Within Your Reach

This spoke to me today-


Mend the parts of the world that are "within your reach".  ~ Clarissa Pinkola Estes

Lovely.  And so wise.  If we each mend what is in our reach, we can indeed change the world, one life, one home, one community at a time.
I'm thinking of roses today- of planting a few  to grow along the fence, bringing beauty and healing herbs to my own place in this world.  Of making a sanctuary of sorts right here ... where I live, where I am, working with what is within my reach. 

What is within your reach that you can mend, that you can bring beauty to today?  

Summer Beauty

Bright beauty abounds in bees and blossoms. 
Glimpses of grace captured at the community garden-

glowing sunflower
stripey orange and yellow zinnia
bright zinnias (reminders of Grandma's garden)
cosmos and salvia dancing on the breeze
sunny cosmos
birdhouse in the blossoms
busy buzzy bees gathering nectar
huge allium orb
beauty and utility- zinnias at the base of the soaker hoses

Another blessing of gardening in community- I get to enjoy everyone else's gardens, too! 

For the beauty of the earth,
For the glory of the skies;
For the love which from our birth,
Over and around us lies;
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This, our hymn of grateful praise.

From My Urban Backyard "Garden"

When we moved into our rental home almost 2 years ago, my friend who owns the house told me, "I'm sorry, but nothing grows in that backyard."  And I must say, I almost agree with her; and you can see for yourself the sad state of affairs in my backyard "garden"! 

 (container herbs, fruits and ugly bare ground)

It is very shady most of the day in many places, and being surrounded on 3 sides by deciduous trees that cover the soil with layers and layers of leaves (that need more raking than I have energy or patience for) makes growing a challenge; grass or weeds won't even grow back there as you can see in the photos!  

I've resorted to container gardening, all except for my 3 sisters plus one garden in the round that I'll show you soon.  I'm hopeful that I can raise a little patch of purple pole beans, blue mini corn and butternut squash, with a few zinnias thrown in for good measure, in the one reasonably sunny spot I've been eyeing for some time.  I planted it today, and am praying for a bit of rain to get it off to a good start.  The drought conditions here haven't helped garden matters either. 

I have 2 plots in the city community garden where our family grows the bulk of our veggies. Photos of that coming soon, I forgot the camera yesterday and also missed out on a photo of a garden visitor- a turtle that we returned to the nearby creek (one of my girls' favorite spots to play).

More photos ...

 2 Patio tomatoes with basil seeds just sprouting, which are in need of more sun!

containerized comfrey

 Mystery plants growing in the compost bin, squash or melon probably. I can't decide whether to plant them in the garden or just let them continue growing where they are, they seem quite content in the compost!

My makeshift potting bench, which is really just 2 pallets that my hubby tossed out of the shed stacked together ... works for me! The chicken wire is to prevent squirrels from planting pecans in my salad boxes and to keep the kitty from using them as litter boxes! 

Once the tiny seedlings have grown a bit they'll mostly be planted in the community garden, all except for the stinging nettle which will have to be containerized like the comfrey so as not to get me into trouble with the other gardeners.  I was told we are not to plant anything permanent in the community garden, and from what I've read both of these herbs are pretty much invasive, not to mention the stinging that goes along with nettle!  Those are best kept under control in my own backyard, I think. 

The front yard does have more sun, but since it has recently been the gathering spot for the neighborhood kids and also home to a much used basketball goal, I think I'll hold off on digging up that area for just a bit ... though having a dozen neighborhood kids helping with the work  fun is a thought; and makes the term community garden all the more interesting ... we shall see what transpires. 

I'm also pondering some sort of shade-loving, drought-tolerant ground cover ... leaves just aren't cutting it anymore!  Any suggestions?  It must tolerate foot traffic, kitty cats, and well ... leaves! 

How does your garden grow these days? 

New Garden Spot & A Birthday Celebration

The girls and I went to meet the Garden Director this morning to sign up for a spot in the community garden. It was cold and very, very muddy at the garden; but we slogged through the mud anyway and decided on a garden spot. There were only a few available and 2 of them were a bit waterlogged at the moment. He said we normally don't get enough rain for it to be a big problem, but I didn't want to take a chance on this being the year that it stays wet all season! Of the other 2 plots, one had some very large trees that will cause quite a bit of shade, so I opted for the last plot, which should be just fine for us. I was hoping to get 2 spots, but since this is our first year with the garden, we could only get one. The plots are supposed to be 25X30, though they really don't look that big to me. Of course, I'm not the best judge of distance, so who knows!

