Harvest-Home

On this Thanksgiving Weekend, Isabel often thinks of her Scottish & English friends and family and their traditions of Harvest-Home. Honouring the gathering-in; joining family and friends; sharing produce with others. Just as we do in Canada.

"Come, ye thankful people, come, raise the song of harvest home;
All is safely gathered in, ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide for our wants to be supplied;
Come to God's own temple, come, raise the song of harvest home."

- "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come

Gratitude again and again for family and friends; caregivers and visitors; and letter-writers and callers.

And all who make community and extend the circle in so many ways.

Happy Thanksgiving!

When one door closes.....

During the last 3 years, many of you have commented on Isabel's visits to the Regina Floral Conservatory ~ that wonderful tropical paradise in the midst of north Regina. Early this autumn, Isabel discovered its equal in the Qu'Appelle Valley at the home of her friends, Sydna and Phillip in Fort Qu'Appelle.

Their creativity and hard work has turned a large pie-shaped lot into a place of wonder. Sydna has carefully nurtured plants from her native west coast to survive Saskatchewan's colder climate. The greenhouse grows large melons; strawberries tip over the edges of deck pots; the deckside herb garden fragrants the air; lilies of exquisite colours bloom throughout the summer.

Sydna shares her secret for making cut lilies last longer. Remove the pistil.

As we moved throughout the garden, Sydna dropped herbs and blossoms on Isabel's letter-board on Mum's lap so she could enjoy the whiffs of summer.

As Isabel leaves after her hour+ visit, Sydna invites her back to see her spring bulbs in May. As she got into the car, Sydna filled Mum's arms with gladioli ~ coral, royal purple, brilliant red, lemon, burgundy ~ for her room at the BICC.

When Mum left Regina, she knew that she may not visit the Floral Conservatory again.

A new garden of wonder has become available.

When one door closes, another opens.