Blog Update!
For those of you not following me on Facebook, as of the Summer of 2019 I've moved to Central WA, to a tiny mountain town of less than 1,000 people.

I will be covering my exploits here in the Cascades, as I try to further reduce my impact on the environment. With the same attitude, just at a higher altitude!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Lavender honey lemonade

Giant Pacific OctopusWe spent last weekend toodling around Poulsbo on the Kitsap Peninsula, just a short ferry ride from Seattle. We started out at the Poulsbo Marine Science Center and checked out their great touch tank and this amazing Giant Pacific Octopus.

It was the most active octopuddy I've ever seen in captivity. Usually they are just hiding in the rocks, but this two-year-old was pissed off (he was going to be released into the bay this week) and chasing after crabs and generally tormenting them. I can see why he was ornery, the tank was pretty small for him so I was happy to hear he would be released. But, also extremely glad I had the chance to watch him up close and personal.

Liberty Bay BoardwalkNext up was some pastries at Sluys Bakery and, after checking into our accommodations, a stroll down the boardwalk, stopping to check out some kids fishing off the side. The water was a few feet deep under the boardwalk and we were amazed to see how far out the tide was the following afternoon.

Kitsap Memorial ParkOn Sunday we hung out at a local beach on Hood Canal, enjoying some low tide action followed by a quick stop in Port Gamble to visit the "largest private shell collection in the U.S.". And eat some saltwater taffy.

During one of our stops, at the Poulsbohemian Coffeehouse, I had this great Lavender Honey Lemonade. Not wanting to reinvent the wheel, I found a recipe for lavender lemonade from a local lavender farm and tweaked it to recreate what I had over the weekend:

Henry and Emma - PoulsboIn sum, a great time was had by all!

Lavender Honey Lemonade

1 cup honey
1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender (or 1/4 cup fresh lavender blossoms)
1 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice, strained
Ice cubes
Lavender sprigs for garnish

Combine honey with 2 1/2 cups water in a medium pan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring to dissolve the honey.

Add the lavender to the honey water, cover, and remove from heat. Let stand at least 20 minutes (and up to several hours).

Strain mixture and discard lavender. Pour infusion into a glass pitcher. Add lemon juice and another 2 1/2 cups cold water. Stir well.

Pour into tall glasses half-filled with ice or refrigerate until ready to use.

9 comments:

knutty knitter said...

Thats a yummy idea for next Summer :) Its mostly ice and frost round here just now.

viv in nz

mudnessa said...

I have been making some lavender lemonade recently. I think I will use honey to sweeten it instead of sugar next time. Too bad I just finished my lemonade and my lemons, off to the store I shall go.

Lisa Nelsen-Woods said...

My lavendar is about to bloom and I'm looking for food recipies since I'm all sacheted and moth free courtesy of last year's blooms. I also have some honey that's starting to turn to surgar that I need to use up. You solved both my problems! In the words of David Cassidy, "I think I love you."

The Hipster Homegirl said...

FF...octopus are the most intelligent invertebrate. (I think that's the first time I have used my marine biology degree in the six years since receiving it.)

Green Fundraising Ideas said...

Sounds delicious! Gonna give this one a try!

Robj98168 said...

Glad to see it wasn't a recipe for Octi-ade. Sounds good.

kathy said...

This sounds so good. Now that we have bees I am going to be ont he lookout for recipe that use honey. Do you mind if I reprint this over at www.justincasebook.net? I am wondering if you could add some yeast, bottle it and let it set for a few days for soda?

Greenjoycie said...

CC, I would love to go to Poulsbohemian Coffeehouse. It sounds like my kind of place. And I will try the lavender lemonade. I have been hooked on lavender tea since getting some when visiting NYC. I love your blog (s). You're a talented lady.

Sam said...

I made this for a picnic with my bike group and it was a hit! So thanks for the recipe