Since we moved here over 3 years ago, my hubby has diligently set out tomato plants and we have managed to enjoy a few each year, not a huge harvest, but several tomatoes of our own. I got really spoiled growing up, since my dad is a major farmer and has grown tomatoes since I was a little girl. Many years of fresh home-grown tomatoes. If you have never tasted a home grown tomato, you are missing out on something special in life, I promise you. Iāve been waiting patiently this year for the tomatoes to start ripening, looking for that red to start appearing, which means something BIG around our house. Can you guess what that is?
A fresh home-grown tomato sandwich! Oh man, do I love those or what?
Iām so proud of Peter. He has hung in there with the tomatoes and this year they are looking better than ever. I think the soil had to get better conditioned, but now 3 years into our gardening, his tomato plants are huge and full of tomato clusters. Just like my daddy grows!
Not stopping at tomatoes, thoughā¦my hubby even bought some fencing and added pole beans to our front yard (insert eye rolling here). I had to laugh. Iām sure the neighbors think we are some kind of Jed Clampett neighbors, but thatās OK. When we are eating fresh beans soon, weāll be the ones chuckling to ourselves. I do have plans for some landscaping in this area eventually (it’s in dire need of it), but in the meantime, pole beans it is. š Heās also got some squash and cantaloupes planted in the backyard.
Not to mention the blueberries I told you about in the front yard. These 6 plants are doing great and weāll even have some ripe blueberries shortly to enjoy, as all of them have several clusters of fruit already.
The blackberries are just getting started in the back, but we hope to get these trained and maybe by next year, weāll have some fruit like Petals from the Past features. The most amazing blackberries youāve ever seen, which I told you about here last year.
Thereās my resident farmer now, petting the next door neighborās dog.
So, back to the tomatoes. They are getting ripe now and weāve eaten our first tomatoes of the year. And Iāll tell ya this, itās SO great to go outside and pick a tomato and slice it up for dinner.
And the time came for that first tomato sandwich of the summer just this week. Loved it!! You can bet I eat a bunch of these every year. So, do yaāll love tomato sandwiches too or is that just a Southern thing? I can just about bet that those of you raised in the South know all about them. š
Had to try out my vintage plate with a āmater sandwich and some chips.
Aināt nothinā better, my friends!
Joining Jen today for Tasty Tuesday.
You really have a great garden going this year Rhoda – I'm craving fresh tomatoes and beans, I love home grown.
This season we are giving the ground a rest – we didn't have much luck last year between voles and much used soil, we need a break. Also, we're off on two long trips in July and when that heat arrives we have nobody who wants to water veggies!
Happy gardening – yummy eating!!
I am from the south, also. I know it is summer when I have a tomato sandwich and an ear of fresh corn for the same meal!
Rhoda!
I'll be right over! My DH had tomatoes last year, but hasn't been home this year to plant them, he did manage some peppers though, every hot variety you can think of. Your tomatoes look so yummy!
I am so jealous you already have tomatoes! Jen
Oh yeah Rhoda nuttin' better than a mator sandwich! Like I said before you and I posting similiar things again. I've been posting about all my veggies I have been canning for about 2 weeks now and even posting pix of it all. lol I am getting close to being finished with it all except for some peas. I just canned some green tomato relish today and man that stuff is GOOD! Will be awesome with my peas. lol
Love that plate with that mator sandwich in it. š
Oh my word girl…my mouth is watering!!!! There is nothing better than a homegrown tomatoe sandwich!!!!! We have some planted out back also and I am watching them like a hawk waiting for that first red tomatoe! lol lol There is nothing more spirit lifting than walking out into your own yard and picking fresh vegetables that you have grown yourself…we even have some Husky Cherry tomatoes planted in huge barrels …there is 37 little tomatoes on just one plant alone! Each time one of those little beauties gets ripe I am worse than a drug addict…I run out and snatch that little beauty off the vine and run back in the house..wash it off… cut it in half…add some salt…and slowly savor every second it is in my mouth!!!! lol lol
Hey I love the pole beans in the front yard…ohhhhh don't you know they will be fantastic with some new potatoes and cornbread and …ohhh lordy..this is killing me!!!! lol You go girl…put on your bonnet and grab a basket and get out in the 'gsrden'! Have a great week girl!
A tomato sandwich is probably one of the most delicious, delectable sandwiches ever! I like to toast my bread on a skillet with a little bit of olive oil and some garlic powder. I add a little mayo and a big ole slice of tomato with some seasoning and I'm a happy, happy girl! Ok, good thing that lunch is coming up because I'm hungry and my mouth is watering now.
One of the best things you can eat in the summertime,, unfortunately our 3 little plants look awful,, but I stopped by Donnas Produce yesterday and they had some of the best tomatoes,, so that's what we had for supper ,,,, and for breakfast this morning,.. I love how you redid the table. Looks good!
everything looks so fresh and delicious. I remember as a kid eating so many fresh picked blackberries that I got a rash from them…lol
Yum! That sandwich looks great!
Hey, how did I miss that post from long ago about the "Home Grown Tomatoes & Red Sauce" Looks delish too! Our tomatoes are just about ready, maybe another day or two…I can barely wait!
Enjoy your harvest!
Desiree
Yes, tomato sandwiches are a Southern thing, I live in Southern California and LOVE them! With lots of fresh ground pepper like your picture…YUM!
I love this post, Rhoda! OMG! I love home grown veggies and enjoyed reading this post! I am also in love with that nightstand and thanks for the details! Love you bunches!
there's nothing like a fresh, homegrown tomato – i like mine sprinkled with a touch of sugar. my father in law eats them stewed on rice. i hear that's a southern thing, too. (i'm from SOUTH dakota. but that's not south like ya'll…)
~karin
"Iām sure the neighbors think we are some kind of Jed Clampett neighbors…" HA!
Garden looks fabulous. I wish we had the room — I'm relegated to herbs in pots by am grateful for the local farmers' markets. I just made very, VERY tasty blackberry scones…I adapted a blueberry scone recipe from Cook's Illustrated and I have to say they were DELISH! I highly recommend. š