A dear friend from college stopped by in early September on her way back from one of her adventures in Alaska. I do not get out much, so I live vicariously through the travels of others. She is also an amazing gardener, so we put her to work.

With her help, the garlic got planted early this year!

We subjected her to the chaos of having small children in the house. We advised that she might find odds and ends of bread rolls in her room, as indeed she did. Felix slept over her first night here. She says she still cherishes the memory of awakening in the morning and hearing a tiny voice chanting “abracadabra” in the next room.

I grilled eggplant (they are beginning to be plentiful) and made a big batch of baba ganoush. Turns out it is one of her favorites!

We went to a neighbor’s house and picked fresh corn. Thanks Mike!

She experienced our motto: the pay is bad but the food is good!

She stirred the pear butter (we took turns) until it “traced”. Now that is friendship!

She made fast friends with Zeke, and then went back to her own fantastic life in Massachusetts.

A few days later I went back to the neighbor’s and brought him seed garlic and one of our huge cabbages. Not only did I score more corn, but I also found some huitlacoche, or what is known around here as “corn smut”. He willingly let me have all I could find.

I sorted through and removed the corn silk and older mushrooms that were turning black. The next day I sautéed it with some onions, garlic, jalapeños, herbs, salt and pepper and then served it as tacos to my sister and her husband, who were passing through from Washington state to Vermont.

She still loves me! But seriously, she and her hubby knew what huitlacoche is, and were happy to finally try some. No photos, as they arrived late and we were all hungry. And more corn! Yum.

Michael had just moved the ducks from their summer pasture to winter residence, which meant we got to enjoy their cheerfulness with Mariluz and Tomás. And now we are back to the craziness of harvest time and preparing the gardens for winter.

(We still have some friends around…)