Heirloom Brandywine Tomatoes

I just picked the last of the Brandywines, in November. How can that be? When the frost has long been coating the proverbial pumpkin in most other parts of the country and gardens for the most part have been put to their winter beds. This splendid Oregon fall weather with all it's rainy days will have spates of glorious sunshiny weather. It's makes it so difficult to know just when to pull up the remaining tomato greenery and call it quits. But I did. Finally. And not without my doubts that perchance If I wait just a bit longer, I may see a few more blushing beauties to harvest yet. But the deed is done and I think that in a week or so of ripening inside, I might be able to keep them refrigerated for Thanksgiving. One can only hope.

Brandywine for Thanksgiving, now that"s a delicious thought. So I perused the net and found this recipe for Roast Turkey with Pipian Sauce from Country Living magazine. I have never heard of a Pipian Sauce. Evidently it is a tomato-y, spicy concoction that can be used as a marinade for roast turkey. And I could use three of my Brandywine tomatoes. I don't know. Somehow I don't think I could pull that one over the family without a revolt. Anyway, the recipe calls for wrapping the whole dadgum bird in banana leaves too before popping it in the oven. Hmmm..,I'm sorry, I think that would definitely be too much of a departure for the beloved holiday. Anyway, the whole meal preparation thing just wouldn't be complete for me somehow without experiencing the crisp sound of the Reynolds Wrap tearing across it's little metal cutting edge. A fitting canopy for any self respecting bird don't you think? I thought so. Hmm... maybe sliced Brandywines on the side.







The necessary cruelty I inflicted in Great Starts yielded a small but luscious harvest of Heirloom Brandywine tomatoes.



A joyous fall to you.

Great Starts

I am feeling under the gun here to get seeds started for spring planting. Using my own el primo cheapo seedling soil I make by scratch that you can find right here, I have three flats of tomato seeds started. I will only use a few mind you. I'm not completely nuts, yet. But it's so great to share starts with friends and gift someone with a nice heirloom tomato variety like Brandywine or Stupice. Since most of us give in to that innate sense of nurturing and coddling over youngun's, who can resist a fresh green tomato plant with all the potential it holds for splendid summer meals or canning. Just one sniff of a young tomato plant and I know I am hooked. Here what was happening in my laundry room a few weeks back. These babies are now relishing life in my new greenhouse, while basil seeds are taking their place in the laundry room.






The necessary cruelty of thinning out the newly sprouted tomato plants.


And I didn't stop there like maybe I should have. I cleaned up some houseplants and now have young starts taking root in water on my kitchen window sill. No, I haven't gone totally berserk. I have enrolled in a basket weaving class at a local farm with a well respected craftwoman in the art, so I am hopeful I will produce my very own wares to contain these new little plantings.







I deviously stole some time away in my shop in all this spring hustle and came up with this little sign using scrap wood, some rusty plumbers tape, rusty wire, and a little paint.





That's right baby, finding time to do something just for fun so it's not all work. Have a Splendid Spring. Happy planning and don't forget to take time to have a little fun too.