Posts Tagged ‘Fall’

I’m obsessed with decorative gourds. I can’t help buying them anywhere I see them – at the supermarket, at the garden store, at Home Depot. Can you blame me? There’s such a wide variety of colors, patterns, bumps, shapes and sizes. They’re perfect. In a way, Decorative Gourd Season makes me not even miss summer. My husband doesn’t feel similarly. Last week he asked “So, how much money are you going to spend on gourds this year??” I responded, trying to look really cute, “Oh, did you see this wonderful […]

As the name indicates, Bayberry grows around coastal areas such as bays and bogs. Matt picked this for me a few days ago in Jamaica Bay. Who needs the florist? Just forage for a bouquet! Below are other beautiful plants you can find around the Jamaica Bay area. The leaves and dried fruit of the Bayberry plant are aromatic. It’s given Greek name Myrike means fragrance. If you crush the dried berry, a strong scent will release. Bayberry shrubs therefore are widely used in soaps, candles and oils but it has more purpose, such as insect repellent. It is used […]

The weather has turned and to be honest, I prefer it. I like to cook and make big meals, which is not what you want to do in the sweltering heat of the summer. Today we are breaking out a hearty recipe from my brother James’ kitchen in Ridgewood, the Jumbo-laya. He is a renowned soup maker with his Jumno-laya as his crown jewel (I made that up, but it makes you want to watch the episode, no?). This is a very large serving, so invite a bunch of people […]

The Tomato Gals love seasonal decoration. The holidays are here – it’s time to adorn the home! Before you run out to Michaels Craft, take a look in your backyard or outside the apartment. You’ll be surprised what you can create with the materials around you. I was upstate recently at John’s cabin and came across this neat book. Using steeplebush branches I started to created a fall wreath. The city is not the Catskills, but you’ll find what you need. Last resort… take a walk to your local NYC Park. […]

It’s fall here in Rockaway and things are quiet. I’ve been walking more instead of biking – the wind while biking is pretty darn cold. Here are some shots I’ve taken during my daily wanders… Friar’s habit and Franciscan cords, looks like San Francesco to me! What is this about? Well, regardless it looks cool. Another person’s trash…! I found this on 97th and the beach block. I think I’ll make a planter out of it. The organic shapes created by beach pine are unbeatable. This Christmas season, I want […]

I would bet good money that my friend John (who’s working on our house) knows more of my neighbors than I do. He introduced me to Sam and Elsa, awesome people who have what you could call a mini-farm on Beach 92nd street. Last week, John informs me that we are taking care of their chickens for 10 days while they are away. My immediate response was “Are you kidding me?!??! I know nothing about chickens except that they taste great as parmesan!”  I go into panic mode. “What if we […]

Fiver and I are true kindred spirits– we both love seasonal decorations! Yes, this is happening… submit your cute cat pic to cutecatpic[at]theglorifiedtomato.com. What’s the best way to insure your cute cat will make the cut? Pictures of your kitty in the kitchen, eating or playing with food are preferred!

Fiver and I are true kindred spirits– we both love seasonal decorations! Yes, this is happening… submit your cute cat pic to cutecatpic[at]theglorifiedtomato.com. What’s the best way to insure your cute cat will make the cut? Pictures of your kitty in the kitchen, eating or playing with food are preferred!

Okay, so maybe our last garden update was perhaps a tad morbid. I’d had a bad day. It turns out that it was also a little premature. The garden is full of surprising late bloomers! Mary’s area has had a nice early fall rejuvenation! Some of the cosmos I grew from seed took a while to get going and grew to be very tall, without blooming. Until now! And we’re getting several large tomatoes and dozens of cherry tomatoes every week. They make a great snack while watering.

Summer is wrapping up and the evidence is visible… The echinacea looks beautiful even as its flowers are dying. Maybe I should try a dried flower DIY project with them. The leaves on my grapefruit mint are turning red, unexpected and delightful. I picked this up and others like it at Green Village Used Clothing & Furniture. If you have patience, this thrift store is a gem.