One of those days in My Summer Garden

[Dee & Frank Hughes]

No one will confuse me with Sammy K of Matthews Farmers Market fame but there are a few days each summer when everything seems to come together and make for a very respectable little harvest. Today I managed a nice little handful of beans, a cuke, a narly looking Mortgage Lifter, one of the nicest looking peppers I've ever grown ( these are sort of like my children - I'm proud of them when they grow up and do right) and my pride and joy - figs.
I've had 2 fig trees for 4 seasons. One is in a container and one planted. After two years of wondering why they looked like they had little green figs in the spring but I never got any ripe fruit, I finally figured out that the birds I invite in here love figs too. I negotiated a peace involving turning over one whole tree to the birds and placing netting over the other. Rewarded this year with my first real crop - about a quart so far.
For you fig lovers try this. Slice in half and place on a baking sheet. Top with a dollop of Bosky herbed goat cheese and place under the broiler until bubbly. Drizzle with market honey and balsamic vinegar. The birds won't know what they're missing.