So, remember that scene in Billy Madison when Adam Sandler wakes up from his hangover and rides his golf cart out to the mailbox to collect his magazines? Well, it was "Nudie Magazine Day" at my house today...only it wasn't Playboy that arrived! It was the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Catalog.
Shortly after I finished Animal, Vegetable, Miracle, and began my farmers' market odyssey, I began collecting newspaper clippings about local food. Back in August I clipped a NY Times article about this catalog, reputed to be packed with what Anthony Bourdain would call "food porn" for gardeners, and in November (about the same time that I joined Kitchen Gardens International - that's a whole other story) I ordered a copy. About once a week since, I whine to Mr. DeWinter and wonder aloud whether the neighbors stole my catalog. And then, this evening, miraculously, it was sitting on my dining room table when I arrived home from work! I'm not ashamed to admit that I hugged it to my chest and danced a jig around the living room.
In fact, I haven't even had time to peruse it yet, because as soon as Mr. DeWinter saw my excitement, he grabbed it out of my hands and became mesmerized by chocolate habanero peppers, purple Russian tomatoes, and Georgia rattlesnake melons. The space on our balcony is limited, so we're going to have to choose wisely what to plant this spring. I can't wait!
I recognize that my interest in local foods is growing into an obsession...and I fear that I'm destined to become one of those annoying, holier than though people who preach about locavorism to those who have no interest in listening...someone a little like Barbara Kingsolver! On the other hand, I haven't touched a drop of soda in over three weeks, and Mr. DeW hasn't been to McDonald's in at least two...for us, that's a pretty good track record. Who are these fruit and veggie eating, wanna-be gardeners? While we won't be dressing in homespun or raising chickens anytime soon, our relationship with food is definitely evolving for the better.
Cutting for Stone be damned...I'm off to read my seed catalog and dream of spring!
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