Grapefruit Marmalade

I have been planning to make grapefruit marmalade for years now, seriously, years…

Then last summer when we moved to this house we found we had a vibraint grapefruit tree growing in our yard, I made the agreement once more with myself: Make grapefruit marmalade…

So the day before yesterday I finally made good with my plans, I made grapefuit marmalade, and yes, it came out delicious. Please do realize grapefruits are bitter, thus, your grapefruit maramlade will be bitter too. I love that, but I'm not positive everyone will.

Grapefruit Marmalade

Cut the thick skin off of two ripe grapefruit. Save half the rind and both the insides. 

Slice the skin very thinly into agreeable lengths. Place in a pot, cover with water and simmer until skins are tender, about 20-30 minutes. Drain then place back in the pot. Chop up the insides of the two grapefruits, remove seeds and toss into the pot. Add 1 + 1/2 cups sugar and mash around a bit. 

Simmer, stirring often, until thick and tasty. I am pretty sure mine cooked about an hour, but I'm not entirely sure.

Sweet tid bits in the kitchen...

I've been loving making, and of course eating, cinnamon bread...

 Was hired by my lovely friend to make a delicious citrus cake...

And I probably ate most of this chocolate cheese cake just by myself...

                                                                           Hope you all are well    ~ Marica

Picnic at the lake...

On Monday we took a picnic to the lake...

It's not exactly a real lake, or at least I don't think so, because it is man-made…

Still beautiful... 

But anytime something is built by human hands it's just not quite the same thing...

There are fish though...

And amazing picnic spots...

We had a lovely lunch of sandwiches, Texas tofu and pickles...

We drank Arnold Palmer's (Ice tea and lemonade) 

Walked down the docks...

And threw stones…

The ducks and geese were so close...

Such beautiful, beautiful birds...

But if you got too near, off they flew...

After a while we came home to eat ice cream and take a nap.

                                                                              Best Summer Wishes ~ Marica

Saying goodbye to baby rabbits...

 Well, they say they breed like rabbits… I am thinking it is not just a saying…

I have now witnessed the fact of life when you put three bunnies in a pen, we thought all boys, only to find at least one was female and yes, gosh darn it, we now have baby rabbits. So sweet, so soft, so cute it seems impossible they are real. But they most certainly are, and now, somewhat sadly, we have found homes for them all…

We wanted to keep them, so much, but it is insanity to keep eight rabbits that will only be making more rabbits… Yes insanity. So goodbye sweet bunnies, I am happy you have new homes…

                                                                    ~ Marica

And now he is twelve...

Well, they grow ~ which is what we want… It really is!!!

But often I wish I could just freeze time and have them babies forever...

 This kid is now twelve… The little guy who used to wake up before the sun and walk 

down to the coffee shop with me. This little person who used to be so friendly everyone

 in our town knew him, even if we didn't know them… 

And I love who he is now… I wasn't sure what to give a twelve year old that would have any 

worth while impact… And then it hit me, a stone sanding wheel so he can make swords and daggers...

 He was very excited… He is so involved in fantastical creatures, Lord of the Rings books, comics and stories. He makes things and always seems to have a a world he is creating...

 

I am so very honored to be a part of that world…

Happy Birthday big-twelve-year old!!!!

                                              ~ Marica

Filling the days...

With almost summer warmth…

We have been splashing in our tiny pool, or in more actuality… The horse trough...

Picking ripe elderberries...

 Taking walks to the river bottom...

And of course so much more…

                  Here comes summer!!!

              ~ Marica