Baba's Feast

Gardening can be a lifelong activity for some, an acquired taste for others. For soon to be 88 year old Petrina Smilova, gardening has been a way of life.

Born on a farm in a small town in Bulgaria, Petrina learned early on about growing food from her parents. Farm life, as many of us probably know, is not easy. Mrs. Smilova lost her mother at age 5 but with determination to succeed she went to school and eventually became a nurse. She stayed in the nursing field for 35 years in Bulgaria, gardening all the while. Her two sons emigrated to the United States and she joined her son Marin's family, who is a Tioga resident, in 2013.

A visit to the Smilov backyard reveals a tidy plot already producing the bounty of the land. Tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, flowers and a newly planted fig tree are some of the thriving vegetables and fruits.  Personally we enjoyed "Baba's" gift of cucumbers along with fresh Dill and Parsley in a cucumber, onion and tomato vinegar salad. There's nothing like fresh vegetables for a salad. For a Bulgarian version of this salad try a Google search for "Shopska salad".

The garden was immaculate with not a weed to be found. Daily inspection keeps weeds in check and the plants are nurtured as "her babies". The community garden welcomes Baba to pull as many weeds at any time as she likes!

Baba also enjoys cooking Bulgarian cuisine which borders both Turkey and Greece. The dishes tend to be mediterranean influenced but also shares some of the spice of Mexico. Marin recounted a story of Mexican laborers who thought Baba's food was from their home country. As if the great veggies were not enough, Baba also makes her own yogurt, baklava and spanakopita from scratch.

As Marin mentioned during my visit,  "the simple life pays off". Petrina enjoys the simple pleasures of gardening, cooking and time with family and friends. And maybe that simplicity is what helps you live to a ripe old age.