And as we slowly ease into the new year I find myself dreaming of warm temps, sunshine and citrus. All this because we just returned from a Christmas holiday with family ~ way out west in the Arizona desert.
On this trip I started a new morning routine.
Picking fruit.
Just steps off the patio of the ranch house where we stayed!
In Arizona's warmer regions, citrus trees are a yard or garden staple. In the Bluegrass of Kentucky they are not. Among the most gorgeous desert botanical landscape were grapefruit, orange and lemon trees. Lot's of them!
The heady fragrance of citrus brings back childhood memories of running through orchards in Arcadia ~ zigzagging past white washed tree trunks ~ while playing outside with friends.
Fresh picked grapefruit adds the perfect shade of pink to the back patio.
Oranges, grapefruit & lemons oh my!
The fruit was not enough. I snipped the branches of waxy green leaves too. They were a welcome addition to the Equipal table on the sun porch!
On the last day I rested ~ at the Spa at Camelback Inn ~ overlooking Camelback mountain.
I dreamt of all those orchards that used to fill up the valley of the sun & the last few hand picked grapefruit I unfortunately had to leave behind.
Speaking of ~
Whether you're in Arizona, Kentucky, or wherever, this Broiled Grapefruit Recipe by Jessica Helgeson over at SEE SALT will put you in a very happy place! Ruby red grapefruit crusted with caramelized brown sugar and drizzled Grand Marnier liqueur.
What a wonderful way to chase the chill away ~
Happy New Year!
