I love it when life gives me Lemons! My fave lemon products

One of the bright spots of the middle of winter?

Colorful, vibrant citrus season!

Grapefruit, lime, oranges... 

I love them all but I have always had a soft spot for lemons,

 they just make me happy.

These are a few of my favorite lemon products.

I always have lemons on hand...

not only in the kitchen but on my business cards and my new favorite clutch.

Lemons are rarely sweet but these gummy fruit slice candies are year round...

One of the best part of cooking with lemons is the smell they leave on your hands.

This soap does just that but cleans them too!

All the refreshing flavors of lemons in a silky ice cream.

I love Halo Top Lemon Cake with berries as a simple dessert...

I have never met a La Croix Sparkling Water I didn't like, 

and the classic lemon is no exception...

One of my favorite winter tips?

Keep things smooth with lemony lips!

Winter takes it toll on your skin,

I love to rejuvenate and brighten mine with a slice mask...

Here's to the merry and bright days of winter...

Lemon Wedge Salad

I love a classic, steakhouse, wedge salad.

That crisp cold lettuce and creamy, tangy blue cheese dressing get me every time.

I am also addicted to lemon wedges.

They are perfect to brighten up veggies, drinks, really anything.

Is it a coincidence that they both have wedge in their name?

I think not, so I combined the two for a new twist...

The Lemon Wedge!

It's vibrant, fresh and zesty, 

and the best way to jazz up those cold winter days.

It's like a platter of sunshine...

Lemon Wedge Salad Dressing
In a blender combine:
small finely diced shallot (about 2 Tablespoons)
2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 Tablespoons plain yogurt
1 Tablespoon white wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 teaspoon Kosher salt
dash of pepper

Drizzle dressing over wedges of iceberg lettuce, then top with finely chopped chives and lemon zest.

Winter Fruit Gift Tags

There are many things to celebrate as winter approaches

and one of my favorites is the bright, cheerful season of fruit.

Freshly picked for winter gifts, 

a gorgeous crop of tags...

Luscious lemon...

pretty pineapple...

pristine pear...

and opulent orange...

Get them this season in my Etsy Shop!

Grilled Artichokes with Lemon Curry Aioli

It's artichoke season!

An easy, delicious side dish that just screams Spring.

I've brightened up our favorite veggies with lemon zest and fresh oregano, 

and lightened up our usual aioli dipping sauce with greek yogurt.

It's like a meal time party on a platter.

I dare you not to take a dip...

Lemon Curry Aioli
1 5.3oz container plain Greek Yogurt (my favorite by far is Clover)
1 garlic clove, very finely minced
1 1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 Tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp. kosher salt

Mix all ingredients together and chill in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

How I Grill Artichokes
Fill a large stock pot with about 1 inch of water, add a 2 to 3 whole garlic cloves and a few lemon slices then place steamer basket inside pot.  Bring water to a boil. Cut tops off of artichokes, remove any tough leaves from the stem, trim tops of leaves so they are pretty, then slice the artichoke in half length-wise. With a spoon, dig out any of the prickly, furry parts of the heart. Squeeze lemon over artichoke halves then place in steamer basket.  Turn heat down to medium-low and place lid on pot. Steam for approximately 15 to 20 minutes depending on size of your artichokes.  When heart is tender and leaves are easy to remove, take artichokes out of pot and place on paper towel lined plate. Heat indoor grill pan or outdoor grill.  Brush artichokes with olive oil and place heart-side down onto hot grill.  Cook about 2 minutes until you have pretty marks, top with lemon zest and oregano leaves and serve with aioli.



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The perfect way to keep calm - DIY Simmer Bouquets

One of my goals for 2016 is to keep calm.
It's not always easy but,

I love to carve away a little "me time" with a stack of magazines, 

a cozy blanket, a warm drink and light a candle with a soothing smell.

This weekend, while devouring issues of InStyle and Real Simple magazines, 

I was inspired by ideas on how to keep things simple and ways to find calm in our hectic lives.

Everyone needs to take some time out for a peaceful indulgence,
so I made a huge batch of 

Calming Simmer Scents.

Tiny, herb bouquet gifts that can be simmered in water, 

filling the air with a fresh, relaxing scent...

These are totally customizable but I used

sprigs of rosemary and mint with lemon zest...
(lavender would be perfect too)

I layered the herbs...

tied with kitchen twine...

trimmed the ends then topped with a lemon peel knot...

in minutes I had a pile of aromatic "me time" bouquets.

Slipped into muslin bags, it's the perfect treat for everyone on my list.

The easiest way for me to make long lemon peel strips is to thinly cut a piece of lemon...


make a slice in one side then remove the segments and most of the pith using a pairing knife...

So indulge in some magazine "me time", you deserve it!

You can take advantage of $1.00 off participating titles (PEOPLE®, InStyle®, People StyleWatch®, Real Simple®, and Sunset®) with this digital offer until 2/15/16 while supplies last. 

I purchased my magazines at Safeway.

This post is part of a social shopper marketing insight campaign with Pollinate Media Group® and InStyle®, Real Simple® but all my opinions are my own. #pmedia #NewYearMeTime http://my-disclosur.es/OBsstV

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Valentines for your Main Squeeze - Healthy and Pretty DIY

Everyone loves a squeeze for Valentine's Day.

Why not hand out the love?

Luscious Lemon Squeezes...

and Gorgeous Grapefruit Squeezes...

Print the Grapefruit and Lemon Tags for your main squeeze

and here is my secret place for inexpensive juicers :)

Follow Alexis Murphy's board Valentines Day on Pinterest. 

 

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Candied Meyer Lemon Twists

Not only did we start off the new year with a gaggle of grapefruit, 

our Meyer lemon tree is bursting at the seams.

There are only so many glasses of lemonade I can drink so I whipped up a batch of 

candied lemon twists.

The perfect garnish for tea, sparkling water or cocktails 

and what a fun handmade gift!

To make the twists, 

I scrubbed a few lemons...

cut off the ends...

sliced down the middle...

cut around the circumference of the inside flesh, 

trying to cut away as much of the pith as possible...

make a slice so you have one long piece of peel...

then roll...

and cut thin strips

(I use a serrated bread knife for this)

To candy the peels I use 

this recipe from the Williams-Sonoma Blog.

After they have cooked in the sugar water, 

I take them out to cool slightly then twist the lemon around straws,

 so as they dry, they are molded into spirals...

dust with superfine sugar and let set for a few hours...

They will keep for a few weeks in an airtight container, 

if they last that long.

I put mine in little glass jars...

and delivered with tea for the perfect winter gift!

So get twisted this year, 

and if you live in my neighborhood, come pick some lemons off my tree!

Follow Alexis Murphy's board Citrus makes me happy on Pinterest.

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