Joy in the Journey

For nearly the last month now my husband has been working 80 hour weeks.  I feel badly that he hasn't seen much of our family.   And then sometimes I shamefully feel badly for myself, even though I would never wish to switch him positions.  My place is here.  It may be the most challenging job I've ever had, but it's raising my people.  Therefore, there is much rewarding and satisfying that comes from my occupation.

Lately, I have been trying to prepare myself and my family better for the Holy Sabbath.  A couple weekends ago I prepared almost everything we would need for the Sabbath day the night before.  Our meetings begin at 1130 on Sunday.  That morning we had some spare time and the kids and I (husband at work) wandered down a trail nearby.  We brought bread for the fish and turtles, a school backpack?, and Perry the Platypus.  We collected rocks along the way.  Boys are so funny.  I always find rocks in the washing machine after I wash a load of their clothing.  So now we have lots of clean, shiny rocks.  ;-) 

The previous week and weekend had been stressful and this little trip into Nature was just what we all needed.  It was quiet and peaceful.  We passed by only one other on the trail. We heard nothing other than our own voices and the birds singing.

We don't like to be uncomfortable, pushed out of our normal schedules, do we?  For some, when the pressure is on we find ourselves performing our best.  Trials, and even simply, change stretch us and provide opportunity to grow spiritually.  I have prayed for increased patience and endurance to make it through these last few weeks and I've felt that added strength.  I didn't want to simply make it through the week - frazzled, disorganized, or angry with my children.  I wanted to make it the best I could for them.  They miss their Dad.  The house remained in decent enough shape, homework completed, Valentines made, and peace (for the most part) was kept - sometimes strictly enforced. Until last night.  I think I suddenly hit my breaking point.  Right before bedtime.  Urgh - hate when I lose it!  I apologized and they did what children do so well: immediately dismissing their hurt feelings and forgiving me without further thought.  They are amazing.  I love them.  
 
"If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly."

President Thomas S. Monson (President of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints)

Out with the old, in with the new

I pulled everything from our two big garden beds.  It's time for new things to grow; it's time for a fresh start.

My middle son doesn't like when I pull things from the ground or when I cut branches from the trees.  He tells me enthusiastically: Mom, they want to live!! And then they will be happy!  Maybe his way of thinking makes you laugh, as it does for me, and yet, I really do admire his love for everything alive and growing.

A part of me didn't want to pull the lettuce that was forming seeds, not so much because I wanted to save the seeds for next year, more so because they're doing what they were made to do.  That plant was fulfilling the measure of its creation, making new seeds for new plants to grow. Nature confirms to me daily that God exists.

The boys love to "help" in the garden.  I am currently reading the book How do you Tuck in a Superhero?, by Rachel Balducci.  It's a woman's stories and experience of raising five sons.  And I now have proof that digging in the dirt is an inborn trait that the male species carries.  I bet you can't guess what my three boys are doing at this very minute?  Yes.  Seriously.  They are digging.

Pinchy

I never mean for so much time to go by between posts.  November, December, and January were all very busy work months for my husband, inevitably making them busier for me as well!  He's a good man, working so hard for our family.  We miss him so much when work calls, but always make up our time with him later -- lots of bike riding, digging in the dirt, and wrestling on the floor over the weekends.  That's what it's like with a house full of boys.

Can you count three people in this picture?

My fall garden wasn't as successful as I'd hoped it would be.  Everything began growing and then suddenly stopped.  The things that have grown appear healthy, yet they have halted progression.  Our "winter weather" has been very different this year.  Although our winters are known to be warm compared to most of the country, this year has been exceptionally warm, leaving us with maybe two nights where we briefly hit freezing.  I think my garden is confused, as my lettuce is beginning to bolt and go to seed.  I suppose there isn't much I can do about this.

Petite, new leaves are budding on some trees, as if Spring is on its way, while other trees still hold leaves of red.  And then, some are still bare -- as they should be in Winter.

Today we planted six blueberry bushes + a couple raspberry bushes.  We hope to have lots of berries this summer.  I'll post pictures of them soon.  Until then, here are some pictures from our family trip to Jekyll Island, Georgia.  It was just what we needed!  Something for everyone to enjoy.  Giant oak trees, their gnarled limbs strewn with spanish moss; beaches with driftwood trees; crabs hiding under rocks; fresh air; room to run; peace.  We like to take our kids places where we don't have to say over and over Don't touch that.  Wait. Stop. Don't.  The rules on the beach: Stay where we can see you and don't go in the water.

Otherwise kids, BE FREE!!  The little ones love the room to run and freedom to explore. They eat it up. 

This is Pinchy.

Delicious Autumn!

Fall, a breath of fresh air!  In Northeast Florida, the Fall we experience is quite subtle; the coolness creeps in, slowly manifesting itself at night and the leaves tend to change ever so slightly.  On occasion, a flaming Fall tree can be seen.  This may seem a bit disappointing to some as Fall is generally revered for its brilliant colors and crisp air.  And, almost all would agree that 74 is not crisp.

Yet, I find myself loving the Fall here more and more, year after year.  It may not be the beginning of a New Year, but I can't help but feel invigorated.  There is something about the coolness: it awakens my yearning for knowledge and to create good food for my family's growing bodies.

One of the benefits of living in Florida is that every season is a planting season.  I may still be considered a novice gardener, but I'm learning every season and loving the experience of growing goodness.

I would like to share with you my experience -good and bad- of Florida gardening on my small piece of dirt; some of my favorite recipes using food from our garden; and anything else related to Sprouting Goodness.  We'll see where it takes us.  

I find much joy in the beauty of the Earth and cannot help but share it!  My hope for this blog is that I will share my knowledge with you and you will share yours, as well.  This way we can learn together and edify one another.  So, if you haven't begun yet, YOU Florida gardeners, or anyone else who is able to plant in Autumn -- let the gardening and sharing of ideas begin!