Simple Pleasures.

It feels really really good to reap what you sow sometimes.  I've been planting and harvesting tomato seeds for the past two years. This was the first year that I was able to tend to my garden somewhat.  The boys are a little bit older and can play on their own for awhile so I can be back there weeding and so forth. 
Today was the first time I ever picked tomatoes from my own garden and made a sauce.   I've used my tomatoes for a sandwich here and there and stuff, but never really harvested a whole bunch and used them.  I think most people that plant tomatoes, wind up with too many and give them away to friends and family members who put them on their window sills to die.

Not today.  I was so excited.  I picked a big fat red heirloom (often called "ugly" tomato in supermarkets) and 3 green zebra heirlooms.  I boiled the water, and then ice bathed them to peel the skins.   Next, I put on the water to boil the pasta.
In the mean time, I heated some olive oil until it was just warm.  I threw in basil leaves and a big clove of garlic cut into quarters.  I let the oil come up to hot, but not too hot and then turned it off to let the flavors of the garlic and basil gently mix with the olive oil.   I let them sit for a few minutes and then took them out.  (if I wasn't concerned about dragon breath, I would have saved the (nearly oil poached) garlic cloves to spread on some crusty bread.)
Next, I added my fresh picked tomatoes to the warm oil.  I gently chopped at the fruits and let it combine with the oil and come up to a hot temperature.  By now the pasta was boiling....
Sea salt and black pepper to the tomatoes....
Strained the pasta.   Tossed with the sauce.

Maybe the best meal I've ever made for myself.  It came from my own love, patience, and hard work.  Perfect recipe.