Big bags of lemons at the grocery store today for $1 a bag. Clara and I squeezed at least thirty and made a double batch of lemon curd, and a huge jar of lemonade base (equal parts simple syrup and lemon juice, and simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water simmered together until dissolved). We fed that lemonade to a big crew of teenagers coming through the house during a progressive dinner. Lots of chicken and broccoli stir-fry, too.
After they left, and I popped the dirties into the dishwasher, Daisy and I sat by the fire in our big and little rocking chairs and thought about things, and talked, and enjoyed the Christmas tree. A lovely evening.
Mmmm...fresh lemonade, my favorite! I'm thinking about starting a blog to share some of my own recipes...hope your family had a wonderful Christmas. Best to you all for the new year!
ReplyDeleteIn Christ,
Dawn
You must try hot lemonade! Fresh-squeezed, with lots of pulpy goodness. Just a dash of cayenne pepper is optional, and adds a pleasant, comforting, and warming aftertaste. My mother made this when we were sick.
ReplyDeleteThose Lemons have a reminder of summer.. sunshine and freshness. Your post is wonderful. What a find!
ReplyDeleteI love that photo. The colors are so cool.
ReplyDeleteHave you ever tried lemon pasta? Mireille Guiliano has a really nice recipe in French Women Don't Get Fat for lemon tagliatelle.
That sounds like the best of evenings.
ReplyDeleteI believe that is the kind of day I miss most with my daughter (married and a mother of four now).
Cooking together and then sitting and chatting. Times goes so fast, doesn't it?
Yes, the best of evenings.
ReplyDeleteAnna, I love your blog...have been reading it for a while. I am a 38 year old Mommy in Atlanta. Our children are ages 6, 4, 2 and 3 months (twins). So we have received 5 children very recently! We are Christians and homeschool (our emphasis is on great books, being outside a lot, poetry, loving hearts). I also love our math and charlotte mason methods, but emphasize our family life and life in general first. It take a lot of time to train our children and love on them so I am seeking peace about the "formal" aspects of schooling although that is going well, it gets put aside at times.
ReplyDeleteSo your blog has been fascinating to me (I read some old homeschool notes you made). Also, I love learning how to "look well to the ways of my household" such as learning how to make good food and have a lovely home.
I also like to be organized, yet live a loving, relaxed life with the little ones. I am a CPA and do a bit of tax work at night and on weekends seasonally. So your bit of work as a lawyer is also interesting...I'm just finishing my annual CPE hours at night!
How did you become a lawyer and mother at such a young age? I wish I could hear more about your home/school life. We are trying to keep in mind our priorities of teaching our children respect and discipline while loving on them and this takes priority over the academics sometimes.
Sorry I'm not writing well, but I love your blog! Mary Brooke
How wonderful to have a sweet little girl to sit by the fire and think about things with. Sounds like a perfect evening.
ReplyDeleteoh, LEMON CURD! I'm currently in love with any citrus curd and homemade scones for breakfast. how fortunate to find lemons so abundantly cheap!
ReplyDeleteI also like your off-the-cuff explanation of simple syrup. Martha Stewart's has intimidated me. Now I might try it with your easy approach.
Once you have your lemonade base, what proportions of that and water do you use to mix it?
ReplyDeleteLemon curd is one of my very favourite things. Your photo looks so bright and fresh :)
ReplyDeleteAmy
Oooh, nothing beats home made lemon curd, it's my favourite :)
ReplyDeleteDiluting the base with water: I use about 1/3 of this base to 2/3 water. Just taste it and see what you like.
ReplyDeleteMary, thanks for your comment. How do you even find time to read, much less type? :) I love your approach to teaching your children.
Oh, Anna I love your blog and photos. And it is just so you to: "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade!" I hope you and your family have a blessed holiday together. Karen
ReplyDeleteJust curious! Do your sons do housework also? It seems I only see photos of your big girls working in the kitchen, vacuuming, hanging laundry etc.
ReplyDeleteYum! Lemon is one of my favourite flavours. I'm thinking that chicken and broccoli stir-fry sounds fabulous too - any chance of the recipe?
ReplyDeleteDo the boys do housework? :)
ReplyDeleteYeah.
Oh, I know..Red Devil Chicken sounds like a winner tonight. We also made lemonade with the lemons are neighbors would give us.
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