This morning I stood at the kitchen window, bright and early (thanks to the dog—but that is another story, lol)…and looked out at my garden. Last year, I stood in the same place, and mourned the empty stretch, because I was physically unable to even do the simplest of chores a garden needs.

Its been a rough couple of years around here.

But as I sat and looked out at that, the familiar reminder came of Ecclesiastes…that to EVERYTHING there is a season. If you are not familiar with this passage, humor me as I share it with you.

” For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: 

² a time to be born, and a time to die;

a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted; 

³a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; 

⁴ a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; 

⁵ a time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; 

⁶ a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away; 

⁷ a time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

 ⁸ a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace.

(Ecclesiastes 3:1-8)

My heart, looking out at that garden, that has been so carefully tended by my hands and the enterprising hands of my children this year, reminds me that seasons of abundance and fertility come…and they go. Seasons of harvest and hard work…those come and go. Seasons of breaking down and healing….those seasons come and go.  That days filled with mourning for what had been, and were….are filled with days of thankfulness and appreciation for the small things…even things like watching green beans grow up a bamboo teepee while sipping a steaming cup of coffee.

It has also led me to realize that time is fleeting, and I want to enjoy every single step of it. I have always looked at life as an adventure to be lived to its fullest, but my appreciation of it has definitely been stronger the last year. I have also come to appreciate in the shortness of life, that things I want to do should be done….china shouldn’t sit on a shelf rather than being used, outfits for “special times” should be worn often just because they can.

I am thankful for every day this far in the last 20 months of my life, after my physical health crash in October 2017.

Here are some of the things I have been working on….

Finishing books long overdue and writing new ones. Those will be uploading and introduced here throughout the year ahead. And I cant wait to share them with you. Our Shop section has all of our currently offered books, for Saving money on groceries, gardening, herbs and water bath canning.

Re-opening my Etsy store with tons of different items related to use of essential oils….everything from Jewelry at an affordable price to toys for children. I already have the fall and winter line up planned and cant wait to reveal it on here! You can check that out here.

And blogging. I loved connecting with so many of you, growing with you, encouraging you, and sharing with you. I look forward to those many times ahead.

How is your summer going? I would love to hear.

Blessings to you and yours,

Heather and family