First Freeze

I was going to take some time to recharge this weekend and play around with zucchini bread recipes but then of course time got away from me per usual. I spent a great Sunday with my husband just being together and enjoying the great weather, it was blue skies, sunny and not too smoky, which is unusual this time of year for sure, but it was nice to spend time with him just being together.

I did go out and do some major housekeeping to my garden though and had to make a decision about how to handle the plants that are still thriving and producing because Mother Nature decided that Montana was going to get snow and freezing temps. I had the hubby come out with me and cut back the lovely zucchini plant that was already singing the final verse of of the song of life and to harvest a bunch of the semi-ripe tomatoes from the other monster plant in my garden. I know that they won’t taste as good if they don’t ripen on the vine but there were so many, I couldn’t bear to let them possibly freeze. I did cover the super green ones with a bag and let Mother Nature have her way. Denny and I moved the cherry tomato plants, basil, and jalapeno closer to the house and then I decided to just move them inside yesterday afternoon when the wind picked up. They seemed quite happy basking in the sun of the back window when I said goodbye to them this morning and left for work. I think they will spend one more night inside as it is going to be super chilly again. Now I just have to decide what to do with the large number of tomatoes I brought in on Sunday, they are in various stages of ripening so they need to sit a bit and help each other out and I promise not in the fridge! Just hanging out together on the counter and being all tomatoey (yes, I know that isn’t a word but what else could they be)  I already made tomato sauce and have never canned on my own before so I might have to just peel them, chop them and turn them into more tomato sauce. I also need to do some reading up on what to do to the garden in order to do a final clean up and get it prepared for next year. It has been a lot of work but also a great learning experience and while I did promise Denny no zucchini next year…I may have had my fingers crossed behind my back; we’ll see.♥