Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Fried Green Tomatoes

...on the vine!


And now you know why growing tomatoes in Central Texas is so hard!

My best growing season for tomatoes is the fall. We usually have fresh tomatoes for Thanksgiving, and sometimes Christmas.



Alright all you flower detectives,
this came from a mix. I am thinking it is Mexican Hat. What do you think?

Gaillardia?


Now, I know what this is--a Sunflower on a bad hair day!






Ahhhh, just looking at this color makes me feel cooler.










And this is hot hot pink!

It has been SO hot here--okay, here is where YOU say, "How hot is it?" It's so hot the tomatoes are frying on the vine. It is so hot temps have been 103, 105, 107. I think the Weather Dude gets perverse pleasure telling us the heat index is 117. At these temps, it becomes a matter of which plants do I try to save. But yet, some plants seem to do quite well. The cacti, of course, the zinnias, the lantana. Even so, I hate to leave my gardens here as we take our annual trip north to see my family. We will be leaving Friday to make a family reunion near Branson, Missouri for the 4th of July (also our anniversary). We will then trek on up to the Quad Cities where my mother lives. We will spend most of July there. Mom, my sister, and I spend our days shopping (mostly looking), eating, getting mannies and peddies, and what ever else we can think of. I am hoping to help Mom with her weed issue that is getting her down. Hubby spends his days golfing, and we all meet to eat once again. Of course, we will be antiqueing all the way up there, all around the area, and then all the way back home! Hopefully the weather will be nice enough for some picnics. I know my brother will want to do a fish fry (I don't eat fish, but I will eat corn on the cob, potato salad, and baked beans). He has a cabin on the Wapsi in Iowa, and always has his freezers stocked with fish. We usually catch a few Music In The Park nights (which means pie and ice cream with coffee). We always have a grand time although I usually come home with more than I bargained for--several extra pounds. Sigh, no matter were I go, those nasty pounds always seem to find ME!

We look forward to getting away all year. It is usually much cooler there than here, and is almost painful to come back to the heat. By the time we get back, the roadsides are burned and bleached to a sand color by the sun. Even so, I already miss my home. The pups and cats start mourning our leaving when the suitcases come out, and Tucker usually tries to hide in one hoping to make his escape along with us. I will miss the next bloom cycle of the roses. The tomatoes will be done until September. Will the house sitters remember to feed the birds and make sure they have plenty of fresh water? I know they probably will, but I just can't think they will do it as well or as often as I would.

I probably won't be able to post while away. I will have Internet connection while at hotels, but when we get to my mother's there will be no wireless connection. Unless I find a coffee shop that will let me connect for free, I won't be able to visit all of you. I'm going to miss you! See y'all next month, and happy 4Th!




28 comments:

Susie said...

Unfortunately I have a tomato plant that looks exactly like yours. It's out there sizzling right now!

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

It is so hot, I am wondering how I am going to make it through the summer. Do you do a second season for tomatoes?

Wendy said...

Had to laugh at your fried green tomatoes (although I know it's not funny). Ours ripen in July and are plentiful until about early to mid september. That's it! Wish we had a fall crop.
Thought your sunflower with a bad hair day was cute! I love your sense of humour!

Your trip sounds awesome!!! Don't worry about internet. Sometimes it's just nice to take a break from the computer. Enjoy your company. And come home refreshed ( o.k. still hot, but happy)!
Will miss ya.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Hi Wendy! Ah, well--ya gotta laugh--it's better than crying. I did feel sorry for the plant though. I guess cremation can't be any worse than freezing.

Thanks for saying you like my sense of humor. Would you believe there are people in this house who don't? They think I am corny!

I'll do my best to have a good time--I guess the scales will be the judge! ;-)

Caroline said...

Hilarious title: it really caught my attention (because I knew exactly what you meant)! When I came home from a week's beach vacation, I returned to some sun-dried tomatoes - Juliet tomatoes that had dried on the vine. 'Tis the season that the saying "survival of the fittest" rings most true.

Cheryl said...

Hi Morning Glories.....do have a wonderful break away from the heat. We shall all look forward to your return and hearing all your news.
I shall hold your home garden and pets in my heart until you return.....

Tomatoes at Christmas......sorry that is so weird....especially when you live in UK and can't get your tomatoes to ripen during hottest spells here.....

Safe travelling......

