Love, Laughter & Lemonade
Because life is sweeter with friends.
Summer officially begins on June 21, but it feels like it’s already here. Just last weekend, I noticed that the sun got up a little earlier and was peeking through my blinds to see if I was awake. It wasn’t quite 5:30am when the birds chimed in with their singing, as my window was open, due to the particularly warm night. Did I mention this was a holiday weekend and I was looking forward to sleeping in a little bit longer than normal! I guess nobody told the birds that. Unlike my alarm clock, I can’t hit the snooze button on the birds! Nor would I want to…they’re just so delightful with their chirping that they put a smile on my face every time. Have you ever noticed that they don’t need coffee to wake up! Nope, they wake up tweeting.
I love summer for those reasons! With a few exceptions, such as those nights when I got to bed too late, I really do enjoy waking up super-duper early (yes, you read that correctly). I adore hearing the birds sing in the morning – happy to start the day. I love the warm temperatures and relish the long sunny days. And when those warm summer days hit, it’s nice to sit outside on the patio (or porch) and enjoy a refreshing glass of ice cold lemonade. It’s even sweeter when you share it with friends. So pick some lemons (and some friends) and share some love, laughter and lemonade. Because life is so much sweeter when friends are around!
Fresh lemonade is simple to make and only requires a few ingredients. You can even get creative and make flavored lemonade, such as raspberry, blackberry, or even strawberry-basil lemonade. Lavender lemonade is absolutely delicious – if done right. I first tried it at the Ali`i Kula Lavender Farm while vacationing in Hawaii several years ago. It was so good and refreshing, it hit the spot. Doesn’t everything taste better in Hawaii? I think so.
If you’re short on time, store-bought lemonade can be very convenient and just as tasty. You can even use it for your “lemonade base” and add flavors to create a semi-homemade version. Whatever your preference, serve your lemonade in a beautiful pitcher and garnish it with some lemon slices or fresh fruit. Then place it on a serving tray with some glasses for easy portability. I snipped a pretty succulent from the yard and placed it in a cute orange container for a pop of color.
Decorative throw pillows are a great way to spruce up your outdoor furniture. Those with cute sayings on them can be quite amusing and fun conversational pieces. These simple, yet classy throw pillows are from @Kirklands and they really tie in nicely with the Love, Laughter & Lemonade theme. The galvanized tray, yellow plates and cute “happiness” sign are also from @Kirklands.
Depending on where you live, having a few throw blankets nearby can be a real blessing. If there’s a cool breeze or the temperatures suddenly drop, you’ve got your friends covered (pun intended)!
Oh, and while you’re serving your lemonade, don’t forget the sweets…
SWEET friends ♥ SWEET conversations ♥ SWEET cookies ♥ and a good ole′ SWEET time!
© By Sheri Lamas
