MY WIFE SAID YOU MAY WANT TO MARRY ME by Jason B. Rosenthal

My wife said you may want to marry me by Jason B. Rosenthal.

I am listening to the audio version of this lovely tribute to the writer’s deceased wife.

It is one of the most touching, compelling, beautifully written (and read) love stories I have ever read.  It is a man’s account of his life with the love of his life, who, unfortunately was taken way too soon.   It makes me believe in the power of true love.

LATE SUMMER FLOWERS 2020

Here are just a few pictures of flowers that are in my garden this week.  The weather has finally cooled down, and it is such a pleasure to garden in this weather. 

In the following, are just a variety of things that are blooming at the present time.  Chief among them are the always dependable BLACK EYED SUSAN, RED CARPET ROSE, AND two flowers I started from seed this spring:  the balloon flower and the picotee morning glory.

PICOTEE MORNING GLORY

BALLOON FLOWER

FRONT WALK

BLACK EYED SUSAN (RUDBEKIA) AND RED CARPET ROSE

ASTILBE SEEDS

WEIGELA SECOND BLOOM

THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS by Katherine Schwarzenegger

THE GIFT OF FORGIVENESS

<p class="has-vivid-purple-color has-pale-cyan-blue-background-color has-text-color has-background" style="font-size:22px" value="<amp-fit-text layout="fixed-height" min-font-size="6" max-font-size="72" height="80">BY <a href="https://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Katherine+Schwarzenegger+Pratt&stick=H4sIAAAAAAAAAONgVuLSz9U3SElJKatKf8Royi3w8sc9YSmdSWtOXmNU4-IKzsgvd80rySypFJLgYoOy-KR4uJC08SxilfNOLMlILcrMS1UITs4oTyyqSs1LTU9PLVIIKEosKQEAYLaeLmcAAAA">Katherine Schwarzenegger </a>BY Katherine Schwarzenegger

I just started listening to this audio book. It’s just a beautiful discussion of various people and how they deal with situations which required them to forgive that which was very difficult to forgive. Schwarzenegger Pratt’s insight, sensitivity, and lovely speaking voice make the audio book of The Gift of Forgiveness a very enlightening and enjoyable read. I recommend it highly.

TOMATOES, BLTS AND TOMATO, BASIL MOZZARELLA SALAD and SEED SAVING

(While Isaias is roaring, I shall share my thoughts on tomatoes.)

TOMATO SEASON IS SO EXCITING!!

This year I planted 3 tomatoes that can NOT be found in any store.  They are all saved seeds which were started under grow lights in the basement.  They are:

FRANZ QUEEN (VERY LARGE!!)

TOMIMI:  VERY SMALL!!

DEZDAMATO:  VERY MEDIUM!!

All are very delicious.

FRANZ QUEEN, DEZDAMATO, TOMIMI

BOWL OF 3 KINDS OF TOMATOES

FRANZ QUEEN AND PENCIL

FRANZ QUEEN SLICE

SAVING SEEDS OF FQ

BASIL

TOMATOES AND MOZZARELLA

I made the first BLT of the season and the first tomato mozzarella salad of the season.

Also, I saved the seeds of the FQ and the Tomimi, which I used to make the tomato salad.

To save seeds, I just spoon out about 10 seeds and put them on paper towel.  Then I let them sit out for 2 or 3 days.  I always label the seeds with permanent marker!  After they are completely dry, I store the seeds on the paper towels in a plastic sandwich bag.  Then in the spring in March, I just plant the seed (stuck to paper towel, if necessary) in potting soil.

BLT:  I think BLTs are my favorite sandwich.  I bake the bacon in the oven for 20 minutes at 400 d.  Then I toast Trader Joe’s San Francisco multigrain sour dough bread.  (I’m very very particular that this bread is the best!)  It is a sturdy, chewy, tasty bread, loved by all who taste it.  I use lots of mayo, a very very thick (1/2″) slice of a Franz Queen, salted, then 3 or 4 slices of bacon, then a little lettuce.  The Franz Queen is usually bigger than the bread, so I have to cut it in half.  Then I squoosh it all down as much as I can:

I make my hungry son a double decker BLT (when we’re not social distancing), by just adding another layer of tomato, bacon, and lettuce on top of the first layer.  That’s over the top, but he’s the only one who can eat one like that, so I like to treat him.

To make the tomato salad, I just quarter the Tomimis, cut the fresh mozzarella into small bite sized pieces, ribbon slice 4 or 5 leaves of basil, add olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, and garlic powder, and mix. 

That’s the menu for today.  Hope you make something delicious out of your tomatoes, be they home grown or store bought.  Support your local farmers and your local Farmers’ Markets, too.  If you can’t grow your own, that’s an excellent alternative.