good 'n planty

                                          Ok, originally I named this post "small things" because I wanted to tell you about all the delightful tiny produce I've noticed lately, but the title reminded me of this online store, where I have purchased a beautiful, custom piece of jewelry for myself- and now that gardening season is over/almost over/just beginning depending on where you live, you should think about treating yourself: how about the leaf from your favorite tree, or showing your support of your favorite pollinator?

 But I didn't intend on mentioning jewelry- what I really wanted to share was the tiny, baby, miniscule champagne grapes my friend and I spotted at our local farmers market- causing us to stop and make sweet little high-pitched noises as though we were admiring onesies at a baby shower. Short on time, I neither bought nor photographed them- but I intend to go back. From what I have read online, they are very sweet and when dried are- currants, not raisins. Here is a picture, try not to squeal.

 

(our baby cornfield)

This morning I joined Pam in the garden after being unable to come for nearly a month! Of course a lot has happened- a few of the beds are full and lush with cover crops, the tomatoes are just about done, the soybeans were demolished by deer for the second time, and the watermelons, I hear, weren't anything to write home about.

 I harvested a ton of beans, a dozen beets, and a bagful of grape tomatoes along with another small variety called "Porter". I remember when Porter first started turning, Pam and I were wondering what to do with the odd sized tomato- too big for salad, too small for sauce... I'm hoping I found the solution: tonight I plan to turn my apartment into a salsa-bottling factory: for being such a foodie, I have an embarrassing fondness for salsa.  I have never jarred my own, so I'm preparing for mild success or minor disaster.

Now that I'm through with the "everyone I know is getting married" stage...I will soon be entering the "everyone I know is buying/building a house stage" followed by the pet and/or child stage.

 This is not a problem- I love buying presents for people... gifts can be personal, creative, homemade... I could spend weeks researching, shopping, crafting...when somebody needs a gift, I'm a happy camper. Lately, however, I have found that some new homeowners don't want anything- and as far as housewarming gifts go- they'd rather go without.

The weather in PA seems to fluctuate daily from "open all the windows and turn on the fans!" to "where are all my sweaters?" but every now and then, we get a perfect, slightly breezy but still short-sleeve-weather day. Yesterday afternoon, I almost settled into my apartment cleaning, grocery shopping routine, but at the last minute, called up a friend and met at a local park. We took a trail I'd never been on and spent the entire afternoon enjoying the perfect weather.

Anti-climactic story, I know, but really I just wanted to inspire you to relax and enjoy this lovely time of year. Find a park and get outside!