gardening + spirituality + homesteading + creation care
i thank You God for most this amazing day:for leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes — e.e. cummings, North America As I have been meditating on… Continue Reading “prayer and preparation for Earth Day”
So you’ve found your local market, and you’re ready to head out–what’s next? Give yourself plenty of time! There’s so much to see and explore. The market is not like the grocery store–it’s not about getting in and out with the necessities. Take the… Continue Reading “tips for your next trip to the farmer’s market”
So we covered this topic for homesteaders (click here for Part 1 and Part 2), and now that I’m spending my free time outside, I thought we’d give the gardeners their due! Here are a few gifts and gadgets I love to use when… Continue Reading “necessities and guilty pleasures for the gardener”
I am always amazed how words work their way into my life at just the right time. I stumbled upon this one by chance and thought I’d repost. You must weed your mind as you would weed your garden. ~Terri Guillemet He who hunts… Continue Reading “lessons learned: pullin’ weeds”
For much of the last century, religious institutions have missed–or ignored–our responsibility as stewards of the creation and to the Creator. However, people of faith have long relished the grimy pleasures of gardening. The process of nurturing life brings contentment and a sense of… Continue Reading “gentle gardeners and creation care”
My hands are small, I know But they’re not yours, they are my own ~Jewel, “Hands” Raising a teenage daughter comes with it many interesting gifts and graces, and I am also learning to appreciate (to be read: “tolerate”) the feedback she likes to… Continue Reading “dirty hands, peaceful heart”
Life on a farm is a school of patience; you can’t hurry the crops or make an ox in two days. ~Henri Alain When I taught young children and as I raised my daughter, I had several lessons I wanted to impart–one of those… Continue Reading “lessons learned: what farming can teach us about patience”
Today brings with it several anniversaries for me. By the time, I received my cancer diagnosis on this date 3 years ago, I began to wonder if God had a thing for February 9. The gift, however, that February 9 brings with it is… Continue Reading “happy journey day”
In the spirit of preparing for the “busy”ness of holiday seasons, I am reposting this one. Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop. ~Ovid Last night, I was reading an article on biodynamic farming (I know–light reading on a Friday… Continue Reading “just rest: our bodies as fallow fields”
It’s harvest time, It’s harvest time, How rich is nature’s yield In fruit of earth And bush and tree, From orchard, farm and field. It’s autumn time, It’s autumn time, When leaves turn gold and red. In smiling sky And land and sea God’s… Continue Reading “harvest time”
Oops, I did it again. I got sucked into a Tractor Supply Store on my way to making a presentation in a small town nearby. “Oh, I have an extra 15 to spare, and the girls really do need some mealworms and new pine… Continue Reading “my name is Cameron, and I am a farm store addict”
Saturday, I sat down for a rest in my driveway. I had been hoeing, planting, and mulching for quite awhile, and I needed a break. As I watched the chickens strut around the perennial bed, I happened to glance down at my boots. The… Continue Reading “lessons learned: farming boots and defining ourselves”
Once upon a time a dear old soul was born to a farm family in the mountains of Western North Carolina. When he was sent to this family by the Great Spirit, he was small and tender. He was loved by his caring parents,… Continue Reading “Andy and the chickens”
Wonderful afternoon for a farm tour. Want to learn more about ASAP? check ’em out http://www.asapconnections.org/
In his view, we were already a success, because we were doing something hard and it was something that mattered to us. You don’t measure things like that with words like success or failure, he said. Satisfaction comes from trying hard things and then… Continue Reading “lessons learned: fence posts, hard work, and things that matter”
This morning, I picked up a book I’ve not read in awhile. I was hoping for some inspiration for a meditation this morning, and when I’m limited in time, I return to books that touch my spirit This morning, I’d like to share a… Continue Reading “gentle gardeners, people of faith, and environmentalism”
Today is Saturday, the day I complete my top-to-bottom weekly cleaning of the chicken coop. Oh yay! There is much to love about homesteading, but cleanin’ out the coop ain’t one of ’em. In brief, it includes hauling all the used mulch and straw… Continue Reading “lessons learned: cleanin’ out the coop and letting go of the muck”
I was a little late putting the hens up tonight. I heard pecking on the front door and opened it to find the Sisters disdainfully waiting on me.