I'm excited about getting started in the garden and planting some of the many seeds I have sitting by my desk; but we've had rain this week, so I'll have to wait at least a week or two (sigh) before I get started planting. Oh well, at least now I can really get busy with my planning ...

though I've got to get busy cleaning and cooking for a birthday party tomorrow right at the moment. Miss Hannah will be turning 9 on Monday, and we'll be celebrating with cake and punch (and lots of food) with our family and friends tomorrow afternoon. Which means we have to make this very lived in place look a "bit" more presentable ... just so it can get really messed up again tomorrow. Oh the joy of HOMEmaking!

Off to wash dishes and cook, and wash more dishes and cook, ... and well you know how that circle keeps on turning! :)

A Challenge ~ Plant Some Seeds

Anyone else up for a growing challenge?
I've joined The Growing Challenge - Evangelist Edition at One Green Generation. If you garden, or would like to, go sign up for the challenge today. Please join in, and plant a few seeds with us!

Blessings Abound

Giving thanks today in community today.

For your many gifts Lord, the abundant blessings ... thank you.

A party to celebrate the first birthday of a little one who the doctors didn't expect to do well (if she lived at all) ... let alone thrive!

Peeking into the sanctuary yesterday to see if our extended family had arrived, and seeing my father-in-law in the pew surrounded by his grandchildren. No small miracle, as this is the 2nd time that he's been to church in 14 years.

Prayer ... watching my father-in-law walking down the hallway to the pastor's office yesterday with a group of men (and the miracle that he actually willingly went with them)... Later hearing my husband tearfully share how these precious men of God lifted up his father (who isn't a Christian, yet) to the Lord, and how my husband only happened to go into the office by chance, as the gentleman he was talking with was called for...he had no idea he would find his father there, surrounded by godly men, praying for him. Hearing how he saw the evidence of the work of the Spirit as his father left that office in tears. Praise you Father, for obedient, Spirit-led men of God!

A legacy handed down. Hearing the passionate words of a young man at church last night as he stood up and shared how thankful he was for the church, that he was welcomed and accepted, and felt at home; and then shared how he would not forget the legacy that his father left him, that he was raised better than he was living, and was right then turning to Christ and living for Him ... a poor retelling of a beautiful moment to be sure. But, a very clear reminder that those words of Proverbs ring true- Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. And also these words from Ephesians 6:4 -
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord. Clearly, this young man's father heeded these commands, and though his son wandered away; his father's teaching, and the work of the Spirit brought him back home.

Obedience to the Lord's voice, as our pastor stood up last night and said, "God said, "Let my people speak tonight, you will be surprised by what you hear." so I have no sermon for you. I want some of you to tell not only what the Lord has done for you, but why that makes you want to do something for Him." The testimony of the young man above is only one of the amazing things that were brought forth last night. All because one man chose to listen to that small voice and obey. May I be so quick to move out of my comfort zone and obey His voice!

Monday morning mess - a sign of family life, and lots of it!

Singing birds

Autumn breezes

Cousins giggling

Tea kettle boiling

Holiday preparations

A few moments to think and write, and give thanks

For these blessings, Father, thank you. May I in turn be a blessing to others.

Care to join in the thanks giving or read other gratitude journal posts? Stop by Holy Experience today, you'll be glad you did!

Finding Joy in the Simple Things

Thank you, Lord for the joy that comes from enjoying the simple things of life with those I love.

Gathering leaves, a simple activity that opened our eyes once again to the beauty of God's creation that often goes unnoticed. What an array of color, size, shape ... simply amazing!

A picnic in the park after church. Simply delightful!

Simple food- cheese, bread, olives, grapes. Simply delicious!

