Monday, April 12, 2010

B-limey!

My kaffir lime tree and I like to play a game every year.  Each year I bring it inside when it gets chilly.  It hangs out in the warm kitchen and I merrily take leaves from it for delicious ethnic dishes during the cold winter months (you're supposed to use the leaves, I've never seen it produce flowers, or obviously w/o flowers... fruit).

When it gets warm again in Memphis I attempt to acclimate it outside, in a shaded, sheltered location where invariably, a little bit of wind does this to it:

THEN, (each year) I freak out and fuss if the stupid tree will make it with no leaves, though it did retain two stubborn leaves for once this year.

AND AS USUAL, it shows sign of new leaf life again after weeks of worry:
(Yeah, I need to stop freaking out about this stuff... just my nature)

I'd like to add that I got my lemon and this lime tree at the same time on Craigslist, both for $20, with their original terracotta pots, base and pretty rocks for water to drain into.  A steal I say.  Just a plug (I'm not affiliated with them!) for the awesomeness of Craigslist for having connected me with all sorts of very interesting people and deals like these trees and my super reproductive cannas. 

(NOTE: as much as I love Craigslist... if you do use this great system, please be careful still.  Strangers are strangers, so make sure reliable friends know where you are and when you are meeting with people to purchase or exchange items!)

2 comments:

Sylvana said...

Making sure that someone knows where you are going and how to get a hold of you is always a good idea if meeting someone you are not familiar with. Having someone come with isn't a bad idea either. Meeting in a public place - in a disguise, only pay with cash. Yeah, I'm a little paranoid. I check under my car and the backseats before I go near my car.

What do the leaves taste like?

persephone said...

Sylvana: Thanks for the extra tips! I know what you mean about being super paranoid! I watch behind me too when I leave to see if anyone is following! The disguise thing I never thought about but it sounds like fun in a way. I can dress like I don't normally! Perhaps a wig next time :)

The leaves of the lime are just like that, limey! You don't want to chew on one, it's like the lime zest might be a better description, they can get bitter if too strong, but they're great in imparting flavor to soups and the like (and to make a tea from), without the effort of an actual fruit. Just pull off a leaf and chuck in!