Sunday, September 06, 2009

Sunday Afternoon Tea

I just love this picture of my "girly" china along with the cinnamon chip scones I made earlier in the year. They are unlike any other scone I've tasted (made with room temperature butter) but quite yummy. How lovely they are with my favorite cinnamon tea... very autumn like in their taste.

A couple nights ago I hurried to the garden... basket in hand... hoping to bring in garden vegetables before the sun set below the horizon. There was plenty to harvest. The abundance of the garden continues to amaze me as we didn't plant all that much... getting such a late start building the raised beds and fence.

I picked the zucchini, thankful it hadn't grown too large with all the rain. How beautiful it was to see lots and lots of red cherry tomatoes and green beans. The lemon balm and basil are both growing by leaps and bounds now that the sunshine can reach them without filtering through the squash plant. Sunshine is good that way.

I tied the garden "gate" behind me and walked to the other side of our property to view the unexpected "fruit" of the land. For in the place where our compost pile used to be, where the rhubarb grew strong and the tomatoes all died... most likely due to the black walnuts having been placed there at one time... there was a vine which I did not plant. Well, not intentionally.

I saw the vine growing onto the fence about five or six weeks ago and when my husband cleared the weeds and tomato plants, I asked him not to get rid of all the vine. I was curious as to what seeds from below the soil had grown. Seeds I had no idea had taken root from last year's trip to the compost pile.

Now I know they are tiny gourds and little pumpkins. Many have been picked and brought in the kitchen with others are in various stages of growth on the fence. Grown from seeds of last year's centerpiece!

I was thinking as I walked back to the house about different kinds of sowing and reaping. I thought of characteristics in my own life which suddenly seem to sprout out of nowhere just like those composted gourds.

Some were good seed as the fruit of the spirit shines through to those who need encouragement. Other sprouts are deeply rooted weeds which need to be pulled... seeds perhaps planted long ago by one who spoke unkind or fear filled words. Now, all these years later, that which I did not know was planted has grown into the fruit of anger, fear, and depression... where did that come from... when were those seeds planted?

Isn't it interesting that the same soil can be both rich in nutrients for one plant and poison to another. I've been perusing through the Book of James for awhile. It talks about the tongue and how it can speak both blessing and curse... good seed and bad seed. Hmmm...

Lessons learned from a Book and a garden. :)

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Enjoyed your thoughts here...I guess we are in the age for introspection? Having some same types of thoughts myself.

A blessing that your garden has done so well!! How fun!!

Elizabeth

matty said...

My tongue is my blessing and my curse; all week Joyce Meyer has spoken on the power of the tongue and has used the scripture from James frequently. Your post confirms that this is an area that I continue to need to work on!

Hope you have a glorious day!

Anonymous said...

My bad seeds come from my own seed company so-to-speak but are bad none the less. Yes and thankfully unexpected good seeds emerge off and on to surprise us! I praise our God for those as at times I feel very low cause the bad seeds {weeds} seem to be overshadowing the good ones at times. It is good to catch those good seeds and nourish them to help them grow strongeer than the bad ones. :) Good analogy you had Brenda. My free crop from the compost this year was canalope and yellow pear tomatoes. Jody

Anonymous said...

Dee from Tennessee

Following a suggestion from another blogger, I chose a book from the Bible to reread repeatedly. I chose James and the book of James will always have a unique place in my heart. tThe repetition of the reading, and the lessons therein, was very effective for me. Have a blessed week.

Anonymous said...

What a lovely new photo for your blog. It reminds me of what we referred to as "the back road" in the tiny village I grew up in. My mother once painted a wonderful autumnal view of it in oils.
Black walnut trees are among the most beautiful of trees. My parents were able for a time to grow raspberries near theirs. I once saw a list of plants that can be grown in the presence of this gorgeous species. If I can find it again, I'll email the link to you. I'm glad you and your son are feeling better.

Scrappy quilter said...

What wonderful thoughts. One of my favorite books in the Bible is the book of James. It has so much to say.

Nice to hear your garden has done well.

Anonymous said...

Brenda...I just came back on and noticed the new picture! Wish I could stroll down that road. It must be beautiful later in its fall colors too. Jody

Anonymous said...

"Hello" from Jean;

Hey Brenda! What a beautiful post. Add me to the admirers of your new banner - such beauty! And right at the end of your driveway? Gorgeous.

I love this time of year. Well, I do enjoy all the seasons, perhaps it's the change I appreciate. Your thoughts are right on and inspiring. Was just delighting in seeing my own backyard from a new vantage point.

Last year, your words were such a comfort to me during a lonely, gloomy holiday season. The "seeds" from that period of unhappiness has surely produced richer, cherished (and much, much happier) experiences for me this year.

I'm realizing more and more that nothing and no one outside of "me" has to changed so that I can be happy and enjoy peace.

Much love,
Jean