Mine is Bigger than Yours

Well, we survived the summer, at least. Brutal temperatures and historic drought resulted in watering restrictions that are still in effect in many departments, including ours. We watered the potted plants with the water we recovered from gutter runoff and from saving rinse water when washing our hands, but that didn’t go far: we lost most of the perennials we had planted in the spring. After the fall rains came, the outside green returned, but the water table hasn’t recovered yet. We still can’t wash our cars or use the power washer, but no complaints – at least our taps are running.

Luckily, in the summer we were allowed to water the potager at night, so most of our vegetables survived, although many were scorched by the sun. Unlike last year’s generous crop, the pumpkins this year were few and quite small, although we have enough for a couple of months of soups, breads, and holiday pies. On the contrary, our tomatoes were abundant, and some could have won prizes. Laurent favors the classic reds: for salads, the “Coeur de Boeuf,” or Beefsteak tomato (literally beef heart), and for sauces the treasured “San Marzano.” I go for color on the plate, since we eat with our eyes almost as much as with our mouths: the striped green and white of “Green Zebra”, the yellow of “Lemon Boy,” and my favorite, the beautiful “Pineapple,” which when sliced is patterned with squares of green, pink, and yellow, resembling the outside of a pineapple.

Laurent’s relatives are avid gardeners and have always been competitive about whose greenhouse produces the first lettuce of the season, who grows the biggest zucchini, etc. His mom started the competition this year when she emailed a photo of her biggest tomato on a kitchen scale. Accepting the challenge, Laurent responded with a photo of our biggest “Pineapple,” which tipped the scale at a whopping 729 grams, about 1.6 pounds. Winner of mine-is-bigger-than-yours.

Laurent’s biggest horticultural victory this year was his impressive grape harvest, thanks to the online purchase of mesh bags which tie around clusters of grapes (or other fruits), protecting them from wasps and birds. He also convinced his parents and sister to buy them. Everyone won the battle against wasps and birds this year, delighting in piles of big and juicy grapes.

We’re now clearing the potager and flower beds, getting ready for winter. Fall has been relatively warm so far, but we are warned that a tough winter lies ahead because of the continuing war in Ukraine. Gas shortages and high prices at the pump (over $8 a gallon) will surely continue, and we are told to expect electricity outages and to keep our thermostats dialed down to 19° C (66° F). We’ve set our thermostat for 18.5° during the day and 17° at night. Sweaters, scarves, gloves and hats are now go-to accessories. I’m not a big fan of the cold, but we’ll get through it, and winter will eventually give way to spring. In the meantime, I shall keep the kitchen warm and the house smelling good by making classic comfort foods -- breads and soups and stews. And preparing for Christmas always warms the heart.