In finding it challenging to spend much time at the computer in the summer time, a quick video replaced today’s blog post. Of course … it is about canning… 🙂 My summer “hobby” …
July 19, 2020 - 7:19 pm
Good to see and hear from you – pretty lady. Such sweet and encouraging words.
July 17, 2020 - 12:57 pm
Nice to hear from you and wonderful encouragement. I also wanted to say, listening to all of those bird sounds in the background sounded so peaceful.
July 17, 2020 - 11:11 am
I so enjoyed your videos. Thank you for your lovely demonstration about canning. You dress so beautifully and you radiate the sweet, beautiful presence of Christ.
July 16, 2020 - 4:43 pm
Lovely videos! Thank you for posting these—so fun! What a beautiful, industrious woman you are—so encouraging to mothers everywhere! Love it!
July 16, 2020 - 12:14 pm
Steadfastness. loveliness, warmth, determination, caring are a few words that come to mind after viewing this. I so enjoy visiting here and always come away with my heart warmed and encouraged.
July 15, 2020 - 5:15 pm
My wonderful granddaughter!
July 14, 2020 - 6:44 pm
I hit post before I was done. I met to say I’d watch it later but it appears to not be available.
July 14, 2020 - 6:40 pm
My pressure canner whom I named Little Berths would love to can this. I haven’t done any canning in about two years. I think it’s time to bring Little Berths out. I love sloppy joes. Thanks for the video.
July 14, 2020 - 6:25 pm
Funny you posted this today, since I’m planning on serving this tonight to my family! Unfortunately though I can’t see the video — it is asking me for a password?
“I have often thought that if heaven
had given me choice of my position and calling,
it should have been on a rich spot of earth, well watered,
and near a good market for the productions of the garden.
No occupation is so delightful to me as the culture of the earth,
and no culture comparable to that of the garden.
Such a variety of subjects, some one always coming to perfection,
the failure of one thing repaired by the success of another,
and instead of one harvest a continued one through the year.”
“Are we watering tonight?” my daughter asked me, as she placed her empty dinner plate on the counter for washing.
“Yes, you don’t mind, do you?” I questioned, as the dishes were plunged into a pot of soapy water, awaiting the washing-up of another family meal.
“No, it’s okay. I like gardening – it’s fun,” my 13 year old told me, as she skipped out of the kitchen, ran to the garden and grabbed “her” watering can ready for our nightly watering routine.
Ahhh … music to my ears!
The garden … our summer project for the past few years … it takes up a lot of our energy and time, but we are learning so much and benefiting from healthy food in the process.
Every morning, we weed a section.
Every evening, we water the garden.
This is all done together – the children and I. I like to think we are building bonds and storing up good memories of our family life. Our garden is time consuming, but oh so worth it! I know you have heard me say this before – it is so worth it, worth every hour hoeing, worth every minute watering and worth all the hours canning and putting up preserves for the winter.
And, I, too, enjoy it. My sixteen year old daughter told me she likes weeding – that is a lovely thing to hear! I know I did not enjoy weeding as a child so I am grateful I have helpers that do not complain — most days. 🙂
She is in charge of the garlic patch and is hoping to sell some this fall as she is saving up for a pedal harp, which she plays.
{the garlic patch}
Past the garlic patch, you will find the potatoes, squash, zucchini, pumpkins and cucumbers. It is hard to see it in this photo.
The little children love to see the water roll about on the cabbage leaves … it is so lovely to see my children observing nature without a regimented lesson or prompting …
Scarlet runner beans {which have now reached the top of the poles} are slowly creeping and climbing our bean tunnel. A friend told me there a runner beans with pink flowers so we must have those for next year … the bean tunnel was also an idea from George Washington’s garden.
With our July humid and hot weather, the plants have grown so much already since this photo was taken … every day there is new growth … we like to use some CPT as a fertilizer. {What’s CPT? It’s our code word for Cow-Poo-Tea … a large bucket of water mixed with a lovely cow paddy … wonderful!}
As mentioned before, we decided to go with a George Washington themed garden. We made several features that were designed after what we saw online and in books regarding his stunning garden. If you want garden inspiration, look up his gardens! They are beautiful.
