Monday, August 18, 2014














it began early in the morning…

when the kitchen window was open…
morning breezes cooled my just showered wet hair while my hands splashed in the hot water filled sink…
tomatoes….tomatoes…large and small…
washed and waiting for the oven..

since fresh salsa was planned to enjoy in the afternoon….
both sides of the sink were filled….the "salsa side"…and the "to be roasted" side…

since it was still early and the house quiet…
there was humming coming from me and the dogs sitting nearby, available if anything hit the floor and they could get to it before I said "get out of the kitchen"

parchment paper, olive oil, fresh and dried herbs, kosher salt and freshly ground pepper…

sliced and slices of plump juicy tomatoes lined across six baking sheets…
the oven light and soft chirping beep telling me the temperature inside the stove was ready…

while the dishes were washed and dried…
the chickens clucking loudly outside announcing the first egg of the day…
the dogs now stretched across the wooden floor having long given up of any morsels…

the tomatoes roasted…
the smell of herbs….bubbling juices….withering tomatoes filled the space of my home..
hubby coming in from the front yard declaring "oh, that smells really good"…
long before opening the front door the Italian scents filling the porch through the open dining area window….memories of Sicily when Leah and I ate tomatoes, bread and too many olives….

and out from her bedroom came my little Sicilian born granddaughter to join Nana in the kitchen with her tomato roasting project…
since the oven door promised to do harm if touched..
Zoe helped out where she knows her attention is always welcomed and play is safe…
Nana's pantry….
while I retrieved the hot goodness from the racks…..
Zoe organized and continued learning the staples on the shelves…

her tower of seasonings for popcorn…which she calls her castle
the canned fruit and vegetables
the pastas, rice and crackers

all part of her experience with time spent with grandparents..

Nana cooks…
Grandpa's the one who she'll sit still for while managing the "wild hair" into a properly combed ponytail…

as for the plan with all the roasted tomatoes?
there'll be pizzas made and topped along with bell peppers that made their way in from the garden
some frozen to be enjoyed in the coming weeks ahead..
tomatoes to be added to pastas with fresh salad…
tortillas wrapping grilled chicken with greens for a midweek lunch..

basically….from scrambled eggs to bread topped with roasted tomatoes…
it's all good and goes with everything..

enjoy your day…
tonight's activity???

time to begin the Portland slouchy….I'm thinking something blue….

come back soon Zoe….we need to get our new aprons dirty baking cookies and collecting the eggs..



1 comment:

Portland Pam said...

I can't figure it out. You only had half a weekend and yet you went to a waterpark, had your grandbaby spend the night, harvested tomatoes and planned a weeks worth of meals, knitted hats, and then had time to blog about it. I need to re-evaluate my choices and figure out how I get nothing done! Amazing.