News From The Nest, June 30
Good Morning and Happy Last Day of June! Not that I’m celebrating June’s departure..now we get into the REALLY HOT months of July and August. June was just…wait for it…a warm-up act! I know, I crack myself up, too, sometimes.
We escaped the heat on Friday by watching the F1 movie inside a cool theatre and then enjoying dinner with friends. I really enjoyed that movie! Previously, I was completely uninformed about F1 racing, but now…Yup, I’m kinda a pro. Even if F1 is not your thing, I do recommend the movie.
Well, if you had been a fly on the wall in our home yesterday morning, you would’ve been worried for the future of our marriage. Yup, serious marital strife was going on. You see, when we returned home from all our travels, we were thrilled to find our tomato plants heavily laden with many large, beautiful, green tomatoes. We’ve been watching them daily for signs of turning, but it really slowed down under the oppressive heat from the ‘heat dome.’ (Did you know that tomatoes won’t ripen in high heat? Above 85°F (29°C), and especially over 90°F (32°C), ripening enzymes stall. Lycopene and carotene (the pigments that give tomatoes their red and orange colors) don’t form well in extreme heat.)
Anywho, finally, a few of my Cherokee Purples started turning. A clump of five tomatoes on the lowest branch of one of the plants was showing daily ripening. I was checking them frequently; I swear I could see them ripening right before my eyes, and I had already planned the meal that would feature them for the upcoming weekend. And did I mention how big and healthy they were? And did I mention that I started these tomatoes from seed in the dead of winter? I am pretty attached to them.
Since we have battled the birds for who got to the ripe tomatoes first in the past, I suggested a couple of times that we go ahead and put up the bird netting, but Terry wanted to wait. The most recent convo was this Saturday. He was convinced that the new position of the bird feeder and the good food we were putting out there would be a bigger draw than our tomatoes. And, in his defense, that bird netting comes with its own issues. Snakes have gotten themselves trapped in the netting; one died, and we were able to cut the netting from another one.
When I woke up on Sunday morning and took my coffee out to the garden to check on my tomato plants, I was momentarily confused. Of course, I bee-lined it right to the clump of Cherokee Purples, but the clump wasn’t where it was supposed to be. I had a moment; was I looking at the wrong plant? Shaking my head, I looked at the other plants for the almost ripe clump, but not only did I not find it, I noticed FOUR LARGE, BEAUTIFULLY formed green tomatoes lying on the ground, each with a large bite taken out of it. 😱
Yup, it seems raccoons or possibly muskrats appreciate almost ripe tomatoes over green and took the entire damned branch with my clump of five tomatoes after tasting and discarding the green ones! The whole branch was gone; the little demons just ripped it off the plant! Not a trace of the ripening tomatoes to be found anywhere. Of course, it goes without saying, but I’ll say it anyway 😉, had we listened to me and put up the bird netting, the raccoons would not have had access to the tomatoes as we secure it to the ground.
So, Terry was met with a roll of bird/raccoon netting upon his wakening yesterday morning, and suffice it to say, our tomatoes are now safely ensconced in netting. And I’m back to waiting for signs of ripening again and enjoying Terry, painfully, agreeing that I was right…again. 😖😢Luckily, the weather is cooling slightly this week.
Thanks for letting me get that off my chest. It’s part of my recovery from this trauma to share my angst with anyone who will listen.
Table of Contents
New on the Blog
All the spicy, tangy flavor of buffalo wings—without the messy fingers or diet guilt. This Buffalo Chicken Salad is quick, hearty, and loaded with fiber, healthy fats, and lean protein. It’s one of those recipes that feels indulgent but actually checks all the nutritional boxes.
A Few Fun Finds
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- Did you know that Amazon now has a section for ‘Pre-Loved’ items that resells high-end jewelry, shoes, bags, and clothing? Neither did I!
- Drink more water! Add fruit to your water and keep it in your fridge to stay hydrated all summer.
- This Misting Fan is a 🔥(pun intended) commodity during the Heat Dome!
- While Kate loves her apartment, the kitchen and bathroom are tiny! As such, we are always on the lookout for functional organization tools. This is a great one for the kitchen.
From the Knit + Crochet Studio
- Handmade gifts feel even more special when they’re wrapped up with a little extra thought. These Knitted Gift Ideas with Printable Gift Tags give you inspiration for gifts to knit all year long—plus, the printable tags add a sweet finishing touch that lets your recipient know how to care for their new treasure.
