2017 Life Logs, Day 242: School Shopping and Processing Tomatoes
Date: Wednesday, August 30, 2017
Weather: Rainy Morning, Turning Sunny in Afternoon; High 68, Low 56 degrees F
Location: At Home in The Studio, Falmouth, MA
Today I feel a bit like a squirrel getting ready for winter. After Sam and Jonah had early morning dentist appointments, we went shopping for new soccer cleats and school supplies. Jed joined us at Olympia Sports to help with soccer cleat choices. Then the boys and I went to Staples for the school supplies. There were lots of other kids shopping for school supplies and some items are already sold out. But the boys took everything in stride and were incredibly helpful in making all the choices. They seemed so very grown up. After Staples, we went to Peach Tree Farm to pick up 30 pounds of organic tomatoes and enough garlic to get me through the next few months. After we got home and had lunch, the boys played away their afternoon while I started processing tomatoes. To make marinara sauce to can for the winter months, you first have to blanch the tomatoes and remove the skin and seeds. I was only able to get through 20 pounds today, but I will hopefully have time to do the other 10 pounds tomorrow. When I got home this evening, I cut and sautéed the other veggies that go into the sauce—onions, garlic, carrots, and celery. When all is done, everything is put through the blender at high speed to make a smooth sauce—no tomato chunks for the Goldpebbles! Then we will simmer and pressure can to preserve the taste of summer. But tomorrow and Friday during the day, the boys and I will work in a little beach time. School starts on Tuesday, so we will do our best to continue making summer memories right up to the last minute.
