I was talking with my neighbor yesterday about how our tomato plants are doing this season. She mentioned she tried a new variety this year called Cherokee Purple and said the flavor is incredible compared to regular tomatoes. I might have to pick some up next spring. The weather has been so unpredictable lately though - we got that surprise rainstorm last week that knocked over a few of my pepper plants. I managed to stake them back up and they seem to be recovering. Gardening is such a rewarding hobby but it definitely keeps you on your toes. Have you ever tried growing your own vegetables? I find that even just a few pots on a patio can produce quite a bit if you choose the right varieties. The key is consistent watering and making sure they get enough sunlight each day. I usually water mine in the early morning before the heat sets in. My basil has been thriving this year and I have been making pesto almost every week. It is so much better when it is fresh from the garden.

I finally got around to trying that lentil soup recipe my cousin recommended a few weeks ago and it turned out really well. She said the secret is to use vegetable broth instead of water and to add a squeeze of lemon right before serving. I also threw in some carrots and celery that were about to go soft in the fridge and it worked perfectly. The whole thing took maybe forty minutes from start to finish and now I have enough lunches for the rest of the week. I have been trying to cook more at home lately instead of ordering takeout and it honestly feels good to know exactly what is going into my food. Next weekend I want to attempt homemade flatbread because I saw a video online that made it look surprisingly simple. The dough only uses flour yogurt baking powder and salt so I already have everything I need. Hopefully it comes out edible. My last attempt at homemade bread was a bit of a disaster but I think flatbread is more forgiving since you cook it on the stovetop. I will let you know how it goes.