California Dreamin’

Never thought I’d say this, but I want to move to California. Property taxes, real-estate premiums, traffic, crowds, and materialism aside… I’m smitten. And I miss it.

brought home from California: mug to add to my collection, lemons from our friends’ tree, trader joe’s honey, & a headcold

We were hosted by remarkably hospitable friends who built their beautiful home on a lemon orchard. Squeee! Taking care to situate their house around the trees versus mow them down to build, most are now older than my grandparents. Replacing those inevitably lost over the years with additional varieties of fruit, their property is now a veritable produce market boasting orange, kumquat, pomegranate, pomelo, grapefruit, avocado, peach, apple, plum, and tangerine varieties. I walked their property constantly, ogling like a kid in a candy store.

lemons for days

kumquat
orange
pomegranate
avocado

In addition to an obvious gift for hospitality, they have a pair of friendly tortoises that roam freely about the property sunning themselves. Clearly, these are my people.

manatees & mermaids also spotted onsite

poolside champagne breakfast? this is the precise moment when i considered not returning home to montana.

Throw in some chickens and I think I could be a homesteading homeschooler in Los Angeles County… who knew??

Because of their gracious hospitality we flew instead of road-tripping (out of Billings, vs. Bozeman, for half the price!). They also spared us the cost of a car rental by loaning us a vehicle for the week. Their radical generosity has left a marked impression, and we are so grateful.


Comments

2 responses to “California Dreamin’”

  1. Awww thanks so much! <3 <3 <3

  2. What an amazing property! All those fruit trees??? I’d pack up right now for an avocado tree, especially amidst this gloomy spring weather. A little CA sunshine sounds nice…but we happily take our four seasons over the “other” reasons we left the sunny south! Glad you had a blast! Hospitality at its finest! You show it so well, you deserve to receive it from time to time!

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