Catching my breath

Today has been delightful, but I have been so busy that I'm certain I could tuck in for the night right now. Several hours were spent at Jack's school, snapping photos of the darling new students and more shelving in the libe. Then some photo editing, new school shoes for Jack, choosing a birthday present, wrapping the present, setting up our Magic Rocks tank and so forth. I don't remember anything I've eaten nor any specifics regarding travel between any of the places I've been. Isn't it weird how you can be preoccupied as to literally not recall driving or walking from place to place? You just do it automatically, and I do believe I pay attention and am careful, but it's still an odd feeling to arrive somewhere and have distinct memory of the trip. Weird! Off to the market. My sage is out of control, so I'm going to make a sage-walnut pesto and perhaps even some homemade fettucine on which to daub it. Will keep you posted!

Tomatoes in all their summer splendor

Yesterday, I was helping shelve books in Jack's school library, and the librarian told me about her parents' organic farm in Delaware (cool!) and how her mother had recently brought over a truckload of fresh tomatoes. They are awash in tomatoes and have already made a freezer-full of pizza and spaghetti sauces and the like. Naturally this conversation prompted me to think about all the ways in which I enjoy tomatoes, as you probably know in spades by this time in the year.

I've been eating the cherry varieties like candy lately, just popping them in my mouth every time I pass the bowl I leave full on the kitchen counter (please tell me you are not refrigerating your toms!!). I eat them when I pass our plants, although they're dwindling seriously now, outside. And I still can't resist buying more tomatoes each and every time I go to the store or market. I bought these beauties yesterday after I left the library and propped them on my sunny windowsill to ripen a bit more, knowing I'd make a pie with them tonight. Gorgeous, yes? They're languid yet not, sexy in all their ripe vegetalness.

I'm pretty excited about this dish- it's my corn, bacon and basil tomato pie.

Local Labor Day deal for canners

If you're in the DC area and want to stock up on mason jars for canning, the Tenleytown Ace Hardware (right on Wisconsin Ave) will be selling pint and pint-and-a-half size jars, 2 for $14 while supplies last from August 31 - September 3. These sizes are great for pickled items like okra and beans as well as for pie-fillings.