A Thing of Beauty

This is my husbands first tomato for this year.  There is a story to this tomato. I have to begin by saying that Albert farmed for many years.  Because he farmed, he doesn't know how to do things in a small way.   

One year we had so many squash we were taking 5 gallon buckets to the Union Gospel and blessing all our friends with our bounty in addition to a freezer full of beautiful yellow squash.  Then there were the green beans.  Again we fed the Union Gospel Mission, all our friends and finished filling the freezer with beans.  I snapped beans until my fingers were green.  Then there were the Potatoes.  Oh my, I think he got about 250lbs that year.  I dreamed about spuds.  Don't get me wrong.  I love fresh veggies, but there are only two of us in the household and we can only consume so much.  Part of his over production is because he has a generous spirit and particularly loves to share with those in need.

Last year because he was so ill and in the hospital at planting time, he didn't get to "farm" anything.  Well, this year he decided to go into the tomato business.  He purchased 24 plants (yes you read right) of various lovely fruits.  He carefully shopped for the right potting soil to mix into the garden and purchased just the right fertilizer.  At first we thought the cool weather and rains were going to finish them off, but then the rains abated and the sun came out.  If we have as many tomatoes as we have blooms, we will have a bumper crop of tomatoes.  I am sure I will learn to use tomatoes in many many ways.

He proudly came in yesterday and announced he had a $500 tomato on the vine and it was nearly ready to pick. It is a thing of beauty to my green thumbed farmer husband and I love to see him puttering around in his garden lovingly taking care of each one.  It isn't always about the money you spent, but the joy of watching something you have nurtured come to life and watching someone you love take a little pride in what he has done.  Thank you God for the sunshine that has brought a chuckle from my husband and given me the joy of having him well enough to grow $500 tomatoes.

Happy Birthday!

My Mom, Opal Jones, is going to be 93 on Sunday, July 11.  That is something to celebrate!  I think of all the things that have happened in my life time and can only be amazed at the things she has seen.  I keep telling her she will make 100 and if she does what a celebration that will have to be. 

4th of July

I hope all of you are spending your 4th weekend doing something fun!   I on the other hand am in the middle of a kitchen remodel.  There are upsides and downsides.  The downside is my life is not in order and I am a creature of habits, many habits.  The upside is there are no dirty dishes in the sink, because there is no sink and I don't have to cook.  Don't get me wrong.  I love to cook, but sometimes you just need a vacation from everything.

It is going to look really good when it is done.  I have labored over every decision.  I got new floors first.  That only took 3 years to decide to do and to save enough money.  Then there was the process of selection.  Albert made the comment that I could buy a car in 30 seconds so why does it take so much shopping and agonizing over floors and counter tops.  My theory on that is cars are disposable (well for me anyway) and a kitchen I have to be happy in every day at least twice a day.  My surroundings are a reflection of how well I cook.  Well not really, but it sounded good.

Anyway the decision was made and I love love love my new floors.  Then I decided I really could use a new stove with convection of course.  That led to new counter tops because the old looked really old with the new stuff.  Now I will have to refinish the cabinets themselves because they look worn next to the new.  My husband is hoping I just get it right the first time, unlike my car buying.

I will have to post pictures after it is all done.  Albert just informed me it is lunch time so I guess I better give him my order for pickup.  Oh the luxury of a day off.