It's Time to Garden

January... is the month to get the house back in order after packing up Christmas decorations and bringing out all the stuff I tucked away to make room for Christmas. It's the month that gets me in the mood to unclutter and reorganize closets, cabinets, drawers, the pantry. I've done good. I still have lots more to do but...

the weather draws me outdoors to sit in a sunny spot and relax, read a book, look at pretty magazines. It doesn't take long to see there's lots to do in the garden. Weeds to clear out, roses to prune, flowers to plant, vegetable gardens to clean out,

compost to spread...

take inventory... what do I still have... what do I want to add...

My orange tree has not grown. It is a dwarf. I didn't want a dwarf but it is what it is. It hasn't given very many oranges, but the sweet taste of these oranges makes up for the size of the tree.

My lemon tree produces the best lemons!

I still have eggplants, bell peppers, jalapenos, hatch chiles, green beans, and chives...

I have rosemary, cilantro, sage, oregano, margoram, curry, thyme, parsley, lemon balm. I cut back my basil, which does not do well in winter, and it is showing signs of life.

I've learned not to plant tomatoes in the fall because they end up freezing, but these came up on their own by a rose bush. They're looking sort of wimpy but maybe they'll survive. I'll take the freebies anytime!

After spreading compost, I added lettuce, spinach, zucchini, squash, snow peas, swiss chard, cucumbers, and radishes. I still plan to sow red and white onion, carrots and who knows what else. Definitely not corn! Definitely not broccoli!

Once I get the vegetable and herb gardens going,

it's on to my flower garden~

Cramming lots into one month!



~In the Garden~

A Collection of Prayers for Everyday

by Marsha Maurer

A Prayer For Purpose

A seed holds the complete design for life. The plan becomes the plant.

In the same way, Lord, let me see Your purpose contained in my life.
 Although I often flounder and struggle to find direction,
I know that my existence is not by accident or chance.

Remind me of Your intention for my life.

I am not here for pleasure, honor, prestige, or wealth.

Guide me to see that selfish enjoyment is not Your aim for me.

Make my life a blessing to others.

May the seed that You planted in my heart at my creation grow to maturity. Whether conditions be fertile or barren, make me bloom with the deeply planted satisfaction of Your will.

Amen.

"But those sown on rich soil are the ones who hear the word and accept it and bear fruit thirty and sixty and a hundredfold.” Mark 4:20