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RECIPE RADAR | Lemonade

Monday, July 29

Senior pictures for Clara...
Band meetings/camp/practice for Ema and Clara...
Sales flyers in the mail about Tax Free Shopping Days approaching...
Pre-school registration for Ella...

These are all indications Summer is quickly unraveling before my eyes.
These things are also reminders each of my children are growing up...
(without my permission by the way)
and the realization there's nothing I can do about any of it is sinking in...again.

I find myself in this position every year...
suddenly frantic over Summer coming to an end.
I inventory the Summer...
thinking about things I WISH we had done...
and reminding myself of the fun things we were able to do.

And THEN...
most importantly...
figuring out the exact number of days...weekends...
I have left to squeeze in some more memories!!

With all of this on my mind...
I realized the other day I haven't enjoyed one glass of lemonade yet this Summer.
How could I possibly let the Summer go by without sipping on some fresh lemonade?
It's high time I make the time to make a fresh pitcher for myself and my family!
Here are some fun variations I found to inspire me to do it...












I hope you'll join me and whip up a pitcher of Lemonade (or even just a glass)
before Summer is officially over.

Pin your favorite for the next celebration you have coming up!
Or how about creating a "Lemonade Bar" - allowing guests to infuse their own lemonade
with whatever they choose.

I'm not sure how potent the results would be without the opportunity to chill/meld for a bit first?
It's a cute, creative idea though?

KEEPiNG iT REAL
An awful cold kicked my butt last week.
I battled a high fever for days in a row with flu-like symptoms.
I've still got some congestion and a cough I'm dealing with
but at least the fog has lifted.
I'm so grateful.

Something dawned on me today...
this is my very last Summer with Clara before she graduates High School.
I cannot believe I'm even saying that.
When I realized that this morning, I was in tears.
Why didn't this sink in until now?
Am I in denial?
I've got a pit in my stomach over it.

4 comments:

vicki said...

Jessica we've known each other for a long time...As I read your blog post today I saw myself in it. I was thinking tonight about years ago when all I wanted out of life was to be married and have children! I would think about the summers, pool parties, vacations and just being a Mom! Meetings, school clothes, winter coats and ice skating lessons. All the things that go into a family! I was with J, Ella, Mike, Maxwell and Savannah over the weekend. I listened to the guys talk and watched the kids play. Where do I fit in now? What is my role? I have beautiful grandchildren and I'm their Nana but it's different now. Sometimes I feel like I'm the kid with my adult children, do you know what I mean? So a few weeks ago I went back home to Peoria. I spent a few days with my friends, a pretty good size group of us that have remained friends, some since we were 5 years old and some since high school. It was refreshing to find out that we are all in the same boat. We've been through happy times and difficult times and through it all we remain friends. We are supporting one who has just finished chemo and still mourn the loss of our dear friend Sue who passed away over two years ago. Time marches on and old friends remain and our children grow up and change. I know I spend way to much time holding on to the past but this year I will learn to cherish the memories and try to move on. The injury of my niece Shannan has taught me a lot about life. I will visit with her this weekend. I just wanted to share with you...

Pen + Paper Flowers said...

Oh Vicki!! I love you to pieces girl! I was thinking a lot about you after J visited with Maxwell and the kids over the weekend. I know you do so much for and with your grandchildren and I hope to be 1/2 the grandma you are to my own grandkids one day. I think it's important to always remember who YOU are. (meaning all of us as women). It's so easy to get caught up in what comes natural to us - caring for others and putting them before our own needs. However, there needs to be a healthy balance between remembering who you are as an individual and the woman you want to be to your children/family. Which is the struggle we all face on a daily basis. I'm so glad to have your friendship and support. Your family is lucky to have you!

B @ The Sequin Notebook said...

Yum, these all look so refreshing! I'm hosting a barbecue this weekend and will need to test out the Strawberry Lemonade Spritzer on the menu. Thanks for sharing!

Pen + Paper Flowers said...

Hi B - I'm wondering if you tried out the Strawberry Lemonade Spritzer for the barbecue you were hosting? Would love to know your results!!

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