After the salsa, one particular co-worker has been showing his appreciation with periodic offerings of tomatoes from his garden. Which is just fine by me, since my tomatoes came early and waned early.

The best way to get rid of leaves, branches and other yard wastes is by composting, chipping and mulching.

I was unceremoniously shooed from the kitchen while he chopped up tomatoes, garlic, onions, and cilantro without ever once resorting to a power tool. Then came what would for me seem a fatal mistake – he decided to use jarred jalapenos instead of fresh. And he dumped about two teaspoons of juice into the mix.Hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, hot, HOT!

Ramona Avina harvests cabernet sauvignon grapes Monday at Kiona Vineyards and Winery near Benton City, Wash. Recent cold weather hurried up the grape and apple harvest.

Tall stalks of corn provide the backdrop for Eric Norton and Aimee Black as they make their wedding vows in front of Judge Jesus Herrera on Saturday at the corn maze in La Union, N.M. The two held their wedding at the maze where they had their first date one year ago Saturday.