A Morning Tomato Harvest

A Morning Cherry Tomato Harvest

This morning started with the sweetest kind of harvest—our cherry and grape tomatoes. Every year we plant them in pots out by the play gym, just for JT to enjoy right off the vine. He absolutely loves them, and all summer long it’s his favorite little snack. But today, there were far too many to eat in one sitting, so it turned into a full-on morning haul.

Nana (my mom, Barb) asked JT to head out and pick all the ripe ones. Of course, baby River came along too—snuggled in my arms as Zach and I followed behind. JT, still a little blurry-eyed from waking up, was eager to get started. Before we headed out, we stopped to feed the koi in the pond, a ritual that always feels peaceful and grounding.

JT and ZZ (Zach) made quite the picking team, searching for every red tomato tucked among the vines. I walked behind with the dogs at my side and River starting to drift off for his early nap against my chest. I couldn’t help but think how lucky I am in that simple moment—surrounded by family, morning sunshine, and the rhythm of our little homestead.

The pots were filled with bright, juicy tomatoes, and even more green ones promised that plenty more harvests are yet to come. Back on the deck, I laid River down in his Moses basket, and Nano (my dad) took JT off to the main garden to gather even more vegetables.

I settled back with another cup of coffee, the dogs curled up at our feet, Zach beside me, my mom smiling nearby, and a phone call to JP (my brother), who is away on a work trip but always part of the heart of our mornings.

It was one of those perfectly ordinary but absolutely beautiful mornings—family, fresh food, and the little joys that remind us just how full life really is.