Yellow, Red & Chocolate Cherry Tomatoes

One of the most delightful things about a garden is the anticipation it provides. ~W.E. Johns, The Passing Show

Today's Joy: Dinner Right Out of the Garden.
I am in heaven, Reader. After this morning's amazing church service (a concert of worship music performed by the band Newsong), everyone at Christ Community left in tears and feeling so uplifted! Then I headed over to spend quality time with Mom and later, came home to help Aunt do farm chores. We gathered eggs and fed pigs, cow, chickens and our favorite equine critters. Then, we decided to raid the garden.

Aunt Chef & Uncle's garden is a cacophony of joyful and exuberant growing things. There are bright gladiolas and bachelor buttons mixed in with herbs and broccoli and rows of tomatoes. So many varieties--from wee tiny cherry tomatoes in three colors, to sections of plump, baseball-sized orbs clustered so heavy, they bend the plants to the ground. I oggled and picked them all, piling them in a milk crate to take home. Then the incredible scent of basil drew me over to a whole row of the fragrant herb. I plucked several stems while Aunt dug up potatoes and did some weeding. Nothing like an herb bouquet to awaken the senses!


Gorgeous Potatoes Dug Up This Afternoon.

I had forgotten what a delight it is to be out in the garden picking what you'll eat for supper that same evening. I relished the scent and feel of each warm, fleshy tomato as I twisted it in my hand and felt the stem give way. Later, at home, they all looked so good as I washed them, I had to snap a few shots to share.

Paired with burgers made from our own beef, we enjoyed an entire meal of homegrown deliciousness. What a blessing to have such an abundance! Thank you, Lord, for all that you provide.


Luscious Large Red & Yellow Tomatoes with a Few Heirloom Green Zebras Thrown In.

Earth is here so kind, that just tickle her with a hoe and she laughs with a harvest. ~Douglas William Jerrold, about Australia, A Land of Plenty

Quotes courtesy of The Quote Garden.

Fresh-picked
Originally uploaded by Fresh Lens Photography

Today's Joy: Loving Every Moment.
It's been a great day, Reader. Had a good, productive day at my new job. I'm really enjoying it. Then rushed home ahead of the storm to get the horses in. They are warm and safe and dry, though I got thoroughly drenched!

But all was right again when I got to Aunt's for dinner. Made plans with Mom to attend our first auction of the year tomorrow morning (we are estate auction junkies from way back). SO looking forward to perusing all those treasures just waiting to be found.

Then had Aunt's taco salad and a good, long visit with her, Aunt Chef & Uncle. The later two being substantially sunburned after a day spent planting heirloom tomatoes in their ever-expanding farm garden. Aunt Chef proclaimed there would be Green Zebras and Black Krims among this year's crop--two of my very favorite heirloom varieties. I can't wait to use them in fresh, summer recipes! There is nothing like the taste of an heirloom tomato. It's like tradition and magic and photosynthesis all rolled into one. Will be sure to get lots of photos for you, Reader.

I love days like this, when you have worked hard, fulfilled your responsibilities and now are pleasantly drowsy on the sun porch as the evening light fades. Content and surrounded by laughter. Would that we had whole summers full of such evenings! Good Night, dear Reader.