Monica the Garden Faerie said...

I'd guess the gaillardia is a coreopsis... I'm having the opposite problem with my tomatoes this year: too cool and cloudy. BOO!

Roses and Lilacs said...

It sounds like coming up north is the right thing to do. I couldn't stand temps that high.

I can give you the name of two wonderful antique shops to visit in Iowa, one is called Sister's the other White. Wonderful selection of unique items including garden antiques. A lovely place to drive thru Iowa's scenic countryside Sharon's web site is
http://thefabricofsweetrepose.blogspot.com/
she can give you directions.
Marnie

Nola said...

Happy 4th, enjoy your vacation. Pets and plants are why I don't get out much! It requires a kennel (we call it doggie spa) for Chili, my brother to check on the cats daily and water outside. Such a hassle,and I hate to inconvenience people.

ShySongbird said...

Oh dear that poor tomato plant was well and truly fried! It is exceptionally hot and humid here at the moment (although not as hot as where you are) which is too much for me... and the garden! I'm glad you do still have some pretty blooms surviving though. Have a wonderful visit with your family and come back refreshed :)

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Hi Caroline, thanks for stopping by! That is what makes it so hard to leave on vacation no matter how much you look forward to it. You know some things just aren't going to make it. Stay cool!

Debbie in CA : ) said...

Have a great time! It sounds like so MUCH fun!!

I'll be anxious to hear all about the trip when you get home. (Vacations are no time for blogging.) Make those memories to carry you through from one vacation to the next. How fun!

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Dear Cheryl, thank you for the good thoughts for home and pets. Believe it or not, it does feel better knowing others are sending positive thoughts this way.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Monica, what we need to do is meet in the middle with our weather, mix it all up, and it will be perfect! Thanks for the plant i.d.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Marnie, thanks for the antique shop suggestions. We are always looking for new spots we haven't discovered before.

The only bad thing about getting away to cooler weather, it hurts to come back to it. By October when it starts to cool off, we are so weary from the heat.

Gail said...

I am chuckling over The Fried Green Tomatoes title..one of my favorite lunches on a summer day, but not what you had in mind! Have a cool time on your trip north, Happy Anniversary.

gail

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Nola, we have the same problem with all our livestock. It takes so much planning and arranging to go anywhere.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Dear Shy Songbird, I hope this heat wave doesn't follow us on our trip! But no matter the weather, we will have a good time antiquing and visiting family.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Hi Debbie! I think you are right--vacations are no time for blogging. I have a feeling I will have withdrawals though. ;-)

Marie said...

Have a great time on vacation. I will miss you.

I'll be off for a week in July. It's hard to leave the garden in summer. I have some good neighbors who will be watering the pots. The rest of the garden will be on it's own.

Have fun!

Rose said...

Now that is a FRIED tomato! The heat doesn't sound pleasant at all; I will stop complaining about the 90's we had last week. I'm not sure what the yellow flower is--I should--but it's not a gallardia. I hope all your flowers survive while you are gone.

I hope you see this before you leave and have a great time the next few weeks! Getting to spend so much time with your family sounds wonderful, and at least for now it's much cooler up this way. Have a good Fourth and a nice vacation!

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Gail, I love fried green tomatoes to eat...and I love the movie. Thanks for the anniversary wishes. I can't wait to get to some cooler weather--high was 102 today--it was 83 in Branson, Mo where we are going! Yipee!

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Marie,

Hope you have a great vacation too, and your garden does well while you are away.

Morning Glories in Round Rock said...

Rose, It is so hot it hurts to go outside mid-day. Just to walk from the car to the store, my head feels like it is going to explode. I hope you have a wonderful 4Th with your family too.

Corner Gardener Sue said...

I think Monica is right about the cosmos. I like both of the mystery flowers.

Have a great vacation, and if you feel like getting on a computer, find a spot and go for it.

Iowa Gardening Woman said...

You are having heat and no rain, we are having cool weather and lots of rain, today it is more than 20 degrees below normal. Hope you get a few tomatoes!

Unknown said...

It is really very very hot.Your blog reminds me the the hot areas of the world.

wain

Free Satelite TV

Annie in Austin said...

Hope all is well in Missouri, Morning Glory, and that your housesitter is valiant and dedicated.
You sure picked the right time to leave Texas!

Annie at the Transplantable Rose