Garden of Eatin
My garden has taken off. Its starting point is still in the backyard, where I planted it, but the tomato plants have spilled over the walls of my planter boxes. Cucumber vines are making their way onto the deck and across the lawn. The last time I checked my acorn squash, they were making a run for the back alley. They could be on their way out of town by now.
It's a green, glorious sight, punctuated by white blossoms of coriander and pink flowers of mint. Funny how I spend months waiting impatiently for these plants to produce, and now that they're bearing fruit, I can't keep up with the delicious yields.
I've got little choice but to start canning. So instead of calling my parents to ask my dad how to install a ceiling fan, I'm calling to ask my mom how to keep botulism out of my pickles. I'm pretty new to this canning thing, but the thought of savoring the summertime flavors of garden tomatoes, jalapenos, salsas, pestos, and chutneys all winter long makes me realize I won't be new to it for long.