Diner was late tonight.. I was watering my many plants.. Taking each plant to the kitchen sink watering.. waiting.. exchange for next two plants..

Ok.. I can multi task... started diner... water boiling I realize I didn't have a key ingredient quick trip to store... ooohhh what new fruit are in?? mulling over the lemons I remember THIS is NOT what I'm here for... So I get back home go to drain the noodles and realize I still had Lemon and Eucalyptus in the sink... grrrr.. noodles had to sit a bit longer while I removed the plants and cleaned the sink back out.. and then it hit me... I am an addict.. I know I've joked about it.. but.. WOW never had a true addiction before...

Ok so it's not selling the stereo for a baggie ( know an idiot that did that) and I'm not using the milk money for the "habit".. but.. I have found myself unusually fibbing about purchases (I don't lie.. very bad at it and don't care for it) eventually I came clean about the purchase *the big purchase from 4 winds* Hubby wasn't happy about how much was spent.. but still it was not something to fib about... and then the late nights... grafting... repotting... fussing in general.. searching forums for answers..
I find myself talking to strangers about my addiction.. I am know to one lady as "the lady that makes maps and grows citrus in Kansas"... LOL She doesn't even know my name, but my mom talked to her and that was how she knew who my mom was talking about.. LOL

I guess as far as addictions go it could be worse... I WILL seek help if I start using the milk money for a "fix" or can't move around the house because of all the plants.... but just thought I'd share... something to laugh about.. and still make ya go.. hmmmm...
Maybe we can start an intervention or support group??
Oh yeah.. we call it "Citrus Grower Forum"... hehehehehe
Hi!! My Name is Gina and YES!! I'M AN ADDICT!!!

Gina *BabyBlue*

There is hope, the fever will pass into a more tolerable addiction, and settle down to manageable level. After all, you have to sit down, appreciate, and eat your lemon pie too.

I have 5 meiwas and that is it for fruit.. for now.. though while the plants were being watered I did notice a bit of new growth on my lemon!!! in fact.. I have noticed that after a couple weeks rest in the new location most every thing is putting on new growth!!!!!

Watching Under the Tuscan Sun... and I suddenly say.. ooooooooo LOOK AT THOSE LEMON TREES IN THE POTS.. My husband said.. "your hopeless" and he also adds the reminder that the floor in the utility room is mostly full and he is going to look up the number for the local addiction clinic.. LMAO

another laughable addiction moment...... Ever have dreams about your plants?? I've been grafting in my sleep!!!!

You sure the fever will pass into something more tolerable??
Feeling a twitch starting... lol

Hope you get that package tomorrow.. I forgot there was not mail today..


Gina *BabyBlue*

Yeah, youre not alone!

I am pretty much out of windowspace, but i love them so.....
its hard when i learn about a new plant....
its hard not to get several varieties of any plant (ive got 2 figs, 3 Dragonfruits, 9 citrus?)

I do think sometimes its a good idea to have more than one variety of each plant because you can see what works well in your region- I know there are certain beans or lettuce dont do well here....

Admitting you have a problem is the first step! I hope you get comfortable with "enough"- I am still looking for it!

My backard is already saturated with plants but it seems to me 'enough'is an alien word.
How many times I promise myself not to go near the plant nursery and how many times I promise not to buy any citrus.
And how many times I broke that promise!
I want to kick myself.
But lo!
When I see them growing very nicely and show me their allure.
I am mesmirized and forget all my troubles.
Except my wife who keeps reminding me I should sleep with my plants outside.
AND LOCK ME OUTSIDE.

how bout it? buy a few acres on good land near a city, and have a plant addict commune-
we could sell the leftovers for profit

Some place just a bit warmer than here right?? or are we talking build something like Bio Dome??
HAHAHAHA... hubby and I went to take eldest son some money in Erie about 45 min drive and I knew of a greenhouse over there that I'd never been to.. I got a little Key lime!!! After repotting the little lime I think I need to go over and instruct them on citrus care.. I will Make a new post about the lime.... They had bunches of Algave and cactus.. which all looked very healthy.. but then I think their watering habits are water very little.. the top of the soil looked like it had just been watered.. but when I repotted I found that it was only the top half inch that was damp...... well.. I'll save the rest of that for my "RESCUED KEYLIME" Thread I'm going to start.. tomorrow after I get some pictures.. any way.. I've added 3 new plants to my collection.. well.. actually.. replaced two that I had had.. a hoya that I had and took a cutting from and gave the original to my aunt and the cutting I took didn't make it.. so I've replaced it.. and a hibiscus that I had for 8 yrs and it was about 6 yrs old when I got it just gave up the ghost one day.. So I have a new Hibiscus.. So hubby didn't mind those TOOO much.. and the promise of Key lime Pie talked him in to the Key Lime.. LOL..
ok.. so I didn't use the Milk money.. but I did end up giving my son $5 less than I was originally going to.. but he still got $5 more than he NEEDED.. I was going to give him $10 extra.. He laughed when I told him.. and said "UH HUH.. I know where I stand.." LOL He will thank me later for my choice when he is eating fresh key lime pie..

Gina:
How about tell us your secret making key lime pie.
Is it very complicated?

Benny

Firstly... you need to talk a young teen in to juicing about 10-20 limes.. I usually get this done easily as my 14 yr old wants the seeds.. she wants to grow her own trees and is working on a small orchard of her own.. any way.. the rest is either the "traditional" key lime pie or key lime cheese cake type pie...


for the cheese cake type.....

8 oz Cream cheese (softened)
15 oz Sweetened condensed milk
1/3 c Key lime juice (if I want a stronger tart flavor I bump this up to just below 1/2 c makes it a bit softer but the taste is outstanding if you love tart)
1 c Sour cream

In a medium size bowl, thoroughly mix together the cream cheese and the milk, then blend in the Key lime juice ...
Beat in the sour cream and mix `til smooth, pour into a prepared crust gram cracker crust and refrigerate for at
least 2 hours before serving...

now for the "traditional" key lime no bake...

3/4 c Key Lime juice
2 1/4 c Sweetened condensed milk
3 Egg yolks
1 ts Grated Key lime rind

Using a whisk beat egg yolks until buttercup yellow. Add about half the condensed milk, using whisk. Blend well and add remaining milk. Add half the lime juice and blend slowly. Add remaining juice and blend. Add grated rind; mix and pour into gram cracker pie crust.
Refrigerate 4 hours. May be frozen. To serve, slice
while still frozen and let stand about 10 minutes. Top with whipped cream.. and if you want for looks grate some more lime rind on top..

If you are wondering about not cooking the egg yolk in this recipe.. I was told that the lime juice takes care of that.. forget how it was put.. not realy cooks it.. but does something to it so that it doesn't need cooking..

I am not much for baking pies and cakes.. so these no bakes are great.. also can have child help and not worry about hot oven or pans to work with.. My 13 yr old did two pies from squeezing the limes right down to serving with minimal help.. I think these are great starter recipes and have them in my "kids no cook" cook book..

I guess I could add these to the "recipe page"...

Gina *BabyBlue*