Fresh Squeezed

I have wanted a real orange tree since I was a little girl. Growing up, we had four ornamental orange trees on the side of our house. Sure, they were pretty trees, but I always wished we could eat the fruit. My mom always had a garden where she grew herbs, cherry tomatoes, squash, and other warm weather thrivers. Even as a small child, I was drawn to the simple beauty and taste of home grown food.

Fast forward to my post college twenty-something life, complete with work, play, and moving in with my handsome partner in crime. Six months ago, we packed up our condo and bought his grandmother's house. I was excited to have my whole living space on one floor instead of three stacked floors, and I was happy that our dogs would finally have a back yard of their very own to run and play--sans leashes. Little did I know the back yard would also deliver a dream come true. Not only is there an orange tree, but a tangerine and lemon tree too. With a few months of fertilization, plenty of water, and patience, we are now enjoying organic, beautiful citrus.

What else is there to do now but make the world's best orange juice?  The Kitchenaide Juicer Attachment  worked like a charm (props to the strong-armed PJB who did most of the work while I snapped photos and sampled), and with a small strainer between the juicer and the mixing bowl, voila..no pulp oj! No sugar added--no sugar needed. Just juice. Bon appetit!