Zuppa Tuscana (or Soupa Oklahoma) with fruit compote

Swiss chard wins most hardy plant in my garden this year, despite snails and cabbage moths in abundance and very inconsistent watering. I put it in the ground in February and it is still growing strong.  Hurray for my stems of steel! I also love the way it looks, the way it flutes like flowers overflowing in a bouquet. And when my children kneel next to it, and it grows above their heads, it reminds me of the painting by Diego Rivera of the girl with the calla lilies.

Diego Rivera. 1941. Flower seller, girl with the calla lilies.

Pickin' Peaches at a Polyface

It was a grueling hot day, when you step out of the car and sweat beads on your lip, when we went to pick peaches in mid July. I had hoped yearned for blackberries, but although the guides said they should be in season, there were none to be found. They had either shriveled or been knocked over by the recent golf ball to softball sized hail. Farming: Not for the faint of heart.