While studying George Washington’s story, we discovered, when he was a young lad, his father once planted his son’s name in cabbages in the garden. Thinking that was extremely creative, we did the same in lettuce – The Gauthier Salad bar. It has added some fun to the garden time, for sure!
We water using rain water tanks (pictures above at the back of the garden) or we will a cube water container from the river and then pump it out with a little battery pump and hand water everything. It takes a while but it is good way to know what is growing or struggling in the garden.
George Washington also had a water cistern in his garden – also a brilliant and timely idea. We found a used “pond” and dug it into the centre of the garden, added some water and rocks and a few plants, along with a solar fountain. It is a fun feature, although it cannot actually water the entire garden.
You will notice the pea tee-pees – also an idea from his garden, along with the pie shaped beds, bordered with flowers. Washington had hundred of flowers in his garden, bordering all the beds. We tried our best to get each bed to contain flowers – we have sunflowers, bachelor buttons, zinnias, and some annuals. The flowers have all grown quite large now – it is lovely! The bachelor buttons which I plant to dry for tea.
We have found our honey bees and lots of frogs love this little pond … along with the two young boys of our family. Often, on hot days, they are in the little pond, cooling off while we weed!
The garden certainly keeps our hands, bodies and minds busy. And in this topy turvy 2020, it is a peaceful retreat, worth all the toil and hours in the sun. We are thankful, so thankful, for the garden.
“Agriculture is the greatest among arts,
for it is first in supplying our necessities.
It is the mother and nurse of all other arts …
We ought to count among the benefits of agriculture the charm
which the practice of it communicates to a country life.
Health, the first and best of all the blessings of life,
is preserved and fortified by the practice of agriculture.
That state of well-being which we feel and cannot define;
that self-satisfied disposition which depends, perhaps,
on the perfect equilibrium and easy play of vital forces,
turns the slightest acts to pleasure,
and makes every exertion of our faculties a source of enjoyment.”
-The Royal Path of Life
by Gigi
11 comments
July 19, 2020 - 7:08 pm
O wow, what a neat design… and for the children to see the history of George Washington garden come alive in their own yard. That is something that will stay with them as they get older. I love ever feature of your garden. It is truly amazing.
July 16, 2020 - 10:28 am
Your garden looks fantastic!! I love how you spelled out your name! That looks so great! 🙂
July 11, 2020 - 6:25 pm
Amazing! Really should enter in a contest, So much work, My garden was never so good! Great planning! Landscaping is the Gauthier Forte’ xxxxxxxxxxx
July 8, 2020 - 4:30 pm
What a beautiful garden ~ so lush and flourishing, and the design is lovely artwork!
Your family is such a fine picture of teamwork!
July 8, 2020 - 8:26 am
Wow your family has grown, so beautiful 🙂 I LOVE your garden!
July 7, 2020 - 1:32 pm
Lovely Garden!!! We try to do alot of the same thing! How on earth do you get allll the weeds out?! I feel like I just cant keep up!
July 7, 2020 - 12:49 pm
What a lovely lovely garden. A well-tended garden is a thing of beauty. Beautiful children also!
July 7, 2020 - 8:22 am
It is just beautiful, my friend! Hard work but YES, so worth it. Are you having fresh salads daily? It might be hard for me to want to mess up the name in order to get salads! Haha!
Gorgeous!!!
July 6, 2020 - 8:25 am
I love your garden!!! I would like to try a design in mine next year. I planted sunset runner beans, they are supposed to have pink blooms. They are just starting to climb. We made a hoop house of sorts out of cattle panels. I have runner and pole beans, cucumbers, winter squash, and some watermelon planted around it. I’m hoping it does well. It’s great your kids love the gardening. My youngest, close to 8, loves the garden but my older two, 18 & 21, …not so much. Blessing to you and your family!!!
July 6, 2020 - 7:47 am
Just beautiful!
