The morning air is cool and crisp in the Midwest now as October paints autumn leaves in vibrant reds and golds. Puffs of breath fog the air from early walks with the dog and crystals of dew glitter on blades of grass as the sun rises in the sky. It’s last call on beautiful weather. Last call on clear blue skies and days that gradually warm with each hour of the rising sun until the perfect 75 degrees hits the mark.
In the garden, the tomatoes are slower to brighten to their orange-red glow. The yield is thinner and each glorious fruit is more precious than the last, each meaty slice full of juicy flavor.
Our favorite way to eat the garden tomatoes are to slice them thin, sprinkle lightly with a little sea salt, top with freshly torn basil leaves right from the garden and drizzle with aged balsamic vinegar. A mouth-watering delight worth dreaming about all year long, it can only be done with vine-fresh tomatoes. Anything less isn’t worth the effort.
Every October, with the first heavy frost looming on the horizon, the tomatoes seem to taste even better. Or perhaps they are just more appreciated knowing they will soon be gone again until next June. I daydream of building a greenhouse over the garden to stretch out the days. A fool’s dream, but one I have every year- designing the greenhouse in my mind, envisioning the ability to harvest fresh fruits and vegetables all through the brutal winter chill.
I want to make these precious days last. I want to savor every juicy moment, harvest every golden memory, bask in the wamth of the last lingering days of sun.
And although the season is short, I hang on tight to each day, fully appreciating the little time that is left. Time to finish up those last few summer dreams. Time to finish up those final chores that can be done outside while the weather holds. Time for a few more picnics, bike rides through the forest preserves, hikes through the woods.
Time for a few more tomatoes while they are still on the vine. I don’t want to waste a single one.
Hi Wendi – I love the taste of real tomatoes. We get most of ours from the supermarket and they’re tasteless compared to home grown organic ones.
Sometimes i wonder why we bother eating them – they don’t even taste like tomatoes anymore.
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I’m with Cath. I live in California, and produce should be awesome. It’s not. The last tomatoes I bought would have tasted like feet if they’d had more flavor.
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Tomatoes – the one thing we always have in our garden every year. A joy during the harvest season. And it’s over for us – our first freeze a couple of weeks ago – tomatoes no more.
And this story also reminds me of life. Like tomatoes, their season short, we also don’t know how short our own “season” here on earth will be. And that’s a reminder to me, Wendi, to appreciate all that I have in my life – not knowing when any season could come to an end…
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Hi Wendi,
These days (and in fact every day) are precious. I woke up this morning to find the tree outside my window with its beautiful golden leaves had shed half of them. Just yesterday the branches were full and today they are barren reminding me that this season will soon be gone.
Cath & Writer Dad,
I ate more tomatoes last night and have more left. I wish I could mail you both some. THey are soooo good! Crazy that Chicago Tomatoes would be better then California ones. We had CHicken Fahitas last night with peppers and tomatoes fresh from the garden. SOOOO good!
Lance,
Yes, the story is a metaphor for the short seasons of life… sigh…it ALL goes so fast doesn’t it?
Karen, I have to work hard at not letting the atumn change of season get depressing when it goes so fast. I have to focus on enjoying it. It goes SO FAST! I just want it to slow down a little…
Wendi: I’m with you on this – every word! And my kitchen windowsill is crowded with a gazillion cherry tomatoes… 🙂
Hey Wendi, can I come to your house? My husband got impatient and plowed up my lovely tomatoes. 🙁 They’re my favorite!
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How true, it is time to finish things up before hunkering down for the cold winter months. Just remember, while the sun may not be doing the warming this winter, your fond memories of summer and some friends will keep you warm all winter long!
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Awww…
We’re considerably further up north than the Midwest banana belt where you live….
Our tomatoes were done almost a month ago.
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The neighbor’s tomatos were not as grand as hoped. However, with those “gifted” to me. . . . I tossed with minced shallots and hot pepper flakes, sauteed all in olive oil. Bathed some al dente spaghetti with these tomatoes. Covered over with little ribbons of shredded basil leaves. Oh, delicious.
“The tomato falls into ripe halves.
My mouth anticipating.
Seeds slide down,
moist pleasure to
my dry throat.
Savor the sweet,
eaten over the kitchen sink.
Juice dripping down my arms!”
I made fresh tomato sauce tonight with the last of our garden tomatoes. There is nothing like it! I used to hunker down for winter until I met my husband, now I actually enjoy bundling up and getting outside. I do have my limits though when it comes to temperature. 🙂 A greenhouse would be nice…enjoy your final days of warmth!
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This is a little sad – but I had never tasted garden-grown tomatoes until about five years ago. I had a housemate at the time whose mom grew those tasty treats in her garden and oh my goodness! We used to make tomato and mozzarella salads with them – to die for. Ever since those days, tomatoes just haven’t tasted the same. Hopefully, one day I’ll have my own garden 🙂
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My wifes likes her tomatoes with cottage cheese. Strange but true.
And speaking of Fall, I love that feeling of savoring every day. It’s not just that summer is leaving, but that unique feeling of fall only lasts a very short time before Winter hits.
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Steph,
The picture for this post IS my window sill AND My garden produce…those were yummy tomatoes.
What will you do with yours?
Jamie,
Yikes! What was he thinking! Come right on over!
Jenny, Yep, we have each other..and the jacuzzi and the bon fires…:) We will be OK…
Friar, That’s TOOOO Soon. I wish I could mail you tomatoes…
Ms O, Sounds yummy- the recipe AND the poem! 🙂
Stacey,
I am making Lasagna…mmmmm…..with homemade sauce…
Melissa, Once you have had fresh garden tomatoes, you can never go back….you are spoiled for life…
October Five,
I like Tomatoes with Mozarrella or Ricatta cheese so I guess cottage cheese wouldn’t be that different. I agree with you about the shortness of the season. That’s what makes it so special I think. Now if only winter would be as short…
Windi: I second the motion to make winter just as short. I’ve actually considered moving to Arizona for the next 6 months, as I’m in transition anyway and being there for the winter would be lovely. I’m really not a cold weather person.
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I meant Wendi, not Windi.
Oktober Five’s last blog post..When I Forget, You Lose
I hear you. I’m biking in the forest preserve every chance I get!
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Oh wow..I love tomatoes too! Brilliant red and juicy ones! I’m thinking of having some with my lunch later!
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