#10 ABUNDANCE & GRATITUDE

Celebration of the abundant harvest culminated in Debra’s exhibit- Flowers & Bees- at the local gallery. Studio time in the Butsu has replaced weeding and watering, and finally Strawberry Dance is finished, framed & hung with the other flowers - Sunflowers, Cherry Blossoms & Strawberries that remind us of the changing of the seasons behind us with a promise of a renewal in the spring.

We express gratitude as we share our harvest with friends & family, as well as give to the local Food Bank during the Season of Sharing. Our community is blessed with people that care and step up to help others.

“Strawberry Dance” is a fun watercolor using watercolor pencils, poured watercolors, salt background & drybrush details.

Blessings on the bees as they prepare for the cold weather ahead!

Strawberry Dance Watercolor. Artwork by Debra Lennox

ORCHARD UPDATE

Old Pear Tree

An original pear tree planted by the Rose family had abundant fruit for the first time  in years

Asian Pear Tree

Asian pears were small but abundant

Firewood for winter

Firewood is ready for winter under the apple tree.

Basil in the Green House

The last of the basil has been harvested from the greenhouse. Ground cherries will continue until the end of the year.

As the harvest season comes to a close, the rhythm of the Farm slows and turns inward. Apples & pears are picked, cooked & dried. Basil becomes pesto & dried herbal flakes. Carrots & tomatoes are done until next spring. Ground cherries & kale continue to grow. Garlic is planted. We’re trying a new winter round of sugar peas- let’s see if they make it. The northern slope of the Farm means that the sun barely makes it’s appearance over the trees and a long, quiet darkness descends.

The orchard begins it’s transformation with colorful leaves against the backdrop of forever green redwood trees.

Salvia

Salvia on the patio will continue to feed the pollinators through the month.

Salvia on the patio will continue to feed the pollinators through the month.

The old Bing Cherry tree lost a limb this year. A bear stripped the Asian Pear tree of it’s lower limbs. Sharing the bounty with the local creatures is part of the organic journey. Deer eat the fallen apples and prevent damaging moths from laying

We are so thankful for all the gifts of the land and the ability to call this magical place our home.