Who Doesn't Love A Fresh Tomato?

There is nothing quite like the taste of a red, juicy, homegrown tomato. The tender skin and flavorful flesh evoke memories of mid-west summer cookouts and BLTs. Nothing can top the flavor of a tomato grown in rich soil. I can almost taste the vitamins and minerals from the earth as the juice drips down my chin. This year, we were determined to have a go at growing our own; so, late in April (past the prime planting time in our area) we purchased 4 puny plants and brought them home to see if we could channel our inner farmer, and actually grow something we could eat.

Our hanging cherry began to grow immediately out of one of those crazy, upside down tomato contraptions. It seemed to enjoy its moderately sunny space near the patio, and within weeks, little yellow flowers began to appear. Tomatoes soon!

Meanwhile, we planted 3 more plants in our ramshackle garden plot behind the garage. I was a bit uneasy about the quality (and safety) of the soil given that the previous home owners were a bit eclectic in their yard keeping practices, but something in the soil must agree with tomatoes. They took off and grew at a staggering rate. Up the cages, out of the cages, until nearly as tall as the fence... they kind of fell over and begin growing into and around themselves. The plants were amazing, and it seemed a bumper crop of fruit was to follow given the tremendous numbers of furry yellow flowers popping up in bunches scattered throughout the tangled web of vines.

Each day I would come home from work and sneak around the corner of the garage to check on the progress of our little (or giant, rather) garden residents, dreaming of BLTs, salsa, homemade marinara...oh what we could do with the bounty we were sure to reap. Slowly green turned to coral, orange, and at last a hint of the classic "tomato red." First harvest was at hand.

The next evening, I spied several ripe tomatoes deep in the center of the vines. I bent down and slowly reached in...weaving my arm around and about the sticky tendrils, carefully grasping my prize when...SQUISH! My finger tips wrapped around the back side of the juicy fruit sank deep into meaty flesh. Quickly, I snapped off the inaugural tomato and flipped it over, only to be greeted by...bird beak holes!  Pecked out of the pristine side of MY tomato. I reached for another...but the result was the same. It seemed I was not the only one eagerly awaiting the harvest. Who doesn't love a fresh tomato? The battle wages on...me vs. birds!

Playing Around with Photo Editing

Well, I had a few free minutes, given that we are home AGAIN today with Maddie running fever this time. I was playing around with some online photo editing and created this collage. Unsure of what to do with it, I decided to post it here. I wonder sometimes if what I see when I edit photos is what other people see. To me, things look good, but I wonder if a more artistic eye would wonder what in the world I was thinking. Do we all have the ability to create artistically or is it something that just comes naturally to some and not at all to others?

I was reminded at several different points during Easter weekend that sometimes that which seems like too much effort, really ends up being well worth your while. We dyed Easter eggs at about 5pm on Easter evening after all other festivities were complete. I dragged my feet getting everything prepared, but the girls finally convinced me that it would be fun to do it. Some fabulous tie-dyed creations emerged from our decorating session. Thanks especially to Maddie for pushing us to do it!!

Where has April Gone?

I was amazed today when someone asked me the date and I had to tell them, "the 20th." Where has April gone? It seems like just yesterday we were returning to school after spring break. Now we are down to 30 days of school left before the lazy summer begins. At the beginning of the month, I was committed to writing more, trying out some poetry, doing some written reflection about my reading. I've done very little of any of it. I've managed a few entries in my writer's notebook and one lonely post for April on my blog. I truly envy my literary friends and mentors who find time to write every day...and I wonder how they manage to make it happen. I know they are every bit as busy as me (if not more so.) I'm uneasy with how quickly the days pass by. I sometimes wonder if moving so quickly through life, doing so many things, is not nearly as meaningful or fulfilling as having a few things I really love doing and to do them fully and completely. I wish for a little more simplicity and peace to enjoy what's happening in the moment.

In the Zone

 I'm exceptionally proud of myself this afternoon. Yesterday, like most Sundays, I had too many things on my to-do list. My biggest concern was the fact that I bought ingredients for, and planned meals around, a big, steamy pot of homemade marinara sauce. Which did not come to fruition yesterday. It's funny how stressed that one little thing made me last night. I was stressed about wasting food. I was stressed about the lack of nutrtion in the greasy pizza we ended up ordering for dinner. I was stressed about not being able to take a day off today to de-stress.

