more Red Fire Farms

Cara, Velo the dog, Luke & Carrie--family of the farmer & our friends
Jackson enjoying his grilled corn remains.


If I had to have a large corsage mum for Homecoming with ribbon streamers to my knees, like we did in high school, I'd want this flower below.








I had a revelation this weekend. Luke & Carrie live down the street and called about 6:15pm on Friday night to see if we'd like to come to dinner. The farm's CSA leftovers gave Luke & Carrie tons more vegetables than they could eat so we helped consume the bounty. We husked corn, chopped peppers, onions, garlic, zucchini, tomatillos, carrots, lettuce and potatoes to make the best frittata with farm eggs for dinner with a big salad and cold wine. We sweated it out in the kitchen without AC to enjoy a cold beer and fun conversation. Mark fell asleep on the couch watching the Red Sox play the Yankees while we cleaned up the table at about 11:30pm when we'd finished our evening.

Last weekend Mark and I had a family for dinner and we slaved to get the house clean and straight and just right because it was their first time over and we didn't want their toddler picking up Jackson's hair every time she walked across the rug. Houses aren't always clean. Jackson sheds a lot. Dishes sometimes pile up in our sink. Life's more fun with when you're relaxed and enjoying yourself. A good meal sometimes just appears out of fresh ingredients and a little creativity. People remember the conversations and not the dust bunnies in the corner when they come over. I need to relax a little.

We went to a swimming hole with Luke's family after the Tomato Festival. Most of us didn't have bathing suits. I waded in to my knees, Mark fished, Jackson chased Velo the pup around the edge of the water. Some of them swam with their clothes on because the water was cool and "velvety" on a summer evening when the mosquitoes nibbled on our ankles. I need to relax.  What a great time to enjoy where we were, not care about who's around or what they might think. I like the fresh perspective that family brings to my days of trying to always "keep it together". 

Vegetable Freak Show

Courtesy of Red Fire Farms:

Tomato Festival at Red Fire Farms

This weekend Mark and I drove to the town of Granby, Mass. about 1.5 hours west of Cambridge. Mark's coworker friend, Luke, invited us to his brother's 9th Annual Tomato Festival at Red Fire Farms. It's a certified organic farm that participates in a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) with pickup locations in various farmer's markets around the state of Massachusetts. 

We came home with eggplant, watermelons, zucchini, tomatillos, beets, peaches and goat cheese for low, low prices because we're friends of the farmer's brother. I need suggestions on eggplant recipes because I usually dislike the texture of eggplant.


Tomato King's crown 

Tu Y Yo restaurant review

Cactus Salad

Corn Hush dolls, way fancier than we made growing up!

Tu Y Yo

Amazing restaurant in Somerville near Tufts University

Ensalada de Nopal
Cooked chopped cactus, onions, cilantro and tomatoes topped with cheese and amaranth seeds. Served with vinegar and olive oil.

Mole Colorado Tiaxcalteca
Chicken breast in a red mole made with chocolate, almonds, peanuts, sesame seeds, pumpkin seeds and ancho, pasilla, mulato and chipotle peppers.  Mark's meal was chicken with pine nuts, cream sauce, beer, celery, red peppers

Flan a la Chocolate Cake
Home made caramel custard layered on Mexican Chocolate cake served with caramel sauce. Sangria with seasonal fruits

Cape Cod trip

Mark and I took off this morning at 7:45am for our first trip to Cape Cod. The weather was delightful and made up for the bad traffic. The beach was totally relaxing, just the way a weekend should be.

Beauty of the Cape

Jackson was even a good dog at the beach. He's definitely skittish around loud noises and now we can add crashing waves to the list of fears. 
My sweet parents sent me flowers yesterday. They're beautiful and fragrant. I've needed a pick-me-up after the stresses of work and life lately.  It's like a smile sitting on my kitchen counter.

DC Getaway

The White House

I thought of Harvard Square as the place for protesters until we walked by the White House.  

I love these two pictures of a table at the Smithsonian of Arts & Crafts. The inlay wood and realistic depiction of the fox are incredible. What an beautiful talent!

We passed a handful of beautiful buildings, like the one pictured below, that are new without tenants because businesses aren't growing.

Congress (above)

National Museum of the Native Americans (below)

Horticulture Glimpse of DC

Dog Days of Summer

Fellsway Park
with friends from work
fishing
and Velo the Viszla pup
our mighty dog
the big fish fights