This Will Make It All Better

This life-saving recipe and post are a result of a) the overwhelming heat and humidity of Oklahoma b) a giant container of cheese balls, gorged on and finished and c) 1/4 of a small watermelon that was a bit too grainy.

Aqua Fresca

3 - 4 cups fresh fruit, coarsely chopped
6 - 8 cups water
1/4 - 3/4 cups sugar
2 T - 1/4 cup lime juice (optional)

1. Add the fruit and 2 - 3 cups of water to the blender. Blend until smooth. Strain through a sieve/cheese cloth/thin dish towel (hey don't judge).
2. Add the rest of the water, paying attention to taste. Add sugar 1/4 cup at a time, paying attention to taste. Add lime juice if it seems a little boring. 

Serve chilled!

Note 1: This is not fruit juice. It's not supposed to have a really strong taste, think lemon water...
Note 2: Try this! It is very common in Mexico and more refreshing than soda or water.
Note 3: In Mexico this always seemed to be served in a huge glass/plastic barrel-looking container. Should you have a giant, empty cheese ball container this will also work.

Options:

• Agua de Sandia - watermelon (my favorite)
• Agua de Melo - cantaloupe or other melon (way better than you're expecting)
• Aqua de Fresa - strawberry
• Aqua de Papaya - papaya (add lime to this one)
• Aqua Fresca de Pepino - cucumber (peel and seed and use lime)

You're Welcome!

Two Things I Am Not Good At

Lately I've been trying to remind myself that I don't have to be good at everything. I need to focus on my strengths and slowly work on my weaknesses as I can but really try not to let the weaknesses overwhelm me. So here goes...here are two things I am not good at:

1. Ice cube trays. I cannot seem to work an ice cube tray. There are always 1 - 2 ice cubes that won't come out or come out broken. And that's when I remember to fill the tray up. I never put it back in empty but putting it back with 1 cube is not unusual and then I'm super irritated that I don't have more ice the next time. 
2. Raking. I honestly don't understand what muscles raking uses and why I obviously don't use them in ANY other chore or daily activity. How can they be so unused?!? I can push mow my very large back yard and it's a workout but I cannot seem to rake for more than 5 minutes (ok closer to 3).

There you go. Feel free to feel superior if you are an expert at one of the above...or share one of your weaknesses. Or don't, if you have trouble commenting on people's blogs...