{Recap} Muscadine Jelly and Pictures of the Week

Last week I spent time with my mom's parents putting up fresh corn. This week I was at my Grandmother's house, making muscadine jelly. The older I get the more I realize how important it is to learn from my grandparents. I thankfully still have all four who are very alive and healthy, and still able to teach me life lessons. Sometimes the lessons are how to preserve fresh food so that it will last a long time in my freezer or pantry (such as the corn and jelly), but more often than not they are teaching me life skills that are far more important than that: faithfulness, integrity, tenacity, the importance of hard work.

In fact, I am so grateful and blessed to be able to say that I have learned a specifically different thing from each grandparent in the last week.

• Mammaw- Taught me how to shuck, silk, cook, and freeze fresh corn from the cob. She has such a diligent, sweet spirit. Two words I always associate with her are kindness and mercy. She exhibits these two traits each time I am around her, whether to me or to other people in the community by taking elderly to the doctor, baking cakes or cookies for others, or by helping at the food bank. I'd like to live a life of service like that.
• Pa-T- While working alongside Mammaw and I, told me what it was like to be in the army, stationed overseas in Germany, spending two years away from his family. I have learned much from his service, not only to our country, but also to the many people he still selflessly serves by cutting their grass or driving veterans. I also respect him for his determination and tenacity- once he decides to quit something, he does it cold turkey and without ever looking back :)
• Grandmother- Taught me how to turn wild-gown muscadines into delicious jewels of jelly winking brightly from the pantry. Seriously, look how beautifully rich that purple color is in the finished jars. I've watched her prepare food all my life, and I believe that deep down, my passion for cooking probably came from her. Two memories I will always have from her are watching her cook and listening to her read me Bible stories. She is at the foundation of two of my greatest passions.
• Granddaddy- Took me out back to his garden and  coached me on how to grow tomatoes and cucumbers (my own on my porch are sadly in need of help!). He has taught me the value of hard work, of earning a buck with honesty and with a cheerful spirit. He never gives up. I'll always remember that he chased a rabbit around the backyard until he finally caught it, just so my sister and I could put it in a box. Now that's a cheerful, hardworking, dedicated spirit!

Two pictures of the week to share today.

Cannot WAIT for these to all bloom.

 One of my students gave this plant to me at the end of the year. I originally thought it was just a bush. There were no vines, no idication of any blooms. Just dark green leaves in a pot. I set it on my front porch anyway. Pretty soon, I was shocked to see the gorgeous color of these buds peeping from the vines that have now stared to grow. I've moved it from the back of the porch to the front and center, where it can climb the wrought-iron column and display it's splendor. I don't even know what it's called, but it has become a favorite.



The final picture is one of the sunset as I was leaving Bible study on Wednesday night. I may have already posted a sunset picture from church on this blog, but oh my goodness, I can't help myself. When I walk out into the evening and am faced with the glory of this sky, I'm just so captivated that I can't help but take a picture!

I was looking at a sunset, being reminded that one day was closing and another day about to dawn, and immediately these verses came to mind:

"This I recall in my mind, and therefore I have hope: the Lord's lovingkindesses and mercies indeed never cease, and His compassions never fail. They are made new every morning; great is Your faithfulness! The Lord is my portion, says my soul, I have hope in Him."

~Lamentations 3:21-24

I cannot look at this sunset and not believe the truth of those words.