But as I said, I'm exceptionally proud of myself. After a full day of work, I left school at 4 and stopped at the grocery store. Once home, I immediately began my cooking frenzy. I finely chopped my own onion in less than a minute. Although I did not achieve a "fine dice" with the other veggies,  I did all the prep work without Sous Chef Dax who is usually my go-to guy for all things sliced and diced. I was in a zone...effective, efficient. If every evening could be like this, maybe I really could feed the family more healthy, home-cooked meals during the week. Then again, I haven't folded laundry, or watered the plants, or unloaded the dishwasher...but for just a few minutes I'm giving myself permission to write about, and revel in, my culinary accomplishments!

Spring Tease

I'm having a fleeting moment of nostalgia this morning. After a brief rain and thunderstorm last night, we awoke to dry air and cool temps. I found myself taking deep breaths and reminiscing about May mornings back in Iowa. The ones that start out crisp and clear...birdsong in the air and spring green leaves sprayed over the trees and bushes. Gently those days warm in the sun, giving you just a taste of what's to come in June and July.  This is how spring should be...all the way through May. But I know that "cold fronts" and refreshing breezes are soon to be replaced by moist, warm air that wraps around you like sauna steam and makes you sweat before you even reach the car in the driveway. In just weeks (or days), morning temps in the 50's will be nothing more than wishful thinking.  But this morning, I get the chance to be nostalgic and connected to my Midwest spring roots. I will enjoy it while I can.

Sleep-over Fallout

                   Maddie, are you under there?

The girls had their first real sleepover party at a friend's house this past Saturday. It was a little strange, after nearly 8 years, for Dax and I to drop them off with relative strangers and leave them for the night.  They had an exceptionally good time, but Sunday we experienced the "fallout."

Pale faces and dark droopy eyes told the tale of a late, sleepless night...and for Maddie a very early morning. I remember that 'night after' sleepover feeling. You are still reeling with excitement from a whole night with your friends, but feel the let down as your evening of freedom comes to an end. You're sleepy and stuffy from a night on the floor in a sleeping bag. Poor stomach, not so good from overindulgence in pizza, cake, candy and ice cream.

Maddie, grumpy and tired, fell asleep on the couch within 30 minutes of arriving home. After lunch, Isa followed suit. We parents pay for our "sleep-over" night of freedom with moodiness and drama the day after. And thus it begins...

W.I.T. (Writer in Training)

                                 Isa and her notebook

Yes...those are a pile of WII games sitting next to her. The important thing to notice here is that despite the WII games, she chose to sit and write. I'm so glad to see one of the girls pick up a pen and notebook or a book. The times this occurs are few right now, but I'm thinking about how to transition us to being a family that spends more time writing, reading, and exploring than sitting, watching and wishing! With intention there is hope!!

We All Need a Walk Sometimes

Yesterday was, by all measure, our last day of spring break. Yes it was Friday and yes we have two more days before we return to "regular" life...but Friday felt like the last day of vacation. We spent a large part of the day outside. It's hard to deny yourself fresh air in SE Texas during March. The humidity creeps in but is easily overpowered by a swift breeze. The UV index is not so high as to fry your skin. It's during March that I want buck the system and run the air conditioning while at the same time opening the windows.

On our first outing of the day we walked a community path through the woods, along a small bayou and out to the Bay. I realized as we stood on the shore amidst a pile of white oyster shells that it had been a year since we'd been to this little hide-away. Abbie got her first taste of sand and surf. While not sure about the breaking waves (although she needed a bath after rolling in something resembling raccoon poo), she plopped herself right down in the sand for a little rest before the long hike back to the car. 

The girls were troopers, running at times, volunteering to carry the backpack, and avoiding a potential "freak out" when we encountered a grass snake on the path. They even took a few "back woods" routes, meeting up with us as we stayed on the main path. It's frightening to think about how quickly they are growing up, becoming independent and stretching their boundaries. I have realized lately what a short time we will be a part of their daily lives before they take flight on their own. I am thankful for this week together and the simple memories we will have in future years.

Signs of Spring Awaken My Senses

I hear
     lawn crews
     peeping frogs
     early rising birds announcing the sun's awakening
     bees zip-line past my ear

I smell
    freshly cut grass
    mulch (ripe as a barnyard pen)
    burgers- grilling on Sunday afternoon

I see
    spring green leaves erupting from tiny buds
    popcorn flowers on Bradford Pears
    magenta, coral, white azaleas blanketing bushes
    a robin...could it be? Not yet. But soon.

Winter Sky

After a foggy night, we awoke to frosty trees and a brilliant winter blue sky!

Trying this out

Having never blogged before, this is my inaugural post. I'm know I have a lot to learn about this technology; however, I'm hoping it will give me a venue for my writing that will keep me committed to writing more. Why not write? I'm full of excuses. Maybe this blog will help keep me motivated and allow me to have a spot to archive some photos for friends and family as well. Wish me luck!!