Buddha's Hand, Buddha's Hand citron, or Fingered citron (Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis) is a fragrant citron variety whose fruit is segmented into finger-like sections.  from Wikipedia

And the best part of this crazy fruit is that it smells soooo good!!

The layers are so amazing... 

Rumor has it that Buddha’s Hand citrons got their name because they look like the upturned fingers of Buddha statues; the mutation that gave them the fingers started around 200 ad. Buddha’s Hands are highly aromatic and are hung to perfume rooms and closets.

The more I read the more fascinated I became:

In China the Buddha’s Hand citron symbolizes happiness and long life, because its name, “fo-shou”, has those meanings when written with other characters. Chinese like to carry the fruit in their hands, place it on tables in their homes, and present it as a sacrificial offering at temple altars.

In Japan the “bushukan,” as the Buddha’s Hand citron is called, is a popular gift at New Year’s, for it is believed to bestow good fortune on a household.

 It will stand on its own 2 dozen feet... and it is about 10 inches long.

So what do you do with this strange ... colorful ... citron?

eat it? cook with it?  decorate with it? 

All of the above!

but here are some food things you can do with them..

The rind is very thick and grated into any recipe calling for lemon zest. 

Small strips of the rind is easily candied, or turned into  homemade marmalade. 

Shave and sprinkle zest over fish, in salads, pilafs, relishes, casseroles, and soufflés.

Sprinkle in homemade quick breads and biscotti

Add to sauces, salsas, compotes and smoothies,

Use in sorbets, sherbets, desserts, puddings, confections, custards, cookies, cakes and other baked goods.

Use it to flavor liqueurs, vermouth and vodka.

 When I showed it to the kids they both wanted to take it to school..  not sure how I will do that yet... hummmm maybe I should have gotten two...

I have to admire her because she had to sign books for 600 or so people (people came from all over the state) and most of them had more than 4 books each for her to sign... that is A LOT of writing and she has been on this tour for months... she has to be tired.  But she smiled for everyone of us... I don't think I could handle knowing that 1000's of people had my picture on their camera... yikes...

The people standing in line are true fans of her and her blog... a lot of the Fans are bloggers themselves.  So when I asked begged Dianne to come with me she reluctantly agreed and I promised a great time was going to be had! 

When we walked in we were taken back a bit at how many people were there.   I don't think Dianne was very happy....Lucky I was in the 2nd out of 19 groups...(each group had 30 people) 

But she had her knitting with her.. that always makes her happy...

While standing in line we met another blogger....

This is Cynthia.... she has the blog,  An Accomplished Woman

While we were waiting Dianne took a picture of me being excited...  

This is Hyacinth and Betsy (Ree's neighbor and sister)... they were handing out the t-shirts that we all got and signing their page in the cookbook...

Me being silly again... had to fit in and be all excited... OK... maybe, I really was just a little excited. But just a teeny, tiny, little bit.. and no more... 

Then all of a sudden,  I think I started getting all nervous. Maybe all of everyone else's fan stricken craze was getting in me.... I started to sweat and couldn't remember what I was going to tell her or what my name was...

Then when it was my turn I started talking and I just couldn't stop... I started telling Ree... (yes we are now on a first name basis) that my step mom grew up near her farm .. and I went to the lodge last summer.. blah, blah, blah and saw her farm... and that I made her mashed potatoes tonight and everyone loved them... (dropped a few potatoes on the page did she want to see??) and that I used a different season salt than she suggested and maybe she should try my seasoning... and how I was hoping she would bring her husband because he is so cute and would have loved to see him in his tight jeans.... see that look on her face? She feels it.... we are now best friends!! and noooo way does she even think I am crazy... 

When this picture was getting taken I was thinking that this will be the photo I will frame and put by my bed...

Baby Alice was born and I was able to photograph her when she was one week old...

She was born Halloween night!

See more of Baby Alice HERE  be sure to click on a photo to see the image full size and to start the slide show...

So in Love!!!

Shawn made a BEAUTIFUL Bride! 

More later...

Thank you again guys!!

Here are some of the photos I took of Anna, Caroline, Lucy and baby Alice in utero.

There were so many great photos that I have had a hard time picking my faves!  Can't wait baby Alice is born!

I got this shot right before he chased them away.. 

I love this one...

 Such a happy kid

Such Love...  

Dianne, their mother made these beautiful dresses for them.

When we finally go to the flower field they were ready to pose...

Still in love after all these years....

Tired girls on the way back.. they did such a nice job....