Friday, July 31, 2020

Harvesting first figs, dessert and timber!!!!!




They've arrived and there are plenty for all. . . . birds,
squirrels and yes, we humans! 
Ripening is beginning and we are picking and sharing daily now.

Brown thrasher enjoys figs!

Beautiful fig leaves!


Easy dessert anyone?
I love this one - gobble them up while still crisp
from the oven!






The fig tree will be pruned later in the year when the fruits are finished -
it's becoming far too big!
Grass starting to brown in the heat - hoses at the ready to keep summer flowers
 and shrubs going a little longer hopefully.


This is what's been keeping us busy this week - a hard-working, polite and good natured 
crew taking down one tree and pruning several others on our property. Soon we hope
to continue with the back garden landscaping project. . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . . .BUT, as you may know, there's a hurricane
 on the way, heading right toward North Carolina!!!


27 comments:

  1. Your fig tart looks lovely. Looks like the hurricane will just skim the coast...hope it doesn't do too much damage.

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  2. How wonderful to have figs. We so enjoyed them in our French garden.
    A hurricane! That's not good news, do hope it passes you by. Stay safe, Mary. x

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  3. I'd not yet heard about the hurricane and can only say I hope it misses you!
    The fig leaves are so beautiful, nature finds the best designs and shapes.
    Those fig tarts look delicious, but if one wants to avoid having to heat up the oven on an already hot enough day, one can simply eat fresh figs with a blog of vanilla ice cream for dessert... or some cheese, preferably goat or sheep.

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  4. Figs... oh how I love them. My tree is full as well, but not yet turning. The birds and squirrels usually have a feast before I get even the first one.... I buy my figs at the Farmer's Market... crazy, I know. Have the very best week-end Mary, and enjoy those figs! Hugs!

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    1. Hope you do manage to gather some of your own! So good fresh from the tree.

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  5. I love figs but haven't had any fresh ones in a very long time. I actually haven't been grocery shopping since April :/ My husband goes about once a week and right now is mostly coming home with stone fruits. Your tart sounds yummy. Sure hope the hurricane isn't too bad. Take care.

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    1. Wish I could pass you a basketful dear Tammy - they are really sweet and tasty.
      Yes, a bit nervous about the hurricane - as if we don't have enough to contend with these difficult days. Take care.

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  6. Your figs looks so delicious, as does the fig tart, Yum! What a beautiful brown thrasher photo, he's also enjoying his figs. Do keep safe during the storm.

    Happy weekend, Mary!
    Brenda xo

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    1. Thanks Brenda - last thing we need is a hurricane here!
      The thrasher is a delightful bird - glad he's getting his share of figs!

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  7. The figs look splendid. A friend of mine bought his house mainly on the strength of it having a big fig tree in the garden! I hope that hurricane doesn't come too close to you.

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    1. Thanks John. We have been hit several times and had trees through our roof, and one of the cars was 'pancaked' in the driveway by a huge oak falling on August 23, 1996 when the monster Hurricane Fran turned and came inland - aa terrible time for us and thousands!

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  8. Oh, this fig tart recipe appeared at the PERFECT time as our few figs are ripening now. I picked a handful yesterday and will pick a few more today. It's pleasant out, not too hot, and a day for tidying and cleaning indoors. I hope the hurricane will head out to sea - stay safe. I will be thinking about you and Bob there.

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    1. Glad you have figs for picking Lorrie - enjoy!
      Appreciate your thoughts re: our safety. Sometimes I feel like packing up and moving - but just don't know where!
      Mary x

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  9. I am writing down the recipe for when my figs are fully ripened. Such a huge amount of activity going on within your garden, I am looking forward to seeing the results, and I bet you are too. Stay safe, and hurricanes please go away from Mary & Bob's property.

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    1. Yes, has been another busy week but we are concerned now with the hurricane rain and wind which may impact us. Never a dull moment - thanks dear Rosemary for your wishes for our safety. I think we should move to the Cotswolds!!!!
      Mary -

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    2. What a great idea - please do💚

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  10. I'm so glad I didn't miss this post with the FIG recipe! It looks yummy and so easy (to eat, especially). My fig tree is not half as large as yours but it has probably 3x as many figs as last year, so I know I will looking for ways to use them.

    What variety are yours? If you have to shelter in place because of the hurricane, at least you can live on that yummiest of fruit. :-)

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    1. This huge tree is a Celeste planted as a tiny 18" plant years ago. Now much too biig and will be professionally pruned following this year's fig harvest!
      Here in the south they do mostly fruit this month.
      Good luck with your figs - they are a really 'good for us' fruit.
      Thanks for stopping by Gretchen.
      Mary -

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    2. Do you know about the practice of "growing a little fruit tree" by pruning not only in winter, but at the summer solstice? They say that's the only way to keep a fruit tree's height manageable. It's probably too late in life for your glorious specimen, though. I've never heard of a Celeste. They are lovely to look at and I'm confident that the eating would be good. I haven't met a fig yet that I didn't like.

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  11. I forgot to say, your picture of the lovely fig leaves is perfect!

    I'm interested to know what variety because I wonder if it is an early one, or if all the figs in the South ripen about now? Mine won't ripen until September, but I'm definitely in a marine-influenced area with cool nights and foggy mornings.

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  12. Like I say to you every year, you are so lucky to have fresh figs right out your door! Your tart looks amazing.

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  13. Your figs look so delicious Mary! And thanks for posting the recipe! Stay safe during the hurricane!!!

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  14. Dear Mary,
    Your photographs again are just fabulous. Would love to bake your Fig Tarts but I don't have enough figs. I have a fig tree in a pot and it has 5 figs on it, still ripening. I have always loved the word Frangipane but never knew it's meaning. I like your recipe, maybe I can use my Italian plums instead. Hope you are safe.

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  15. The fig tart looks delicious! I must try it. Your recipes are always the best.

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