Peach Lemonade for the start of summer

Summer in Fairbanks has officially started, according to one of our local radio stations.  This particular radio station claims we have 98 days of summer, can you guess their call number?

On the first Friday of every month, Fairbanks businesses and art galleries open for the evening and showcase artists.  Many businesses open a part of their store to showcase an artist, like the glass shop or the wood stove place, many places have snacks and always lots of art.  It really encourages everyone to get out, mingle, see some friends and get around town.  Well, the first Friday of June was also the kick off to our 98 days of summer.  There were musicians everywhere and downtown was supposed to be a buzz of activity...I say "supposed to be" because it started raining about 5:00 and by 6:00 it was a downpour that lasted until about 9:00 that evening.  All the musicians had to move indoors, the radio event moved indoors, and the street vendors just went home.

My friend, Donna, plays in a steel drum band.  They were planning on playing at Golden Heart Plaza, but those drums fill up with water when it rains and it messes the sound all up, so they played in their practice room instead.  People came and went all evening, at one point there was a Conga Line (I thought Dave was going to get in a fight with the woman who kept trying to pull him into the dance, I think she thought he was good looking), and overall everyone enjoyed the music and the energy.

I sure hope that "first day of summer" was no indication of what our summer will be like.  We don't need another rainy, cold summer like last year, and our winter was a long and cold one.  We are ready for  a hot dry summer without smoke from forest fires and I know it is about to start (Yes, I do live in a fairytale land of my own, thank you).

By Sunday it was better.  The afternoon was clear and warm and the perfect day for some lemonade  I got out my summer glasses and we sat on the deck while Dave grilled dinner.  I hope we really do have 98 days of summer.

Peach Lemonade
from Cooking Light

• 4 cups water
• 2 cups coarsely chopped peaches
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 cup fresh lemon juice (about 6 lemons)
• 4 cups ice
• 1 lemon cut in slices for garnish
• 1 cup light rum 

Preparation

1. Combine the first 3 ingredients in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 3 minutes. Place peach mixture in a blender; let stand for 20 minutes. Remove center piece of blender lid (to allow steam to escape); secure blender lid on blender. Place a clean towel over opening in blender lid. Blend until smooth. Pour into a large bowl. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours.
2. Press peach mixture through a sieve over a bowl, reserving liquid; discard solids (I didn't do this, I just blended it thoroughly). Stir in lemon juice and rum. Place 1/2 cup ice in each of 8 glasses. Pour about 2/3 cup lemonade into each glass; garnish each glass with a lemon slice.

June 8, 2012     Daylight  21 hours,  18 minutes    74º Current Temp.