• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary navigation
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Carol J. Michel

Award winner author of gardening humor books

  • About
    • Contact
  • Blog
  • Books
    • Shop
    • Gardening Humor
    • Children’s Books
    • New – The Halloween Hare
  • Social
    • YouTube
    • Instagram
  • The Gardenangelists Podcast
  • Gardening Humor
  • Children’s
  • All Books

May Dreams Gardens

Ritual Of The First Tomato – Revisited

August 4, 2009 By Carol Michel 21 Comments

Warning. The following post was written under the influence of the first big tomato of the season.

Here at May Dreams Gardens, we are pulling out all the special plates, books, knifes, forks, gloves and satin pillows to celebrate and embrace the first big tomato of the season with the Official Ritual of the First Tomato, first introduced on this blog in August 2006.

It’s a nice ‘Pink Oxheart’, fittingly shaped like a heart, signifying the love of tomatoes around here.

Rest assured, it was carefully picked at the height of ripeness while wearing the softest cotton gloves to avoid bruising, then reverently carried into the house where it was placed on the satin tomato pillow. All of its qualities and attributes, including the feelings of the gardener who picked it, were carefully recorded in the Book Of First Tomatoes as it was eagerly photographed, weighed and measured.

Then it was sliced up and eaten with the special tomato fork and knife, on the finest china reserved just for this event.

Queue up the rest of the ritual and don’t forget…

I made that up.

Really. I don’t do all that, or at least do all that quite that way. I did pick it myself and carry it inside without dropping it. As demonstrated by the picture above, I did take its picture while it was sitting on top of a satin pillow. Don’t ask how I came to own that pillow, but it is hand-made. And though I forgot to weigh the tomato and measure it, I am writing about it.

I guess that’s close to a ritual

By the way, it was very good, with a good “tomato” taste, if you know what I mean.

After I ate it, I felt like some of the other tomatoes I’ve picked recently deserve their time in the spotlight, too, if only briefly.

The ‘Red Currants’ are just as tiny as ever, but very tasty.
I thank the rabbits for leaving the garden alone this year. I don’t know why they are, but they are, so I’ve officially let my guard down and stopped worrying about them.

We go on and on about our tomatoes. Are they as good as an ice cream sundae?

I guess it depends on my mood, but yes, they are right now. And that is a ‘Black Cherry’ tomato on top.

If you don’t care much for sundaes, how about a banana, I mean, tomato split?

Those three bigger tomatoes are the first ‘Illini Star’ tomatoes. I picked them this evening and will enjoy one with my breakfast tomorrow morning.

Tomatoes. They are good for breakfast, lunch, and dinner this time of year. And they are good enough for the folks at the Indiana State Fair to declare this the Year of Tomatoes. They are even going to have a contest for the biggest tomato over five pounds. I don’t think I’ll have any that big by the weigh off on August 8th, but if they had a contest for “best presentation of a tomato as other food”, (TAOF), I think I’d have a good shot at it.

And with that, gardeners from coast to cost and around the world, I announce this year’s tomato contest.

This year, we are not looking for the tiniest or ugliest tomato. We are looking for “best presentation of a tomato as other food” (TAOF). Feel free to enter by posting pictures of your presentation of TAOF on your blog, and enter as often as you’d like. Let me know if you post so that I can look over your entry. A winner will be chosen by “acclimation of the garden blogosphere” or something like that.

Good luck to all, and enjoy your tomatoes however you eat them!

Filed Under: Blog Tagged With: humor, tomatoes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Dee/reddirtramblings says

    August 4, 2009 at 3:06 am

    All I can write is wish I were there.~~Dee

    Reply
  2. Elkhorn Inn & Theatre says

    August 4, 2009 at 4:57 am

    Loved this! We went thru "passion of the first tomato" tonight- really late this year- we've had a ton of rain in so. WV! And it's true- nothing beats those first sun-warmed garden-fresh tomatoes!
    Planted 8 kinds, but hubby picked a big bowlful (no satin Tomato Pillow for him!) and so I've no idea which is which! LOL

    Reply
  3. Carrie says

    August 4, 2009 at 10:32 am

    Thank you, you crazy, crazy woman. I read that with such a big grin on my face. First you had me totally sucked in to the whole ritual and I was backing away slowly. Then your presentations, I know no one who is so obviously in love with this humble friut. Bless you. Looking forward to the pictures you get sent. I (sorry, maybe you ought to sit down) I don't grow tomatoes so I shall just be an onlooker. Fab post!

    Reply
  4. Lisa at Greenbow says

    August 4, 2009 at 12:11 pm

    These presentations will be difficult to impossible to top. I could go for a bowl of those little tomatoes right now.

    Reply
  5. Dave says

    August 4, 2009 at 1:22 pm

    Love those tomatoes! We mixed cherry and yellow pear toms with mozzarella, olive oil and a splash of vinegar for a quick tomato salad. Like bruschetta without the bread! As the main course we had tomato and bacon sandwiches. You can't beat a fresh tomato from the garden!

    Reply
  6. Anonymous says

    August 4, 2009 at 2:11 pm

    I love to pop the tiny tomatoes in salads because it is so effortless.
    Donna

    Reply
  7. Mr. McGregor's Daughter says

    August 4, 2009 at 2:44 pm

    I love your TAOF photos! You should do more indoor, still life photography. This sounds like a fun contest. Too bad I have no tomatoes.

