Sunday Sightings: Candy Cane Reindeer

Merry Christmas!!

Sunshine

Easter morning was a chilly 35 degrees. My father read in the paper that our California temperatures were exactly the same as Alaska's. ALASKA?!?! REALLY?!?! He was bragging about the fact he was wearing his fleece-lined jeans and winter sweater on Easter Sunday. I actually caught myself about to wish several people a 'Merry Christmas' because my body was so confused as to what season we were in. (But, by golly, I wore my Easter dress to church! Wrapped in a wool coat, of course....) ;-)

Thank you Sunshine for making a re-appearance today. Really, you shouldn't ever leave the California skyline between the hours of 6am and 9pm. That's where you belong, after all.... ;-)

In honor of its reappearance, I present to you candied orange peel. There are fewer things that make me feel warm and summery than citrus. :) It sponataneously came-to-be the other day when I was making the tians, as I couldn't bear tossing out half a dozen perfectly good orange peels. (At least if I'd had a compost pile, it would have been put to good use fertilizing.)

Very easy to make, just takes a few blanchings, a sugar bath and lay them out to dry.

In the sun, if you want....

Hot and Sweet

I discovered this new flavor of Jelly Belly the other day: Chili Mango. It is their latest in the 50 Flavor line-up. It produces a progression of flavors, from fruity sweetness to a spicy kick. The lady at the shop said she tried it with some chips and salsa....I do love me some mango salsa. Perhaps I'll give it a whirl.