Creating Memories With Simple Pleasures

Remember summers of the past, when the chores were done and there was time to sit on the porch and talk with friends? Remember when the homemade lemonade and iced tea were staples in the refrigerator? My prayer this summer is to take times for friendships, for conversations without rushing onto the next thing. Life is full, at times stressful, and so fast paced, that often times seasons come and seasons go, without our taking time to enjoy them. Today I am sharing a few of the light snacks that we enjoy in our home. Quick, easy to assemble, and low in calories. Yes, I prefer delicious homemade lemonade and mint tea but, I do not always have it on hand or want the calories that go with it. "Clear Choice" comes in many flavors, and has zero calories. I think it is a refreshing drink. I add slices of lemons, limes and oranges to add some pizazz when serving. If you want to take it up a notch, try taking a long stemmed, washed and dried pansey, and tucking the stem into the sliced cut lemon on the side of the glass. Pansies are edible, so it does not hurt to add them. I add pansies to desserts and drinks many times in the Spring of the year. Try it, you might like the look.

Recently, I was in the home of a good friend. She had a glass bowl of this combination sitting on the table in our afternoon visit. It was a new snack combination to me, but the sweet and salty taste was one I knew I would copy.

Mixing these two beverages together is another low calorie, refreshing drink that my family enjoys. An 8 oz. glass of the Welch's has only 50 calories. Since I use half and half of each beverage, that creates a summer drink with only 25-30 calories per glass. Snacking on the 100-calories packs of Ritz bits with cheese can't hurt either(unless of course, you consume 5 or 6 packs in one sitting). At one time I purchased a large pack of bambo skewers at the grocery store. I use them for many things, but this time I lined fresh blueberries on it and stuck it in the beverage glass. I try to keep ice cubes made with this Welch's drink, on hand in a tupperware container in my freezer.

Three friends leisurely enjoying a warm summer evening together. A good reminder to me to make time for friends and memories this summer. Time to sit on the porch or in the backyard, relax, share and enjoy life. It does not just happen most times...it needs to be planned.