Saturday, September 1, 2012

winter



Feeling fruit-less , dry and unproductive. Scratching my head…because it doesn’t seem so long since I was in the thick of a wonderfully fruitful time.
Maybe I shouldn’t  be so hard on myself – we’re not meant to blossom continuously.
 (Maybe I am a bi-annual J )
Yet I feel spiky, barren, and dry. Like a thorny rose busy after pruning.  Ugly and bare…shrivelled fruit clinging to the last of the branches.
He is the Vine and I am the branch. Have I been abiding?
Yes, but it has been a wintry time.
Plants go through seasons just like we do. Autumn is a time when roses flourish. Then they head into winter. Dormant. A time to prune, cut back and rest.  It seems like nothing is happening, but resting IS fruitful. Being quiet; hunkering down; conserving energy before a new season of output.
And then, in preparation for the next surge of energy, a generous dose of fertiliser makes all the difference.



Those little pellets don’t look like much, scattered on the bare earth…but as the water soaks deep,  the roots will absorb that goodness and it will make all the difference to the coming season.
Thinking ahead, I suspect I need a handful of fertiliser to replenish and keep me going…fruitful for the long haul.  It’s time for a family holiday. To change the scenery and go up north to the warmth and the water.
 Going camping gets you back to basics. It’s simple and grounding.  
(Well…kind of simple with only four children to take this time.)
I want to be ready to come back and re-invent the wheel. I think our whole family needs  a time of refreshing and a revamp.
It’s high time for an adventure.

Tuesday, March 6, 2012

harvesting sunshine




The sunny days have been few and far between this summer.
Cherry tomatoes have popped up everywhere. Absolutely everywhere.
I haven't the heart to pluck out these healthy plants - God does the best job when plants self sow. I don't seem to have much success when I plant seeds.
And the best thing about these little beauties is they don't need spraying for fruit fly.
We've used them a lot in cooking and even made a batch of tomato sauce.
One feels quite virtuous transforming produce into food.
I must say though, I don't love standing in the kitchen for long hours "dealing" with produce.
I'm quite happy to share with the wildlife.
Red and green apples have also been abundant in the orchard this year.
I must admit, I've let the parrots enjoy most of them.
But there's plenty for everyone!







orchard harvest



A basketful of summer
Our single tree was laden with delicious blood plums this year. Red and juicy and ripe for bottling. It made for a happy sunny afternoon to gather extended family together to climb and shake and gather the fruit.
Grandson number one, the family dog, big sons, little ones, in laws and outlaws...everyone came out to join in the harvest.
I love that about living here.
There is always something "real" to do - right here in our own backyard.
Plus, we enjoyed fresh fruit crumble for dessert!

Sunday, November 27, 2011

God's handiwork


Waking early - I so appreciate my life here.
"I love you Lord & I lift my voice to worship you, O my soul - rejoice!"
Listening to the birds in the cool, gentle start to the morning, I never want to take it all for granted. Or heaven forbid, expect all these blessings as my "right". Life is fleeting. For some it is so hard. So fraught with persecution for loving God. May I be mindful of fellow brothers and sisters in Christ who suffer on the other side of the world. And to be thankful.
Always thankful.


our very first delivery




Our first order for Country Garden Snippets! Special delivery for a birthday gift to a friend's mutual friend. Cheery yellow and white was the order of the day.


Thursday, November 10, 2011

pink posies


pretty posies in my favourite colour


sweet little raubritter roses


pink love-in-a mist with may


We have such a beautiful garden - full and overflowing with glorious old fashioned blowsy roses and fragrant favourites like sweet peas and orange blossom (philadelphus)
We are blessed! And it is a blessing to share - to cheer someone else's day with these sweet little offerings.
May these snippets of beauty touch your heart as a reminder of the abundant beauty right under our ....noses!