July 6, 2020 - 1:44 am
Oh my goodness, I love, love, LOVE your garden! It’s so lovely and creative! How big is it? We just built a bigger garden this year — being able to grow a bunch of food and preserve it for the winter is such a wonderful blessing!
Happy Father’s Day to the father of our children …. all nine of them! We are so thankful for his leadership, work ethics and steady faithfulness to our family. There is never a dull moment in our lives {sometimes, we wish we had more dull moments so we could catch an afternoon nap on the porch!}.
Shortly after this photo was taken, we decided to try tubing down this river and see where it ends. Well, let’s just say … that’s another chapter in our family book … four hours later, with the sun quickly setting and promising a night of darkness lost in the woods … thunder and rain … nine beaver dams to climb over, meeting Canada’s largest national animal face to face, a slippery eel slinking between Abby’s legs, sinking, slimy mud, old barbwire fences hidden in the underbrush, a drunk country bumpkin on his redneck motorcyle, lost shoes, steep hills to scale, deflated tubes that were eventually lost in the woods on the trek back to the road, unrelenting blackflies, angry mosquitoes, abandoned fishing poles littering the sides of the river, fallen trees across the river, lost communication (aka. cell phone falling into the water), river up to your neck and some very lost and upset children … a definite memory was made.
“Well, at least you had a fun memory with your daddy,” I said, reassuringly as I picked up the very tired, very cold tubers later that night from their lost destination and brought them home for a hot shower and a comfy sleep in their beds.
“Mommy,” my daughter said, looking me in the eyes. “That was NOT a fun memory. I felt like I was William Carey on the river in India!!!!”
Ahhh, good times.
Thankful for this man and for all the good memories we have – and are – making — even if it means losing cell phones in murky water and spending a Sunday afternoon lost in the wild river and tangled woods of the countryside.
by Gigi
4 comments
June 30, 2020 - 1:31 pm
Where do you buy your swimsuits
June 22, 2020 - 11:21 pm
Precious memories! I love it—the children will never forget this day. 🙂 I love the picture of you, Abby, and baby. ❤️
June 22, 2020 - 7:59 pm
What memories it will be ! I love your modest swim skirts that is the kind my girls and I wear.
June 22, 2020 - 7:27 pm
You all look happy….I had to laugh about the William Carey analogy. Mom is doing a good job if the children share such wisdom
“And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed;”
Genesis 1:29
The wooden gate, a gift from my father in law, creaked as I entered the garden…. the fresh smell of awakening mint wafted through the morning air as I made my way to the back of the garden … I listened as the morning broke with waking sounds … Mourning Doves cooed from their nests above in the pine tree branches … the children were hustling about, feeding their animals before breakfast …
Welcome to my {very humble and weedy} herb garden.
When I walk through this simple and rather disorganized herb garden, I feel so much joy and gratefulness. Although I did not plan this garden out very well, it has grown into a place I love to visit.
Each of the plants that reside in this garden will aid in either health or cooking. They are beautiful for so many different reasons.
In this rustic small corner of earth,
you will find many herbs that I am growing …
thyme
tarragon
meadow sage
sage
lavender
calendula
oregano
mullein
basil
mint {apple/chocolate/peppermint/spearmint}
chamomile
comfrey
bergamot
dill
rue
evening primrose
echinacea
lungwort
parsley
fennel
yarrow
{I am sure I am missing a few in this list …}
Walking through the herb garden yesterday, I counted 26 different herbs that are growing. This brought a smile to my face, as I feel my herb garden is like a natural medicine chest, dug right there in the vibrant, humble soil.
Over the past three years, I have been reading herbal books, writing down recipes and collecting these amazing perennial herbs and allowing them to seed as they mature, with hopes of a bigger and healthy patch in the next year to come. Building it up has taken time and patience.
My chamomile patch is just blooming right now … a lovely patch of gentle white flowers that I will dry for tea and balms … my daughter has her eye on them for making homemade soap and lotions.
The luscious comfrey is in full bloom right now — it is an amazing herb (yes, it will take over so watch where you plant it).
