When Life Gives You Homegrown Lemons
When life gives you homegrown lemons, you make homemade lemon bars! 🍋💛
One of my favorite memories during quarantine was when my neighbor would stop by my door to drop off something sweet she baked for me. Side note: she makes the most AMAZING banana bread and chocolate chip cookies. It was such a small gesture that showed me that during a time with so many unknowns, there was someone close by who was checking in on me.
Additionally, during quarantine, I challenged myself to get better at cooking and baking. One of the things I learned to make was these homemade lemon bars using the lemons from my homegrown lemon tree. It took over a year for those lemons on my tree to grow into something I could use, and sometimes, I wondered if they were ever going to grow into anything.
Funny, how life works like that too. Sometimes, it feels like you have to wait for what seems like a very long time before something you've been waiting for to grow ever turns into anything tangible, but after the seemingly long wait, you realize those lemons were the sweetest, juiciest lemons you've ever had.
The best part about making the lemon bars was sharing them with my same neighbor and my roommate - I find something so joyous about making something sweet for someone else to enjoy.
There are so many little things we can do for each other to show our appreciation. So here's a reminder to enjoy the simple things and share it with those around you. I probably have to wait another year for the next round of lemons on my tree, but so many more look like they are about to grow in place of the others. So, I can be patient now in knowing what's to come.
As the world returns to what it once was, let's remember to take the lessons we learned with us. Some things I am very happy to leave in the quarantine days, other things I am very happy to take with me - like this homemade lemon bar recipe and the sweet memories of connection + the lessons on patience that they brought.
RECIPE: https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/lemon-bars-recipe/#tasty-recipes-67259
LEMON/CITRUS SQUEEZER: https://www.chefn.com/products/freshforce-citrus-juicer
INSTAGRAM POST: https://www.instagram.com/p/CNbVYexnKid/
- Cathleen
