I love the summer garden. Probably because I usually get to reap the rewards with minimal work. My mom and grandma always have a huge garden, and growing up I thought I worked so hard snapping those green beans. Man they were mean to make my sister and I help. Little did I understand the tilling, planting, weeding, and picking process -then the washing, and canning. But you can't beat a jar of home grown green beans in the winter time - it sure brings back the taste of summer.
So my mom sent me home a mess of green beans to put up. It was kind of fun to stand at the kitchen sink, working up the green beans and feeling like I was participating in history. Years of women (not standing in an air condition kitchen of course) working with their hands, doing their part to keep the family well nourished during the long cold winter months. (I'm also sure they didn't snap pictures of themselves working so that other people would realize they were productive and have something to blog about.)
And you can't beat a fresh pot with bacon and potatoes. Can't you just taste that summer goodness.
I can't wait for the tomatoes...