Today I have a special treat for you… a guest post by my friend Kristin of Kristin’s Veranda! I am excited to have her “chatting” with us today, and I am even more excited about a Blog Warming Party she is hosting on her blog(Vignettes) all next week! Without further ado, here is Kristin!
I was so tickled when Aliesha said she’d be a part of my “blog-warming” team! I’ve known her for many, many years, but we both entered the blog world unbeknownst to the other. Once my blog was up and running, several mutual friends said to me, “Your blog reminds me so much of Feathers in our Nest!” So through their comments, I found and reconnected with Aliesha!
Allow me to introduce myself: My name is Kristin, and I am a blogger of various and sundry interests (don’t you love that old phrase “various and sundry”?). Besides old phrases, I enjoy all things domestic, and have a special love for the art form of dance. I adore my husband, and am very passionate about friendships too. I am generally a very healthy eater, but could out eat any of you when it comes to Sloppy Joes or BBQ Sandwiches! So surmise of me what you will from those few choice facts, and let’s be friends, k?!
Today I’m here to share with you first and foremost about a little shindig going on at my place next week: A Blog-Warming Party! I hope you’ll come join in the fun…and invite your friends too! There will be some guest posters that I know you’ll love, prizes/giveaways EVERYDAY, and some fabulous announcements for the upcoming fall season. The celebration begins officially on Monday, but come on over early and introduce yourselves…I’d love to get to know you!
I did want to share one of my very favorite simple ideas with you today before I go: Infused Water, and since we’re in the dog days of summertime, an idea for jazzing up your lemonade too. Hope you enjoy!
Oh girls…if you’ve never tried this, you must! Fair warning: you may very well never go back to old fashioned lemonade again. Just make your batch of lemonade however you normally do, and before you cover the pitcher, throw in 4 or 5 thick orange slices and let them swim around and do their magical thing for several hours before you serve it. Oh taste of heavenly deliciousness!!! Pardon me – I need to go get some right now…
Now onto a healthier and more necessary beverage: water!
How many of you drink as much water as you should (5-8 glasses per day)? I know unless I’m exercising/working/playing hard, I don’t! I do enjoy water and drink it with my meals, but because it’s relatively uninteresting, I never crave it. – Enter: brilliant idea from Martha Stewart – “Infused Water”. I can’t tell you how much more enjoyable and refreshing and craveable this makes consuming your required amount each day! It’s also very high style if you’re hosting a brunch or spa party or something. All you do is decide which essence you’d like, put a few pieces in a glass pitcher, and fill with water. You can let it sit overnight in the fridge if you want it nice and strong by morning. – I love to just keep my pitcher out on the counter all day w/ ice in it on a trivet w/ a glass nearby, and I know that by the end of the day, my pitcher needs to be empty (which translates to 5-8 glasses consumed). You could do this at your work too – just keep it on your desk and know that by quitting time, you must be able to see the dry bottom of the barrel!
Here are some of my favorite infusions:
Pineapple: just keep the core after you’ve cut one up, and soak the whole core in your pitcher (as pictured to the left – no, it’s not a stick of butter! I know that’s what you were thinking)! You can also wash the rind really well, and soak a few pieces of that.
Lemon slices and mint
Lime slices and lemon balm
Cucumbers: yes, I know it sounds strange, but try it!
Berries: sliced to release the flavor
Oranges slices
Lemon slices and berries mixed
Mint leaves
This is such a simple, delicious idea, and I’ve been doing it for years. – I hope you give it a try!
Do you have a favorite infusion to share?
