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| Miniature Parade Roses at Mrs. White's Vermont Home. |
I have always considered myself an amateur gardener. I struggle with doing the work, and find myself constantly distracted by other things - like butterflies, pretty wild-flowers, and listening to the birds.
Each summer I have tried to do a little bit of gardening. I take it slow. Often I only attempt to grow cucumbers, which I love for summer salads and tea sandwiches. But always we have our strawberries and blueberries, which provide us with a small harvest, despite my lack of effort.
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| The little strawberry garden and blueberry bushes on the back grounds of Mrs. White's property. |
This is not because I am lazy. It is not because I lead a pampered life. It is because I am enjoying the work indoors. I am baking, vacuuming, dusting, making homemade food, visiting with the family, mending in the parlour, and being a gracious hostess to our frequent guests - who are mostly our grown children and our precious grandchildren. I am reading stories to little ones, getting juice and snacks, or I am folding the laundry and taking breaks to read a lovely story that gives me a time of rest and recreation.
I have noticed that my walks outside, on our two acres, are an incredible respite from all I am doing inside. I love to see the river behind our land. It is often raging and high in the spring, but low and peaceful in summer.
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| The gentle, summer river on the back grounds of Mrs. White's property. |
I am often drawn to this area of the grounds. I will stare at the rushing river and watch as there are waterfalls among the rocks.
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| Another view of the River on the back grounds of Mrs. White's Home. |
I was starting to miss these little walks that brought me great happiness. Our cucumber garden has been flourishing all season. I was gathering the berries and then the many cucumbers that seemed to be more numerous than I could manage. (I was giving away bags of this to some of my grown children.) Each day, it seemed, there was more work than I could manage. I am not one who has ever learned to "can" or preserve what we grow. Honestly, I struggle enough to do my regular work and spend time resting with the family. I do not have the strength to do much more. I do not want to do more.
One morning, I became so stressed about the abundant crop of cucumbers, and realizing I could not keep up with all the labor, that I sat down with my husband and said, "I just cannot do this anymore." He smiled. He knew I was doing too much, but he thought I had been enjoying the work. I had not been. I said, with a relieved smile, "so I quit." And that was settled. I will not let myself feel guilty. Someday I might change my mind. But for now, I do not have to be a gardener.
We will certainly continue with our berries. Perhaps my husband will do his own gardening next season since he enjoys being busy outdoors. We have even discussed planting a few more pretty flowers, like the miniature parade roses that are in the photograph above. I would like to have beautiful things on the grounds, that do not mind neglect, as I walk around the property to rest from all my labor indoors.
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| Our country driveway at Mrs. White's Home. |
I am thankful for the food I can purchase at my local store. I can fill up my pantry with sale items and find the most nutritious options to bring home. I can "gather our food from afar," and not try to do it all on my own. I appreciate the farmers and the gardeners that do all this labor for those of us who are not able. This is a blessing and a relief. I am grateful to have this option!
Blessings
Mrs. White
From the Archives -
Living Content on a Modest Income - Standard of Living.
Organizing the Work - Days of Housekeeping.
What Many of Us Crave - An Ordinary Life at Home.
Find Home-keeping Inspiration, in Mrs.White's book - For The Love of Christian Homemaking. Paperback, 274 pages.
An Invitation - Subscribe to The Legacy of Home and have it delivered directly to your email.
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