I don’t think anyone can say this is a particularly joyful weekend given the state of the world. I wanted to write this post yesterday but couldn’t quite bring myself to do it. But of course, the point of this practice is to find joy even when it seems like there isn’t any, so here I am with a few pictures and good things from the week.
monarch caterpillar 
a spider web 
bouquet of flowers from my gardens
š§ I’ve listened to Emily P. Freeman’s State of the Podcast three times this week. I love how she models finding your next right thing by writing up lists of what’s life giving, life draining, and the arrows you’re following. I’ve been wanting to make changes on my blog for a while and spending some time with her words this week has helped.
š§ I’m just over halfway through Jane Eyre and have to admit that I’m enjoying it more than I did the first time I read it. Thandie Newton’s narration is excellent! Listening to the classics has made such a difference for me. Bonus: many of the classics are included for free with an Audible subscription.
š I stayed up past my bedtime to finish A Tale for the Time Being last night. I think it’s going to be on my list of favorites at the end of the year! More on Wednesday.
š On Tuesday I made it to 500 straight days of journaling. I wasn’t sure if I’d keep going or not, but (surprise, surprise) I have. So I think that makes today 504?
a typical lunch lately 
a recent green bean crop 
starting a pasta sauce 
Friday’s harvest 
roasted tomatoes
š š„ We’ve spent a lot of time in the garden and kitchen this week. This is the best growing year we’ve ever had and we’re finally getting some practice at preserving. We’ve made salsa and frozen some pasta sauce (Ina Garten’s Arrabiata Sauce which you can find here or in her most recent cookbook – Modern Comfort Food – which is where I found it).
š š I expect to be eating tomato sandwiches for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a while.
š½ š„ Not pictured is all of the corn chowder we’ve made with corn and potatoes from the garden. And grilled corn cobs.
šŖ š« I’m in a teatime baking mood, but I don’t want to overdo things. I’ll wait until it cools down outside and the garden slows down before turning on the oven for sweet things.
My thoughts are with the people of Afghanistan and Haiti this weekend. The images coming from around the world are heartbreaking and I’m just not sure what to say. So this is where I’ll leave it until Monday – please take good care.
The Cozy Burrow 
Iām so happy you are enjoying Jane Eyre. Sometimes listening to the classics is a great way to get to know them better. What a lovely harvest of veggies!! I am a contianer gardener but hope this fall to have a couple of tomato plants. Itās hard to garden in Phoenix. The world right now is in such a sad state, leaving me to prayer more than ever. Have a peaceful weekend.
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Oh, I bet it’s REALLY hard to garden in Phoenix. Hopefully you’re able to keep things watered in containers!
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It can be very challenging with the heat, but container gardening makes it a little easier.
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A tough time to enjoy the simple things in life, but maybe it’s more essential than ever to hold on to what’s good. Let’s hear it for tomato sandwiches and “A Tale for the Time Being.”
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YES! I’ll take joy where I can find it š
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Love your pictures! Monarch caterpillars are so beautiful! ā¤ļø It is a hard time to be aware of everything going on in the world. My heart hurts too. But youāre right to hold on to joyful moments! Have a great weekend!
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Thanks Laila! I love how fat the caterpillars get — so much fun to watch them grow š I hope your week is going well!
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I’m glad you still chose to post this week — finding joy in all circumstances is a practice I’m trying to work on whenever my anxiety flares up, which it has done a lot this week. I love good garden years!! They are so immensely satisfying, and nothing is better than homegrown produce. We’re getting a handful of tomatoes every week, but not much else…all of our energy this year has gone into the flowers. So extra-enjoy your corn chowder and BLTs for me!!
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I hate to hear your anxiety has been flaring up – the last few years have been SO hard! I can’t imagine trying to keep up with a flower farm AND a veggie garden – so busy!
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You are so rightbthe news is terrible at the moment, it’s all very depressing. Finding joy in the small things of life really helps. Your garden is amazing, can’t believe how quickly things grow after what seems like a long Winter.
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Cathy – I agree! It felt like winter was never going to end and then… we have tomatoes! I hope you’re doing well.
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It was a tough week to even think about a blog post for me. Your tomato harvest is making me envious. Enjoy
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I hope this week is going a little bit better for you, Juliann. Your food pictures always make me jealous!! š
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Beautiful pic. Nice blog post.
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thank you!
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It is so easy to look at the state of the world and fall into despair. But in reality, there’s not a whole lot that any one of us can do on our own. I reached out to a coworker who has done a lot of work in Haiti for recommendations for where to donate money, and we are expecting some Afghan families to be coming to live here, so we’ll provide assistance for them when they do. In the meantime, I am, like you, making an effort to find joy where I can — my reading, my crafting, my time with my family.
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I’ve been trying to think about finding joy as a form of worship … God delights in my delight. It’s helped a lot these past FIVE years?! I’m sure he’s smiling at all the things you’ve listed (and I’m wishing we were still harvesting tomatoes at the pace to enjoy them breakfast, lunch, and dinner). I was all set to dive into Jane Eyre and Praying with Jane Eyre (have you listened to the podcast Hot and Bothered? the current season is about Jane Eyre and it’s So Good! there was a mention in the #general thread on Novel Pairings discord so I’m thinking you saw it – cool fact – the podcast host, a self-described “atheist Jew” wrote Praying with Jane Eyre!!!) … and then picked up another stack at the library. I will for sure be starting before Labor Day. and likely listening a lot (I have the same audible version) – are you ready to start knitting Shifty in September?
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