19 Comments
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Megan Sciarrino's avatar

I tabled at local church’s peach festival last week because they invited local nonprofits to do so (I work for a regional land trust). Bowls deep and wide with vanilla ice cream were piled high with this summer’s best peaches. And it was a delicious and beautiful communion for all—really, truly for all! No homogeneity here. And I got to feast and call these folks community too. My favorite was a guy named Chip who showed me photos of irises on his phone.

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Shannan Martin's avatar

My peach source lost their harvest to a late freeze. 😭 This sounds wonderful.

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Krista Steele's avatar

Yes and amen. Took a real deep breath as I read this.

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Jen Bontrager's avatar

Same.

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Mary Richert's avatar

One of my favorite essays from you. Thank you 🩵

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Shannan Martin's avatar

Thank you, Mary. 🩷

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Lisa Renee's avatar

The basil aoli sounds wonderful. Do you chop or process the basil leaves?

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Shannan Martin's avatar

It is BONKERS GOOD. I throw it all in the food processor at the same time and whirl it! Add more lemon juice if it seems too thick.

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Lisa Renee's avatar

Thank you! Can’t wait to try it!

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Janet's avatar

Beautiful writing and expression of that often languid push and pull of summer. Do you know about using those spent berries to make a shrub?

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Shannan Martin's avatar

The weird thing about me is that I love acid and vinegar but I don't think I love shrubs? This makes me want to try again...

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Janet's avatar

Mix 1C each sugar and mashed fruit in a jar. Leave on the counter for a day, shaking on occasion, until sugar is dissolved. Add 3/4 c white wine vinegar, shake and put in fridge for a few days. Strain and return to fridge for a few days. Add an ounce to 6 oz cold club soda. Garnish and feel festive. ❤️

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sue1944's avatar

I so enjoy your writing :)

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Karen Erwin-Brown's avatar

Our refrigerator died without me noticing. Had to throw out lots of stuff. I'm fortunate, I have a back up frig. I also have a freezer...my privilege allows me to buy another frig. I feel guilty for long enough to do refrigerate research and figure out when to move money around. I have to remember who we regularly share meals with :my daughter's family and my four grands and my 92 year old adopted great grandmother( for my grands, not me). My comforts and blessings allow me to continue to keep my table open to family and friends whose eyes I need to look in. Those blackberries look amazing. Thanks for the new read.

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Deb Fielding (she/her)'s avatar

I haven’t picked our blackberries yet, because I worry I will just leave them to ferment by accident.

My god mother, Joyce, often quotes Desmond Tutu, who once said, ‘life is untidy.’ It helps x

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Simon Travers's avatar

Morning all. 3 things to share.

1) Did I say Martha is more & more my favourite disciple. Please imagine every time someone talks her down, I'm pulling my Maggie Smith from Downton face.

2) August has been tough. Al has been through it w/ her health (again!)

3) We did 'no mow may' in our garden this year. We've got crickets and butterflies as a result.

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Lore Wilbert's avatar

Good Looooooord i love this. Just beauty.

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Brooke Stemme's avatar

So so appreciated your words. It's so easy, at least for me, to start down that rabbit hole of shame. But to see God through it, to let God be there through it, and recognizing the blessings and forgiveness he has for us - that's pretty awesome.

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Fiona Fox's avatar

Ahhh. Amen. We are not in trouble.

We are here in the garden together.

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