The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
7-2-2016 column
As the racks of small square bales of hay start to back up in the farm yard, I’m thankful the heat and humidity have given us a break as we start to stack hay in the hay mound. There is nothing like unloading hay bales. It is a time of discover and loss. You discover muscles you haven’t used since last summer and hopefully you lose some winter insulation stuck around your middle!
While an empty rack is backing away from the elevator and a full rack is waiting to be pulled into place, the stacking crew scampers out of the barn trying to find the coolest breeze to help brush away the hay dust collected on the back of their necks and under their sweat soaked t-shirts. They head straight for the water hydrant in the yard. It has the coolest and clearest water on the farm. Then it is back up in the barn for another load.
Once all the racks are unloaded, then everyone really wants something special to relax and recharge with. Nothing beats a tall glass of chocolate milk but sometimes you may be craving something else with a little more twang, like a Lemonade Shake-Up from the fair.
If I’m thinking ahead, I’ll make a strong pitcher of instant lemonade. I’ll usually put in a couple of extra scoops of mix and then pour into an ice cream pail and throw in the freezer. When it time to cool off the whole crew of thirsty kids, I’ll use the frozen lemonade as a very large ice cube in my big cooler and pour in regular lemonade. As the frozen block melts, it doesn’t dilute the lemonade and it will last through most of the day. Besides all the summer work, there are special family events to host and attend.
Here are some of my favorite party drinks/punches to serve at graduation parties, bridal showers or family reunions. They're easy to make and freeze for later.
1 lemon
½ c. sugar
Water
Ice cubes
Cut 1 lemon crosswise in half. Cut eat ½ into fourths. Place 4 chunks into a 14 or 16 oz glass. Crush lemon pieces well. Add 1 /4 c sugar. Add water to two-thirds of glass. Cover top of glass and shake vigorously. (we use large styro-glasses, 16 oz size on top) Add ice cubes.
Note: This recipe equals 2 drinks. This is an excellent money making beverage at a drink stand. Our 4-H club would do make these drinks at livestock shows.
3 c. rhubarb
3 c. water
½ c. sugar
6 oz can frozen lemonade or juice
Cook rhubarb and water until soft or “mushy”. Then drain and discard pulp. Add sugar and frozen lemonade to juice. Freeze. Scoop frozen slush into glasses and top with 7-Up.
6 c. water
4 c. sugar
12 oz frozen orange juice
12 oz can water
6 oz can frozen lemonade
6 oz can water
46 oz can pineapple juice
4 large bananas,`mashed
Boil water and sugar for 3 minutes. Cool. Add remaining ingredients. Freeze in ice cream pails. Pull out ahead of serving time to soften up a bit. Scoop slush into glasses. Top off with 7-Up or Ginger Ale.
2 pkg kool-aid
2 c. sugar
2 qts water
1 –46 oz can pineapple juice
1 pint sherbet
1 qt Ginger Ale
Use your imagination for flavors of Kool-aid and sherbet. Best wedding punch I’ve ever had.
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As their 4 children pursue dairy careers off the farm, Natalie and Mark are starting a new adventure of milking registered Holsteins just because they like good cows on their Minnesota farm. (Natalie grew up in Stronghurst, the daughter of Becky and the late Larry Dowell.)
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