Figs, that is! This is the first ripe fig of the year. It looks luscious but will only be a bite for both Rick and myself. (Probably about the length of my thumb.)

BUT …

I counted 84 figs on my tree this morning. 84. That number seems staggering, but they are all quite small and they tend to ripen a few at a time. I think this is a good thing since we wouldn’t be able to enjoy them if they all came ripe at at the same time. This way we can savor each and every one of them as they ripen.

P.S. I tried to come up with some witty little ditty similar to the the “99 Bottles of Beer on the Wall” song for the figs but I failed. (84 figgies on my little tree … 84 figs on my tree. Pick one off, eat it right up, 83 figgies on my little tree ... ??)

My grandmother had a fig tree in her yard in Maryland, and she used to complain about how much fruit it produced. Sometimes she canned the figs, and when she died in 1989, there were about 30 jars of them in her basement, all from previous decades. Needless to say, we didn’t eat them.

Steve, I wish our climate was temperate enough for my fig to be planted outside. It’s almost too big to wheel into the garage for winter. Canned figs don’t sound very good to me, either decades old or last year’s.

Looks good but have never had a fresh fig - only dried figs or newtons.  Maybe there’s one with my name on it!

C, fresh figs taste quite a bit different than the dried ones or the ones in newtons. They are delicious! Want me to pick one out and write your name on with magic marker?

Hmmm…I wonder how well they would travel? First class on Amtrak might do it. Wish I could sample them; there is nothing like a fresh fig. I’ll never forget my first one. Who knew they would be pink inside!!! Lucky you—keep babying that tree!

Bigsis, they might last until your trip but I’m not sure. Last year we were picking the last ripe (and super sweet!) ones off just before we headed to the cabin, so right around the time you will be here.

84???!!!  My little baby graced me with ONE small fig, that I cut in 4ths to share.  Maybe next year.  ~fingers crossed

Maggie, yes 84!!!!!!??? It’s crazy! Maybe you should come up and take a few for yourself once they start to really ripen. I looked this morning and now there are about four or five that started to turn color, just since yesterday!

Oh that fig looks delicious - I love fresh figs.

Joyce, YES, YUM!

Lynne… I’d be happy to “help” you out!!! 

Maggie, I’ll give a shout when we don’t know what to do with them anymore!