Pockets Full of Change and Vines Full of Tomatoes

No, my pockets aren't really full of change. That was just a metaphor for what has been going on in my life the last couple of days, because we have been experiencing some change. But, the tomato part is true. Our vines are so full of tomatoes right now, that I am having a hard time keeping up with them. In fact, I think it's safe to say that both change and tomatoes have taken over my life.

Let me first start with change.

I don't like change, it really cramps my style. But we were thrown into it the other day when Adam's truck broke down. It wasn't anything major, but it was enough to make us question if it's worth keeping and fixing the problems as they come - and they will come, oh yes, they will come, right smack dab in the middle of the busiest intersection in Boise - or sell it and get a newer vehicle that is more reliable.

So we thought about it and decided to put it on craigslist for a day or two and if it didn't sell then we would keep it and deal with the issues as they came. Here's the truck:



Pretty isn't it? Apparently everyone else thought so too! Within minutes we had 4 people who were very interested in it. The very next day a man drove 2 1/2 hours to see it, and then bought it. And now suddenly I have decided that I want the truck back. After all, it's been a part of my life for 11 years. I mean, I have some great memories of that truck. None of which have to do with the fact that it couldn't go faster than 20 mph uphill, or that it would randomly squeak when accelerating out of first gear. No, that's not anything I want to remember, but I still really miss it.

To make matters worse, the very same day that out truck drove out of the garage, never to be seen again, we just so happened to change to color of our living room wall from beige to brown. And now, the world as I know it is completely different. Well, okay, not my world, but my living room wall is. Don't get me wrong, I love, love, love the color. My brother-in-law, John,at Drakes Paint picked it out for me and it is beautiful. It has completely changed the look and feel of our living room, in a very good way. But, it is change nonetheless, and therefore, something that I need to get used to.

It's okay though, because I have something to keep my mind off of all that change, and it has come in the form of tomatoes.



In the last two days we have had 19 tomatoes ripen, leaving me scrambling to find ways to consume them. It's all good though, because I know exactly how to deal with an overabundance of tomatoes...just freeze them.

Here's how you do it:

Place whole tomatoes in near boiling water.

Keep in water until the skin starts to split, about 60 seconds.

Remove from water with a slotted spoon, and plunge into a large bowl of ice water, for about 1 minute. This stops the tomatoes from cooking any further.



Peel the skins off of the tomatoes, like this:



Aren't they pretty?



Now, just cut them in half, scoop out the seeds, and chop 'em up.

Place chopped tomatoes in a colander to let the extra juice drain while you prepare your freezer bags/containers. **I have found that quart sized bags work perfect for everyday cooking, and are easier to work with, but use what works best for you**

Spoon tomatoes into bags/containers, squeeze out the air, and then freeze.

It's easy as pie. And I can't tell you how much better it makes me feel knowing that although everything else is changing around me, I can still count on the fact that I will have 20 more tomatoes waiting to be picked tomorrow morning. I can't help it, it's my only constant in an inconsistent world.