S U M M E R

(My Spanish geraniums)

I had to share this daily devotional I read this morning, I felt it really provided a piece of wisdom to think about and apply!!

Quote:

"Lord, You know better than I know myself, that I'm growing older, and will someday be old. Keep me from getting too talkative; particularly from the fatal habit of thinking I must say something on every subject and on every occasion. Deliver me from the need to try and straighten out everybody's affairs. Keep my mind free from the recital of endless details; give me wings to get to the point. I ask for grace to listen to the tales of others' pains; but seal my lips when it comes to my own aches and pains, for they are increasing and my love of rehearsing them gets sweeter as the years go by. I ask not for improved memory, but for a growing humility and less cocksureness, especially when my memory seems to clash with the memory of others. Teach me that occasionally I may be mistaken. Keep me reasonably sweet. I don't necessarily want to be a saint - some of them are so hard to live with. But a sour old woman (or man) is one of the crowning works of the devil. Make me thoughtful but not moody, helpful but not bossy. With my vast store of wisdom it seems a pity not to use it; but You know Lord, I want a few friends at the end. So give me, I pray, the ability to see blessings in unexpected trials and goodness in less-than-perfect people. And give me the grace to tell them so, in Christ's name, amen."
Unquote



JULY is the time of the month that the lavender bushes are ready to be harvested! They need to be pruned which is quite alot of work. I pick what I need first to go in little bags for the linen cupboards and clothes draws (not in the boy's rooms I have to add). This year I'm determined to sew lots of little bags and send or give them to friends. I've done that so much in the past. I've put this basket full in the sun to dry first.



A stalk or two in bottles of olive oil or vinegar is an infusion of summer that lasts the whole year.



The fragrance lives to an aromatic old age, and a small sachet of lavender left in a drawer or linen closet in July will retain its scent, faded but still distinctive, until December or beyond.
Finally, save a few bunches of dried lavender to put on to the first fires of winter and the house will smell like the purple patch you cut those many months before.



Leaving you with a card made from my scrap basket.

* Quotes about lavender from Peter Mayle who wrote 'Encore Provence'.