Look at this guy! I've been watching it get bigger and bigger on the vine, and it finally started ripening while I was away, so I brought it in today. I generally prefer to let tomatoes ripen on the vine (not for any actual REASON; just because it seems nicer), but I picked several not-quite-ripe tomatoes because A) I've had problems with rot already and B) the squirrels have been stealing. They usually stay away from tomatoes, but I've found a few strewn about this year. That's what I get for caging in my pepper plants, I guess.
I had a pretty good garden haul today -- you can see it here. I'm really upset that I didn't stop at Tobies for my favourite bread today (I was on my way home, with the cats in the car, and I decided that it wasn't worth the risk of roasting them alive just for a loaf of bread), as I'd really like to have a tomato sandwich tomorrow. Dang. For those who care, I've picked Striped Germans (which is what's in the photo in this post), Black Princes, and Oxhearts. I'm still waiting on the Cherokee Purples and Brandywines. And the Big Boy -- hybrid fail.
My pumpkins are getting pretty big now, as is my one butternut squash (there may be more hidden away), and I discovered a tiny (but set) watermelon along the side of the house. The melon vines haven't been growing well at all, because I've been lazy about watering them, but I'll give them some more TLC now there's a melon to take care of. What else? My sunflowers are tall, the glads are blooming, the grapes are starting to ripen (only a few of those, as the vines just went in this year), etc, etc.
It's nice to be back home after my 'week' at the cabin -- and it's nice just to feel that way about being at home, if you understand what I mean. I feel like I get so much more done when I split my time. I think it's because I work well with self-imposed structure. If I know I only have a week to finish submissions or proofread before I head home, I make sure to get it done. Likewise, if I know I've got a week to work on cover designs and to see friends before I go to the cabin, then I get to it. My parents sure were clever to buy that cabin! I bought and 'installed' a faucet aerator to fix the splashy kitchen tap, so I figure we're about even now (ha).
The only downside to a week of concentrated reading and proofing on the laptop is that it takes a toll on my hands. My right one is worse (since it does the touch pad and the comma and semi-colon keys, which make up 85% of my edits); it's the pressure from the edge of the laptop on the base of my palm. I'd managed to really lessen the effect by wearing a wrist brace, but now I've tweaked my thumb because of it. My wrists are pretty wimpy, so to get the brace tight enough, the thumbhole gets pulled out of place. It's extremely boring, I know, but it's hard not to think about it, since I'm typing and everything.
Anyway! I'm gearing up for a fun, friend-filled weekend. I hope you are too!
Your garden description only describes EXACTLY what I want some day. You had me at tomato! :D
Lovely blog.