It happens every year. Cool fall temperatures and rain sneak up on us, while we're imagining that the warm balmy weather will never end. An exaggerated "ton" of tomatoes still hang on the vines, and our small "on a whim" second corn crop rustles in the pre-storm winds.
Sunday morning began with a sunrise that we know will be gray skies later. I ran out for a photo just so I will remember these subtle brush strokes of color. The weather forecast calls for rain from now until forever. Not really, just until Friday, but that sounds so faraway from here and now.
We've been wondering what to do with all the tomatoes. We've made lots of sauce that we've frozen in half-pint jars. We've frozen quartered Cherokees and Brandywines, and have bags and bags of Sungold cherries. Interestingly it hasn't been the best year for tomatoes. Started out too cold, then got hot very fast. And yet, prolific they have been, beyond our expectations. We just couldn't bring ourselves to let all the rest just rot on the vine in the coming rains. So we picked them and are letting them "ripen" indoors. We figure this is about the state they are picked in for most supermarkets, so we're experimenting. I'm sure most of this will be tossed at some point, but we always love a good proof of concept moment.
Our first batch of corn was delicious. Sweet as could be, fully formed and beautiful. This second batch was planted late, just to see what we might get. We haven't eaten any yet, but we did shuck a few to take a look. Not spectacular or full of perfect kernels, but we're still hopeful they'll be tasty. We tossed a few of those in the freezer too, still in their husks. We'll let you know how that goes.
In other news, I am taking antibiotics for the first time in more than 20 years. I was experiencing serious pain, the kind that gives the word paroxysms meaning. Finally figured out that some of that pain wasn't related to the pinched nerve in my neck after all. My dentist agreed to see me on Saturday morning at 7:30, and after a few x-rays told me I had an abscessed tooth and will need a root canal after the infection clears up. I have to say this, antibiotics kick some serious bacteria butt! Almost pain free and I am happy happy happy.
Beautiful skies -- before the rain! Same here in Seattle! Your veggies looks so delicious and colorful. Hope the root canal goes well, no fun, but they do get rid of the pain!! Hope you have a good week -- regardless!!
ReplyDeletetooth problems are no fun. Good luck with it. It's turned cold fast here too with the rain we wanted earlier but now day after day of it and the creek is rising
ReplyDeleteWe had a great tomato year this year in the Mid-Atlantic, too, but we've had a frost and now the plants are on the compost heap. There were some fruits in various stages of ripeness, like yours, as I was uprooting the plants but I'm not as motivated (nor do I have as much space) to try to bring them on to indoor ripeness. Good for you, and good luck.
ReplyDeleteDon't stress over the root canal. I had one a few years ago; the worst part was having my mouth wedged open very wide for a long period of time. I was sore afterward from gaping. The procedure sure was a lot less uncomfortable than the abscess beforehand.
Glad you are nearly pain-free, but would dread a root canal. Ugh.
ReplyDeleteThe tomatoes and corn look wonderful from here!
I have an allergy to pain; good antibiotics at the right time can be almost "miraculous!" Now, ass for the tomatoes. I am partial to fried green tomatoes, almost to the point of addiction. I slice the tomatoes, either completely or nearly green, dredge them in cornmeal, then fry them in whatever oil happens to be handy until they are golden brown, turning once to cook both sides. Ahh, wonder of wonders! Glad you're feeling better, by the way. Once the root canal is done, you'll be good forever!
ReplyDeleteyou've got some good food experimentation going here. What about oven dried tomatoes, packed in a jar of olive oil for later use?
ReplyDeleteI did this once, using parchment, and got good results.
so glad the drug are clearing up the infection and the pain. Big difference, huh? Root canal will be a piece of cake -- they sound so ominous but they're not really.
Good luck with the veggies. Yikes about your pain. I just had that abscessed tooth. Antibiotics kick ALL the bacteria good and bad so you might want a little probiotics when your all done. It was a back tooth for me. No dental insurance. I just had it pulled. Relief was immediate!! Good luck with that too. Pain is a lonely thing. I'm glad you are happier already.
ReplyDeleteGreat morning shot! Glad to hear you're pain free. If you're in the neighborhood, drop some of those tomatoes off. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a bountiful harvest! Hope the abcess clears up and the root canal uneventful. That's one expensive tooth, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteFried green tomatoes and dried packed in olive oil----mmmmm
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's a reflex of advancing age, but for the first time I feel a sense of poignancy and loss this Fall. The garden is bent and brown, with a strange wild sweet pea here and there, or a straggler morning glory. I delight in the crunch of crispy leaves, brown, gold, red and orange. It seems my seasons are quickening. The pain will go. Teeth are a matrix of danger and difficulty. Good to get care and heal. Good vibs your way! peace MandT
We have a friend in GA who makes salsa with their extra tomatoes and puts it up in jars for winter/spring delight and holiday gifts. She also makes a huge stock pot full of chili and freezes it for cold winter days.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the root canal. Glad you are on the road to pain-free days again.
So glad you zapped those bugs.
ReplyDeleteThe good news is that root canals are painless these days, unlike the one I had as a kid.
Just saw a little piece by a local political blogger; he had many green tomatoes, and pickled a bunch of them.
ReplyDeleteHe goes by "Goldy" on The Stranger's Slog, and has a recipe for the pickled green tomatoes. He says the small green cherry ones are good in martinis! Go to our weekly The Stranger, and look Goldy up. (His real name is David Goldstein. He's a solid Progressive.)
Very sorry for your dental woes. But get all the teeth reinforced before you get much older. Otherwise ya got hell to pay if you live into your 80's and 90's...
robin, i'm so late with this comment, but hope the abcess is cleared up. and root canal is not so bad, but insist on what meds you need. (all these years of dental work have got to be good for some advice, no?) xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the Flower lady! It's been years since I've heard that lyrical voice. peace, Michael
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