Tomato season!

A few months ago, I bought my first home. About one month ago, I moved in. A few days ago, I bought tomato plants from a lovely vendor at the city market. A few hours ago, I planted them in the garden in my back yard!

I ADORE tomatoes fresh from the garden. I love tomato and cucumber salad tossed with onions and olive oil. I love juicy, sweet cherry tomatoes in my pasta. I really, REALLY love picking a ripe tomato right off the vine and taking a big bite. Summer is going to be a wonderful thing this year. I even love the smell of the plants themselves.

First of all, the back yard is divine. It's perfectly sized and adorned with a raised wooden deck. I've already daydreamed of a bunch of parties, cookouts, and other summer celebrations all centered there on the back deck. My ultimate plan is to post some tall iron poles, from which I'll hang sweet little lights strung from side to side, making a canopy above our heads.

Just imagine, brightly painted galvanized tubs FULL of cold drinks, someone's ipod on a great summer mix, and a platefuls of portabella mushrooms sizzling on the grill! Mmmm!

But, to continue my story about tomato plants, I first felt like I had to mow the lawn, to give them something attractive to look at while they begin feeling at home in the middle of the three raised gardens out back, so I did just that. As I planted them in the ground and covered them with water and soil, I gave each one a little greeting of, "Hello, baby plant. I'll take good care of you and you'll grow tall and have loads of fruit for me to eat. We'll look out for each other. Welcome to the back yard!"

And now, as I'm in the house writing this, I hear the rain falling on them, making them feel even more happy and willing to give me tomatoes...they're weeks away, I know...but SO worth the wait.

This Saturday, I'll be visiting the market again to get BASIL!!!!! I'm looking forward to making tomato, basil, and mozzarella pizza, and home made pesto!