use real butter

Oh how I love mandarin oranges. My favorite variety being the Satsuma mandarin. Mandarins are relatives of oranges, but not oranges per se. The scientific name is Citrus reticulata and they are known for their easy-to-peel skins, smaller sizes, easily separable segments, seedlessness, reduced acidity, and juicier fruit. Varieties include: satsuma, clementine, tangelo, tangerine, and temple. The Satsuma was cultivated in Japan in the 16th century. They tend to enjoy cool winters and hot summers and are harvested in November and December. November 1992 was the first time I became aware of satsumas. Jeremy and I were at the Pasadena farmers market and tried some. We were hooked. The kind I have found at farmers markets and at asian grocers have very loose skins that open to reveal the juicy nugget inside. We picked up a box of satsumas at Wild Oats last night. Perfect timing because these babies are like candy and Jeremy could use the boost in fresh C.

**Jump for more butter**

This afternoon Jeremy went about cleaning the whole house while I prepared dinner for our guests this evening. I have to say that Mr. Jeremy is an uber-swell guy. I don’t clean the bathrooms. He does. AMAZING. He probably does about 65% of the laundry, and he does 50% of the vacuuming, picks up 75% of Kaweah’s poops, and he does 80% of the dishes. On top of that, he never has a mean word for me and he is super duper.

autumn fruits for an autumny dessert

Maia and her husband drove up from Golden. She’s a friend of mine from high school (and junior high, and elementary school). She also got us set up with our realtor and helped us shop around for a broker. We had been meaning to get them out here for a while, but our schedules were full up until this weekend. I’m so glad they could come out. They are really fascinating and have moved around a lot – Prague, Buenos Aires, NYC, Boston, Golden. As we poured wine, we learned that Maia wasn’t drinking because she’s expecting! She’s due around the same time as S. which means I’ll have to add two more knitting projects to my already delinquent project list for two other kids who will be in college before I get around to their stuff… Her hubby is a freeheeler too! I think this is a requirement to live in Colorado :)

I had a small organic yellow watermelon today. It’s not too bad, but it doesn’t feel like watermelon weather to me anymore. Still, I love a nice juicy fruit. That’s why bananas just don’t do it for me. I always feel thirsty after eating one and that messes with my head.

little, yellow, different