Oh, hello there. I've missed you. Lots of time has gone by, I know, and I hope you know I've been thinking about you. There have been lots of changes since the spring. I know it's how the world works, and life will always shift and slide, this way and that, but sometimes it still takes me a while to process these changes.
I wasn't as enthusiastic about planting our vegetable garden this year as I was in years past. I can't really explain why, but I think some of the disappointments and struggles we had last year with squash bugs and a few under performing tomato plants wore me down. I don't know if it was luck or strong seedlings or the warm weather but our garden is really thriving this year. We have a Black Prince heirloom tomato potted in a trash can on our patio that is finally beginning to ripen, as well as four other varieties of tomatoes in the garden bed.
The only things we've had a chance to taste were a few of the cherry tomatoes. Tim popped them into his mouth straight out of the garden and proclaimed them the best cherry tomatoes he's ever tasted.
The tomato I'm most looking forward to is our heirloom Oxheart. I chose this varietal because my grandmother, who passed away recently, told me her grandfather used to grow them, and she remembers eating them when she was a child. A bulky, slicing tomato much like a beefsteak, this fruit starts in a shape similar to a strawberry until it fills out to an oblong fruit. Every time I walk out to the garden and look at this plant, I think of her and how even though she's gone, we are going to be sharing an experience. It means a lot to me.
Things are changing in our home and family as well. It's largely the reason I've been absent from this blog for a few months. I couldn't bear to cook anything with a strong flavor, heavy aroma, or strange texture from March through June. You can probably guess what was the culprit.
Our little Nugget will be coming into the world in the fall, and I'm just starting to wrap my head around the idea of a baby (a baby!) being a part of our family. Every time I feel the baby move inside my belly I can't believe how different things will be. Tim and I have just recently started to prepare our house to make room for this little being which is starting to make the whole thing seem real. Every time I walk past the office--err, the nursery--and see the crib sitting in there, I am reminded that we are bringing a new life to the universe. It's equally strange and amazing.
I have been back in the kitchen recently, though I can't say I'm particularly adventurous. I've made some incredible buttermilk biscuits, Tim's favorite mint brownies, and an easy pork roast. I know Tim is thankful that I've taken over some of the cooking responsibilities, and we have reduced the amount of take-out in our lives. I will try not to disappear on you again, and I hope you will let me know what you've been up to lately as well.
Oh, and not quite an announcement as much as a disclaimer: we have had a bit of technology drama in our house and the computer that I was editing my digital photos on has given up on us. Until we bite the bullet and buy a new computer, I will probably be posting photos from Instagram. I am, however, excited to be attending a digital photography workshop next week and do hope to continue to work on my pictures for the site.
