Almanac Adventure: August “Gourmet Lemonade Stand”

At Atlas Church here in Colorado a school supply drive was going on. There is a huge population of refugees from several different countries that come to Greeley looking for work and often they arrive in emergency mode, still learning the ropes of the new culture.

So Giants & Pilgrims decided to do a creative fundraiser we thought would be easy, involve our daughter Lucy who loves to play chef, and really fun on a hot August afternoon. We made a Gourmet Lemonade Stand!

Betony Coons is a foodie. And when she uses this power for good she is unstoppable. She first created infusions in the morning with Lucy and Hattie’s help- lavender, basil, lemon balm, and mint . Next some fruit puree’s were made- Strawberry, Watermelon, and blueberry. Lastly fresh lemons were crushed with copious amounts of sugar, but no water was added. This was a lemonade concentrate.

And this, my friends, is how the world is changed through the pallet. Gourmet lemonade was born.

For a few hours on a Friday afternoon we set up shop in our front yard. People came! Neighbors, Facebook invites, passers-by all experienced some goodness.

First we (Lucy, who’s 4, and whoever was helping) would make a base of club soda and lemonade concentrate, then the customer would choose what fruit puree and infusion they’d like. Some big hits? Watermelon/Mint Sparkling Lemonade. Blueberry/Lavender Sparkling Lemonade. Strawberry/Basil Sparkling Lemonade (who knew!?).

Below are pictures from our afternoon. And some recipes!

Many thanks to everyone who came by. We raised over a hundred dollars for the school supply drive! All in a couple hours doing something fun and loving!