My Neighbor’s Garden

I have neighbors that are really there for me when I desperately need them.
Like when I desperately need their garden booty to make Pico De Gallo, Bruschetta or Shrimp Pasta Primavera.

This pleasant little harvest came from the neighbor that we are building a front entryway for.

She loves to bless me with tomatoes and I do not want to rob her of this blessing.
I like to eat this blessing.
Home grown tomatoes embarrass the store bought ones any day. They have the most wonderful, full flavor a bruschetta lover could imagine.

Don’t even get me started on the hot peppers she has given me. One of these cute little jalapenos has flavored an entire bowl of Pico de Gallo. The gentle spiciness mingles with the lime juice, onions, cilantro, green peppers and tomatoes oh so well.
I am in love.

These mild peppers have graced everything from my salads, to grilled sandwiches (which we call ‘sandies’), and taco meat.
So yummy.

I have never met a tomato I didn’t like. Unless of course you count the days when I was less than fifteen years old.
I was stupid then. I didn’t know the pleasures of a sun-ripened tomato.

This little guy intimidates me. It is a spicy red pepper. He has been staring at me every time I open the fridge door. I mean, just look at him.
Take a really good look at him below.

I think he’s yelling at me.

Here is the Crème de la crème. This fragrant basil grows in my neighbor-to-the-north’s front flower bed.
I cut a sprig of this lovely herb and sniff it for the next five hours.
I know, I am weird. But, it just smells so dang good.

I am so thankful for neighbors. And especially thankful for the neighbors with gardens.