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!

deep roots

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.

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!

hemmed in safely

It's been a thinking kind of a day. Comes with being out in the garden so long! I've had my gloves on most of the time and they're wearing out. They have stiffened with so much dirt and have a couple of holes in them...but I LIKE them. ( Hey - they're pink after all) However, my fingers are sore. I think they actually make my hands ache more using them because they are sort of uncomfortable, even though they keep my hands safe from thistle prickles and other nasties.

It is easier to weed without them, but I am conscious I could do more harm without their protection - like touching a ghastly spider or ripping my fingers on a hidden thorny rose branch.

Sometimes we resent God's protection. It's uncomfortable or inconvenient when God hems us in a little...or declines to answer a prayer because He is protecting us from something unseen or unpredictable. How much worse are we if we throw off that mantle of trust in the protective limits He shields us with.