Surviving and Thriving in Bethabara Farms

I realized this morning that this week will probably bring the first frost of the season. While that means that I'll finally be able to wear the sweatshirts I bought at Old Navy in Denver, it also means that I have literally hundreds of tomatoes still on the vine that will be ruined if left outside. Sooooooo...what to do? Gallons of marinara sauce and salsa? The only problem with that is limited freezer space. I found directions about making sundried tomatoes that allows them to be stored in the refrigerator indefinately. So I'm now embarking on a little project I call Operation Tomato Tanning... Is it strange I find myself singing, "Ya down with OTT, Yeah you know me..."? I scare myself sometimes :)

I am fighting a never ending war with the squash bugs! They refuse to die (actually, I'd be happy if they just left). I tried to do a garlic spray but I think they actually liked their new cologne. My friend, Tina (see favorite websites) found a recipe for a squash bug deterrent that actually included 2 cups of chopped up squash bugs. At first I was completely disgusted and wondered how anyone could even think of that kind of carnage, but I must admit it's looking better every day. I'm usually the person who saves spiders and moves any other kind of bug to a new home but these Squash bugs have tapped into some sort of kill or be killed response. The good news is that the squash is probably winding down anyway and they don't seem to be bothering anything else in the garden. The peaches are starting to ripen despite their earlier issues and I made a peach crisp last night (thanks for the recipe, Dad AKA Celtic Gardener). I actually made way too much so was able to share i...

One of my favorite things about living in New Mexico is the stormy summer evenings. It hasn't started raining buckets yet but the thunder is get ting louder.