Autumn Rain

"Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming.  See how the farmer waits for the land to yield it's valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains.  You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near."  James 5: 7 & 8

Just think about how patient farmers need to be...... "will the seeds germinate?"  or "when is the best time to harvest?" - everything depends on the weather.  Planting and harvesting relies on rain.  Modern irrigation does help but nothing can compare to rain.  I can water my garden all day and the plants can still look wilted and the plants will need water again the next day.  But after a day of rain my plants can go without watering for days.

It is patience and trust that this farmer must have.  This verse compares that farmer to us as Christians.  We must be "patient and stand firm" even when we don't see the valuable crop that our work is helping to grow.  "Stand Firm" - steadfast, persistent, dedicated, unfaltering and firm in doing God's work/being Christ-like.

Lord Jesus help us to "stand firm" with patience until You return. 

Drying Basil

There are a couple different ways to dry herbs but today we will be talking about using a food dehydrator, which in my opinion is the easiest and most successful way.

The manufacturer recommends taking the herb directly from the garden, shaking or brushing any dirt off & then dehydrating immediately.  However, I find that with my sandy soil there always seems to be some grit left after dehydrating.  Therefore, I always rinse the herb off (in this case Basil) and then pat it  dry on a papertowel before using the dehydrator.  There is nothing worse than biting down on a grain of sand.

STEP 1:  Harvest Basil by cutting off as many large bunches as desired (cut the stalk close to the ground.  Basil is an annual so it won't come back on it's own next year)
STEP 2:  Snip the choice leaves off the stalk with your fingers (or kitchen scissors) and then wash the Basil leaves (see picture below).



NOTE:  I always discard/compost any Basil leaf that has holes or corners missing - these blemishes are from animals or bugs.  Also, NEVER use a Basil leaf that has bird poop residue.

Basil leaves that need to be discarded or composted.

STEP 3:  Arrange the leaves on the dehydrator tray and then turn the dehydrator on - at the manufacturer's specified temperature and time.  (It took my dehydrator 36 hours to dry 4 racks of basil).

 

STEP 4:  Once the leaves are completely dry, then crumble the basil by hand .  Place the basil flakes in an airtight container.  ENJOY!

The Basics - Proofing Yeast for Bread Making

The Basics - Proofing Yeast for Bread Making

This basic step is vital to successfully baking bread.  The first step in any bread recipe (or some other yeast dough recipe) calls for proofing or activating the yeast.  This is the step where you mix sugar, dry yeast and either hot water or hot milk (about 110 degrees).  The reason for this step is not only to activate the yeast but also, (if it is old yeast) this step will save you from possibly wasting your time and ingredients.   Old yeast will not activate, therefore your bread will not rise. 

Allow the yeast mixture (sugar, yeast & water/milk) to "proof" for 5 to 10 minutes.  You will notice that the yeast granules disappear and the mixture will become frothy, bubbly and foamy (see pictures).  If this foamy/frothiness does not happen then your yeast is old and you must throw the yeast mixture away and start the "proofing" process over with new yeast.

NOTE:  I have a candy thermometer that I use and I tested my hot tap water - it is exactly 110 degrees at it's warmest temperature.  So, if you do not have a thermometer, then most likely your hot tap water will be warm enough to "proof" the yeast.  (Careful - if the liquid is too warm then that will also stop the yeast from activating)

 

Harvesting Squash

Harvesting Squash

Squash is one of the easiest vegetables to harvest.  Simply wait until the stem and vine are dried up and are light brown or smoky in color.  Then pick the squash and either the stem will fall off or sometimes the stem stays attached to the squash and the stem separates from the vine (both ways are fine for harvesting).

Store in a cool dry place and enjoy when you desire (I once had a "Hubbard" squash last an entire year).  The squash shown in these pictures are speckled squash and "sweet mamma" squash - when stored correctly these 2 squash vareties should last into late January or February (depending on what kind of winter you have).

The stem and vine have dried and the squash is ready to be picked

Canadian Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all Canadians

out there!!

God bless and Enjoy your day!!

Harvest Field

"Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few.  Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"   Matthew 9: 37 & 38

We are in the thick of harvest right now and it is so true about the "workers being few."  I am so thankful for the bountiful harvest but there just isn't enough time in each day to finish all of the work that needs to be done.  Even though I feel as if there isn't enough time, I still find this work so satisfying and fulfilling. 

The bible commentary states that the word "harvest" was used to symbolize evangelism and preaching rather than teaching.  It is interesting in these verses that we are to "ask the Lord of the harvest" - this is something that we should be praying about.  We should not just be praying about what our job should be in this heavenly harvest but also we should be praying and asking God to send out more workers.

Lord please show us what you want our harvest job to be and please send out new workers to the harvest field.

Impatiens

Impatiens

You don't have to be patient to grow impatiens. 

I planted these (from greenhouse plants NOT from seed) in early May and it is almost the middle of October and they are still growing strong - and this is lower Michigan that I'm talking about.  They have been in constant bloom for the entire time that they have been planted in the ground, which is basically 6 months.  The beautiful dark green foliage really makes the color of each flower just pop - they are stunning. 

Impatiens also attract Humming Birds

Each plant starts out small and sparse but by July they fill in and make a wonderful border for a walkway (as seen in the picture above).

No matter what your gardening expertise level - Impatiens are a fantastic addition to any garden.