TomaTINA !!!! TomaTINA!!! Spain's got nothin on us!

If you're lucky enough to be in Bunol, Spain on the last Wednesday of August, you can participate in the world's largest tomato fight, possibly the world's largest food fight. This tiny town sees red in an explosion of tomato seeds, pulp and guts! And, who could ask for any more fun?! Over 90,000 pounds of tomatoes are available to be hurled, chucked, flung, flicked, rubbed, smashed, grinded, catapulted, heaved, pitched, propelled, jerked, tossed and lobbed at your nearest neighbor whether it be your best friend, mother or stranger. I've had this Festival on my Bucket List for a couple years now and with the economy and my own personal economy I couldn't afford to make this year the one.

So, my dear sister thought if Tina can't go to Tomatina we'll bring TomaTINA to her! And, boy did she! This past Saturday 20 of us gathered at my sister's property armed with plenty of goggles and a sudden fear of tomatoes. My sister, the Master of Ceremonies, cited The Rules thru her megaphone before we began. Your basic food fight rules, "You must smash the tomato in your hand before chucking it at someone, if you step off the tarp no one can throw a tomato at you and you as well can't hurl one at someone on the tarp. No one leaves with a white shirt (o.k. that one wasn't on there). And, when the siren blares you may begin and again when it blares you must cease fire."

To kick off the onslaught of tomatoes Isaiah, the winner of "guess the amount of cherry tomatoes in the jar" contestant, was able to pick one person to pour a can of tomato sauce on. The innocent Kobe was desecrated! And, with the quick blare of the siren we were off!!!

We all dashed for the kiddie pool in the center of the tarp overflowing with juicy tomatoes and the battle was on. Having large hands came in handy on this beautiful, sunny, Saturday. Scooping up handfuls of mushy tomatoes I hugged friends I hadn't hugged for a while, even patted them on the head. I mashed tomatoes on my son's head, chest and tummy. Why not? The shirt we had made for him said TomaLuke with a bulls eye on it! The barrage of vegetables, or are they fruit, lasted about 20-30 minutes, longer than one might think. At the end, before the siren, we were all moving in slow motion, gathering up whatever energy we could to make sure no child was left behind, left behind with a white shirt.

After the battle, the rope came out. It was time for tug-o-war in the tomato mush! The girls beat the boys and had them soaking up more of the red slop!

Some hiked back up the hill to the house, others rode ATVs to the hose showers awaiting us. A delicious spaghetti dinner was waiting for us. Followed by Bianca's famous cupcakes!

It was such a wonderful, fun day, we plan on making it a tradition! Tomatina has nothing on us!! Thank you sis!!