Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy

In need of a quick pick-me-up? The answer could be Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy.  It’s amazing how adding a few lemons here and there can brighten up the place and leave you feeling just a little bit happier.  Maybe it’s because lemons are the color of sunshine, or maybe it’s because they’re chock full of Vitamin C and contain all sorts of health benefits.  What I know for certain is, lemons aren’t just good for consuming, they’re great for decorating…and they may even inspire you to paint.

With very little effort,  my kitchen went from ordinary to cheerful in just one afternoon. (Hence, the title, Easy Peasy Lemon Squeezy.) Most of the stuff you see in these pictures, I already had.  The inspiration to tie it all together came because we were out of milk and bread, and I had to make a run to the grocery store.  It’s pretty much the only place I’ve been during quarantine.  But this time, because I was so desperate for seeing things, other than food, I drove a little farther out of my way to Walmart.  That’s where I saw these cute plastic branches with mini lemons, and a kitchen towel that said “Squeeze the Day!”  It spoke to me.  In fact, I was so inspired, I raced back home and forgot the bread. 

The first thing I did when I got home was take down an apothecary jar filled with fake lemons that I had sitting up on a shelf in the dining room.  I bought the lemons and the fake artichokes at Goodwill years ago and that’s where they’ve been ever since. 

 I figured those fake lemons were enough to fill my two-tiered galvanized tray that lives on my kitchen counter.  That’s where I keep to-go coffee cups, tea bags, and honey.  I change it out every season.  This time, I took some fake eucalyptus and wrapped it inside each tier, then I added in the plastic lemons.

I then cut a piece of black & white buffalo check ribbon and tied a bow on top.  There’s just something about pairing bright yellow with black & white that is so perfect.

Satisfied with how that turned out, I then put the fake lemon branches I’d just bought in a bottle next to the kitchen sink, and placed the kitchen towel beside it.

I didn’t want to go overboard, but I felt I needed just one more touch of lemon elsewhere, and the recipe book stand seemed the perfect place.  So, I went to my stash of art supplies, pulled out a small canvas and got painting. It was so easy because I didn’t even paint the background.  I just left it white.  

I’m guessing it took me 20-30 minutes to finish painting my lemon artwork, after which I was kicking myself.  I was thinking, I should have shot video of the process because lemons are easy enough for anyone to paint!

No worries.  I ended up painting another one.  If you’re interested in step-by-step instructions, click here for my video tutorial:https://youtu.be/wguESs_2WWA

Of course, I have no need for two very similar canvases reminding me to “squeeze the day,” so I decided I’d anonymously leave one of them on my neighbor’s doorstep, along with a cheery note.  I think we could all use a little encouragement right about now. The Covid-19 Pandemic has affected us all emotionally, financially, and just about every other way.  And as the saying goes, when life gives you lemons… well, you know the rest.  

Thanks for checking out my blog!  If you’d like to see how I decorate my kitchen for other seasons, click this link: http://www.muralsbymarcy.com/simple-fall-touches/