once, my dad told me he'd read something about how just the act of peeling an orange had the power to boost your mood. something about the senses, he said. the way it smells, the way it feels in your hands. I think about this a lot. I peel oranges slower now. I take my time, I do not rush. I believe in oranges.
I'm so glad you are back in this space. I have been hoping and checking to see if/when you would return. Suddently, we are four days in to it and I forgot until now. What a gift. Welcome back. xoxo
On oranges, those little clementines - I associate them with new years. I grew up spending new years eve with my dear family friends who are dutch and the matriarch was a holocaust survivor. We would eat at midnight and so the tables were set early, in her small garage... picknic tables with candlesticks lit in a row in the middle. There would be those tiny oranges at every place and in between the settings. We would take the peels and bend them so the juice would squirt out, aiming them right into the flame. The fire would crackle and pop. It was exciting and comforting and smelled so good. I think if it every time I see/touch/eat one of these little gems.
As children we were given oranges in our Christmas sacks even though we had a small orchard and could pick them off the tree. My mum said it was just a tradition for her to do that - she got them as a child for Christmas and they were a very special treat in the 1930's. I grew up peeling them with my hands and I still eat them that way. Mostly I see people cut the skin off or cut them into segments before consuming. I feel sad for them, that they are missing out on the soulful experience of an orange. I believe in oranges too.
we got oranges in our stockings every year and I loved it, growing up. even though I remember eating all of the candy and never the orange. something about that orange in the stocking-- about how I knew it'd be there every year-- brought me so much joy. my mom always told us it was for luck. it's a tradition I've continued with my own children.
'the soulful experience of an orange'-- I love that. thank you so much for sharing your story and words with me. xo
Bringing me so much joy this morning, I can't even tell you. The smell of citrus lifts me. Every time. ~b xoxo
ReplyDeleteme too, me too. xx
DeleteI'm so glad you are back in this space. I have been hoping and checking to see if/when you would return. Suddently, we are four days in to it and I forgot until now. What a gift. Welcome back. xoxo
ReplyDeleteOn oranges, those little clementines - I associate them with new years. I grew up spending new years eve with my dear family friends who are dutch and the matriarch was a holocaust survivor. We would eat at midnight and so the tables were set early, in her small garage... picknic tables with candlesticks lit in a row in the middle. There would be those tiny oranges at every place and in between the settings. We would take the peels and bend them so the juice would squirt out, aiming them right into the flame. The fire would crackle and pop. It was exciting and comforting and smelled so good. I think if it every time I see/touch/eat one of these little gems.
thank you, friend! strange to be absent here for so long and then try to pop back into the habit. but I couldn't not do it! I just couldn't.
Deletethank you so much for sharing that story with me-- I love it so, so much. xx
As children we were given oranges in our Christmas sacks even though we had a small orchard and could pick them off the tree. My mum said it was just a tradition for her to do that - she got them as a child for Christmas and they were a very special treat in the 1930's.
ReplyDeleteI grew up peeling them with my hands and I still eat them that way. Mostly I see people cut the skin off or cut them into segments before consuming. I feel sad for them, that they are missing out on the soulful experience of an orange. I believe in oranges too.
we got oranges in our stockings every year and I loved it, growing up. even though I remember eating all of the candy and never the orange. something about that orange in the stocking-- about how I knew it'd be there every year-- brought me so much joy. my mom always told us it was for luck. it's a tradition I've continued with my own children.
Delete'the soulful experience of an orange'-- I love that. thank you so much for sharing your story and words with me. xo
Truth. Also, I love and miss blogging - the reading and the writing and the being in community in this way.
ReplyDeleteme too. I miss it so, so much. I knew it was special when it was happening but I don't think I realized how special it was.
Delete