Creamy Lemonade Popsicles

With the cooler temps and the constant rain, it sure isn’t feeling like summer around here. We are taking advantage of every sunny day that comes our way, though, and heading outside to play as often as we can!

I know the time is coming, soon, where I’ll have to drag my kids in from playing simply to grab a snack or eat something. The sweltering Kansas heat will be beating down on us and we will want and need a cool dessert to cool us off! If I’m complaining about the heat come July, remind me of how much I moaned and groaned about the cold temps in May and June, ok?…

Read More

The post Sweet and Creamy Lemonade Popsicles appeared first on Dine and Dish.

This giveaway is now closed. The winner, chosen via Random.org, was Lillian from My Recipe Journey. Congrats and thanks to all who entered!

Fresh squeezed lemonade is a definite spring and summertime staple around our house.

Have you ever made freshly squeezed lemonade? It’s really a lot easier than you’d think! Now, don’t go and use bottled lemon juice if you decide to make homemade lemonade. That’s good in some instances, but unless you want skunky tasting lemonade, stick with juice from lemons you squeeze yourself. It makes a big difference, trust me!

My friends at Overstock.com sent me a stylish beverage dispenser a few days ago so our summer lemonade could be easily poured and shared all summer long! As a part of their celebrate mom sweepstakes happening this week, where they are giving away several fantastic prizes on their facebook page, they wanted to give you all the chance to win a beverage dispenser of your own as well. Whether you serve your favorite sweet tea, flavored lemonade, or even your most loved cocktail punch, you’ll appreciate the ease and functionality this beverage dispenser gives you and your guests when you entertain.

Overstock.com Beverage Dispenser Giveaway Details

To enter the giveaway, simply leave a comment on this post telling me what your favorite summer drink is.

• For additional entries, become a fan of Overstock.com on Facebook. Leave a separate comment on this post once you’ve completed this.
• Share this post through one or more of your favorite social media outlets (Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, etc). Leave a separate comment on this post once you’ve completed this.

All comments must be received by midnight CST on Friday, May 18th 2012. Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via valid email address.

Print

Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

There is nothing quite like fresh, squeezed lemonade on a hot, summer day!

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup boiling water
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon rind
• 1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice 8 large lemons
• 5 cups water

Instructions

• Stir together sugar and 1/2 cup boiling water until sugar dissolves.
• Stir in lemon rind, lemon juice, and 5 cups water.
• Chill. Serve over ice.

Notes

Recipe Source: Southern Living Magazine Summer 1999

This is a sponsored post on behalf of Overstock.com. All opinions expressed are my own.

The post Fresh Squeezed Lemonade {Giveaway: Overstock Stylesetter Beverage Dispenser} CLOSED appeared first on Dine and Dish.

Strawberry Lemonade Spritzer

I consider myself very lucky to have a mom who I can also call my best friend. I love many things about my mom, but I’ve managed to sum up a few of my favorite things about her that make me smile.

1. It’s the thought that counts. My mom isn’t a big card sender and coincidentally, neither am I. When I was growing up my mom and I would be in a department store and I’d hear her calling my name.. “Kristen, come here!” I’d walk over and she’d have a card in her hand and would say “Now, if I were the card buying type, this is the card I’d give you for your birthday.” Although she didn’t buy the card, she thought of me when reading a card and in my opinion, that was good enough. I have so many great memories of my mom and I, standing in the card aisle, laughing and crying over cards we would give each other if we were the card buying type.
2. Never underestimate the power of Midol. No matter what, when I call my mom and am being overly emotional or unreasonable about something, she’ll say “Honey… what time of the month is it?” I usually am annoyed and dismiss her thoughts that everything irrational in my life is PMS. Then, sure enough, a couple days later she is proven right.
3. Choose your friends wisely. One thing my mom drilled through my head growing up was to choose my friends wisely.  She would often remind me the people I associated myself with determined what other people might think of me. I now spend a lot of time teaching this life lesson to my kids and have to remind myself of this lesson often as an adult. Choose your friends wisely as they are a huge part of shaping who you are and who you become.
4. Be spontaneous. When I was a senior in high school, in the dead of winter, I woke up to this note on the kitchen table “Went to find the sun… be back on Sunday”. My parents were tired of the winter and decided that instead of complaining about it, they would do something about it. They packed up their Mustang convertible and headed south in search of warmth.  My mom has always had a bone of spontaneity about her and I admire that so much. It’s hard with younger kids, but I can’t wait until I can take after my parents when it comes to being spontaneous.
5. Sing like no one is watching. I can’t hear the song “How Great Thou Art” without thinking of my mom. When that song is played, I am immediately taken back to Sunday morning in church and my mom’s beautiful voice booming over the entire congregation. When you are moved by a song, you’ve got to sing it and sing it loud… like no one else is around.

I could go on and on, but I’ll save the rest for another day. Mom – if I were the card buying type, my card would say something like “Thank you for being my mom… in good times and bad, I know I can always turn to you for love, advice and support. I admire you, treasure you and love you.”

This recipe for Strawberry Lemonade Sprtizer is something I’d love to share with my mom today. She loves lemons and can eat strawberries again after a long respite. Cheers to you, mom, and all the other mamas out there doing the most difficult job in the world. I’ll add a little spike of vodka for those of you who have toddlers or teenagers. You deserve it!

The adorable straws in these photos are from one of my favorite sponsors, Hey Yo Yo on Etsy. Make sure to check out their store for festive paper straws, cupcake liners nut cups and more.

Strawberry Lemonade Spritzer from Delish

Print

Strawberry Lemonade Spritzer

Author Dine & Dish

Ingredients

• 3 cups strawberries hulled
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 8 cups prepared lemonade I used Country Time, but fresh or frozen will do as well
• Club Soda
• In a food processor combine strawberries & sugar. Puree until smooth.
• Add lemonade and mix. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
• Right before serving combine lemonade & club soda (2 parts lemonade and 1 part club soda)

Instructions

• cups strawberries, hulled
• Tbsp sugar
• cups prepared lemonade (I used Country Time, but fresh or frozen will do as well)
• Club Soda
• In a food processor, combine strawberries & sugar. Puree until smooth.
• Add lemonade and mix. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
• Right before serving, combine lemonade & club soda (2 parts lemonade and 1 part club soda)

The post 5 Things I Love About My Mom {Recipe: Strawberry Lemonade Spritzer} appeared first on Dine and Dish.