sweet lemon tea with basil...

Ahhhh... there's nothing like kickin' back in
the hammock with a cold refreshing treat in hand.

I simply adore sweet basil.
The flavor of it, the scent... Oh, the scent. *faint*
In fact, I'm growing some right now and I love to sniff it.
Yes, I'm weird.

This refreshing treat has a hint of fresh basil and makes it oh, so special. Yum.

Let's make it...

You're gonna need water, sugar, a family size
tea bag, lemon juice, and fresh basil.


Start by heating 2 cups of water and 1/2 cup sugar
(if you like it extra sweet, use 1 cup sugar)
to just boiling... Just until the sugar dissolves.
Remove from heat.


Add the tea bag...


and let it steep for about 10 minutes.

While you wait for the tea to steep,
gather up some fresh basil (about 3 leaves will do)...

and 1 cup lemon juice.


Put the lemon juice and fresh basil leaves in your blender...


and blend it for about 30 seconds.


Oh, it smells so delightful. *insert smiley face*


After the tea and sugar mixture has cooled
a bit, pour it in a pitcher.


Add the blended lemon and basil.


Spoon off the foam.


Serve over ice.

Now, go put your feet up and enjoy.

It'll help wash

this down.

Enjoy your 4th of July weekend!
xo

Where liberty dwells, there is my country.
~ Benjamin Franklin

prelude to a 4th...

July 4th.
Independence Day.

Family.
Friends.
Food.
Fireworks.
Fun.

I'll be busy this week preparing for all of the above.

Here's a peek at what I'll most likely be cooking...
some you've seen, some are new.

I'll share every yummy detail with you...

Grilled Corn on the Cob... Oh me, Oh my!



Tie-dying... a fun family tradition.

Deviled Eggs... It's the hidden surprise that make these babies scrumptious.

Firecracker Mac & Cheese... *faint*

Grilled berries in brandy served over ice cream... Delightfully dreamy.



Lemony Ice Tea with Basil... A refreshing sweet treat.

Texas Style Grilled Cheese... *faint*

Dr. Pepper Chocolate Cake... Sinful.

Curbside flag wavin' at the parade... A fun neighborhood
tradition to kick start the day.



Late night fireworks with my homies under the full moon... Perfect.

So, be sure to check back often.

xo
"There, I guess King George will be able to read that."
John Hancock, after signing the Declaration of Independence.

sweet summertime sangria...

In honor of all of us Mama's and Papa's out there who
give
encourage
beam
hug
help
spend
pack
check
forget
sign
do
laugh
drive
organize
wait
cry
hurry
smile
yell
play
discipline
clean
love
and pray
during the school months... This is for us.

Us parents who are too busy applauding our children
and teachers for a job well done...
and don't get me wrong, they deserve it...
but so do we.

So, kick back, sigh with relief, pat yourself on the back and relax.

Oh, and have one of these...

Yum.

Enjoy!

(sorry for the photo guys... not! hee hee hee)



*Sweet Summertime Sangria*

~1 bottle red wine... merlot, cab, etc.
~2 cups ginger ale
~1 large lemon, sliced
~1 medium orange, sliced
~2 small limes, sliced
~1/2 c. raspberries
~2 teaspoons sugar
~2 shots brandy... more or less, depending
on how "hammered" you want to get. JB's words! True story.

Pour the red wine in a pitcher.
Add the ginger ale.
Add the lemon, orange, and lime slices.
Add the raspberries.
Add the brandy followed by the sugar and stir for a minute or two.
Place the pitcher in the refrigerator and allow it to chill for
1 hour to overnight before serving.
Serve over ice.

Love ya,
rolo

lots of lemonade and the big four-O...

I turn 40 today.

And it seems like I've been "makin' lemonade" my whole life...

With this summer as no exception.

Except for one thing...

I finally got smart and started adding a little vodka!

*Vodka Lemonade*

5 whole lemons
2 cups sugar
2 cups water
Vodka
Club Soda

~Peel large sections of lemon peel from the lemons
until you have about 8 large sections.
~In a sauce pot, bring the sugar, water and lemon peels
to a boil until the sugar is dissolved.
~Remove from heat and cool to room temp.
~When cool, strain and discard the lemon peel.
~Cut each of the lemons in half (the same ones that we peeled)
and squeeze the juice (minus the seeds) into the lemon syrup.

*To make the cocktail...*
~Put ice in your favorite glass.
~Add an ounce of vodka... or a bit more!
~Fill with the lemonade syrup.
~Add a splash of Club Soda.
~Garnish w/ a lemon wedge.

Enjoy!

Happy Birthday to me...
It's been a hell of a summer!
xo
Ralonda

my new favorite thing...

Being pregnant and all, it seems I'm always searching for something different and refreshing to quench my thirst on these hot, Dallas, summer days. Something other than my usual water with lemon or unsweetened iced tea with lemon... blah. And not to mention, something other than a Coke... I need healthy or at least semi-healthy right now. But I must admit... I still have a Coke every now and then. I just can't help myself.

I have had these IZZE things before, and thought they were good... but for some reason right now I find them YUM-O! Especially this flavor, Sparkling Clementine... mmm, mmm!

So, next time you're at the grocery, pick some up... because, although I love you, I'm sorry, but I won't be sharing mine!



xo
Ralonda