A word to the wise…
This is how we roll for every special occasion. In this case, it is how we rolled the day before Cat’s wedding. She made cinnamon rolls for her reception. The only place with space to spare were the ovens. Without fair warning, breakfast could have precipitated a disaster of near-epic proportions.
Last week, Geo and I gathered about 5 pounds of crabapples from one of our trees and made some crabapple jam. I love this time of year. There is so much to remind us of God’s bounty, so much to be thankful for. How blessed we are to be able to feed ourselves from our own land, from foods that grow wild all around us.
Besides food, we are surrounded by medicines. The youngest five went down with a cold virus just three days after their older brother had surgery to repair a shattered knee. I was able to make a strong medicinal tea from elderberries we harvested from around the barn. I’m happy to say that they are all feeling better.
William, our 16 year old, is recovering beautifully from his surgery, too. Thanks be to God.
And that crabapple jam? It was delicious spread on our homemade sourdough bread.
A few weeks ago, during all of the end-of-Advent bustle, I caught this guy taking some time to stop and smell the lemon button fern.
Then let us all with one accord
sing praises to our heavenly Lord;
that hath made heaven and earth of nought,
and with his blood mankind hath bought. (The First Nowell, 17th century trad.)
Lord God,
let your blessing come upon us
as we illumine this tree.
May the light and cheer it gives
be a sign of the joy that fills our hearts.
May all who delight in this tree
come to the knowledge and joy of salvation.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. – From the Rite of Blessing for a Christmas Tree
