Gardens are a blessing, mostly....

My husband, Gene, is a gardener. Actually, he's not, but he sure fools everyone. When we got married he often spoke unkind words about the large 3 acre garden he had to help out with as a child. He swore he hated it, and that he did not intend to have a large garden, ever. A few years ago I bought a planter box and a packet of seeds and told Gene that we should do a small planter garden and grow some of our own vegetables. We rented, so putting a garden in the ground wasn't an option (for the most part, though we did have a few bare spots in the yard we were given permission to grow in), so I thought a few pots and a few plants would be good enough. Gene is a geek, he needs to research everything, and then he needs to experiment and see if he can do it bigger and better. So, that pot and plant turned into dozens of pots and so many more plants. Fast forward to today, living in our first home, having a 1/4 acre horse corral and no horse, you get a 1/4 acre garden. If we could afford it we'd have a 1/4 acre greenhouse, but unless we somehow come into a rather large sum of money, we work with what we've got. The first year was a nightmare of weeds, and a lot of learning. This year we have continued to learn as we drown in a bounty that neither of us expected. I was not prepared for the harvest that continues even today. I am learning a lot despite the frustration at seeing my neat and clean kitchen become a fruit and veggie haven. We will learn from this year and be better prepared for next. I've never been a lover of meal prep and food preservation, but it's becoming a part of my life. Now I'm the geek, researching and trying to figure out how to use these blessings from God that happen to feed our family and build our character. It takes work to prepare the soil, prepare the seeds, nurture the starts, prepare the garden, plant the starts, protect the plants from the elements/pests/weeds, and keep them watered and fed throughout the summer. Our children groan and complain about the work, but we know that one day they'll understand and appreciate the "fruit of their labor". As we harvest and share the bounty with our neighbors, it's thrilling. I may tease my husband about that planter box and pack of seeds, but I'm grateful we're able to create such a wonderful garden today because of it.

Growing....

The weather here in Utah has not been conducive to putting in a garden. It's cold, and wet, wet, wet; no sun to be seen. Our plants that we have started inside weeks ago did not get the weather report and are clamoring to get out, NOW! Unfortunately that just is not possible at this point. So we continue to baby the green beauties as best we can until they can be planted in the ground and truly take off and flourish and really show us what they're made of. As a mom I can relate to this with my children. Whether it's them or me that is bursting at the seams to grow and show the world what we can do, or would like the ability to do, there always seems to be something, someone, in the way.

"Grow where you are planted."

I think most of us have heard this quote before. The meaning may differ for each of us as well. For me it's a call to make no more excuses for why I can't, or why my children can't (in relation to our circumstances) grow. Whether it's time, disability, health, interference, money, fear, etc.... we all have reasons why we stop growing, or trying. Instead of being stuck in what I call survival mode, we all need to find ways to live, and to live is to grow. All living things grow. We're alive and we must grow. How and in what ways and how far are all up to us. Do we have limitations? We sure do. Is it a reason to just give up and stop. No! We may not "get it all", but we can move in the right direction, or find a way (often with help) to get the nourishment we need to grow in the ways we feel in our soul we NEED for ourselves and for our children. Fight that nagging voice inside your head that tells you it's not possible. If you are planted in a home full of children (as I am) then figure out a way to create a home where you all can grow. This will often mean sacrificing a few blooms (misspent time) to encourage better growth, but it's a sacrifice worth making.

Organized Chaos....

Over the past few weeks I have been pulling my home apart and putting it back together again. My quest is for a better organized home. I feel that once I have a system that works for me then my ability to relax and work on creative projects comes more easily. As I pull a room apart and notice the progress as I put it back together with its new purpose or better use of space, I feel a surge of relief and a better energy within me to move on and improve more areas of my life. I still have many more hours and days ahead of me before the task will be complete, but I'm moving forward and not losing focus of my goal.