~Blessings at Darby's~

I have to say, one of my favorite things this Summer has been going out to Darby Farms and having a garden space over there. It has been a challenge, no doubt, and if it weren't for some certain factors in my life right now, I know it could have been even better. But the fact is: The Lord has blessed it abundantly.

I wanted to share some photos of the garden out there, since I really haven't posted much about it at all. It has been such a fun and wonderful and challenging and back-breaking and overwhelming and awesome adventure. :)

This is my very first year growing watermelon. Well, all right, I did grow "Sugar Baby" watermelon one year, and it did pretty well, but to me, that ain't a REAL watermelon. Ya know, a good ol' "Georgian sweet and juicy and oh my goodness give me more" melon. This year I knew I wanted to grow some of the aforementioned variety. So I did. And while I have yet to taste them, for they are still quite small, I have a feeling they are going to be delectable! I am quite excited. :)


It is the chief of this world's luxuries, king by the grace of God over all the fruits of the earth. When one has tasted it, he knows what the angels eat. It was not a Southern watermelon that Eve took; we know it because she repented.
~Mark Twain


The rain we were blessed with two weeks ago certainly helped out with things a great deal. Note Daniel Dover's portable chicken pens in the distance. Just one more blessing of being out there is being close to all his happy chickens and turkeys.


One of MANY pepper plants and MANY varieties. It's funny how much I love to grow peppers, considering I will only eat the sweet ones. ;) Oh well, they are so much fun to grow!




Beautiful watermelon vines..... (happy sigh)




To own a bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch their renewal of life -- this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do.
-Charles Dudley Warner


Gotta have plenty of good ol' okra and squash!!




The kiss of the sun for pardon.
The song of the birds for mirth.
One is nearer God's heart in a garden.
Than anywhere else on earth.

`Dorothy Franes Blomfield Gurney
1858-1932

Markets 4 and 5 :)

The Market on July 2nd was the best market yet. Plus, it was so much fun to be there and enjoy the patriotic spirit that filled the air!

Enjoy a few pics from that day. :)











The Market this past Saturday was also very good! I am just really, really enjoying these so very much!!

Late June Blessings...

Chickens are wonderful creatures. Hens are special. Broody hens are (sometimes a hassle) but undeniably intent. This year I have had more broody hens than I ever have. It has been such fun. :) I am perpetually amazed and awed by their maternal instinct and the protection they give to their young.

Ya know, every time I see a mother hen gently spreading her wings over her little fuzzy babies, cooing, making sure they are safe and warm, it makes me so happy. She wants them to know that she is there. That they are there. She's got them. They're gonna be all right. They are safe, because her wings cover them. This sight has blessed my heart several times, and each time I am reminded of these wonderful verses of Scripture.

~Psalm 17:8
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings.

~Psalm 36:7
How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

~Psalm 57:1
Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

~Psalm 63:7
Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice.


Now, it may seem odd to use such a simple agrarian analogy, but I can very easily relate to agrarian analogies, and in fact, Jesus used them quite often. :)

Every time I see that beautiful sight: a mother hen loving and protecting her children---I think to those scriptures, and it reminds me of God's love towards us: His children. Sometimes it overwhelms me, and on one or two occasions, has brought me to tears. It's just quite amazing. Really, it is.

~Psalm 91:4
He shall cover thee with his feathers, and under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

We are all so very blessed. Rejoice in the Lord. Trust in Him. Rest under His wings.