growing grace farm
gardening + spirituality + homesteading + creation care
Tag: autumn
Recipes: Quick and Easy Chicken Broth
Recipe for quick and easy chicken broth using rotisserie chicken carcass and vegetables
Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese
It is tradition for me to read this poem on the first morning I hear the geese migrating for both winter and summer. Even though I primarily work remotely now, this is the first morning that I’ve heard them pass over my home. I’ve… Continue Reading “Mary Oliver’s Wild Geese”
a psalm of harvest
God of Bounty, We offer thanksgiving to you in this season of harvest. For the food you created, for the rich soil that sheltered the seeds for the morning sun that warmed them and for the gentle rain that nourished them. We offer gratitude… Continue Reading “a psalm of harvest”
86,400 seconds
blogger’s note: If you’ve been following me for awhile, you willl recognize this post. There are many iterations of it on this site as it is one of my favorites. The season of Thanksgiving is here, one of my favorites, and I’ve begun focusing… Continue Reading “86,400 seconds”
bathing in autumn light
The weather here in Western North Carolina has finally felt like autumn this weekend. I’ve been spoiled by work trips to Illinois and Maine earlier this season and have been waiting somewhat impatiently for it to cool off here in my hometown. (Whoever said… Continue Reading “bathing in autumn light”
Mary Oliver’s Song for Autumn
In the deep fall don’t you imagine the leaves think how comfortable it will be to touch the earth instead of the nothingness of air and the endless freshets of wind? And don’t you think the trees themselves, especially those with mossy, warm caves,… Continue Reading “Mary Oliver’s Song for Autumn”
wild geese
It has become a tradition for me to read the poem Wild Geese by Mary Oliver on the first morning I hear the geese migrating south. After listening to her interview with Krista Tippett (On Being), I can only hear the poet reading the… Continue Reading “wild geese”
Rainer Maria Rilke’s Autumn
The leaves are falling, falling as if from far up, as if orchards were dying high in space. Each leaf falls as if it were motioning “no.” And tonight the heavy earth is falling away from all other stars in the loneliness. We’re all… Continue Reading “Rainer Maria Rilke’s Autumn”
lessons learned: maple leaves and transformation
Once in the morning and once in the afternoon, I walk the dogs down past the trees which affords me the opportunity to study the colors changing as the weather cools. This year I’ve noticed that the reds are darker than usual–in some places,… Continue Reading “lessons learned: maple leaves and transformation”
wild geese
This morning amidst the rustling trees and chattering hens, I heard them. I can’t say that even in the distance they were quiet. They flew over my head announcing a sign of what’s to come: a change of season. I prayed for the same. … Continue Reading “wild geese”
John Birch’s prayer for winter
There is a winter in all of our lives, a chill and darkness that makes us yearn for days that have gone or put our hope in days yet to be. Father God, you created seasons for a purpose. Spring is full of expectation… Continue Reading “John Birch’s prayer for winter”
growing grace farm’s Saturday morning apples
Wednesday night before Thanksgiving, I came home delighted to begin cooking and baking in my new kitchen. I had come across some beautiful Honey Crisp apples at the store and decided to create an apple tart for our family celebration. And by “create,” I… Continue Reading “growing grace farm’s Saturday morning apples”
recipes: cooking with cranberries
It is my favorite holiday season–Thanksgiving! I thought I’d start posting a few recipes over the next few weeks to celebrate the foods served during this time year. As you know, however, we like to shake it up a bit so I encourage you… Continue Reading “recipes: cooking with cranberries”
two prayers of thanksgiving
The following prayers are from: http://www.faithandworship.com/Prayers_Autumn.htm#ixzz3G9IwNQKG We bless you, God of Seed and Harvest And we bless each other That the beauty of this world And the love that created it Might be expressed though our lives And be a blessing to others… Continue Reading “two prayers of thanksgiving”
this season, let’s thanks-give
Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action. ~W.J. Cameron Thanksgiving was never meant to be shut up in a single day. ~Robert Caspar Lintner If you have been following me for awhile, you know that I am a believer in “just be”–not going… Continue Reading “this season, let’s thanks-give”
remedy for grey autumn and winter days–forcing bulbs
Tonight, I have the joy of a few quiet minutes on the couch before heading to bed. As I look around me, I see bowls, pots, and mason jars filled with bulbs bursting forth with green shoots. Made me think I should repost this… Continue Reading “remedy for grey autumn and winter days–forcing bulbs”
lessons learned: on pumpkins and solitude
I would rather sit on a pumpkin and have it all to myself, than be crowded on a velvet cushion. ~Henry David Thoreau There are many days when I think Thoreau had it right–go off into the woods, live in a simple place, and… Continue Reading “lessons learned: on pumpkins and solitude”
a happier life~reflection on a saturday morn
It is a morning of expectation and delight as it is the first Saturday in quite some time that my daughter and I have not had a commitment beyond hanging out with each other. I am realistic though–I know that as she finishes out… Continue Reading “a happier life~reflection on a saturday morn”
recipes: enjoying autum greens
In autumn, the sun sinks just low enough in the sky that she hides behind our trees most of the day. The farm sadly surrenders to shade which means that fall veggies for us are limited primarily to greens. No matter. We love chard,… Continue Reading “recipes: enjoying autum greens”
