The last one.

You say you can't grow oranges in Utah!

 I can.

 In my little greenhouse.

My Meyer orange tree is just a small one but it grew 6 large beautiful and juicy oranges.
And now it is beginning to grow new buds.

My greenhouse is heated by the sun.

It is where my geraniums wait for spring to come. 

It snowed a little last night.  Must clean off the glass panes so that the heat of the sun can be trapped inside.  

And I can grow kumquats. Do you like kumquats?

I do.  
You have to pop the entire fruit into your mouth.  

The inside is very tart but the rind is sweet and very aromatic. 

This cactus almost didn't make it.  

A tiny cactus grew at the base of a larger plant.  One of my white geese came by and pulled it off.  I found the little piece in the grass.  

I potted it up. The next day the goose had yanked it out of the pot.  Again I found it.

I replanted it and moved it to a safe place. 

That was 2 years ago.  

My geraniums are very old...I love every one of them. 

Finished a new mural and sent it off to Virginia.  

And now I'm going to eat my orange. 

Have a wonderful day, 

Gina

The best way to get into the Christmas Spirit

Is to sit down with a cup of tea, or a glass of mulled wine,

assemble oranges, cloves and a knitting needle. 

And make a few Pomanders.

They add just the right festive touch.

 Nothing, except maybe a fresh Christmas tree, says welcome more than the scent of oranges studded with cloves.  

A simple plate with a few candles and pomanders make for an instant centerpiece. 

A few simply painted wooden hearts add to the merriment.  

Yes, don't be shy, paint them yourself.  All you need are a few wooden hearts and acrylic paints.

While the paint is still wet why not add a few circles and dots to clear glass Christmas balls. 

Or glue on paper scraps.  

Toss a few golden acorns (remember, you made them last week) into the melange and you're set for Christmas.  

Have a great week my dear Friends,

Gina 

Accentuate the Positive

All natural, no seeds, available all year,

easy to peel.

What's not to like, Kids love them. Cuties.

A very successful advertising campaign to get Kids to eat fresh fruit.  

Grownups like them too. 

Have a great weekend my dear 

Blogging Friends.

Gina 





Winter Break

 Where else but in sunny California

Where the Lemon Grove is in bloom all year round.

Where the oranges are sweeter than anywhere else.

Where the flowers grow in wild profusion.

And where the trees emit a heady perfume of blossom and fruit.

All lovingly tended by our friends J & B.

At La Casa el Grande, in Rancho Santa Fe.

And my favorite shop is right around the corner.

Trader Joe's, where orchids can be had for a song.

I brought many home.

Even a small lemon tree. Laden with tiny lemons. 

Now in my dining room.

Thank you J & B for letting me pick to my hearts'  content.

Gina 

Rancho Santa Fe

Our friends J and B invited us to come for a visit.  No wonder so many people love California.  It is beautiful.  It has everything;  The ocean, the warming sun, flowers blooming everywhere,  mild climate and fruit and blossoms on trees at the same time.

Picking oranges, lemons and limes with the sun shining on my face. 
Taking in the intoxicating perfume.  What a treat, especially for us snowbirds coming from minus degree temperatures and several feet of snow.

 Welcoming us, the portal to the garden, hand carved doors from Mexico.  Palm trees planted by B forty years ago... the trees now almost a hundred feet tall.

Beauty everywhere and flowers in our apartment

We brought our treasures home.

We will make lemon juice and freeze it to be used for Summer Margaritas, afternoon teas and most importantly, during canning season when our fruit is ripe.

 We are so lucky to have such special friends!

Thank you J and B for a lovely vacation

Gina