Harvest

We've shook the almonds from the trees, canned syrupy fig conserve, turned our green tomatos and pears into delicious spicy mincemeat, and baked whole wheat pizzas with the last of the peppers, tomatos and eggplant. Now it's time to work the gardens and ready them for our winter crops! Working along side my Aunt Denise we are preparing the beds with rich soil and all the little plants are waiting to take root. Our friends in Winters gave us a large amount of fava beans to plant. I just love their tall green stalks and creamy blossoms with velvety dark purple middles. They're so good for the soil and delicious in risotto. We helped our friends harvest their vineyards and make their wine with all the kids. What a great experience! Once the kids were bored they spent the rest of the afternoon in the pond catching tadpoles and floating on a boat in the cool waters. Molly had purple toes for days and we all smelled a little like wine. We have really taken in the season and feel a strong connection to the changing light filtering through yellowing vines. I'm looking forward to cooler weather and lush greens pushing through dark winter soil. I think today we'll bake bread filled with our mincemeat and fill the house with the smells of fall.