May Flowers...

      ...May, glorious May, with all its flowers and bursting leafing of all the trees, and wonderful greening of all things grass.  It has finally gotten warm enough to open the windows to let in the heavenly perfume of the neighbor's lilacs.  All the gardens are coming alive.  Tulips are virtually exploding across the Barberton landscape.  Like a magician's trick, the flowers are appearing so fast that one can practically hear an accompanying sound of "sproing!" with each flower.
    Another explosion is that of the bumper crop of dandelion blossoms everywhere.  I am convinced that in the event of an apocalyptic end to civilization as we know it, the only thins that will survive are cockroaches and dandelions.  At least dandelions are nutritious.   My great grandmother used t make a delightful summer wine from dandelion blossoms.  The leaves can be cooked like collard greens to give a boost to ones iron levels, after an anemic winter of less than fresh vegetables.  The roots can be toasted, and ground up to use as a medicinal tea.  Although, I will warn you that it tastes like a dirty old weed.  Use a ton of honey with that tea! 
        Cherry Blossom Festival time is a sign that summer is on its way with all its festivals.  Once again Barberton shows how magical it can be with all the breathtaking blossoming trees all over town.  the flowering cherry blossom trees look like ladies dancing at a cotillion as the circle Lake Anna. All the beautiful spring sights and glorious aromas of fragrant blossoms everywhere helps to kick me into gardening mode. Let the herbal life begin!  As the temperatures have jumped from chilly 50's to sweltering mid-80's, my thoughts turned to making honey sweetened rosemary lemonade. 
       The smell of my neighbor's lilacs caries me back t my great grandmother's old home.   The fragrance wafted into the kitchen, then filled the whole house.  Great Grandma used to create her own lilac water from the flowers from her huge bush growing up the side of her house. I far prefer the old-fashioned floral scents t the synthetic perfumes of today's department stores.  The old floral scents speak of slower, more genteel times when one actually had time to stop and smell the roses, or in this case, the lilacs.  With those wonderful heady scents comes the added delight of sweet memories.  Scent can transport one through time more effectively than an device from Star Trek.  Nobody beam me up, thank you!  I am happy right here smelling the lilacs and tasting rosemary honey lemonade.
                                                                                                                  
                             Honey Rosemary Lemonade                                  
           I use lemon juice concentrate when I don't have fresh lemon  juice to use.  Three cups of water to one cup of lemon juice.  As I heat he lemonade I begin to add the raw honey. Stir the honey in as the liquid heats up.  Add the honey to your personal taste preference.  Once the honey is dissolved, into the lemonade, add two or three sprigs of fresh rosemary. Take the lemonade off the burner and cover the lemonade in order to allow the rosemary to steep for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Stir after 5 minutes just to help incorporate the rosemary throughout the lemonade.  Allow the mixture to cool then pour over ice and serve.  I often make this beverage in the microwave. It works just as well.  Be sure to remove the rosemary sprigs before serving.