Harvest Season

We are now headed into what Sonoma County refers to our Harvest Season. This is when the vintners begin to test the sugars in the grapes on the vine, the tomatoes are in full swing and the strawberries are at their sweetest.

I personally look forward to the tomatoes..It reminds me of when I grew up on a tomato farm. This is when your forearms turned green from harvesting tomatoes of all colors and sizes. It is a grown up easter egg hunt. The beautiful leaves leave the most wonderful smell on your arms and the sweet succulent tomato popping into your mouth when the sun has kissed it with a warm glow. It also creates a craving of fresh mozzarella and basil. Luckily I am always prepared in the Harvest season for these such occasions and have basil and mozz on hand at all times. I would hate to miss such an occasion by bad planning on my part. Off to the fields...

Summer and Fall when does one start and another begin

Since when does school start in the middle of August? Isn't August designed to be the hottest month for outdoor swimming and beach fun? I always thought when school started that was the beginning of fall and the end of Summer.

Living in California our Summer usually goes all the way through September and sometimes October. Out on the Coast the best time to visit are the outlying months of all seasons....early spring and late summer are so beautiful and still hold all of the beauty of the actual meat of the season with less traffic and people to navigate. I love the Northern California Coast because it feels like I am part of an exclusive group that few are invited to be a part of. I know that once the smell of salty air and a cool breeze hits my face that Summer is very much still here and there is no end in sight.