Just 2 months since my last post! Summer is glorious. The flowers are in full bloom, the grass and trees are brilliant green. Today is a near perfect day...not a cloud in the sky. And NO humidity! The only thing that would make life better would be to have Jake & Luke nearby. But, that is a whole other story.

Delee's wedding is next Saturday and I pray for the same weather we are having today. The ceremony will be outdoors at McConnell Mills. http://www.cheesemanfarm.com/barn_gallary.html Good luck Delee & Kent!

As usual, Joe is puttering in the garden on this lovely day. I had planned on going shopping, but it is too nice to waste this weather, so I am going to sit on the back patio and read. When the sun gets farther to the west, I will move to the porch and read and drink homemade lemonade.

Old Fashioned Lemonade
Simmer for 5 minutes
2 cups sugar
1 cup water
Rind of 2 lemons, cut into strips
1/8 teaspoon salt
Cool syrup
Meanwhile, zest (optional) one or two of six lemons. Juice lemons through a stainless strainer.
Add the juice to the cooled syrup.
Optional: At the end of the recipe, add zest and some of the pulp -- and a few pips -- to the syrup.
Strain and store in a covered jar
To use: Add 2 tablespoons syrup to a glass of ice and fill with cold water. Serve with a sprig of peppermint