Just another ordinary miracle today

There is such a great beauty in the simple roundness of kabocha squash, also known as the Japanese pumpkin. The larger two in this photo are the oldest in the bed but all the squash will remain on the vine until the fall. This way they will sweeten considerable and the kabocha's thick rind protects it from dropping temperatures. It is a very hardy winter squash. The entire clan has been pleased by their aggressive growth and a quiet pride glows in my heart to see the squash flourishing.

As we near Independence Day, I make several plans for the holiday. One is to break ground on the winter garden, harvest a small load of herbs from the summer garden to dry for herb pillows, make a quart or more of North Meets South: our maple syrup and brown sugar ice cream, and smoke half a bacon wrapped turkey smothered in bbq sauce. More about the turkey is to come, later in the week.

For now, my lovelies, I shall close. I am tucking in early with a blanket and another episode of Ken Burn's  documentary "The Civil War." It is enough, after a long work day, to be surrounded by ordinary miracles. These are the moments when blessings abound.