Fruits of the Earth

"The air was clear and clean, and full of life. ... A consciousness of work approaching completion filled earth and air—a mood of calm expectation, as of a man who sees his end drawing nigh, and awaits the saving judgment of the father of spirits. There was no song of birds—only a crow from the yard, or the cry of a blackcock from the hill; ...The day was of the evening of the year; in the full sunshine was present the twilight and the coming night, but there was a sense of readiness on all sides. The fruits of the earth must be housed; that alone remained to be done."

What's Mine's Mine by George MacDonald

Before winding up our harvest for 2021, we had a family picnic in the garden! The old wood stove that heated our house from the basement through my high school years has been waiting in the garden for just such a night.

Leif Erikson Day

Before we leave the month of October behind, I will mention a "holiday" you may have missed earlier this month. :-)

On October 9th I hosted a bit of a Leif Erikson Day "celebration." This YouTube video is a recording of my live read-aloud of a chapter from Lois Walfrid Johnson's Viking Quest series. 

Click HERE for the video.

Lois Walfrid Johnson is an author who lived near me through her years of writing. Her first series of Christian children's fiction, The Northwoods Series, is set in the Wisconsin/Minnesota area - including a favorite destination when we were growing up: the international shipping ports of Duluth and Superior!

But she took extensive travels to bring her last two series to life - first following the Mississippi River south where she learned about the Underground Railroad and life on a riverboat [Freedom Seekers series], and then hiking around Ireland, Norway, and Newfoundland for the Viking Quest series.

Why Ireland and Newfoundland with Vikings?! I'll tell you in the video!

A Charming Rain

Elsa and I are beginning a second time through the 40 hours of listening to Abigail Adams: Letters, edited by Edith Gelles. 

I am encouraged each time she quotes scripture (usually the Psalms) when writing to her husband, John Adams. Life was far from easy while he was away from home for months on end working with the Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Meanwhile, she and the children were so near Bunker Hill that they couldn't eat or sleep through the roaring of cannons, and their hospitable natures were stretched by the many refugees from Boston.

Abigail's rich vocabulary, wide literary knowledge and humor come through in the old-fashioned English - regularly bringing us smiles. One adjective which did so was used as she reported on the favorable growing conditions for their crops: "charming."

"...having lately had a charming rain which was much wanted..." ~ Abigail Adams

After a dry summer, the likes of which we have not seen for about 30 years (when they were common in my childhood), we are grateful for "charming" and "much wanted" autumn rains to give a head start for next year. Thankfully they have not been setting the harvest far behind. I heard the 'humm' of tractors all day yesterday as well as through the night. And today's drizzle may not have stopped them yet.

Not Even a Cup of Tea?

"The son said, My heart is disquieted within me. My soul cleaveth to the dust. Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O God.

"His Father said, In My hand are the deep places of the earth. Is there no blue sky? Have roses forgotten how to blow? Have birds ceased to sing among the branches? Hast thou not the sweetness of the love of a single little child? Hast thou no pleasant food – not even a cup of tea? Have tears been thy meat day and night?

"Gather up thy comforts, the greatest, the smallest, and thou wilt be surprised that thou hast so many to gather."

His thoughts said… His Father said…
by Amy Carmichael

Garlic Kale Chips Recipe

Watch a 30-second video of this recipe on my personal YouTube channel by clicking HERE.

Garlic Kale Chips

Preheat oven to 375.

Rip 12 cups of kale into roughly 2 inch pieces.

Toss with:

  - 2 Tbls melted coconut oil

  - 1 tsp garlic powder

  - Salt

Spread on 2 large baking sheets.

Bake 10 minutes.

Stir.

Bake 5 minutes or until a chewy-crisp, stirring again if needed.

Enjoy straight out of the oven, or freeze for future use!

And while you're at it, marvel at the intricate design our Creator put into one leaf of kale!