Garden Update

We probably had the rainiest July in many, many years here in Rochester. As a result my little backyard garden patch is exploding at the beginning of August! I just picked the first ripe tomatoes this afternoon. (Actually, there were three on a vine close to the ground that were ripe a couple of days ago, but the chipmunks living under the deck got to them.)

The first batch of tomatoes will probably go to the food cupboard at Third Presbyterian next week.

The poblano and jalapeno peppers will begin to ripen in a few more days. I think the onions will be a few more weeks - this is my first try at these. The rosemary, basil and cilantro has been going gangbusters for a while, and has already made appearances in several dishes.

I can't wait to begin making salsa, pasta sauce, pesto and - my favorite - cream of poblano soup!

More from the Music Horizons Program at Eastman

My goddaughter Linnea is here in Rochester this month for the Music Horizons Program at the Eastman School of Music. Music Horizons is for high school students currently who are seriously considering a career in music, emphasizes chamber music and solo performance. Thursday night Linnea played in the Chamber Ensemble Concert; Friday afternoon was the Solo Recital. Here she is performing the Rondo Pastorale from Ralph Vaughan Williams's Oboe Concerto in A Minor.

My Amazing, Talented Goddaughter!

I just got home from a concert at the Eastman School of Music, given by high school students from across the country who are participating in the Music Horizons Program this summer. This evening was the Chamber Ensemble Concert, and my oboist goddaughter Linnea performed in three ensembles. Here she is with her quintet playing Edward Elgar's Harmony Music. She's amazing!