Abundant tomato times have been amongst us for a few weeks. I can't believe, nor did I imagine, that we would have so many endless tomatoes with more still to come...
I started most of the vines indoors in winter, and planted them into the ground in early spring.
Is that the key to a major abundance of tomatoes?
I dunno, but it worked.
The best news, I guess it wasn't the tomato vines that made me ill at all.
As I have been under, around and all over them gathering never ending little red orbs.
They are slightly firm, with an explosion of tartness, and then pure sweet candy like tomatoey flavors explode in your mouth.
They taste unlike any store bought tomato I ever tasted, ever.
This is how a tomato hater turned into a tomato lover.
I realized the store bought ones always sort of taste ironey or metallic and watery to me.
These just don't.
I like them room temperature best.
Not cold, and not hot.
How do you like your tomatoes?
It's like a basil tomato jungle out there these days.
This is about the 10th basket of tomatoes, maybe more?
It's a funny thing.
Me and growing things.
You see...
My dad owned a produce brokerage (not a grower but a broker), which he ran and worked crazy mad hours at for 30+ years.
We lived half years in San Diego, California, and half in an Arizona border town.
All because of the produce business.
I remember going to check on veggies with my dad in these icy produce warehouses.
The scents incredible.
Dad making sure what he was shipping to major grocery stores was in tip-top shape.
He was bossy and loud.
He had to be, it got the job done.
And done well.
My dad is a type A aggressive go getter.
He was so intense.
I always admired that, and as a rotten kid, feared it. Which was good.
I was rotten.
I was.
Not totally, but mostly.
Anyhow, point is....
It's funny, that my dad's company logo was always tomatoes.
And now, here is his daughter who grows things.
He thinks I am borderline insane though.
Spending all my time watering and growing all sorts of things.
"You're crazzzzzy," he says in a joking manner when I tell him all the things I am up to.
Actually he says it more like, kerrrr-azeee.
Why do you do this to yourself my love? he asks.
That's too much work, he says.
And I say, but I love it.
It is way too much work.
But, I do love it.
So, that's the balance.
And so, with all the tomatoes....
I get busy making so many things.
Tomato Tarts.
(I used this recipe, but changed ingredients up a tinge based on what I had in the house)
Mmmmm.
Yumm yumm.
And tomato sauces galore.
Delicious all sorts of things made with all the tomatoes.
Pizzas too.
Lots and lots of raw tomato eating also.
And gifting too.
I can sit and eat the little guys like grapes.
And I do.
While I rest my tired farmer tanned feet.
Phewey.
Throw in a little corn for good measure...
And the seemingly endless sweltering groundhog days of mine, are worth it.
Every morning, no sleeping in, straight out to work.
Mostly I am a morning person.
I get a lot done early in the morning for some reason.
Jumping in...
Back garden, vegetable garden.
Trees.
Office garden.
Front yard garden.
Then to work I go inside.
Every single day.
I can't lie.
Everything isn't obnoxiously perfect around here in the least.
Sometimes I want to cry in the morning, when I first open my eyes and have to go outside and work.
Not all the time, but once in a while when days are over 105' and I need a break.
I want to stay in my cool fluffy bed.
And not have 4 hours of chores outside ahead of me.
Mostly, I don't think about it.
But sometimes...
I say to myself...
Self, what have you gotten yourself into?
But then, I get outside, and it all goes away.
I see the fruits of this mad labor, and I say, I would be so sad if I hadn't done this.
And then, all is well again.
I make sure 4 beds of basil don't go to seed.
Snip snip.
I smell the tomato vines, and the fresh cut basil.
I see pumpkins growing.
And my soul is refueled again, for tomorrow.
When it all begins again.....
Love in the garden.
It is love.
Love is complicated and hard.
Love has it's ups and downs.
But love is love, and you can't help love.
Love happens.
When you love, it leads the way.
It makes you do crazy things, this love.
And, that's just the way it is.
Love inspires, doesn't it though?
The things we do for love.....
(Isn't that a song?)
Love, Vanessa
ps: Please keep sending down the rain!! ;)
All you marvelous UK friends, I'll trade you.
5 days sun scorched heat, for gloomy rainy skies.
Deal?
(office courtyard)
Shopping cart above, equals flower cart.
All you need is black plastic, burlap, soil and seeds.
Then you have a flower cart on wheels.
I have two, they work great.
You can find them at junk yards for free, or for very little money.
I've used mine for years, never changing the soil really (just adding a bit from time to time), and green things love growing in there.
