MountainMornings

When somebody new asks you, “Where are you from?” do you hesitate? I did when we first moved to Cville, but now I say without hesitation, “New Jersey!” It’s usually followed up by how my part of the Jersey Shore is nothing like that reality show on MTV. During our post-Help book club dinner, a woman was talking about how she doesn’t miss California (well except for the weather) and how much she feels at home here in the Blue Ridge. I asked her how long it took her to feel, “…at Home.” She replied ten or twelve years…so I’m halfway there.

Recently I signed up with Patch.com in order to stay connected with my old community. Rumson is where a Great Blue Heron would perch on our garage before heading towards the river for breakfast, elegant Snowy Egrets would strut their stuff in the nearby pond, and a neighbor would serve hot chocolate to the kids assembled to skate in their yard. It is where I served as a School Board Member and wrote numerous Town Columns for the local newspaper. When I return to the sound of a commuter train and the smell of the ocean, I always feel right at home back in the beautiful Garden State.

Which is why I was surprised to find that Bob’s Virginia tomatoes are every bit as delicious as a Jersey tomato. The world famous Jersey tomato had no equal in my mind. But the squash are almost done, and he’s harvesting tomatoes like nobody’s business. While I read in Patch about the stars all over the houses in Fair Haven (right next door to Rumson), and think about how they had plastic pink flamingos in their yards once upon a time, I’ll share the most simple recipe for Tomato Mozzarella Salad. You must make your own vinaigrette:

• 1 or 2 minced garlic cloves
• a spurt (1/2 teaspoon) of Grey Poupon mustard
• chopped fresh herbs – tarragon is best, but thyme and sage will do
• a few turns of fresh sea salt and pepper
• About 1/4 cup each of balsamic vinegar and olive oil

Now you whisk everything except the oil together well, then slowly drizzle in the EVOO. I like the small Ciliegine Mozzarella balls and certainly it helps to sprinkle some fresh basil leaves overall. Enjoy.

And speaking of birds…one of my favorite activist columns helped to reverse a Borough ban on feeding “migratory waterfowl.” In other words, our kids could feed the ducks again! Ah the power of the pen, and the mighty tomato.