Sunday, October 16, 2022

October Daily 16: Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

 


We woke up this morning to the smell of wildfire smoke from fires in our province and in Washington State to the south of us. Another item to add to our strange weather - normally fires diminish during September, but it seems that that was just the beginning. I did a little gardening this afternoon, but I felt the smoke in my lungs and didn't stay out very long. 

A volunteer sunflower has provided an abundance of blooms this year. It grew so very tall and began breaking, so I cut it down and there are blooms continuing along the lower part of the stem. Good food for birds. 


This photo is not of smoke, but of morning fog one day last week. The pink tinge is due to light smoke in the air. This was taken at 7:25 am as I walked to a physio appointment. How welcoming it is to see lights glowing through fog or half-light. Definitely an autumn delight. 


Since I am still picking tomatoes, I use them in various ways. Yesterday, I halved cherry tomatoes and tumbled them into a shallow gratin dish, tossed plenty of chopped garlic on top along with a drizzle of olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Into the oven they went, to roast for 40-50 minutes alongside the chicken thighs I'd put in earlier. In the last five minutes of cooking, I sprinkled feta cheese and let it melt, then tossed fresh basil over just before serving. An easy and delicious side dish, and also great as an appetizer served with a sliced baguette. 

Any plans for this week? Mine will involve time with little ones, and dealing with apples and grapes from the garden. Friends are coming for dinner on Friday. And we're all hoping for rain on Friday, too. 

15 comments:

  1. Ooooh, that tomato dish looks delish. I wonder if I will ever have that many tomatoes to use in cooking ever again? I used to do a lot with cherry tomatoes, roasting and salads and all. Now I have less work and can drool over your creations <3

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  2. Sad that you have fires again. I love the smell of woodsmoke but for you it must be the opposite. That chicken and tomato dish sounds yummy.
    I’m blowing some rain your way. There’s drizzle on my windows this morning. B x

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  3. Too bad about the fires. Things are in such a mess. We've lots of rain today.

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  4. Here’s a wish for rain your way! Take care.

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  5. I am so sorry to hear about the fires. Your side dish sounds wonderful.

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  6. We have had a lot of fog, but no smoke. Forest fires are awful. Praying with you for gentle rain.

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  7. The photo with the lights has an ethereal quality to it. Your tomato dish sounds yummy and simple!

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  8. I heard on the news this morning that the Washington state wildfires grew very large overnight! It's disconcerting that wildfire season seems to be year round. I hope there are no fires near your location. I picked all my tomatoes as frost is a danger now. I made roasted tomato sauce with the last bunch--very tasty! Have a wonderful week!

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  9. The smoke in the air affects my eyes and throat even indoors. We definitely need a good rain. Your tomato creation looks delicious. Ever so slowly the last tomatoes are ripening but I'm thinking I should pull the plants and bring in any good sized ones to ripen inside.

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  10. Sad to hear of wild fires... Dish looks delicious.

    🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃 🎃

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  11. I appreciate a good music reference!

    Speaking of music, I'm counting down the days to the release of Taylor Swift's new album, "Midnights" on Oct 21st!

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  12. We're hoping for that rain on Friday, too. That looks quite tasty on a baguette!

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  13. When I woke this morning I wasn't sure if we had fog or smoke. I think it was a mixture of both. I do believe rain is forecast for her also on Friday and very much needed. Your baked tomato dish looks quite yummy!

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  14. Anonymous6:05 AM

    Some places in France have 30C degrees.... in October so strange!

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  15. It's disturbing that we are starting to encounter "climate migrants" in Ontario - people who have left BC due to the yearly incidence of wildfires and the poor air quality. It is very sad that we have wreaked such havoc on the climate and disrupted weather patterns to our detriment. And still we don't learn.

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