A day at the Market!

Saratoga Springs, New York, has one of the nicest Farmer's Markets in our area. We brought home several bags of goodies this week, including recipes from Cornell's Cooperative Extension. Here is Nicole whipping up a watermelon smoothie for her family with our fresh organic melon from the market. Yum!

I'm a Tomatoe

I'm a tomatoe!

I have been in love with tomatoes since I was a little girl, raiding my father's tomatoe plants and eating the juicy ripe ones right there in the garden! Whether cooked into sauces, layered on bread with mayo, or warm in the garden, nothing beats the scarlet goodness of this perfect fruit!

I have been growing tomatoes ever since I got old enough to work my own soil and when I was in my mid teens, my father gave me my own plot of ground. Tomatoes went in first, then were surrounded by other yummies like cucumbers and summer squash. I am amazed I did not break out in hives as a result of my indulgences!

I've learned a lot about growing tomatoes over the years. There is more to cultivating a harvest than just putting in plants. Tomatoes grow "sucker" branches which will ultimately grow into new main plants. If these suckers are allowed to mature they will draw energy, moisture, and strength away from the fruiting process. In short...you get more leaves and branches than tomatoes. I've become quite aggressive with these suckers and have seen a tremendous increase in the number of fruits on each plant. Definitely worth the trouble!

This summer while I was suckering my plants I was feeling down about my relationship with my husband. We'd been quite busy with work, projects, children...you name it. I was missing him and losing my desire to keep plugging along. Then it occurred to me....I'm a tomatoe!

I have a lot of good things in my life: five children still at home and still in need of nurturing; a big garden and a number of small flower gardens, all growing wonderfully; a awesome church family; a husband who still takes me out for dinner or coffee or a stroll. These things keep me fed, spiritually and emotionally. But I also have a lot of unnecessaries in my life. These things aren't "bad," they just sometimes take time and energy away from what is most important.

So...I put away my scrap booking materials, and folded up a stitch kit I was working on, and I made myself available. I stopped worrying about the old friendship which has recently ended. I got rid of some of the "suckers" in my life and began focusing on the really important things. I noticed a change right away. And I'm spending more time reminding myself which things need to be put away, which ones need to be set aside, and which ones are ripe for the picking! I have so much more energy to grow and learn!

I'm one saucy tomatoe!

Rain, Rain...

Rain Rain....don't go away! It is no fun to be out in the cold rain, but I have to give thanks for the gentle sounds of dripping outside my window. I have not had to water gardens for more than two weeks now, and that is something to give thanks for! My veggies and flowers are ever so healthy and strong, and our lettuces are crisp and tasty. We will bring in tomatoes and cucumbers soon...Yippee!

And so, while my barely tended gardens flourish, I am enjoying the freedom of lounging in my, oh, so soft recliner reading articles from Grit and Hobby Farms. Another blessing! My neglected library books are back in my hands...such titles as Carrots Love Tomatoes, Four Season Harvest, and Ricki Carrolls' recipes for home cheesemaking. I think I love reading almost as much as playing in the dirt....and reading about playing in the dirt is just the best.

Till later~
Carrie

Never too old!

This is my very first blog interaction! I didn't think I could figure it out, but here I am! I'm proud to display my entry for the MaryJane's Farm Pinkeeper contest, a hand fashioned Hen in a basket with quilted eggs and a couple of handfashioned chicks! A winner in my book!

I am pleased to still have time for sewing in the midst of a busy gardening season. We are attempting to fill a large portion of our food needs from our very own half acre...Not easy with a family of seven, but then I always have enjoyed a challenge! I am enjoying collanders full of lettuce, spinach, and beet greens and have found delicious new ideas for using these luscious greens! We have enjoyed two meals worth of peas and are anticipating some little tomatoes soon. This year I am experimenting with eggplant and celery, two veggies I have never tried to grow at home. I am also experimenting with Lasagna Gardening. I have flowers and hot peppers doing quite well so far!

Till later~
Carrie

Ps...Remember..."Tis better to weep at joy than to joy at weeping!" Shakespeare, Much Ado about Nothing