Mary Oliver’s Song for Autumn
Song for Autumn In the deep fall don’t you imagine the leaves think how comfortable it will be to touch the earth instead of the nothingness of air and the endless freshets of wind? And don’t you think the trees themselves, especially those with… Continue Reading “Mary Oliver’s Song for Autumn”
early morning turkeys and gratitude
Yesterday as I circled around the neighborhood to my daughter’s boyfriend’s home, I happened upon my first flock of autumn turkeys crossing the road. In spite of a dreary rainy day, I captured a few photos then sat in the car and observed them… Continue Reading “early morning turkeys and gratitude”
my morning prayer
Gentle Creator, You come to me each morning in colorful sunrise in fading moonset in dewy grass in falling leaves in new plantlife in aging seed pods in chilly air in whispering breeze And I stop and give thanks for finding you here And… Continue Reading “my morning prayer”
Rainer Maria Rilke’s Autumn
The leaves are falling, falling as if from far up, as if orchards were dying high in space. Each leaf falls as if it were motioning “no.” And tonight the heavy earth is falling away from all other stars in the loneliness. We’re all… Continue Reading “Rainer Maria Rilke’s Autumn”
lessons learned: autumn and the maples
Near my office, there are a few maple trees that border a parking lot. I can see them all from my window and take delight in watching them transform as seasons change. We’ve been in this building for 18 months so I’ve experienced two… Continue Reading “lessons learned: autumn and the maples”
growing grace farm’s cinnamon honey applesauce
You know Mother Nature, she is bountiful one season then rests the next. Last year, we had not a one apple on any of the trees on our family property. This year, however, we were able to gather three cloth grocery bags full in… Continue Reading “growing grace farm’s cinnamon honey applesauce”
lessons learned: simple living
Living simply was something I experienced as a child but lost somewhere on the journey to adulthood. It included playing in the backyard, gardening with my dad, cooking with mom, and loving on my grandparents. We climbed trees, visited with the neighbors, picnicked on… Continue Reading “lessons learned: simple living”
lessons learned: putting the gardens to bed
Yesterday, my daughter and I updated our kitchen calendar with events for the next couple of months. In the corner, I noted some projects I have planned for us to complete over Labor Day weekend–paint the bathrooms, steam clean the upstairs, and put the… Continue Reading “lessons learned: putting the gardens to bed”
the gifts of Thanksgiving
If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice. ~Meister Eckhart Autumn is my favorite season, not only for colorful leaves and cooler weather but also because she brings with her Thanksgiving, my favorite holiday. While most… Continue Reading “the gifts of Thanksgiving”
early morning turkeys and gratitude
This weekend, I’ll be working on my cards so I thought I’d repost in the spirit of the season.~Cameron Do you ever have one of those threads of thought where you begin with one item and end up 8 degrees of separation later at… Continue Reading “early morning turkeys and gratitude”
for the birds: growing grace farm’s bird suet
This morning, we are lazing on the couch for a bit before beginning out day. It has been rainy, cloudy, and cool for two days now, and I can hear the leaves rustle outside the kitchen as the birds scratch around for more feed. … Continue Reading “for the birds: growing grace farm’s bird suet”
lessons learned: what handprint turkeys can teach us about simplicity and gratitude
For each new morning with its light, For rest and shelter of the night, For health and food, for love and friends, For everything Thy goodness sends. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson Today, I was thinking about handprint turkeys. Seriously, I was. Oh, come on, if… Continue Reading “lessons learned: what handprint turkeys can teach us about simplicity and gratitude”
Rainer Maria Rilke’s Autumn
The leaves are falling, falling as if from far up, as if orchards were dying high in space. Each leaf falls as if it were motioning “no.” And tonight the heavy earth is falling away from all other stars in the loneliness. We’re all… Continue Reading “Rainer Maria Rilke’s Autumn”
recipes: cooking with cranberries
It is my favorite holiday season–Thanksgiving! I thought I’d start posting a few recipes over the next few weeks to celebrate the foods served during this time year. As you know, however, we like to shake it up a bit so I encourage you… Continue Reading “recipes: cooking with cranberries”
recipes: growing grace farm’s kale chips
I love to hear my child exclaim “Yay!” when I announce I am making kale chips. As thin and crispy as regular chips, we love to make these in the summer time. Different kale will offer you different texture–needless to say, the thinner the… Continue Reading “recipes: growing grace farm’s kale chips”
lessons learned: the wren and the crows
Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your inner voice. ~Steve Jobs This cloudy, autumn morning, I took the dogs on a brief stroll out back of the office before coming inside. We have a great wooded lot and field behind the… Continue Reading “lessons learned: the wren and the crows”
at home with Autumn
Psalm of Contentment O sacred season of Autumn, be my teacher, for I wish to learn the virtue of contentment. As I gaze upon your full-colored beauty, I sense all abut you and at-homeness with your amber riches. ~Modern prayer by Edward Hays
lessons learned: on mint and gumption
Reposting this one as two opportunities for reflection this week reminded me why I cherish the word “gumption.” This morning on my brief stroll to pick kale for the chickens, I glanced around the veggie beds. How empty everything seems, even with greens… Continue Reading “lessons learned: on mint and gumption”