new year pledges in my hand pumpkin seeds ~Elizabeth St. Jacques, Poetry in the Light Over the weekend, I found a small treasure–a 4 oz. Mason jar with a mixture of pumpkin seeds in it. These were not regular pumpkin seeds. Two years ago,… Continue Reading “lessons learned: hope came to the garden in the form of pumpkin seeds”
Well, today was a magnificent day. I rarely choose such a word and flaunt it, but it truly was so. In the course of finding 2 hours of alone time, I wasted them not and headed to the farmers’ market–the big one, the one… Continue Reading “farmers’ markets: Mr. Arrowood’s okra and beans”
So you’ve found your local market, and you’re ready to head out–what’s next? Give yourself plenty of time! There’s so much to see and explore. The market is not like the grocery store–it’s not about getting in and out with the necessities. Take the… Continue Reading “farmers’ markets: tips for the trip”
Last night, I headed out to the gardens. It has been a least a week since I could actually spend time there– sometimes, a homesteader simply has to focus on her home indoors and let Nature take her course outdoors. And take it she… Continue Reading “lessons learned: what berries can teach us about bad habits”
This past weekend, I had the opportunity for a girls’ night out with a dear friend. We picked a restaurant that we knew would be quiet and relaxed but not necessarily lauded for its food. We were delightfully surprised when the waitress laid down… Continue Reading “farmers’ markets: from farm to table–it’s what’s for dinner”
Give life to the grass by sending us rain. Give life to our earth by sending us rain. Give life to our crops by sending us rain. Give life to our children by sending us rain. ~Dinka Prayer, Sudan I almost didn’t recognize Morning… Continue Reading “prayer for rain”
Seeing as it is midsummer and most farmers’ markets are in full swing with fruits, veggies, and flowers, I thought I might do a series of posts on this wonderful local shopping experience. I am always thrilled to see a new vegetable stand or… Continue Reading “farmers’ markets”
This is for all you girls about 42 Tossin’ pennies into the fountain of youth Every laugh, laugh line on your face Made you who you are today. ~This One’s for the Girls, sung by Martina McBride Thank you, Martina McBride, for singing those… Continue Reading “every laugh line on your face, made you who you are today”
i thank You God for most this amazing day:for leaping greenly spirits of trees and a blue true dream of sky; and for everything which is natural which is infinite which is yes — e.e. cummings, North America As I sit here on this… Continue Reading “a prayer and meditation on Earth Day”
Oh yeah! Finally, the rain is coming down, and the plants are slurping up ever last drop. Little, dry seeds are sending up a chorus of “Hurrah!” Spring rain blesses each new leaf with a promise of growth, and for anyone with allergies, washes… Continue Reading “rainy days and rain barrels”
My foray into root veggies started with garlic. (If you haven’t read that post, let me refer you to “getting ready for the garlic” post.) I didn’t really know what I was doing, but I figured anything you could put in the ground and… Continue Reading “root food: now you see ’em, now you don’t”
So we covered this topic for homesteaders, and now that I’m spending my free time outside, I thought we’d give the gardeners their due! Here are a few gifts and gadgets I love to use when gardening. 1. A good hat–seriously! There’s nothing worse… Continue Reading “necessities and guilty pleasures for the gardener”
Today, I had the joy of having a day off work and a daughter who just wanted to have some down time in her bedroom. I know, right?! Graciously (and without hesitation!), I took the opportunity to pick up the shovel and start mulching… Continue Reading “taking a garden stroll: relaxing activities for the homesteader”
Give thanks for the farmers, and for everyone in the long chain from soil to mouth via sun and rain. Give thanks for the plenty in our lives. Let every mouthful remind us of the privilege of being alive and more-than-adequately fed, of being… Continue Reading “giving thanks for the farmers”