- This Checkerboard Crochet Blanket Pattern is all about easy stitches and satisfying blocks of color. It’s modern, cozy, and perfect for using up yarn in complementary shades. Whether you’re crocheting for a gift or just looking to add a handmade touch to your home, this pattern is as relaxing to make as it is to snuggle under.
From the Kitchen
- This Thai Pasta Salad is packed with bright flavors—think crunchy veggies, peanuts, herbs, and a tangy, creamy peanut dressing. It’s a great side dish for summer cookouts, but hearty enough to be a lunch all by itself. This one’s fresh, fast, and perfect for warm-weather meals.
- If nightshades are off your plate, this Nomato Sauce is a flavorful alternative to traditional tomato sauces. Made with carrots, beets, and herbs, it has a rich color and deep flavor that makes it perfect for pasta, pizza, or dipping. It’s a great recipe to have on hand for allergy-friendly meals that still taste like comfort food.
Thank you for this recipe. Just made my first batch, and it smells and really does taste very close to tomatoe sauce. You have helped me change the game for my son.
Brianna
- Every great pulled pork starts with the right seasoning, and this Pulled Pork Rub brings a perfect balance of sweet, smoky, and spicy. It’s an easy mix of pantry spices you can pull together in a minute, but it gives your pork shoulder and other meats deep, layered flavor that stands up to hours of smoking or roasting.
- Low and slow is the name of the game with this Smoked Pulled Pork. A flavorful dry rub, a steady smoker, and some patience turn a simple pork shoulder into juicy, smoky perfection. Whether you’re feeding a crowd or stocking the freezer, this one’s a winner for summer cookouts and weeknight leftovers alike.
- If your sourdough starter is giving you more discard than you know what to do with, these Crunchy, Cheesy Sourdough Discard Crackers are a delicious solution. Crisp, savory, and packed with cheesy goodness, they’re perfect for snacking or pairing with a favorite dip. No waste—and way more flavor than store-bought crackers.
- Sweet with a gentle kick, this Red Pepper Jelly is a must-have for quick appetizers. Spoon it over cream cheese with crackers, use it to glaze meat, or tuck it into sandwiches for an unexpected zing. It’s a pantry staple that dresses up just about anything.
- Tender, moist, and bursting with juicy plums, this Yogurt Plum Cake is just the right amount of sweet. It’s the kind of cake that works just as well for afternoon coffee as it does for dessert. And since it’s made with yogurt, it has that extra-soft crumb you’ll keep coming back for.
From the Arts + Crafts Studio
- This Monogram Pillow is a thoughtful, heirloom-worthy project that doesn’t require any fancy equipment—just a bit of time and a whole lot of French knots. Stitched onto crisp white cotton using metallic thread, the single-letter monogram is bold, elegant, and personal. It’s the perfect project to work on while avoiding the heat and binge-watching something frivolous and fun!
- If your skin feels a little neglected, this Homemade Sugar Scrub is an easy fix—and it smells amazing too, especially when you add your favorite essential oils. Made with pantry staples, it gently exfoliates while leaving your skin buttery soft. It also makes a lovely last-minute gift when you want to give something that feels a bit pampering.
In the Home
- Before you toss that old skillet, know that rust isn’t the end of the road. This step-by-step guide shows how to restore rusted cast iron cookware with just some scrubbing and a thorough reseasoning. It’s satisfying work, and your cast iron will thank you for it.
- Once your cast iron is clean, the next step is choosing the right oil to season it properly. This breakdown of the best oils to season cast iron explains which oils leave that durable, glossy finish—and which ones to skip. Whether you’re restoring an heirloom or simply maintaining your everyday pan, this guide takes the guesswork out of it.
In the Garden
- First tip of the day, put up the DAMNED bird netting…all the way to the ground if you have raised beds.
Well friends, I’m off to watch my tomatoes ripen, again. Hope you have a fantastic week!
Until next Monday,
Hugs,
You can _grow_ tomatoes?! I’ve never been able to get a tomato to set fruit here in central Pender County. My extension agent told me it is too hot here to set fruit.
Hi Kate,
We do grow tomatoes, and I’d question your extension agent because I probably have 30 big green tomatoes between four plants. I think the key is knowing which tomatoes. I started mine from seed this year…Cherokee Purple, Mortgage Lifter and Brandywine. We have them in raised beds.
The Cherokee Purple and Mortgage Lifter are doing great…I’ve attached pictures showing some of the green fruit. Not much from Brandywine yet. The first one is one of the Cherokee Purple…what’s left after the demons from the depths of Hell finished. Second is the Mortgage Lifter.
Good luck!