Eating Tomato

Yes, I have been away from the computer for the past two days enjoying life. No apologies! I thought I'd start with some photos.

Your Monday Photo Shoot: Show what you did with your Memorial Day Weekend. I figure most of you got some pictures in over the last couple of days, yes?

Just a handful, actually. Since I worked through the weekend (and even if I hadn't, I would have avoided the tourist areas and the beaches because I HATE CROWDS) I didn't have anything to photograph until Monday itself when Scott came in from the balcony holding the first tomato!

It looks huge in this picture, doesn't it? Not so. It's actually sitting on the top of a roll of paper towels that's about half-gone. Anyway, those of you who have been following the growth of the tomato plant probably understand how excited Scott was about this. He immediately cut it and ate it.

It tasted much better than you would think from looking at this picture! I actually only had one piece, which I covered with a basil leaf from the balcony herb garden. That was tasty! Now let's hope that the plant survives long enough to provide me with that Caprese salad I've been waiting for!

Tomato - Day 48

On my last tomato-update post, I was very excited about the three tiny green tomatoes on the plant. Imagine my surprise when I went out today and found a whopping TEN tiny green tomatoes on there...

Not only do we have an abundance of potential, we have one phenomenal grower turning a shade that is most definitely NOT green...

It's not quite red yet, but this is definitely a step in the right direction! It's also pretty small, even for a Roma, but the plant is young and I'm really excited about what the next month will hold for this project! **fingers crossed**

Purple TOES, TomaTOES, and Other Assorted PhoTO(E)S

Today was just screaming to be a Photo Blog sort of day. Who am I to argue with fate? Where to begin? Of course, with purple toes!

Cat and I went out yesterday and had lunch, got pedicures, and bought some wine. OK, I bought some wine. Red, even. And it's tasty! But anyway, I like having a color on my toes that surprises me when I look down. And I think I've accomplished that with the dark purple. I've been calling these my "goth toes." Scott asked if I was planning on dying my hair black too, and I said yes and I wanted to find some lipstick to match the polish. My toe nails and underwear are really the only ways for me to "rage" against the "conservative classic look" I have to have for work. (and yes, Milo approves)

Can you see the three tomatoes on this plant? We haven't yet been able to achieve a red tomato. So far, they get to a certain size and then start turning black on the bottom. I'm assuming that it's because the plant is young and can't really afford to support its offspring. Well, I'm hoping. I was really looking forward to that Caprese salad!

And the cilantro bush has almost completely overtaken its pot. The chives are clinging to their little corner bravely attempting to ward off the approach, but I fear they will soon need to be replanted. Who knew cilantro would make such a fabulous hanging basket?

And who could forget the little dill that could? I haven't spotlighted it recently because it's not in a very photo-friendly spot. I bet it will be moving to a top shelf space soon, because it seems to be out-growing its cube in every direction.

Tomato - Day Twelve

Wow! Two little green tomatoes already! This plant is growing like crazy, sporting 2 more blossoms and another bud or two above the little 'maters. I got home from work last night and Scott jumped up from the couch and dragged me out to the balcony to see them before I even put my stuff down. He's pretty excited about it.

By the way, you can see a little of the cilantro in the background of this picture. Scott rescued the little dill that could and potted it in its own container, and since then the cilantro has expanded with weed-like speed.

Tomato - Day Two

Before I go any further, I wanted to point out that my Blogger main screen informed me today that my 444th post was on 4-4. I thought that was so cool I needed to remember it always. <--Loser!

Does anyone know what this tiny little blossom belongs to? Granted, the title of the post might have given it away. Yep, it's a tomato plant - Scott's newest project. More specifically, it's a Roma tomato.

Just think, before long we'll be able to make all sorts of tasty salsa and pasta sauces (or perhaps just a lovely caprese salad) from our own little balcony garden!

Anyway, Scott bought and potted his new "baby" yesterday while I was at work. So today really is day two. I figure the tomato project will go on longer than the CHIA project (only two months for two thriving herbs - I'm a believer!). And Scott is really proud of his green thumb. So this is a win-win for both his ego and my occasional (ha!) writer's block.

Also today on Tales from the Balcony, I would like to present Anatomy of a Roll Over, as demonstrated by Milo:

I'd also like to share this fairly decent photo of Kilo. After all, they are so rare. Looking at his markings, I realize he really is genetically inferior. Female tigers in the wild mate with the male they find who has the most symmetrical stripes and whiskers on his face. Obviously, Kilo doesn't fit that bill! (never mind the undescended testicle... that was subsequently whacked off!) Anyway, this picture makes him look like he's wearing a little backwards Phantom of the Opera mask. Does anyone else see the similarity?