The First 'Mater of 2012 w. Gingi

This year I decided that I would share my very first German Johnson tomato with my dearest grandmother, who's in the hospital with neuropathy.  All my life she has shared her German Johnsons with me.  Whether it was her last, first, or only tomato, she was willing to share.  Going to visit her, no matter the season, she always had tomatoes in her window seal, and she always asked "Do y'all need any tomatoes?" She would also offer any other vegetable she had in her dehydrator or that she had just picked from her garden that same day.

So, I made a promise to myself, and to Facebook, I guess, that I would share the very first one with her, no matter the size, shape, or condition.  And so I did. I let this special first 'mater sit in my kitchen window seal and ripen to perfection, until it had that deep red color, and until the skin turned soft and tender, making sure there were no green spots on the top near the stem.  And when this perfection had been achieved, I made a special appointment with the hubby, because once it was ready, we had to go.  When I pulled that perfectly ripened 'mater out of my pocket book (just like Gingi herself would have done), her eyes lit up, "Is that a German Johnson?"  "Yes Ma'am," I answered.  I told her my promise, and she replied, "ain't that sweet."

I told her that it was a small tomato, but it was the first, so I had to share it, no matter the size.  She said in reply, "it's enough for me and you to both have some." I of course had to agree with her.  I laid the 'mater down on her little cart, waiting for her dinner tray, so she could have it with her other food.  After waiting for awhile, she finally said, "go see if the nurses will give you some plates and a fork."  She did not want to wait!!

Ok, so I went on a treasure hunt, and was able to find some small styrofoam plates, but no utensils. Luckily I had brought a knife to slice it with, but Charles had to hunt down some eating utensils, and all they had was plastic spoons.  Gingi said she thought she could handle eating it with a spoon, and we both laughed, because I think she would have eaten it with her fingers if I would have let her.  Before I could get the tomato sliced, she asked, "You got some salt?"  Of course I made sure we had salt.  I know better than that!

So I handed her the two biggest slices, sprinkled with salt, and the plastic spoon.  She got really quiet.  After the first bite, she exclaimed, "there just ain't nothing better."  WOW. It was the best mater moment ever!  I am so glad I did this with her. She is getting on up there in age, and we just never know these days how much longer she will be able to enjoy maters with us.  I am so glad that I am able to share something that I grew in my own yard with someone who I know will enjoy it the way she did. Of course I took a picture, caught her tongue out, spoon full of mater going in.....that is what it's all about!

Spring Is In the Air, & Everywhere!

Spring is (almost) here!  I say that lightly, because here in North Carolina, it has been a very mild winter, allowing for an early Spring, and I could not be happier!  The trees are budding...and you know what that means?!?!  It means the fruits of our trees and plants will be here very soon!

So, during the first week of March, I ventured out of the cupboard and looked for the first signs of Spring.  To my surprise, I found my lilies popping above ground.  My outside cat, Amber, was rolling in the warm sun, watching the birds.  And last but certainly not least, I found the cherry, peach, and crabapple trees with tiny innocent little blooms!  What a nice surprise!  Guess it's time to start cleaning out the flower beds!   

Summer 'Mater Sammiches

I just can't go on without sharing this experience.  It seems simple for some, but it is just so satisfying and simple...and of course for me, it brings many great memories back to the surface. 

Wheat bread, juicy maters, southern Duke's Mayo, salt and freshly ground pepper...that's all you need to experience this creamy, salty and acidic goodness.

Delights from My Garden--Part 1

German Johnsons are going to be here soon!

Wow! I have quite a few delightful treats in my garden this year!

First and foremost, the German Johnson tomatoes...I can't wait...and the Marion heirlooms right beside them.  I can't wait to fight for that tangy juice from the bottom of the bowl, to be able to make a sloppy sammich with just salt and pepper, or to simply eat one like an apple...dirt and all.

 There's also quite a few different varieties and colors of summer apples-red, green, and yellow.  It is such a joy to watch them grow and mature into a tasty morsel...whether eaten raw, in a cobbler, cooked to perfection in a cast iron frying pan, or pureed into homemade applesauce.  Nothing better than shaking the tree to have them fall from up above...like pennies from heaven.

Apples in the morning dew

Apples from 1 of about 8 trees in my yard

 Last year I had all of 1 peach from my tree.  I distinctly remember my mom trying to tell me that there was a ripe peach on my tree.  I didn't believe her...it had been very dry, and none of the trees had produced anything all year. But sure enough, there it was, a beautiful piece of art. I carefully plucked the single peach off the tree.  As I bit into it, I realized it was the freshest,  sweetest, juiciest, peach I have ever put in my mouth...too bad it was the only one :(.

...gonna eat alota peaches." 

"Movin to the country...

So this year I have 2 trees hanging full of 'lil peaches, and I am hoping that we are granted with enough sky juice to once again produce these flavorful, ripe, fuzzy  peaches.

 ...yes Juli, I remember the 6 hour tour...with all the peaches!