The Citrus Farm

          Our house has been battling different bugs and viruses for almost a month now.  First, a stomach bug got both of the girls over the course of a week.  Thankfully, Matt and I escaped that one.  Two weeks ago, Audrey started running a high fever that stayed around for four days.  When we took her to the doctor, we learned she had some nasty little virus and an ear infection.  The very next day, Claire and I started running fevers, coughing, and carrying the same symptoms as Audrey.  Needless to say, we spent most of our time in the house, relaxing, reading books, and watching our favorite cartoons.
          Yesterday, Matt and I decided we all needed to get out of the house for a few hours.  Fevers were gone, so we loaded up the van and drove ten minutes away to Truman Ranch Citrus Farm.  We paid $8 for a bag that holds 20-30 lbs of citrus, and we began exploring the dozens of varieties of citrus trees.  We picked grapefruit, tangerines, mandarins, valencia oranges, tangelos, and navel oranges.  The girls had a blast, and we were even able to sample most of the varieties before we picked them!  And, despite the fact that my nose is blocked, I could still smell the citrus blooms.
          As we drove home, Audrey asked how we would ever eat all of that citrus before it went bad.  I suggested that we use our juicer to make home made citrus juice.  So, today, Matt and Audrey went to church in the morning while Claire and I visited the urgent care (ear infection and sinus infection, respectively).  After naps and rest, Audrey and Claire helped me juice our citrus.  The results -- some of the best juice I've had since drinking Knollcrest Orchard's home-made apple cider as a kid!  Maybe the extra boost of vitamin C will help us kick the last of the sickies!