It has saved us from needing stitches in the past as it healed up some deep gashes and wounds. I am using it in the vegetable garden as comfrey tea fertilizer by simply picking some leaves, crushing them a bit with my hands and soaking them for a few days in a big bucket of rain water. I will add some of the comfrey tea to my watering can as I water the garden in the evenings.
I will also have plans to make salves and creams with this extremely valuable herb.
Of course, there is mint. 🙂 The mint is always growing and spreading, which is fine by me. I love a good, hardy plant. Not only is it fun to share with others, once the mint plant establishes itself, I can separate it and plant it around the covered porch. When it’s tea time, I simply pluck some mint leaves and add it to my tea pot for instant herbal tea. You will find apple mint, chocolate mint (my favorite) and peppermint …
This week, I will be picking some mint and chamomile to dry for tea in the winter. I will also take my celery and begin drying it for future soups.
{tarragon}
{meadow sage}
[bee balm just waiting to bloom]
This week, I also hope to make a few herbal remedies with my daughters. It is part of their training as future homemakers. 🙂 It’s also an enjoyable time together, as we experiment and come up with herbal lotions, soaps and salves we can use in our own family and also give as gifts.
Learning about herbs and the benefits of growing your own medicine is a never ending hobby for me.
And I completely agree with Thomas Edison … as he stated:
“Until man duplicates a blade of grass, nature can laugh at his so-called scientific knowledge. Remedies from chemicals will never stand in favour compared with the products of nature, the living cell of the plant, the final result of the rays of the sun,
the mother of all life.”
– T. A. Edison
by Gigi
2 comments
June 22, 2020 - 11:23 pm
This is amazing!! What a wonderful treasure you have in a well “stocked” herb garden! It’s beautiful too! Great work, Mama! (And sweet Lacey too!)
June 22, 2020 - 12:30 pm
A lovely post with beautiful photographs, Gigi. It’s very uplifting to read of a mother who intentionally trains and prepares her daughters to be homemakers. You mentioned reading herbal books over the past few years. Are there any books you especially recommend for someone new to growing and using herbs? Thank you for sharing this sweet glimpse into another aspect of your homekeeping.
The morning sun filtered into gently through the front windows. Faintly, I could hear the early call of some cheery birds … What type of bird is so lively in the early morning hours, I wondered as I puttered downstairs to begin boiling water for my morning coffee.
Several minutes later, freshly dressed and washed and ready for the day, I sat down with my Bible, my notebook and my hot delicious coffee. A wave of anxiety rushed over my mind as I listed off the to-do list for this Monday.
Sipping my coffee, I realized my task list seemed rather long and heavy. With a two month old and homeschooling for a large family still in effect, a full garden to run and house that does not clean itself (not to mention food that does not cook without some sort of a plan), how would my heavy-loaded day turn out?
Lord, how do I get it all done? I asked, simply taking it to Jesus in my prayers.
There’s too much to do, I sighed.
And as I referred to my morning devotions, there was my answer.
What is eternal in my day?
What is taken to Heaven with you?
What matters in light of eternity?
“Perhaps you find it hard to accomplish everything each day, too. Maybe you have been frustrated as I have. Relax. Don’t get upset over what you can’t finish today. There’s another day tomorrow. In light of eternity, it’s not going to matter whether you finish your task today or the next day. Dear mother, God only expects you to accomplish what is possible in the hours He has given you. You don’t have to get everything done. Be content with what you can accomplish, There is a new dawn tomorrow.
It is more important to set the right tone in your home and create an atmosphere of rest, peace and harmony, than to make everyone tense by getting through something just for the sake of getting through it.
-Nancy Campbell, 100 Days of Blessing
The chores, yes, can be done, but without anxiety or stress.
The meals? Yes, they will be cooked – and as I have learned, preparation and thinking ahead is the key. Those dirty floors will get washed – but in between – I must not be too rushed to spend time with those little ones who made that floor unclean.
The garden would be tended – most likely with help from my great crew of girls.
