This time of year is so special to so many people because of the colors of the trees, the smokiness of the air, and football. The last one, for me - (insert 'Borat' accent here) not so much.Nevertheless, it's really fun to see everyone out here enjoying the Nittany Lions have an, er, amazing? eh,...(not so much?) football season. It's also nice to hear the band practicing 3 blocks away from my house, yet sounding as if they're serenading me a-la Say Anything right outside my window. Unfortunately, Lloyd Dobler is not outside of my window with a boom box playing Peter Gabriel like in the movie; in his place are many, many spiders and crickets (blech!) crawling outside, dying to get in my window, and the music I hear is usually the inane frat boy music that is heard around 2am as the die-hards go for another round. I think last night was particularly touching as I was privy to learn that "Wheel in the Sky" by Journey and "Shooting Star" by Bad Company are very much alive in the hearts of young people.
But enough about Late Night Penn State! Take a look at these tomatoes, people! Never, never have I enjoyed a tomato quite like the one below:
I'm most impressed with the magenta-colored fruit and the redness in the outside. Beautiful! The inside rivaled a plum in its sweetness. I had a 'Like Water For Chocolate' moment eating it in my salad! Both Mary (my roommate) and Brandi (my raw food goddess friend) enjoyed these succulent tomatoes as well. Brandi may have had a 'Like Water for Chocolate' moment herself, I'm told.I am proud of this fruit (isn't tomato a fruit?)...Why? Because it grows so well here in Pennsylvania. I love eating food that not only is from Central PA, but also love eating food that reaps successfully in Central PA. It reminds me that I am planted here too, and I too can reach my potential here! Also, at harvest time, I think it's important for all of us to take stock of what has been learned over the past year and to let that information seep into the long-term memory so that we can learn all the new things we need to for the coming year.
I bought the tomatoes you see above and other yummies from the local farmer's market. Andi (my neighbor and close friend) and I are considering a CSA, or Community Supported Agriculture, so we would have a direct relationship with the farmer, buying a share of a crop for a season. I wasn't so hype on the idea several months ago when it was first introduced to me; after this season of eating, however, I am sold. Bring on the sundry veggies!
These are some flowers that I bought at the farmer's market. I love having flowers at my desk in my home office (ahem, Jason!). Looks like Strawberry, Jason's bear, likes having them there too.
I'm keeping Strawberry around while I'm at school because he is an erudite bear (he taught me that word) and keeps me in line with my assignments.I will post photos of the changing season as it occurs so that those friends and family (i.e., Florida, Texas, Oklahoma, downtown Chicago - kidding!) can enjoy seeing the changing of the seasons in the east. It's so lovely.
