You know, when you start seeing binders and backpacks at the store, that’s a clear sign that summer is coming to a close. As a kid, this is a sad time because summer fun makes way for the routine of school. For me, it’s bitter sweet. Don’t get me wrong, I am not a fan of winter so the thought of not being able to go out into the garden and putter until the sun goes down makes me want to cry. But, there is something comforting about getting back to routine (even though my kids are older, I still feel like September brings the “adult” back to all of us, making us aware that we need to put drinking on the patio and lazy days in the pool behind us – just for another year). September means you can not feel guilty about actually cleaning your house (because who wants to clean the house in July when it is a glorious 30 degrees outside?), you can start thinking about making great tummy warming foods that don’t involve the bbq and you can tuck into a good book in front of the fireplace instead of on the lounge chair. Yes, summer all year long would be great, but we would miss the glory of the seasons and the fall is the most glorious of all. If we are lucky, we will have an Indian summer so we can ease into our new routines.
But September isn’t here yet, and the picking is still awesome. This is what I picked just a few minutes ago (as the sun was setting…arghhh…who’s kidding who…I will miss summer). The last stalks of celery, swiss chard in all colours of the rainbow, tons of tomatoes (including a yellow one), 2 eggplant, 3 beets, and some basil and rosemary for tomorrow’s lunch.
Look at what else I got this afternoon…..
But September isn’t here yet, and the picking is still awesome. This is what I picked just a few minutes ago (as the sun was setting…arghhh…who’s kidding who…I will miss summer). The last stalks of celery, swiss chard in all colours of the rainbow, tons of tomatoes (including a yellow one), 2 eggplant, 3 beets, and some basil and rosemary for tomorrow’s lunch.
Look at what else I got this afternoon…..
My mom gave me 5 purple beans last year and I planted then on the outside of the garden fence…they were so pretty that I took 5 more from the ones that grew and I planted them again. They make pretty red flowers and the beans will grow in the next 3-4 weeks. I shell them and freeze them to use in soups all through the winter. More on that when they grow…
I couldn’t resist…my first apple of the season! It’s really not ready yet but I love them when they are sour! Look out for an apple post in the recipe section next month!
My last zucchini…I am very sad! But, the good news is I have a great chocolate chip zucchini cake recipe!
Three carrots that I pulled to snack on while I made dinner…if you’ve never eaten a carrot pulled straight from the ground, you don’t know what you’re missing! Next year, plant a few just so you can experience the crazy sweetness!!
It’s onion time…so I pick one or two every day. So sweet…
And, it goes without saying, that there is always a basket of tomatoes around…
