Lemonade

What is more refreshing and thirst quenching than sipping lemonade in the sweet, Spring sunshine, or the almost blazing Summer heat? This is quick and easy, and if frozen, makes the perfect ice-lollies for Summer :)

On hot days my mom makes this for the family, and it often doesn't even last the afternoon! It is as simple as squeezing lemons, finely grating some fresh ginger, drizzling in some honey, slices of cucumber optional and tossing a handful of mint leaves from your garden into a jug with ice cubes and water. Make it taste to your own desire - strong, sweet, just a hint of lemon... And make your ice cubes even more amazing by freezing them with slices of lemon, lime and a sprig of mint, that way the flavour does not felt away. Enjoy!

A weekend with you

My weekend spent with Ray by my side meant: sitting in the glorious sunshine eating ice-cream, dreaming about Summer and lazy days spent at the beach, early mornings at church, in awe of God's indescribable forgiveness, working across from each other, you distracting me, tickling my feet, discussing your assignments with me, fascinated and amazed by who you have become, naps on the couch, baking lemon poppy seed cake, driving with the windows wide open, warm breezes filtering through, trying not to stress for my tests, dancing to Matthew Mole, family Sunday lunch spent under the blazing sun, wearing flip flops, laughing while the ice cubes in our glasses melt, discussing wedding plans,  playing with the dog, prayers for strength and focus, making plans, counting the days till graduation... busy times lie ahead, the end of the year, with all its challenges and adventures, rushing upon us whether we are ready or not, wondering if we will make it, but depending not on ourselves... 

Lemon poppy seed loaf

This in an old family favourtite. I remember my mother making this for us on sunny Sunday afternoons, using the lemons grown from my grandfather's lemon tree. And my older sister making it for us as we eagerly waited, listening to the rain against the windows, crowded around her in the warm kitchen. Now the kitchen smells fresh and lovely, sticky and sweet, cozy and content, as R lovingly makes it for us to devour... Lemon poppy seed loaf. And we never need a reason to make this delicious treat :)

What you need:

• 1/3 cup melted butter
• 1 cup of white sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 cups of sifted white flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• 1/2 cup of milk
• The rind of 2 lemons
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup of poppy seeds

Lemon pour:

• At least 1/2 cup of lemon juice (or 2-4 fresh lemons squeezed)
• And 1/2 - 1 cup of white sugar
• Mix together and allow to dissolve (you can add the sugar slowly as you stir, but it is perfectly alright if the sugar doesn't fully dissolve - ours doesn't!)

What you do:

1. Preheat the oven to 160-180 C (or 325-350 F). 
2. In a large bowl mix the melted butter and sugar together.
3. Beat the eggs into the butter/sugar mixture.
4. Add the sifter flour, baking powder and salt slowly, adding the milk in between and the essence in finally.
5. Add the grated lemon rind and poppy seeds, and beat the mixture just enough to blend.
6. Pour the batter into a grease dish (loaf tin, glass dish, cake ring, muffin tray) and bake for 45-55 minutes. 
7. Cool for 10 minutes.
8. Pour the lemon/sugar syrup over the baked loaf (we usually poke little holes everywhere with a toothpick to help the syrup to soak in) and allow it to soak into the cake (anything from 10-30 minutes).
9. Ideally you should store, foil wrapped, for 1 day before slicing and serving - to enjoy the full flavours, but if you are anything like me, we still eat it while it is warm (although I will admit that having a slice in the morning with a cup of tea is pure magic too!)
10. Last quick tip: we love to mix a little lemon juice with some icing sugar and drizzle it across the loaf - yummy!

Happy baking :)