Back in spring we made an attempt on behalf of our dirt loving son to plant some tomatoes and basil and other herbs on the dock. Nothing grew. Not one thing. I can blame the extra cold wet spring and the extra hot dry summer. I can blame the questionable soil my husband scooped from the shore that was mostly sand. But the blame falls squarely on my seagoing shoulders. I just have a hard time remembering and caring about plants. Ok, there, I said it. While I LOVE the romantic notion of harvesting our own food, I resist the actual nurturing of the plants. Our dear friend A saw our empty bucket of dirt and brought over an already blossoming tomato plant. "Can you manage to keep it alive for just a little while, it's practically ready."
And look, we did it! Little tomatoes have been popping up daily and Zach is watching with glee as they ripen and redden. Of course, he doesn't actually like eating tomatoes. But he is loving the process nonetheless and was excited to help me make some gazpacho & kale salad with our little harvest combined with the larger harvests of some generous land lubber friends.
Summer meals are always such a festive affair. Whether it's a quiet dinner with summer's bounty... or a bounty of friends who are anything but quiet.
We had 11 adults, one child, 3 languages, a dozen steaks, several pounds of green beans, who knows how many bottles of wine, and non-stop laughing and eating.
Yes, this is actually a fairly typical summer get together at the marina. I love the way people just show up. I love sharing dishes with neighbors. I love that new people are always on the menu.
And I love the way the fun stretches long into the warm summer nights until we all drag our tired, happy, full selves back to our boats and rock to sleep.
hee! hee! hee! My head is nodding vigorously ... I am HOPELESS at gardening. Everything I've ever planted - apart from hedge shrubs which are impossible to kill - has died a lonely, neglected death. But, I live in romantic hope!
I'm glad your tomatoes worked out. I agree that summer meals have a different feel altogether. Something about the air, I think. I'm glad you're enjoying them. :)
And look, we did it! Little tomatoes have been popping up daily and Zach is watching with glee as they ripen and redden. Of course, he doesn't actually like eating tomatoes. But he is loving the process nonetheless and was excited to help me make some gazpacho & kale salad with our little harvest combined with the larger harvests of some generous land lubber friends.
Summer meals are always such a festive affair. Whether it's a quiet dinner with summer's bounty... or a bounty of friends who are anything but quiet.
We had 11 adults, one child, 3 languages, a dozen steaks, several pounds of green beans, who knows how many bottles of wine, and non-stop laughing and eating.
Yes, this is actually a fairly typical summer get together at the marina. I love the way people just show up. I love sharing dishes with neighbors. I love that new people are always on the menu.
And I love the way the fun stretches long into the warm summer nights until we all drag our tired, happy, full selves back to our boats and rock to sleep.
10 comments:
I have a black thumb as well. Maybe if plants cried or meowed or whatnot when they needed something I'd do better.
Holly -- you made me laugh up my water with your meowing and crying comment!!
It was a good thing neglect seemed to do the trick for our tomatoes this year LOL. Not sure it will work ever again.
But the summer meals you are talking about sound SPLENDID! I'd LOVE that!
That sail jumping looks sooo fun!
Looks like a lovely gathering! I wish I lived somewhere with a sense of community like that :) Congrats on nursing those tomatos along too!
hee! hee! hee! My head is nodding vigorously ... I am HOPELESS at gardening. Everything I've ever planted - apart from hedge shrubs which are impossible to kill - has died a lonely, neglected death. But, I live in romantic hope!
I'm glad your tomatoes worked out. I agree that summer meals have a different feel altogether. Something about the air, I think. I'm glad you're enjoying them. :)
Oh, wow, that kale salad looks amazing.
I have soooooo much kale. what was i thinking! thanks for the salad recipe.
Your summer get togethers sound wonderful!
How lucky to have such a fun community surrounding you!
Post a Comment