Simple Gifts

                               Simple Gifts 

"Tis the gift to be simple, 'tis the gift to be free
'Tis the gift to come down where we ought to be,
And when we find ourselves in the place just right,
'Twill be in the valley of love and delight.

When true simplicity is gain'd,
To bow and to bend we shan't be asham'd,
To turn, turn will be our delight,
Till by turning, turning we come 'round right."

- Joseph Brackett, 1848

Hello friends. There's a lot going on in the world right now. Sometimes it's hard to write here, because it feels awkward to be celebrating our safe, happy life crafting and cooking and playing, while so painfully aware of the violence and suffering others are experiencing. I am continually seeking our purpose and the opportunities available to make a difference in the lives of people a world away who will never know the joy and safety we take for granted. 

In the midst of that, I am for starters, committed to not taking simple things for granted. One of those simple things is our garden. Gardening feels like something that people across the world have in common. In countries around the world people are planting seeds, tending them, and anxiously waiting for the fruit from them to sustain their families. Many families long for the opportunity to grow their own food. It is a simple gift--one that you can give here or here, if you're interested. I have been gratefully spending time each day trying to make the most of our homegrown vegetables and not let anything go to waste. 

This year we finally grew everything to make salsa. My recipe can be found here, if you need a good salsa recipe. 

We also have had a big crop of basil, so I've been cutting lots of it, drying some, and turning some into pesto. My pesto recipe is here. 

I divide it in an ice cube tray, freeze and then throw the cubes in a bag in the freezer to be enjoyed all winter. Our new favorite meal is cooked meatballs tossed in warm pesto over couscous. 

There's nothing really special about our garden, or the food we make, but I'm grateful for it, and I know that even what seems like our simple life is extravagant to most the world. I will do my best to be always grateful for it and never to take these simple gifts for granted. 

In the midst of a crazy world take a cue from simple things; and do not worry. 

You are loved.