Simple drink- water, pure and clean, a gift we take for granted. Many do not have this simple blessing; but we who do can help provide it for them. (click here to see how)

Simply beautiful dessert- Banana nut muffins, a gift from one of the homeless gentlemen to my children after church yesterday. The homeless giving food to the minister's well-fed family ... He who has so little, giving what he does have away to those who already possess so much. A glimpse of the Joy to be found in the upside-down Kingdom of God! May I always be so eager to bless others with whatever I find in my hands. (update: I discovered last night that Danny isn't technically "homeless". ... Humbling to realize that because I see him at the shelter, the soup kitchen, and wandering the streets in his wheelchair, I just "assumed" he was homeless. No, he does have a room in one of the boarding houses in the neighborhood ... I'm not sure it is a lot better than the shelter, however; he just has to pay to stay there. At any rate, he has very little compared to my family; and it was such a wonderful example of using what you have in your hands to bless someone else, even if it is a little container of muffins that you were given at the soup kitchen. His gift to my children (and me) was priceless.

Finally, a simple grace from a children's book of prayers that says it so sweetly:

Thank you for the world so sweet,
Thank you for the food we eat,
Thank you for the birds that sing,
Thank you, God, for everything!
~Edith Rutter Leatham

Yes, Lord thank you for everything, we are so very blessed. May we all find Joy in Your Presence this day.


Giving thanks in community today, care to join us? Visit Holy Experience today.

(in)courage...What Encourages Me

What encourages me?

Words...yes, as in the familiar phrase... an encouraging word.

But, not just any words... they must be truth-filled, life-giving, living words. When I think of being encouraged or (in)couraged...the living Word, God's Word is first and foremost in my mind.
Words such as:

"Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the LORD your God is the one who goes with you He will not fail you or forsake you." Deuteronomy 31:6

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

Wait for the LORD;Be strong and let your heart take courage;Yes, wait for the LORD. Psalm 27:14

"These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33

But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, " Take courage, it is I; do not be afraid." Matthew 14:27

Over and over the Word of God tells us to take courage!

These words are very (in)couraging to me.


The other words that encourage me are the stories of other women who have taken courage; who have overcome their own fears and failures to become wonderful, grace-filled vessels that the Lord uses to bless others.
These brave souls who share their stories are the encouragement for me to push past my own fears and folly, to tell my own story...and His; hoping that my simple words will encourage another seeker of Truth, another thirsty soul who needs a little living water poured out for her to drink, another sorely tried and soul-tired traveler, in need of a little (in)couragement.

But Jesus turning and seeing her said, "Daughter, take courage; your faith has made you well." At once the woman was made well. Matthew 9:22

Be (in)couraged! He has overcome the world...He (in)courages!

Come, and hear, all who fear God, and I will tell of what He has done for my soul. Psalm 66:16

Gratitude Community

For this season, find my Gratitude Community and other postings here.

Community Garden

The community garden is growing well.
Here are a few photos I took this morning:















We have tomatoes, green beans, squash (lots of squash), cucumbers, onions, bell peppers, banana peppers, jalapenos, serranos, cantaloupe, and watermelon planted. All are growing well, and we have begun to harvest tomatoes, squash, and green onions. The beans and cucumbers are blooming, so we should have some of those ready to pick soon.

What a difference a month makes; here's what the garden looked like just a few weeks ago:


Yes, that's me hacking away at the weeds and wishing we had mulched sooner! Still need to do both (weed and mulch), though the plants themselves are blocking much of the weed growth now.

Spring Seed Sowing

I love, love, love this time of year!
The girls and I spent the morning sowing seeds. We planted Sugar Snap peas along one side of the garden fence, Borage just inside the garden gate, Lovage in one corner of the garden, and a new planting of Radishes and Chard.

We also planted some seeds in containers and little starter pots- Parsley, Calendula, Basil, Nasturtiums, Dill, Salad Burnet, Shallots, Leeks, Sweet Rocket, Clary Sage......I'm sure there were a couple of other things, but I can't remember what they were.

We also scattered some wildflower seed around the trees in the Community Garden plot. We have 36 tomatoes in the ground and 36 more waiting in the greenhouse, along with peppers of several varieties. We've been promised seed from a local source for other veggies: cucumber, green beans, squash etc. Those will get planted in a few weeks...as soon as we get the planting area prepared! Once we get the main plantings done, I'll add in herbs and flowers here and there to help keep pests at bay, and well, just because I like them! Besides, I know I would be very happy to get not only some great veggies from the Community Garden, but also a nice bunch of herbs or flowers, as well.

Rain should be coming our way tomorrow. I certainly hope so, because we really, really need it.

I'm tempted to go back out and see what else I can find to plant, but I think I really should be getting dinner started instead ;) .

Listening

Hear the Word:

Daily Audio Bible