By Jodi Coffee
It’s Fall, y’all! Well, at least that’s what the calendar is telling us. The temperatures here in Southwest Arkansas have yet to fully give way to the cool days of Fall. We have been teased with a few drops into the 50’s and 60’s and then back up again in the high 80’s and low 90’s. It does wonders for one’s sinuses and can make a mama go mad when trying to pack for a weekend with three littles. Packing enough clothes to cover a range of temperatures TIMES THREE has likened our crew to that of the Beverly Hillbillies…and I have an oversized vehicle!
As I was saying…
My garden is in an in-between phase as well. My summer veggies are tuckering out and my newly planted cold crops are taking their sweet little time. It’s hard to go from eating from the garden every day to “watching the kettle boil”… a mistake I hope to avoid next season.
One reliable source is my herb garden. I LOVE herbs. I love them for many different reasons, but one that tops the list is the fact that they are fairly low maintenance. I keep most of my herbs in pots. It helps to keep them contained (to an extent) and they each hang out in their own space.
In a time when it’s officially one season and feels like another, I tend to stick with food and drink that pair with the temperature. The fashion world doesn’t seem to be this tolerant). I can’t eat chili or drink hot chocolate when it’s 85 degrees out. Just. Not. Right. SO, fortunately, there are ways to eat fresh and roll with Mother Nature.
I am constantly trying to come up with ways to use the fruits of my labor. Literally. As in, the stuff from my garden. During this ‘tween phase, a nice cucumber-basil lemonade is the perfect way to celebrate the phasing out of summer and the welcoming of Fall. It’s simplistic yet divine. It’s refreshing and fabulous all in one. And speaking of ONE, this recipe is for ONE. My kiddos turn their noses up at my herbal concoctions (in actuality they pinch their little noses…they’re not fond of the smell), SO this is something I enjoy solo. Being SOLO and having the time to sip on some lemonade is a rare occasion. When I am able, I treat this mama right!
I go out and grab a few stems of basil from my herb garden. I suggest placing them immediately in a mason jar or vase of water as the leaves will brown quickly. Take one or two lemons (depending on size) and juice the fire out of ‘em. I mean juice the JUICE out of them! Add your basil and cucumber and get to muddling.
Since I don’t own a muddler, I used the end of one of my nifty handmade spoons made by my Dad. This can be rather therapeutic. (Especially if the dogs just tracked in grass on a freshly mopped floor…hypothetically speaking and all.) Add the sweetener (I used Stevia) and water. Stir and let the flavors hang out for 10-15 minutes.
This may be a good time to go and start some laundry or move the clothes over to the dryer. Or, you could flip through your favorite magazine. But, you may want to save that until you have your drink in hand. When the time is right, transfer ingredients to a mason jar filled with ice. And YES, I do recommend a mason jar. It makes it that much better.
Garnish with cucumber slices and basil. Walk around, enjoy the weather. Take it poolside. Oh no! No glass poolside! (Rules are made to be broken, and besides – you’re home alone. The kids will never know.) Check out the garden. It will help you cope with those oh-so-slow sprouts.
And there you have it. Simplicity at it’s best!
But, just in case, here is the printable recipe just for YOU.
- 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 1/4 cup chopped cucumber
- 4-5 fresh basil leaves
- 3/4 teaspoon stevia (2 packets) OR 1 1/2 tablespoon extra fine sugar
- 3/4 cup cold filtered water
- Combine lemon juice, chopped cucumber, and basil leaves in measuring cup
- Mix and muddle ingredients for 1-2 minutes
- Add stevia OR sugar
- Add water
- Stir to combine
- Let flavors meld for 10-15 minutes
- Enjoy!
- *Tip: this recipe may be doubled to amount needed if you feel inclined to invite someone to join you.
Jodi Coffee, who blogs at The Coffee House Life, is the mom of three beautiful and energetic little girls that ALWAYS give her something to blog about. She loves to try new things — food, travel and adventure. In her spare time…wait a minute. What is that? She enjoys training for triathlons, and has her sights set on an IRONMAN in the near future. She is a backyard farmer, a farmers’ market manager and enjoys helping bring healthy opportunities to her community.