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. I’ve 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?
I’m 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, though…my hubby even bought some fencing and added pole beans to our front yard (insert eye rolling here). I had to laugh. I’m sure the neighbors think we are some kind of Jed Clampett neighbors, but that’s OK. When we are eating fresh beans soon, we’ll 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. 🙂 He’s 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 we’ll 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, we’ll have some fruit like Petals from the Past features. The most amazing blackberries you’ve ever seen, which I told you about here last year.
There’s my resident farmer now, petting the next door neighbor’s dog.
So, back to the tomatoes. They are getting ripe now and we’ve eaten our first tomatoes of the year. And I’ll tell ya this, it’s 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 ya’ll 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. 🙂
Had to try out my vintage plate with a ‘mater sandwich and some chips.
Ain’t nothin’ better, my friends!
Joining Jen today for Tasty Tuesday.
oh what beautiful tomatoes! i'm allergic to all raw fruits & vegetables. just 1 bite of a tomato turns my lips inside out but i sure do love them. i can eat cooked fruits & veggies though.
we just got back from s. carolina & enjoyed baby yellow squash. the zucchini & cucumbers & string beans were ripe, too. we just finished planting flowers here in ohio right before we left & everything was in full bloom there.
loved the pole beans in the front yard. i thot they were sweet potatoe vines for a minute.
eat a tomato for me, will you?
randee
Yes indeed!! Nothing beats a tomato sandwich – with your own fresh tomatoes – right out of the garden! We are patiently waiting for ours to turn red! Your blueberries look beautiful! And just wait until you are enjoying those delicious green beans!! :o) I want to try to plant green beans next year. This is our first year for a garden (I posted a couple of days ago) we are learning as we go. You are so blessed to have had a daddy for a farmer!! :o)
I hope that your days is a wonderful one!
Sincerely ~ Tricia Anne
I've never had a tomato sandwich, but I do love a fresh picked tomato!
A roommate in college introduced me to tomato sandwiches. I thought they sounded disgusting, but after one bite, I was hooked. They are a wonderful treat in the summer, but using home grown tomatoes is a must!
Oh how I LOVE bacon and tomato sandwiches!!! Your tomatoes look wonderful. I have some planted but they are blooming yet. I eat so many in the summer I almost "acid" out. Your berries look good also but tomatoes are the BEST.
sweet friend – thanks for starting my day off once more on a wonderful note.
Note to self & others; don't forget
to plant basil to go along with those jewels of summer – then add
fresh mozzarella to make lovely
healthy salads or sandwiches !
"Summertime…..when the living is
easy…"
hugs to you – patti
I love tomatos. My favorite way to eat a tomato is whole. A tomato in one hand & a salt shaker in the other hand. Sprinkle & chomp! Just like eatin an apple!
You Lucky Lucky Woman!! I LOVE homegrown tomatoes. They are the best!! Sandwiches and hot sauce are my fave!!!
I grew up eating tomato & tomato/onion sandwiches in Illinois. Heaven! Can't wait for my tomatoes to ripen out here in California.
I am so ready for a homegrown tomato sandwich. I love them and now I reall am wanting one. YUMMY!!!
Your tomatoes are looking fabulous as does that tomatoe sandwich! We are patiently waiting on ours, but when you are using them while their still green (fried green tomatoes) it takes longer for the red ones to come in! This is the first year that we have planted a large garden, so we will see what it brings us.
Have a wonderful Tuesday,
Jennifer @ Fiddle Dee Dee
Wow! Those look so yummy!
This is my first summer Not growing our tomatoes. I will be gone the entire month of August which is when they are at their peak in my yard, and they will just rot away. No one else will bother to pick them. Lat year I had to have 3 of my neighbors come!
I did have myself a little chuckle at the pole beans right at the front door. Men. Hey, at least he's lovin' it.
And to be very truthful Rhoda, I have never had just a "tomato" sandwich before. BLT. Tomatoes on all else, but never just a tomato sandwich. Can you share a recipe for us "non-southern" gals? Cause if I use Paula Deen's there will be an entire cup of mayo between 2 pieces of bread, and my diet will be ruined. LOL
Great post! Thanks for sharing! Karen
Oh, honey! This southern belle knows all about tomato sandwiches. Your pictures just make my mouth water. Our tomatoes aren't quite ready yet, but they're coming right along and I'm ready!
I am salivating this very moment. There is nothing like a home grown tomato!! Simply delicious!!
Hi Rhoda, your pictures made my mouth water!!! We are at least 3 months away from harvesting anything from our garden, with the exception of some berries. . .nothing better than fresh veggies and fruits, I can't wait. . .
Your vegetable/fruit garden looks absolutely wonderful. We are in the midst of moving right now, and the one thing I am craving about finding a new place to live is the ability to finally start planting things [although it may be too late by the time we're settled]. For now, I will happily live vicariously through you and your garden. It all looks divine though! Hope you enjoy those tomatoes… I'm hungry just looking at that sandwich! 🙂
Alicia
I believe tomatoes are short of being a religion in the south. You have me craving a mater sandwich. Have you ever had it with sourdough bread oh yea baby!
Oh, I so wish we were able to grow our own veggies & fruits, especially blueberries. I don't think the strawberries I planted this year are going to make it!
While I have never eaten a tomato sandwich, I have had the joy of eating homegrown tomatoes. My neighbor used to bring me bags of tomatoes. I never had much luck growing my own. Maybe I will try when we again have a yard. If your husband can do it, so can I…I hope!