the meyer lemon tree's final crown

      This past year has given me lemons and it has been the most satisfying art to be in active observer of each part of the process leading up to the end.

But I must begin at the very beginning of this tale just as all presentable tales must begin. Late fall of 2019 I was the excited giftee of a Meyer Lemon tree. It was a small, unpretentious plant in a pot, certainly nothing to make anyone think great things would come from it. But then lofty hopes are difficult to dispose of when the reality of growing lemons reign high. I set it on a table where the morning sun provided light and warmth for three to four hours daily during the winter months. By December the sweet smell of the blooms were lovely so I attentively and carefully rubbed a Q-tip across  one bloom and, just as I imagined a flitting bee would do, deposited it on another bloom. That was rather fun! Then I waited to see if any lemons would appear, just as I hoped the blooms dropped off and tiny green globes appeared. While several of the tiny buds fell off, three continued to grow...oh so slowly they grew the entire winter and spring. When summer came  the plant was repotted and moved it outside. I continued to fertilize it throughout the summer as the entire plant grew and grew. It was a happy plant, the green lemons grew fat and round on my patio. Everyone remarked about my "limes".  I assured them there were indeed lemons and would turn yellow in due time. By late summer they were just beginning to be yellow, patience had produced the desired fruit.

 

The threat of frost had me bringing the tree inside where the further maturation of the lemons could take place. Finally the time came to harvest the lemons. You can not even imagine my sheer joy of walking into the sun room, plucking a lemon into my hand and returning to the kitchen to make a lemon meringue pie!

One lemon made this pie, and it was delicious.

A lemon drizzle cake was made this past week with another of the lemons, and it too was tasty, sweet and lemony.

I have one more lemon hanging on the tree...any suggestions of what I can make with it?