Homemade Fresh Lemonade

When I'm at the Iowa State Fair each year I HAVE to get a glass of fresh lemonade.  Well...My husband and I had family over for Memorial Day weekend and I made fresh lemonade.  It sure was good!  Everyone that tried it seemed to really like it!

 The recipe made half a gallon.

1 1/2 cups sugar

1/2 cup boiling water

1 tablespoon grated lemon rind <I grated one entire lemon rind and used all of the gratings>

1 1/2 cups fresh lemon juice which equals 8 large lemons

5 cups water

Stir together sugar and boiling water until sugar dissolved. Stir in lemon rind, lemon juice and water.  Chill. Enjoy the wonderful tasting lemonade!

Blueberry Jam

I came across a recipe of sugar cookies with jam a top of them.  Those of you who know me I never cook simply so instead of going to the store and buying blueberry jam, I decided to make my own blueberry jam.  This recipe fills about 4 one pint jars.

6 c. smashed blueberries (8-10 cups unsmashed)
6 c. sugar
1 lemon, zested and juiced
2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. nutmeg, grated
1 box (2 packets) liquid pectin

In large pot add smashed blueberries and sugar.  Bring to boil.  Add cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon zest and juice.  Continue to cook for 15 minutes, stirring constantly.  Add pectin and bring to roilling boil for full 5 minutes.  Turn off heat and fill jars.  Wipe rim and apply lid.  Process in water bath.