fruit

Danny was raised on a fruit farm and I was raised with fruit cocktail. 

Just weeks after we were married his sweet grandma brought at least a bushel of peaches to our small one bedroom apartment in the avenues to teach me how to can.  We carried the jars and pots up the flight of stairs to our 2nd story dwelling and worked for hours.

They were delicious---but I learned so much more than canning that day.

Grandma was an inspiration of resourcefulness and respect for God's gifts and creations. 

It was important to feed your family.  It was maybe even more important to care for the resources we have been entrusted with.

Grandma taught me over the following years...the names of beautiful flowers, how to transplant them and even how to cook.  She was giving and sweet.  

Marrying into a fruit farm family---I have learned the sweetness of fruit picked right off the tree.

We serve only fresh fruit...or if we are lucky enough to have home-canned fruit from a family member.  At our back to school "cafeteria fear factor" Sophie's biggest challenge (I have video of her gagging to prove it) was choking down a grape from fruit cocktail.  

picked peonies

into focus

The rejuvenation of spring takes me by surprise each year.

The warm sunshine, longer days, fresh air and dirt under our finger nails-

brings life right back into focus.

rain

I opened my eyes

And looked up at the rain,

And it dripped in my head

And flowed into my brain,

And all that I hear as I lie in my bed

Is the slishity-slosh of the rain in my head.

I step very slowly,

I walk very slow,

I can't do a handstand--

I might overflow,

So pardon the wild crazy thing I just said---

I'm just not the same since there's rain in my head.

Shel Silverstien

I feel a bit the way this poem is stating..

slow---with rain in my head.

We have a had a very wet season...and a very wet week.

Our garden (newly planted) is enjoying it I am sure.

I, on the other hand, am hungry for sunshine.

Starved, might be better said!

One highlight has been reading "Where the Sidewalk Ends."

My sister Annie gave us this book (with the cd-which I love) and a few of Mr. Silverstein's others quite a few years ago.

It had been WAY too long since we have read them.

Thank you Annie!

We will be reading them much more often!

on their way to the oven...

They came from our garden...but really, that is about it!  We were able to harvest lettuce, chard, kale, sugar snap peas and beets.  Our tomatoes, tomatillos, squash and any warm vegetable didn't produce really anything.  The plants are still alive but not producing.  What happened this year!?  Did we lose our green thumbs??? 

We are going to enjoy our beets tonight.  (When I say "we" I mean Danny and I will love them and the girls will moan and groan...until they taste them! :))  I usually boil them but I found some inspiration on stephmodo this morning so I am going to try this tonight.  Did you see the recipe she linked from Epicurious!?  My mouth is watering!  I can't wait!

green thumb

The foolish man seeks happiness in the distance, 
the wise grows it under his feet.
-   James Oppenheim 

I feel like the stage of life that surrounds us now is the soil preparation stage...

We are preparing the soil for our children:

their happiness

their ambition

their hearts

their spirits

We are preparing the soil for our life together:

when children are independent

when we have all day together

with all of the time we need

I am reminded that the small efforts I put into the little things each day can bring about wonderful fruit.

I hope I have a green thumb.

photo:  our garden soil just as the seeds were sprouting

How does your garden grow?

Our first planting was this evening in our vegetable garden!  It was SO NICE to have the sun kiss our skin and dirt under our fingernails (those of us who don't wear gloves)!!!!  What we planted:

plants:  2 varieties of lettuce, rainbow chard, broccoli, snow peas, and sugar snap peas...

seeds:  beets, carrots, corn, and kale

We are excited for warmer weather, growing plants, & a bountiful harvest!  :)