Saturday, July 30, 2011

July 30, 1964

Today's view from the porch is different than usual. My porch view today is of the Minnesota north woods complete with a thundershower. Deep greens and dark clouds today in sharp contrast to yesterday's brilliant blue sky and abundant sunshine.

Most people have days of the year that mark the passing of time, New Year's Eve, the first day of school, anniversaries.... I'm having one of those today. It is my 47th birthday.

I love birthdays, I really do. My best friend had a birthday earlier this week and it left her feeling a little sad and a little scared. She's much more pragmatic, rational, and analytical than I could ever be. We are a good balance. She keeps me grounded and I keep her busy.

My birthday weekend has been filled with good times spent with family, with longtime friends, and the beauty of a Minnesota lake in the height of summer. Life is the best birthday gift there is.

Saturday, July 23, 2011

There's only two things that money can't buy...

and that's true love and homegrown tomatoes. " - Roy Clark

"The" summer meal is something many people look forward to all year long. For some, it is fresh crab in the Pacific Northwest. In Wisconsin, it's a fish boil.

In Iowa, it is fresh sweet corn and homegrown tomatoes. A "go-to" summer meal around here includes fresh sweet corn and BLT's - bacon, lettuce, and tomato sandwiches. Many an Iowan will not eat a BLT unless there are "real" tomatoes involved and I am one of them. My own tomato plants aren't quite there yet, but the recent hot and humid weather should jump start them. For now, I rely on local growers. Soon, my tomatoes will come from my garden just a few steps from my kitchen door.

The early sweet corn is out of this world. There is nothing else like it. The first amazing meal of summer is a simple one. A bacon, lettuce and tomato sandwich with buttered ear of sweet corn. We wait all year for this time and it is well worth the wait.