New Year's Idea

You've heard the phrase that goes something like this: When life gives you lemons, turn them into lemonade.

I got to thinking how fresh-made lemonade would be a great drink for your New Year's Eve celebration. If you are spending the night on your own, contemplating, reading, drawing, dancing, singing, playing the canjo (not a typo) or whatever, or if you are with family and friends, squeeze the lemon and follow the simple recipe below.  As you raise your glass to 2016,  each or all resolve to make the best of any challenges the new year may present. Simple, easy, healthy, wholesome and safe!

                                    Lemonade by the Glass

2 tablespoons of sugar or 3 to 4 packs of stevia natural sweetener
1/4 cup hot water
2-3 tablespoons of fresh squeezed lemon juice
3/4 cup cold water

Mix the sugar or natural sweetener in 1/4 cup of water.  Microwave 30 seconds until hot and stir to dissolve sugar.  Add lemon juice and the rest of the cold water. Adjust sugar/lemon ratio to taste.  Serve with a couple of ice cubes.  Makes an 8 ounce glass.  To serve more folks, simply multiply each ingredient by the number of family members/ guests.  (This is also a good math activity for the kids.)

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Serving Makes the Difference- a Dessert

Rather than go out to a fancy dinner on our anniversary, I usually choose to make a semi-fancy meal at the house.  I'll set up a table in the living room or anywhere, other than the dining room.  It changes the mood from everyday to special.  Cover the table with a sheet, quilt, place mats, or tablecloth you rarely use, get out your best dishes and silver, a fancy serving tray or dish, cloth napkins,  and your grandmother's salt and pepper shakers.  Clip some greenery and a few flowers from your garden or your nice neighbor's, light an unscented candle (so the aroma is the food, not a candle scent), and turn on the music from your radio, TV, CD or phone. Try something romantic and slow for back ground atmosphere.  After dinner, dance to the wonderful lyrics from the Big Band era, something from Frank Sinatra always works.  In each other's arms, lean back and listen to the lyrics as they tell a story which will inspire you both or, if the words are sad, make you count your blessings.

 

As to the food, keep is simple and fun.  Make something in the slow cooker, so it's ready with no effort. It will give you both time to dress appropriately.  Whatever your lifestyle, the swirl of a skirt and the look of a tie add so much with so little effort.

 

And for dessert, I made these easy brownie, chocolate pudding (sugar-free), whipped topping (lite) and stemmed cherry delights. Yummy and the secret to special is to serve in a fancy stemmed glass.   In the photo below, I wasn't sure which order to layer the ingredients, so they would present best. I tried, from bottom to top, brownie pieces, whipped topping, pudding and cherry.  On the right, I had brownie pieces on the bottom, pudding topping and the cherry.  Decisions, decisions.  Which looks better?  I guess it really doesn't matter, because it sure tasted swell.



 

Oh, don't forget a selfie photo of the two of you and your dessert.  You can't have too many pictures.