    Reply
  8. Cindy, MCOK says

    August 4, 2009 at 7:21 pm

    Can I borrow a friend's tomatoes for the photo? Mine are long gone. I'm going to get some fall tomatoes to plant soon, though.

    Reply
  9. Bangchik and Kakdah says

    August 4, 2009 at 11:35 pm

    A nice way to rejoice over the first tomato… and love cindy's comment about borrowing friend's tomatoes for photos..

    ~ bangchik

    Reply
  10. Rose says

    August 5, 2009 at 2:22 am

    Carol, I love this contest! I might actually be able to compete in this one…that is, if my tomatoes ever ripen. But I think you've already won 1st place; I don't think anything could top a tomato split.

    By the way, I did get motivated to weed the vegetable garden yesterday morning as I said. Lo and behold, behind some of the weeds were some ripe green peppers!

    Reply
  11. Annie in Austin says

    August 5, 2009 at 2:46 am

    I've seen you pull out the tomato pillow four times, and it still makes me grin, Carol.
    But that tomato sundae is already the "best Presentation of a tomato as other food" – should we really try to top it?

    Annie at the Transplantable Rose

    Reply
  12. James David says

    August 5, 2009 at 3:45 am

    It must been a hard work to watch and care for those tomatoes and you truly deserve that glorious moment in enjoying them.

    My mum took care of a tomato plant and it yield few friuts but tomatoes are quite difficult to take care in my place – easier bought than bred. But I guess its so much tastier when its home grown.

    Reply
  13. Christopher C. NC says

    August 5, 2009 at 4:03 am

    So you knew I had grown the WUT this year I see. I have the picture. I have experience in arranging fruits into odd positions. You'll get a run for your sundae. So what shall my TAOF be?

    Reply
  14. Helen says

    August 5, 2009 at 4:45 am

    I can rejoice in the first tomato flower buds of my late-season year. And also rejoice in the thought of you eating that lovely red valentine.

    Reply
  15. healingmagichands says

    August 5, 2009 at 4:47 am

    Our ritual involves the perfect BLT, complete with freshly toasted bread, warm bacon, lettuce from the garden, home made mayo, and last but not least: The Tomato! They were awfully late this year, weren't they? Must have been the cool wet spring and the cool wet July.

    I just put up my first 7 pints of puree. I'm not sure I have the creativity to present Tomato As Other Food, I'll give it some thought. What is our deadline?

    Reply
  16. Carol Michel says

    August 5, 2009 at 12:01 pm

    Thanks all for the nice comments and for having fun with me over tomatoes. For the contest, the deadline is as loose as the rules… in the next few weeks, post TAOF, and let me know, then sometime later in August, I'll do a wrap up post with links and see about some way for readers to vote.

    Good luck!
    Carol, May Dreams Gardens

    Reply
  17. Chookie says

    August 5, 2009 at 12:13 pm

    Ahem. For some of us, August is the month before you plant tomato seeds. It's cruel and unusual punishment to show me feasts of home-grown tomatoes like that! I won't have them till December at the earliest!

    Reply
  18. Unknown says

    August 5, 2009 at 9:19 pm

    I'm so glad we have plenty of time to get our TAOF entries ready. I've been so busy I was afraid I would miss the deadline.

    Reply
  19. Christopher C. NC says

    August 6, 2009 at 3:41 am

    My tomatoes are ripe and my TOAF is ready.

    Reply
  20. Linda says

    August 6, 2009 at 4:52 pm

    Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, squirrels, chickens, raccoons and tomato lovers everywhere,

    My Official TAOF Entry

    Reply
  21. Corner Gardener Sue says

    August 10, 2009 at 3:09 am

    I love your tomato presentations. I am enjoying what the birds don't eat of my orange oxehearts that I'm growing for the first time.

    (I hope you get your sunflowers staked up. I have a couple that have fallen, I thought, because of squirrels climbing on them. One, I have had to support more than once, and it is still alive and blooming. I cut a few heads off of it the second time, so hopefully, it will stay up this time.)

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Updates from Carol Michel

* indicates required
Email Preferences

Categories

  • Blog (3,053)
  • Internal (2)

Blog Tags

annuals Blogging books bulbs dr. hortfreud embrace fairies fall family flowers fruits garden bloggers bloom day garden bloggers book club garden design gardeners gardening gardening geek gardens hoes holidays hortense hoelove houseplants humor indoor gardening insects lawn letters to gardening friends perennials rabbits reviews Secrets seeds shrubs spring tools trees vegetable garden vegetable gardening vegetables weather weeding weeds when a gardener wildflower wednesday winter

The Gardenangelists Podcast with Dee Nash

Gardenangelists Podcast

Footer

Gardenangelists Podcast with Dee Nash

Gardenangelists Podcast

Connect

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • maydreams icon

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Contact
  • Books
  • May Dreams Gardens
  • Podcast

Updates from Carol Michel

* indicates required
Email Preferences

Newsletter Archive

Copyright © 2023 · CarolJMichel.com · Sitemap · Privacy Policy

Book purchase links are affiliate links and Carol earns a small commission if you make a purchase.

We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
Do not sell my personal information.
Cookie SettingsAccept
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT