Harvesting (or not)
For a long time now I have meant to write this article or that post. For a long time now I have thought "Why didn’t I take pictures?" after a cooking or gardening session.
The truth is that the documenting, photographing, and writing of things has taken a backseat to the actual doing of things. Having passed that wonderful 12 week mark where, for three pregnancies in a row now, I wake up from my first trimester stupor/nausea, I am now able to do so much more.
So, right now I am playing catch up. Cleaning our home and selling and giving away much of our belongings. Cooking meals (real meals!) from the large pantry supply we are trying to eat through. Preparing to pick and preserve all sorts of local berries and fruits. The daily hanging of laundry, washing of dishes, reading of books, snapping of green beans.
It is all so slow and lovely, and it’s about all I am managing right now.
Which has also meant that our garden has not gotten the attention it needs. Lettuce has bolted before we ate it, which means seeds for next year at least. The beet patch has been overtaken by weeds. The bunnies have learned to jump our little fences and destroyed a dozen green bean plants and much of our carrots.
That’s just part of growing food, though. We do the work we can when we are able, but we have to give God the glory for all harvests – big, small, or not at all. He is good and sovereign over all.
I have learned so much, physically and spiritually, from the growing of food and I want that so much for our children as well… for them to know that God is to be praised in rain and drought, in harvests or destroyed crops, in times of plenty or times of little.
These small harvests we have been having – small bowls of peas here, heads of lettuce there, bowls full of wild raspberries – are so very exciting.
We are wanting to have our 3rd child but remembering all those sick days during the first trimester makes me far more hesitant especially since we still don’t know where we are moving. It’s hard in our area because everything is so expensive and my husband has to keep his job still, at least until our debt it paid off. I think you do a marvelous job maintaining your site and being a mom and everything else you are up to. I am so far behind in my own blog posts, but maintaining a relationship with the Lord, taking care of a home and children has to take front seat. If the blog is a huge stress because I see to much i want to do with it, I step back because then I feel like I don’t do as good of a job at the truly important parts of life. Not that the blog isn’t important, it’s just the Lord, my husband and my kids come way, way before it. I’m more than sure that most of us who read your blog think you are doing an amazing job.
great perspective. and, pregnant or not – the things you have been doing is enough 🙂 take care.
things are enough : )
TESTING
Kathleen – The comment moderation is set to automatically place larger comments in the “pending” folder, which is what happened with your 2nd comment. I have responded via email and apologize for the delay.
Dear Shannon,
Yes, it is better to be doing that to be documenting about it 🙂
Enjoying time in my garden, eating the harvest here and there…this all encompasses the joy that it is to be had when we truly get back to the basics, and allow God to show us.
I pray that you are feeling better, and that all that you are doing is one big great example in the many blessings we receive when we grow our own food and decide to live simpler.
Maria
By the way, today marks the second time I have tried your recipe for yogurt in a crock-pot and I must share, that this recipe is by far the easiest and most enjoyable way to make homemade yogurt.
Thank you for sharing it.
Maria
It’s so disappointmenting to put the work into growing and then something else comes along and helps themselves. My aunt just told me of a herb she planted that has kept the rabbits out of her garden. But of course I cannot remember the name. Worth checking into.
I think your little carrots are cute. I’m sure the bunnies thought they were delicious as well! Thankfully, our geese keep most of the pests out of the garden – they’re fiercely protective, even against the goats! 🙂 [Which, yes, is a sight to be seen. :)]
Our summer has been flying by, and I am glad you’re able to take the time to enjoy yours. 🙂 God’s richest blessings to you and your family, Shannon!
Meg – I was thinking ducks do the same thing, but is it only geese? Wondering which little animals should come first once we move. Thanks so much for the comment!
At least it’s not just me. We finally have a beautiful garden this summer and I had moved into raising meat chickens as well as our egg chickens – then came the morning sickness and everything has ground to a halt (and most chickens have been sold). But I can’t think of anything more precious to “grow” than a baby!
Those pictures are yummy enough to eat… and there is just something about that carrot that is so cute.
What a beautiful site! Home grown and foraged food is so exciting!
This is way better than a brick & mortar etsablhismnet.