean! I was all over the cucumber water!! I still like it, but this is a very pleasant change. Thanks for coming by and leaving me you lovely comment!
      Hugs and Blessings,
      Theresa

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  8. Well, living on the East Coast, I'd be happy to trade seasons with you, but this looks just delicious!! So refreshing and love the presentation in these wonderful jars and glasses... :-)

    Lory at Designthusiasm

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    1. Thanks, Lory! Yes, I net you would!! I know, it's a case of "the grass is always greener"!

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  9. The only season here in West Texas that we don't care for is Spring...too many dust storms.:)

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  10. Anonymous12:43 PM

    Yes, please, I'll take a glass. Looks delicious and very refreshing.

    I've come to realize that I don't really enjoy either of the "extreme" seasons. I'm very much a warm and cool kinda gal, and I have about a 30-degree temperature comfort zone---from 50 to 80. I need to live in perpetual early fall/mid-to-late spring.

    While I have never claimed to love cold, I did use to enjoy hot...until hitting age 50. Suddenly, I'm hot enough at 80 degrees!

    Happy Pink Saturday,
    Patti @ Magnolia Cottage

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    1. LOL, Thanks for sharing that with me Patti!! I'm with you!! 50-80 sounds just about perfect to me too!! Thanks for coming by and sharing with me!
      Many Blessings & Happy Pinks!
      ~Theresa

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  11. This looks so light and refreshing for summer. Thanks for sharing at Fridays Unfolded!

    Alison
    Nancherrow

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  12. This looks like it would be so much fun to do. I am pinning it so I can try it with my kids, and I am featuring it on the Bloggers Brags Pinterest Party tomorrow on Creative K Kids.

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    1. Thank you so much, Tammy!! That means the world to me and I think you and your kids will be happy to make this together!!
      Many Blessings and Much Gratitude,
      ~Theresa

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  13. This looks really tasty! Stopping by from the Click and Chat, congratulations on being featured! :)

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  14. Thanks for linking up last week to Friday Favorites! Hope to see you this week too! OHHHH Yummy! Love the color to this drink

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  15. Lemonade is so my summer weakness. This looks so great! Thanks for sharing!

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  16. Thanks so much for sharing this delicious recipe at the Say G’Day Saturday Linky Party. I’ve given your post a +1.

    Best wishes and Happy 4th of July!
    Natasha in Oz

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    1. Thanks so much, natasha! Where else would I rather share it!? Thank you. I'm glad you liked it and thankful for the +1!
      Theresa

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