Living in the Now

During the summer, the farmers and I harvested 1000 pounds of tomatoes in one day.  I took home 20 pounds of those tomatoes and made a gigantic batch of tomato sauce.  I froze the sauce so that I could eat it all winter.  Last night Jake and I finished the last batch.  I can't wait for tomato season so I can make some more!

This morning Jake and I took a walk around Rogers Park.  I enjoyed seeing the many Daffodils, Hyacinths and Tulips in the sunshine. 

I am a bundle of nerves.  So much is ending for me here.  Jake will be leaving for New York soon, I will be leaving for Wisconsin.  But with all the things that are ending, so many wonderful things are beginning.  For the past few years I have been working on how to live in the now and not in the future. So much joy is wasted when I worry about tomorrow everyday.  I struggle with wanting to control everything that happens in my life, but many things should be left to happen naturally.  It is a challenge but I am getting better and I am happier because of it.

Homemade Tomato Sauce!

I received 20 pounds of tomatoes a few weeks back.  My Mumah always made a huge batch of tomato sauce each year in the beginning of September with tomatoes she purchased from a nearby farm.  I was excited to make the sauce myself this year.

To get rid of the skin, I had to boil each tomato for 30 seconds then place them in ice, this way the skin peeled right off and didn't burn my fingers.

My tomato destruction station.  A bowl of ice to place the hot tomatoes into, then I cut out the core, scraps to the left, chopped tomatos in the measuring cup.

In the end I had 30 cups of chopped tomatoes and a very messy kitchen.

I threw the 30 cups in my huge pot with the rest of the ingredients and let it simmer for 3 hours.

Now I have 10 meals of sauce in the freezer.  You should come over for spaghetti this winter!