Springtime Happenings

Ah Spring, I thought it would never come!
It had been an especially hard winter here, a death in the family, winter traveling, and lots and lots of snow! It seems almost unreal now: green grass, budding trees, garden planting – it is really here.


The first signs of spring are always eagerly anticipated. Those first few Robins and Blue Birds cheering the morning; frogs singing their night chorus, and the Canadian Geese that fly back to Canada, bringing the pair (or more!) that nest by our ponds.

One herald, the butter cup, makes it into the paper when it shows it’s face. The first flowers and the finder are photographed so everyone can see. These golden blossom are found on the most southern slopes and quickly give way to the dandelions and smelly Skunk Blossoms. Soon after in May and June the rest of the land follows suit in daffodils, peony, black eyed susans, and lilacs.

The fruit trees are also waking up, and soon our Grandmother will be able to enjoy the sights of pear, apple, peach, apricot, plum, cherry, prune, and nectarine blossoms out her kitchen window. The little kids join Mother and Father as they choose which branches will be strong and fruitful, and which should be lopped off.

Most of all the puppies are enjoying the weather! There are few sights cuter then 12 Golden puppies and soon to be Beagle babies romping and rolling in fresh green grass.
Talking about grass, all the farmers around are harrowing, discing, and improving their fields now. Our friends have written an excellent article on field improvement.

Of course, the garden has already been started. Just four rows this year, because this is our seventh on this land, so it’s our year of rest (our year of Jubile: Leviticus 25). We seeded the remainder of the garden with red clover to restore the nitrogen, and only planted potatoes, garlic (you can never have too much! Here are some delicious things to do with garlic), and a row of fresh eating vegetables. No canning or preserving this year!
Whenever we get the tractor out to till my little brothers get excited, and, if they can’t ride with Father, they follow behind, sometimes finding and pulling rocks, but mostly just reveling in the dirt till they get the full body experience! Yes, they are really due for a bath at the end of the day.

And, at the end of the day, when you come inside tired and dirty from the work of the field, to enjoy the work of your hands, all one can do is count the many blessings the Lord has given us.
Praise Him, that: “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22)
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.” (Colossians 3:23-24)

~Ann