use real butter

Last night, we couldn’t decide what to do today – to downhill ski at Eldora, to tele ski at Eldora, or to cross country ski at Brainard. I wasn’t keen on going to Eldora just yet, after all it is opening weekend and only a small percentage of their runs are open. We packed up the skis and dog and set off for Brainard Lake, the staging ground for many excellent hikes and climbs. The road is now closed at the gate and people were hiking, snow shoeing, and skiing in. Parts of the road were so melted out that there were only thin sheets of ice to ski across (instead of rutting up on the asphalt). But other parts, and especially off the road, there was nice deep powder.

**Jump for more 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.