Monday Morning Blooms ~ Zesty Winter Citrus

Hello, February!

It's time for Monday Morning Blooms with my friends Lidy, Pam, and Mary.

Winter Citrus is our theme this month.

What a great way to add some bright, sassy color to

this year's willy, chilly days of winter.

I'm joining with Meyer Lemons, a lemon-orange hybrid, 

considered the darling of the citrus world.

Thank you, Pam, Lidy, and Mary.

Joining you for Monday Morning Blooms is 

always a blooming good time!

Welcome to Hyacinths For The Soul.

Want to join me for a few zesty Meyer Lemon treats?

Meyer Lemons are often found here in Austin

 as they do well in our USDA 9a Zone.

Cold hardy, they can generally tolerate freezing 

temperatures down to about 20 degrees.

This tree bursting with fresh Meyer Lemons belongs to a neighbor.

Meyer Lemons are a vibrant, deep yellow with a strong aroma.

Sweeter than typical lemons, they are easily enjoyed in salads,

but I prefer to use them for baking sweet treats.

~ lemon bars ~ pies ~ cakes ~ marmalade ~

I decided to keep things simple in today's post,  

both with flowers and sweet treats.

My first inclination was to create a lemon topiary, 

but instead, I simply used one of my ivy topiary wreaths

and embellished it with real lemons and a yellow ribbons.  

Using long wooden skewers with one end poked into the lemon and the other secured within the dirt in the pot, I simply scattered

a few lemons throughout the branches of dark green leaves.

The ivy wreath was already in one of my blue and white Chinoiserie cache pots, so I decided to feature more of my Chinoiserie pieces.

I wish I could give you a little sniff of the fabulous

aroma that is filling my dining room.

I love the way the bright yellow lemons 

compliment the blue and white.

I have a pot of hot water ready for steeping a cup of STASH

Citron Meyer sans caféine.  It's a blend of rosehips, lemongrass, orange peel, hibiscus, citric acid, Meyer lemon oil, and safflower.

I'm not one to usually embrace green tea, 

but this is definitely a winner!

I have fresh Meyer Lemon halves ready to juice 

should you wish for a little extra lemon zest.

It's a Buddha's Hand Citron!

In case you are wondering what is this strange fruit on the tray?

Buddha Hands are used to zest, infuse, 

or simply to use as decoration.

I took the easy way and picked up citrus goodies from my local Central Market during their annual Winter Citrus Fest.

Each delicious edible was arranged on my three antique 

English Blue Willow footed plates.

Fresh mint, strawberries and blooms from 

the garden were used as garnish.

Few plants in my garden are flourishing since the trauma 

of our recent mid 20 temps and a blanket of light snow, but

luckily my White By The Gate camellias are covered in buds, 

and gratefully a few have opened into full blooms.

  They make a pretty garnish on my plates of sweet treats.

Top plate offers lemon ricotta cookies, citrus Madeleines made 

with balanced citrus flavors of candied orange peel and tangerines, 

and mini pink lemonade butter lemon cakes with 

candied lemon and dried strawberries.

This is a Mandul Spanish Tarta, 

a traditional Spanish sponge cake with lemon cream.

Ines Rosales Sweet Olive Oil Tortas 

~ Both Orange and Lemon ~

These crispy, flaky handmade sweets remind me of the sugar and cinnamon pie crust bites my mother would bake with the 

leftover pie dough when she was baking pies.

Grab a napkin and fork, select your favorite, 

or fill your plate with a sample of all.

What do you think might be your favorite?

But wait!  There is more to tempt your citrus cravings.

My favorite Arte Italica scalloped pewter bowl is filled with

fresh Mandarin oranges which provide a stunning 

arrangement as well as a handy, healthy snack.

Central Market also has these charming boxes of Citrus Caramels 

~ Mandarin Orange and Yuza Caramel ~

The hard candies are by Perle di Sole, naturally flavored orange and lemon, and the white pansy blooms are survivors from the garden.

With the theme of keeping it simple, I bought stems of yellow Charmelia for their wildflower-like appearance, lime green pompom mums, and yellow Dutch tulips.  I simply mixed them with some greens to fill a fabulous Arte Italica Tuscan ceramic pitcher. 

There you have it!  

Simple and Citrus Sweet!

Cooking With The Meyers

In 2013 I shared a Meyer Lemon post here.

My blogging friend, Michael Lee of Rattlebridge Farm,

 invited a group of bloggers to join her

Mystery Ingredient Club.

Michael Lee sent each participant a package of surprise ingredients, 

to use to prepare recipes to share with our readers.

Click the link above to discover both savory 

and sweet delicious Meyer Lemon dishes.

Meyer Lemons ~ Winter citrus at its best.

Winter months bring a wealth of fresh citrus fruits, 

 and I'm one who eagerly anticipates the Meyer Lemons. 

Hanging on my oven door are three beautiful lemon topiary tea towels, the inspiration for this post.The lemon yellow towel is available at Arte Italica Crown Linen Designs.The white linen towels with the delicate hand painted designs were recent birthday gifts and have no label.

Thank you for your visit.

Links for Pam, Lidy, and Mary are below.

Enjoy!  You are certain to be inspired!

Everyday Living

French Garden House

Home Is Where The Boat Is

Happy February friends,

Also JoiningLove Your Creativity @ Life and Linda  Tablescape Thursday @ Between Naps On The Porch