Persimmons - Yum?

Along our main drive, we have planted persimmon trees. Some are native species and do not produce much fruit, but others produce large orange fruit in the winter, starting in November. Now, persimmons are a tricky fruit. They are terribly bitter and astringent if they are not eaten at exactly the right time, but when you get a good one, they taste better than a ripe mango. :)

This is one of the smallest trees on the property, but it has a nice symmetry. The fruit can be used to feed people and livestock, but ours mostly feed birds and bees.


As they ripen, they turn a lovely deep red. If not picked, they fall to the ground and then insects and birds love the sweet syrup and flesh.

Many Things to Be Grateful For

I found this shot of two of the three generations on our campus sharing a snack at a very messy table, but then I started looking at the picture and it is quite symbolic of our family. There on the wall is a lovely very large painting done by the youngest girl in our family. Below that is a portrait brought home from Africa--one of many momentos of a different life. The mess on the table is pretty common, along with the book reading. We don't have cable TV, so our time is spent reading, working, painting, thinking, and sometimes watching DVDs. It also struck me that we are very lucky to share this time together with a granddaughter, parents, and children all living near and with each other, sharing a commitment to a life filled with peace, fellowship, and fun (and good food! :D).

And of course, there is always the beauty of the outdoors to be grateful for (yes, I found some more lovely photos of flowers from the summer LOL).

Barn and Garden Update

The garden is pretty much done for the fall. We planted some peas, broccoli, lettuce, and cabbage for the winter, but the chickens have eaten most of the lettuce and the others have not produced much. :(

The one thing we did harvest the winter was GOURDS!! Lots and lots of gourds. Here is a sampling. The one on top was painted as a swan (gorgeous, huh? :D)

I took this picture of the gourd flowers this summer and they are quite lovely...along with the shadows on this green gourd. It is such a little treat to find old pictures that brighten your day.

The barn is also moving along. Mostly weatherproofed now and siding and trim are slowly going up. There has been a break over the past few weeks what with thanksgiving and family coming up. We had a lovely thanksgiving, enjoying time with the 3 kiddos and Auntie S.

Remembered Beauty

Here are few of the lovely flowers around the property, taken this summer in the hot Texas sun, which is nice to remember right now in the dreary cold of winter. :)