I got the most lovely surprise in the mail a few weeks ago: LEMONS! Friend & fellow blogger, Padgett sent me a bunch of meyer lemons from her parent's house in San Diego. Lemme tell you, fresh-picked lemons are WORLDS better than the kind you buy at the store. I'm sort of a lemon snob. It was such a sweet & welcome surprise to get a bundle of sweet lemons at my door! I just finished off the rest of them this afternoon when I made a fresh lemon strawberry granita. After trying out Smitten Kitchen's lemon mint granita a few years ago,  smoothie-style granitas are one of my most favorite summer treats. So refreshing & so delicious. My take on the granita is more of a smoothie & less of a snow cone - mostly because I lack the patience to put the smoothied yumminess back in the freezer to let it set. My version: Strawberry Lemon Granita

• 1/4 cup simple syrup*
• 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1 pint fresh or frozen strawberries
• ice cubes (or water)

Make the simple syrup. Add syrup, lemon juice & strawberries into blender & blend. Add ice cubes or cold water (depending on consistency) to taste. I usually add a handful or two of ice cubes. To make simple syrup: pour 1 part sugar, 1 part water into a saucepan & heat until it starts to boil. Make sure all sugar is incorporated. No need to cool the mixture before adding it into the granita. The ice & frozen strawberries cool it down just fine. Thanks again, Padgett, for the delicious lemons!!