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Mimosa
Popsicles
During my early childhood, we lived in a
neighborhood overflowing with children. Our
mothers were young and busy with babies and
housework. We were full of spirit,
imagination, and some mischief.
When we were thirsty, nothing did us
better than to drink straight from the water
hose – and then to stomp a mud hole right
where the water flowed into a low spot on the
lawn. When we wanted a snack, a small plum
orchard full of little green and pink plums
provided. The impending tummy-ache never
crossed our minds. There’s nothing like a
tart, little, sun-warmed plum fresh from the
tree, with the yellow jackets buzzing about.
Barefooted, wearing as little as we
could get away with, we’d pick crawfish out
of the creek that flowed along the sloping
meadow behind our house. We’d bring them
with fresh wild flowers, to our mothers, as a
“gift.” The thought of going inside never
occurred to us. There were no video games and
our TVs offered only Saturday morning
cartoons.
When we were “tired out,” most of
the children would gather at our house. In our
back yard, overlooking the meadow and colorful
sunsets, was a place to rest.
Its branches were strong and the bark
was tough. The old tree had grown like an
open, but relaxed hand. The thickest part of
the truck went up only one or two feet,
allowing little ones to easily climb up into
the crook from where its long, thick branches
reached out at an easy angle, up to the sky.
We spent many a summer evening, with warm
breezes and the sweet smell of the Mimosa
blossoms drifting through our hair.
That tree and all of the other great,
big Mimosas that were around when I was little
are gone. A botanical disease took hold of the
Mimosas in the South in the 1960’s. But if
you look closely, you can see small ones on
their way up, here and there. I hope, before I
pass away, to see one as grand as our giant
friend by the meadow.
In the meantime, here’s a recipe for
a great summer treat that Mama used to serve
the kids. We’d come running from every
corner of the neighborhood for them!
Mimosa
Popsicles
Mama
used her Tupperware popsicle kit to make
these. They were rounded on top and sat in a
tray with a perforated, plastic “stick”
frozen in the middle. She didn’t always
layer them, but I do!
1
packet unsweetened lemon Kool-Aid mix
1
packet unsweetened strawberry Kool-Aid mix
1
packet unsweetened black cherry Kool-Aid mix
granulated
sugar water
popsicle-making
containers OR ice cube trays and lollipop
sticks
Mix the Kool-Aid according to package
directions, using only HALF the amount of
water called for. Pour the popsicle containers
or trays 1/3 full of lemon Kool-Aid. Freeze
until mostly set. Repeat with the strawberry
Kool-Aid and then the black cherry, creating
the next two “layers” of Kool-Aid. Freeze
until entirely set. Serve out of doors on a
warm summer evening!
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