Yes, the heavy tasks of the day would be met head on, but instead of being stressed and frustrated, I would embrace the day with an eternal vision — my children and my family are more important than crossing off each tasks on the list.
One of my favorite songs came to my mind as I closed my devotional book and Bible and headed for the laundry room, where a load of cleaned clothes required hanging on the line before the household awoke…
These daily tasks are privileges. And greeting my nine children in the morning with a smile and a hug is much more important than perfectly clean home.
Good Night Kiss
Steve & Annie Chapman
I count it as a privilege
I count it cause for praise
to kiss my children goodnight
at the close of everyday
for I know too soon they’re off and gone
and walkin’ out the door
and I’ll never have a child to kiss
goodnight anymore
It’s very strange how times have changed
from the present to the past;
When did they grow so quickly
the time has flown so fast
For it seems that only yesterday
I helped him with his shirt
or pat my baby on the back
or kissed away a hurt …
Tell the story read a book
wipe a nose or tie a shoe
They never ask me to rub their back
the way they used to do.
Once it was a bother
just a troublesome kind of chore;
Now I would give anything
to do it just once more …
Mommy, bounce me on your knee
Daddy, flip me in the air
throw a rubber ball to me
and help me comb my hair
Mommy, tickle my tummy
Daddy, hold me high
Let’s go outside for awhile
or make a kite to fly …
I count it as a privilege,
I count it cause for praise
to kiss my children goodnight
at the close of everyday
for I know too soon they’re off and gone
and walkin’ out the door
and I’ll never have a child to kiss
goodnight anymore.
by Gigi
11 comments
June 10, 2020 - 10:08 pm
Thank u for asking about my garden . I dont have a tiller , my hubby borrows one and he hasn’t took the time to do so. I have a raise bed with onions and tomatoes and another very small Bed with peppers. Near my greenhouse door I planted four watermelon plants and I am training the vine to go into my greenhouse. Watermelons love it hot and humid. I have a few cucumbers and pumpkin planted. I am hoping he tills a small spot for , corn , green and lima beans how is your garden doing?
June 8, 2020 - 9:16 am
I haven’t heard this sweet song in years! Lovely. Lovely photos as well. Thank you for the wonderful reminders.
June 8, 2020 - 5:20 am
Shirley, yes, I love that phrase and adore Elisabeth Elliot’s advice. Thank you for reminding me to treasure these {busy!} days!
June 8, 2020 - 5:19 am
Teresa– thank you for the encouragement. Sometimes it makes me sad when parents have grown children but do not really “miss those days” … it’s wonderful that your good night kisses days are extended with your two at-home daughters!
P.S How is your garden coming along? 🙂
June 8, 2020 - 5:18 am
Regina, (hugs) …. I’m sure your daughters miss your kisses, too!
June 8, 2020 - 5:17 am
Katie, I use Nancy Campbell’s 100 Days of Blessings. It’s fantastic. I wish I could get her second book but I can’t find shipping to Canada yet.
June 7, 2020 - 6:30 am
Aways so beautiful and encouraging! Thankyou Gigi, also wondering what devotional you use?
Blessings,
Katie
June 5, 2020 - 12:37 am
I miss kissing my girls goodnight. What a lovely story and your children keeps growing!
June 3, 2020 - 8:37 am
Beautiful and lovely thoughts…I am so thankful I am still living in those days…I dread to think of empty nest days. God has blessed us with five daughters, three have married and we are blessed with eight grand children. I am grateful to have two daughters still at home. I love that song! Your blog always gives me something to think on and reminds me to stay focus. Blessings sweet friend!
June 3, 2020 - 7:52 am
I remember those days, thinking I wasn’t sure where to begin. Now I know they were the most glorious days of my life. As Elisabeth Elliot said….just do the next thing. It’s difficult when there are many next things at hand all at once though. Your family is lovely, and it warms my heart to see how well it functions because the Lord is leading you.
God bless you
June 2, 2020 - 10:10 pm
Love you all! See you soon! <3
by Gigi
9 comments