the garden

after the storms

Our final tally:
Irene: 10+ inches of rain
Our rain gauge was overflowing when we woke up
so we aren't certain of the total.
Lee, which arrived a few days later: 8.75"

Consequently, when i drove to my favorite farmer's market
more out of curiostiy than hope
i was delighted to find a beautiful assortment of tomatoes.
Turns out my favorite farmer-couple till soil with excellent drainage
and they had a lot to offer.
i can attest: the fruits of their labors were wonderfully delicious
perfectly tomatoey
not the least bit water-logged.

There was a tiny little yellow plum
and fabulous cherries.
That dark, almost purple one is "Black cherry"
and the orange one, "Sun Gold" a mouthful of surprisingly intense flavor

and there were these cuties
Green and Red Zebra on either side of
the always adorable Costoluto Genovese



i simply couldn't resist:

3 beautiful eats

i simply cannot resist going to the farmers market.
i do grow quite a few tasty things
but
there is this very sweet young couple at the market
who are growing beautiful fruit and vegetables.
Their stall is full of colorful piles
with charming, hand-lettered cards
labeling all their mostly-heirloom varieties.
It is all so appealing
that i completely forget all about my camera
until i get home.

This past weekend
i spent $4.50 for one tomato.

It's true.

It was that gorgeous
and those twenty-somethings are that adorable.
And, i've never eaten and 'German Striped' before
It is one of my life's ambitions:
behold, breath in the aroma, and taste as many different
tomatoes as i possibly can before it's all over.

It weighed 2.25 pounds.
It was a meal for two.
All by itself.
Well...you know...along with "a little" mayo
on lovely fresh bread.

Yes.
It. was. fabulous.
i will always remember that tomato.

Even if it hadn't been terrific
it was worth it
just to spend time in the company of those happy, young farmers.

They also had little charentais melons
rather ugly on the outside
(it was kinder not to photograph it)
but the perfume was so enticing
and the smiles on John and Rachel's faces are
so hopeful...
They love what they grow
you can just tell.

So, of course
i brought one home.
Given all the recent rain
the flavor was a bit diluted
but it was still luscious. So very rich
and the perfume almost floral.
A sprinkling of fresh lime juice set it off perfectly.
Here is a lovely illustration
from Peaceful Valley Farm & Garden Supply

On the way home
i stopped at another favorite farm stand
and scored some perfect peaches



We finished the last ones tonight.

Life is good.
So very, very good.