Sowing and Reaping

Not so long ago we built up some raised beds
and planted seeds and seedlings.

Proudly we stood by.

(Inside we prayed that God would bless our humble effort.)

Growth began. We rejoiced.

Amazing to see life begin from a hard little seed.

More growth happened.
We marvelled at the rapidity of the radishes.

Color appeared as the radishes peeped . . .

And the tomatoes promised

We celebrated our first harvest with fresh bread,
sweet butter, spicy "french breakfast" radishes,
and a sprinkle of salt.
YUM!

More she grew . . .

And still more!
Along with those yummy radishes we have already enjoyed,
we anticipate english and sugar-snap peas,
zucchini and crookneck squash,
bell peppers,
lemon and armenian cucumbers,
plum and sweet 100 tomatoes,
all seasoned liberally with
the sweet basil and dill planted in between.

But let's not forget the salad greens and cilantro en potager

That has also exploded with crisp green growth.

The more we harvest the better it grows.

Fresh cilantro . . . MMMMmmmmmm . . .
can't be beat in a taco salad or salsa.

Did I forget to mention the blueberries?
They are bluing up nicely under the protective netting.

And can't you just taste the sweetness to come
in this plumping raspberry we have netted from the birds.

(Last year what berries the late frost didn't kill
the birdies feasted upon like gluttons.
I hope this year will be different.)

Here sings a lone apricot.

(No jam from this tree,
as you can plainly see.
But I have hopes for next year . . . )

Alas, the two cherries have been bird-napped
before their rosy flush complete.
Grrrrrr . . .

And so our harvest of radishes and lettuces and herbs delight us
as we await the bounty of later summer days.

To go with those biting little french radishes,
Miss Elizabeth prepared her very first batch of chevre/goat cheese.
It tasted fabulous and was a breeze to prepare.
But,
I shall save the details of that tasty treat
for another post.

* * *

Yet he has not left himself without testimony:
He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven
and crops in their seasons;
he provides you with plenty of food
and fills your hearts with joy.

Acts 14:17