Perfecting the art of leisure
There’s much to be said for the Limoncello lifestyle! But, can you believe it takes a little practice? Here are some ideas for how to rock your staycation at PS-Limoncello…mix and match at will! And…please share your ideas in the comments below for how you made your stay unique and special!
Get into morning
Mornings in the desert are divine: crisp air, birdsong, beautiful sunrises. It’s also a great time to get stuff done, from house chores to grocery shopping.
Make espresso or iced coffee – the Nespresso machine makes long and short shots; the coffee maker has a great one at a time option where you can add fresh grounds or use a K-cup. Served over ice is divine in summertime! Sip in one of the egg chairs — there’s a hummingbird family that lives in the Ficus hedge right there. You might even see Mr. Bun hopping around if you’re really early. He lives through the fence under the big Carob Tree.
Yoga on the lawn, neighborhood walk, hike up the Tram road (a fave of our realtor and pal, Alan Bloom) or one of the other southend trail heads
Snip some fresh grapefruit and oranges, then use the hand-juicer or KitchenAid tool to make delicious juice!
Swim, swim, swim: before it really heats up, morning at Limoncello is a great time to hit the pool for some laps, pool aerobics, and more!
Lunchtime and siesta
Especially in the summer months, once it gets to be about 11 am, you’ll feel like you are living on the sun! Adopt a southern European schedule, and you’ll be set.
Shower off the morning’s activities, then in your fabulous caftan, fix a lunch of pasta salad, chicken you grilled the evening before, and imbibe in plenty of sparkling limoncello La Croix. A light beer served with lime juice and over ice is refreshing as well. Keep tall glasses in the freezer and you’re in for a treat!
Best part of living on the sun? Siesta!!! After lunch, find your shady place and rejuvenate. Drowse with a stack of catalogs, your Instagram feed (#pslimoncello), or a terrific book. Don’t be shy about heading inside for a nap in the AC. Especially in the peak of desert heat, your brain and body deserve a break from the blaze. Plus…you’ve gotta rest up for cocktails and dinner!
If you’re more of an action type, grab your mask and explore the air-conditioned treats that PS offers: the air museum, library, galleries downtown, and more boutiques and housewares shops than you can shake a cactus at. The Estate Sale Company, Celebrity Consignments, and Misty’s are some really fun estate and consignment shops on 111 as you head toward Rancho Mirage. Just remember that your car will be HOT sitting outside and you should crack a window, park under a tree if you can, and use a sun screen on your dash. Bring a towel to sit on and even drape your steering wheel. You don’t want to know how I found this out.
Buona Sera
Once the sun starts going down, the watercolor vibrance of the Palm Springs sunset starts to emerge. Glorious!
Many shops — like our friends at Peepas — stay open in the early evening, and as the Italians do, it’s a great time to stroll downtown, grab a delicious gelato at Gelato Granucci or icy cocktail, and enjoy a browse before dinner.
At Limoncello, the pool gets dappled with shadows from the palms, the cabana heats up, and the egg chairs get some well-deserved shade. The grill zone is still warm from the afternoon sun, but it’s shady there as well.
Set the table with some easy appetizers and get the bar hopping!
Did someone say lawn games? We are always looking for ideas about how to get people out in the yard, and think that horseshoes, lawn golf, bocce, beanbag toss, and an old-fashioned water balloon fight are all winners. You can do all (but maybe the water balloon fight) with a cocktail in one hand.
Dusk at the fire pit
Dinnertime & Afterglow
Where you eat dinner will likely be dictated by the time of year and your tolerance for h-eating. On the hottest of days, we suggest in-door dining — casual “kitchen dinner” at the counter or sit-down dinner at the table. In the shoulder seasons, though, take full advantage of the different outdoor areas with a progressive dinner plan:
Appetizers and cocktails in the cabana or grill-zone
Main dinner and dessert at the dinette
Afterglow nightcaps at the fire pit (before or after a swim)
The infamous Palm Springs noise ordinance caps audible outdoor activity at 10 pm, with our recommendation that you take it inside after 9 pm. We’ve got a huge buffer from neighbors due to the size of our lot and the density of our greenery, but it’s still important to keep the peace.
Anyway, by then, you’re ready to scoot into a soft and cozy bed and get ready to perfect the #artofleisure all over again tomorrow ‑ There’s nothing like a full desert day to inspire the deepest of sleeps!
