This weekend, my husband’s family had a reunion.

It was in the country, where it’s hot. Sweltering, blistering, and humid.

You know the kind of hot, where in the movies the people are depicted as sexy as they walk around in the 100 degree weather as their bodies shine with a dew from their sweat. Beads of moisture delicately rest on their noses, and their hair seems like its wet from a shower, versus wet from the humidity.  And then to cool themselves off,  they walk around in their daisy dukes until they find a SouthernLiving front porch to sit on while they eat an orange popsicle? 

This weekend . . . .
It was that kind of hot.
Only there were no orange popsicles.
And I didn’t look sexy.

On the upside, we all got to dress alike, in purple shirts.

And the baby got to meet some people that scared the living daylights out of her.

The kids got to run, and play in the sweet country air, as they shoved their cousins out of the way for the grand prize of a brand spankin’ new bubble gun.

Crazy. Competitive. Crazy.

And we got to eat really good food, in amounts that should be unlawful.

The kids were happy.
The parents were happy.

Life was good.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

It’s not just hot in the country.
It’s hot in the suburbs too.

It’s like God is creating a perfect storm for me to go slushee crazy.
Slushees for breakfast.
Slushees for lunch.
Slushees for dinner.

I’m hot. And a little twisted. I’ll do it.

Plus, my inner connected spirit world self is whispering to me LOUDLY.
IT”S HOT. She says.

AND YOU’VE GOT BASIL RUNNING AMUCK IN YOUR GARDEN. She reminds.

And it’s strawberry season. For the love of all that is good and wonderful and lovely, make something wonderful! She nudges.

And,  YOUR KID, JUST SMEARED HER FACE WITH YOUR MOST EXPENSIVE TUBE OF LIPSTICK. She judges.

THIS is the perfect storm of slushee making. She explains.
You must make a Strawberry-Basil Lemonade Slush.
And all will be right in your world.

And so I did.

And she was right.

Strawberry-Basil Lemonade Slush

Ingredients:


10 Large Basil Leaves
1 cup water
1/2 cup lemon juice
1/2 cup sugar
4 cups ice
2 cups whole strawberries, stems removed


Directions:


1. Add basil leaves to blender. Pour in 1/2 cup of water. Blend until leaves are thoroughly minced and the water turns a shade of light green.
2. Add lemon juice and sugar, and blend for about one minute until the sugar is dissolved.
3. Add ice, remaining water, and strawberries. Blend on high until slushy. Pour into glasses to serve.