Thankful - Day 12

Warmth lingers this autumn.  It's lovely.  Nature is providing us with a beautiful fluctuation between brilliant blue sky warmth and heavy grey coolness; sunshine and clouds; warm breezes blowing and cold dismal rain; open windows and crackling fires.

I so enjoy warm, sunny days of any season.  This year I am not only enjoying the weather, but I am thankful for it.  Earlier this fall I acknowledged to myself that I might not get to everything in my garden before frost.  Each time I watch the temperature needle drop low, I admit defeat for the remaining vegetables and am okay with letting them go.  So far though, we've been spared.

Our garden lies at the back corner of our property, hidden from my view by the woods that cover most of our four acres.  Although we love living at the edge of the woods, it doesn't afford an open, sunny location for a garden closer to the house.  In the growing season I am in the garden every day, seeing what has sprouted, blossomed or produced the first tiny vegetables.  But this time of year, days pass between my treks.

There is something so right about finishing off the garden on Thanksgiving Monday.  Beautiful skies, warm breezes blowing, boys laughing, husband home and my hands in the dirt harvesting food to feed my family.  Is there anything other than thankfulness I could feel with all of this surrounding me?

Click here to see the rest of my Write 31 Days series:  Simple Gems

Salsa! - Day 10

Some days are about finishing up those pesky bits of the to-do list that never seem to be finished.  Usually they are those items that aren't really all that necessary but would be nice to be completed and off your mind.

However, if you're anything like me, those undone items are those things that I'd really like to have done, but take more time than I can put aside right now.  I find a deep sense of satisfaction when I can check things off my to-do list.  My to-do list has become a very necessary tool for me to function and more forward with all the things that our large family need.

Well, I think everyone in this house is glad that today turned out to be Salsa Day!  Our family loves salsa; not quite as much as pancakes and popcorn, but it's right up there in the favourites list.  I had the whole day at home without any plans when I got up.  Seeing the peppers and tomatoes sitting, waiting for my attention, made the decision of how to spend my Saturday easy.

See, Salsa!

My fingers and lips are still burning, my sinuses are open, and the house is filled with a delicious spicy aroma.  It's lovely to see the red jars all lined up.  My only disappointment is that it's too late in the season for me to make more.

Yes, checking that off my to-do list for the year, now that makes me really happy.

Click here to see the rest of my Write 31 Days series:  Simple Gems

Garden Gems - Day 2

My childhood memories of summer are entwined with gardening.  Smells of the fresh earth, warm dirt hugging my bare feet, fingers green from weed pulling.  Similar smells and sensations on my skin still bring me that sense of rightness in the world that beautiful childhood memories invoke.  

Always my summer began when our mom took my sister and I to the garden so we could sow seeds on the Victoria Day long week-end in May.  Watching nature grow became one of my passions.  Still today, after I plant my seeds, I check the garden soil daily waiting to see those first hair-like wisps or delicately curled leaves poking through.  It stirs in me an indescribable thrill.

Then I watch our food grow.  However, I can't say I tend it as lovingly as I should.  My laidback gardening style lends itself more to a weedy garden where only the heartiest plants thrive.  But so far it's worked.  We eat well through the summer. Our shelves and freezer are full of food grown and preserved by our own hands.  

The food I serve my family is a gift I give them.  It is the same as my mom gave me.  It is one I cherish from my childhood and one I hope my children cherish in the future. 

September lingered with summer on the breeze most days.  Yesterday the twins and I picked the last of the peppers and beans for the year.  I'm almost in disbelief of all the fresh produce that was still in the garden on October 1st!  

Ending the garden season harvesting the bounty with my boys made a moment to cherish.


Click here to see the rest of my Write 31 Days series:  Simple Gems