This Is Not Another "If Life Hands You Lemons...": Home-made Lemonade

This is not another "If life hands you lemons, make lemonade" post. This is really good lemonade, and you don't need struggles and stress to make it and enjoy it.

This recipe is linked to, la bella vita: Fresh Food Friday.

And also at,

I was looking at a whole bag of lemons. I have been baking with them, but there comes a time when the lemons are going to have to be used up....This is that time.

I chose to use up my lemons by making lemonade.

We often forget how good something is until we make it again, and again, and again.

I have forgotten how good home-made lemonade can be.

And refreshing...

And tangy....

And delightful during the summer.....

And just plain good....

I found my recipe at All Recipes.

I didn't change any of the ingredients, but I did change the preparation directions.

The recipe said to peel the lemons first, but I found out that it's easier to squeeze the juice out of the lemons and then chop the rinds.

The rinds have to soak in sugar.

This is the best lemonade I have ever had. And three ingredients? Can't be anymore simple.

Home-made Lemonade

5 lemons

1 1/4 c. sugar

1 1/4 quarts water

Squeeze the juice from 5 lemons, set aside. Chop the rinds from the squeezed lemons and place in a medium bowl (don't worry about the seeds, you can get rid of them later). Pour the sugar over the chopped rinds. Let this stand for 1 hour so the sugar soaks into the oil of the rinds.

Bring water to a boil in a saucepan then pour boiling water over sugared rinds. Allow this to cool for 20 minutes. Remove the lemon rinds after it has cooled. After the rinds and seeds are removed, pour squeezed lemon juice into the mixture. Stir well and pour into a pitcher. Store in refrigerator and serve over ice. You can also place sliced lemon wedges in the lemonade (I sliced up one lemon).

"How long will you assault a man? Would all of you throw him down - this leaning wall, this tottering fence? They fully intend to topple him from his lofty place; they take delight in lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse. Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from Him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; He is my fortress, I will not be shaken."

Psalm 62:3-6

Prayer can release our tensions in times of emotional stress. Trusting God to be our rock, salvation, and fortress will change our entire outlook on life. Grab a glass of lemonade, relax, and pray. No longer must we be held captive by resentment toward others when they hurt us. When we are resting in God's strength, nothing can shake us.