I prefer the Brandywine, but it is almost like choosing a favorite color. The Brandywines are sharper more-complex tasting, but the Cherokee has a flavor of its own worthy of respect. It is just "different" but enjoyable too. But if I had to grow only one, it would be Brandywine. When my (much later planted) Caspian Pinks and Prudens Purple start to ripen, I will have more different tastes, but Brandywine will still be my favorite.

Wow those are great looking tomatoes. I am growing Brandywine for the first time this year. I have about 15 plants and they all have tomatoes of various sizes. Mine are still green and it likely will be another month at least before they are ripe for picking. It seems that Brandywine don't produce a whole lot per plant though. Glad to hear they live up to the hype. Where the heck are you that yours are already ripe ? I'm in BC. btw my birthday is also 4/15

First of all I want to Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your advice & compassion. I have been very stressed over all of this and I could feel the genuine concern you have for our situation. Just to fill in a few blanks, we are both now 56 yo. DH has his BA & MBA & a certified Project Manager. He worked AND went to school at same time. I'm afraid I am lacking in the educational department. I have 2 AA degrees in nothing marketable, & got my RE License about a month(2006) before the market started crashing-but left because of my DM deteriorating health at the time. But, actually I was the main caregiver for both of my parents from 2001 until 2007 in our home until they both passed. Dad had cancer & Mom had Alzheimer/dementia. About 2 months after my DM died (Dec '07) I started babysitting(Feb'08) for my 2 granddaughters until just this past November '09, when I started working part-time again. Can't believe I did the formula, diapers, potty-training all over again, but my girls were a good distraction from my grief. My DS & DDIL paid when the could, what they could,--most of the time, not at all, but I just wanted to help them out & make sure the girls were safe with me. It was never about the income, it was all about what was best for my GDD's. Last summer I looked into a local university here & wanted to start school to get a Gerontoloy Certificate ( would take 18 months) & eventually work in Hospice & for seniors. (Heck, I am a senior now too according to Bob Evans--lol) I guess I am just destined to be a caregiver all my life. I started the application process & was told I would probably be eligible for Finacial Aid, but I think working Full Time has to be my priority now. I've been brainstorming to think of any additional means of bringing in some income--like maybe renting out the in-law quarters of our home. Selling off some jewelry--only about $200.00 worth, but every bit has to help. We're down to 1 car which we "juggle". Right now, everything just seems up in the air. We might know more by this week-end, when either my DH's project goes well or comes crashing down & him with it. I am preparing for the crash down, because in the past few weeks, anything that could go wrong, has gone wrong. Like servers going down for hours, connection problems etc. One manager just walked off the job, because he said he couldn't take the pressure anymore. So, Thank you, thank you, thank you, all for taking the time just to let me talk/write about this & for listening. I know there are those here with far worse problems (health etc) & my problems are miniscule compared to theirs, but I thank you again for your suggestions & support. God Bless ~~ katclaws

Pam, razor clam, our local clam, Pacific razor clam. They are quite good but we eat them often, not the same rare treat as lobster which are not at all native in our area :) Either cleaned, breaded and fried, or cleaned and ground and served as about 2" crispy patties with lemon and tartar sauce. Chowder of course. My sis in law has a house on the beach 25 minutes away, walk onto the beach from her house, clean them in her kitchen and no mess is ever brought home :) Here is a link that might be useful: Pacific razor clam