Sleet, Snow and Oranges!

  Yesterday, I had a plan.  That plan included staying inside out of the drippy, icy weather and baking to my heart's content.  It did not work out that way at all.  I baked nary a treat the entire day.  With the temperatures predicted to make a steep plunge, I figured that a few things were a bit more urgent than another platter of pecan tassies.  More lights were needed in the greenhouse so that was of utmost importance.  The greenhouse not only serves as a nice place to keep the potted plants, it provides a small indoor garden space.  Bell peppers, eggplants, tomatoes and herbs do well in pots and give us a few fresh "summer" veggies throughout the winter months.  After that was tended, more firewood was hauled into the small entryway, the small skiff was bailed clear of rain water and every citrus fruit on the trees was picked.  That, my friends, was the hard job.  With the wind chill already in the 20s and sleet falling from the sky, I was cold....very cold.  Mark helped with the fruit, then headed to the grocery store to get a few needed items.  Son is recuperating from a knee injury he got when cutting firewood so I insisted he not get out and risk slipping on the ice.

A few of the oranges from the Navel Orange Tree in the back yard.  This one tree had over 200 oranges!

  That citrus fruit included lemons, satsumas and navel oranges.  I did not even attempt to pick the five kumquat trees.  The tiny, marble-sized fruit will just have to brave the elements!  While the satsuma and grapefruit trees did not do well this year, the navel oranges sort of made up the slack.  Mark and I picked over 200 of the huge oranges off of one tree!  I kept telling him that there were a ton of oranges out there!  

  Now comes the fun.  With only three of us living here, what am I to do with 200 plus oranges?  I surely cannot eat that many before they go bad.  I guess marmalade-making will be a chore for the next couple of weeks.  Ha!  Maybe I have just solved my Christmas shopping dilemma!  A jar of marmalade is a good gift...right?