Patriotic Hosta

Big Hosta divided.

Did this actually on Memorial Day Weekend last year! 
But just getting to post about it now.

When working on the front garden beds remember the big hot mess it was?
Trying to tidy it up and make room for the catmint, 
had me needing to work something out.

Well, I worked it and removed a huge hosta, I think it's called Patriotic Hosta.

I divided it into 7 pieces.

Yup that's right!

I got 7 new hostas to grow from one!

Yippee, nothing like free plants, eh?

Surviving Lent

How to get through Lent? How to get through Holy Week? 

I have been asked these questions before, more than once, in lots of different ways.  It usually eludes to fasting as we near the beginning or end of it and the anticipation of the feast ahead.  

Isn't that Christian life, perseverance and anticipation?  So, the only way to "get through", is to do it joyfully.  Fasting is not a chore or punishment, it is but a tool.  A tool and exercise to reinforce in us perseverance and humility.

So how to get through these periods? Simple, it is the way we are to get through all the rest of the year.

Joyfully with prayer, repeating the prayer of the heart.

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, Have Mercy on Me, The Sinner.

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Dreaming of a Green Spring

Think of the title set to I'm dreaming of a White Christmas and you will get mood for the day.

Just because the snow is thick outside, a girl can't help dreaming about the garden underneath it.

It's not too early to start planning and actually in about 8 weeks we need to get the seeds started.
I'm starting to think about other than beauty in my garden, some more herbal pursuits.
Any favorites I should consider this year?

What about your pursuits?

Have you started planning your garden?

What are you dreaming about?

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Come over and play in my front garden.

Big plans, big dreams, so little time (short growing season in zone 5), thus a gardener's dilemmas.

I am trying to think out the front garden bed plan a bit more thouroughly.  It has been neglected for some time, really other than weeding, since we moved into this home. I have focused on the rock garden and veggie garden much more.



Let me describe first what I have.  It starts next to the step to the door with an Azalea ( I know right next to the door, I didn't plant it there.  It is pretty but it will get big and it is already more mature than it should be for that spot, I think?)



Below, the Azalea is tons of Lily of the Valley. Yes, it smells beautiful in bloom and it is so pretty. It is also pretty invasive and I started last year by transplanting lots of it to the wooded area in the back.

Just look how much is back in this spot. See the bench I painted in the back? 

Hibiscus

It's been a little time since I posted.  A busy and beautiful Holy Week and Bright week. On Holy Friday, we awakened to this sight. Our lovely Hibiscus given to me last summer by a neighbor who moved away, has been dormant until...

it bloomed.

It surprised me as I had seen little buds but had not expected these blooms!

They are huge, the pictures do not do them justice.

Will be having some more surprises coming to the Fields in May. So stop back to...

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This was from Me...Repost

This is a repost from last January. It was read in church today and I got goosebumps. So I thought, what better way to enter Clean Monday tomorrow and leave Forgiveness Sunday. 

Share the Day and Be Grateful for it.

Pray without Ceasing.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

How do you handle stress? Grief? Joy? Good or bad fortune? 

This is letter that was written by St. Seraphim of Viritsa to a spiritual child who was imprisoned.  

Many years later, here we are, all prisoners of something, are we not?

Source

This was from Me

by St. Seraphim of Viritsa

Have you ever thought that everything that concerns you, concerns Me, also? You are precious in my eyes and I love you; for this reason, it is a special joy for Me to train you. When temptations and the opponent [the Evil One] come upon you like a river, I want you to know that 

This was from Me.

I want you to know that your weakness has need of My strength, and your safety lies in allowing Me to protect you. I want you to know that when you are in difficult conditions, among people who do not understand you, and cast you away, 

This was from Me.

I am your God, the circumstances of your life are in My hands; you did not end up in your position by chance; this is precisely the position I have appointed for you. Weren't you asking Me to teach you humility? And there - I placed you precisely in the "school" where they teach this lesson. Your environment, and those who are around you, are performing My will. Do you have financial difficulties and can just barely survive? 

Know that This was from Me.

I want you to know that I dispose of your money, so take refuge in Me and depend upon Me. I want you to know that My storehouses are inexhaustible, and I am faithful in My promises. Let it never happen that they tell you in your need, "Do not believe in your Lord and God." Have you ever spent the night in suffering? Are you separated from your relatives, from those you love? I allowed this that you would turn to Me, and in Me find consolation and comfort. Did your friend or someone to whom you opened your heart, deceive you? This was from Me.

I allowed this frustration to touch you so that you would learn that your best friend is the Lord. I want you to bring everything to Me and tell Me everything. Did someone slander you? Leave it to Me; be attached to Me so that you can hide from the "contradiction of the nations." I will make your righteousness shine like light and your life like midday noon. Your plans were destroyed? Your soul yielded and you are exhausted? 

This was from Me.

You made plans and have your own goals; you brought them to Me to bless them. But I want you to leave it all to Me, to direct and guide the circumstances of your life by My hand, because you are the orphan, not the protagonist. Unexpected failures found you and despair overcame your heart, but know That this was from Me.

With tiredness and anxiety I am testing how strong your faith is in My promises and your boldness in prayer for your relatives. Why is it not you who entrusted their cares to My providential love? You must leave them to the protection of My All Pure Mother. Serious illness found you, which may be healed or may be incurable, and has nailed you to your bed. 

This was from Me.

Because I want you to know Me more deeply, through physical ailment, do not murmur against this trial I have sent you. And do not try to understand My plans for the salvation of people's souls, but unmurmuringly and humbly bow your head before My goodness. You were dreaming about doing something special for Me and, instead of doing it, you fell into a bed of pain. 

This was from Me.

Because then you were sunk in your own works and plans and I wouldn't have been able to draw your thoughts to Me. But I want to teach you the most deep thoughts and My lessons, so that you may serve Me. I want to teach you that you are nothing without Me. Some of my best children are those who, cut off from an active life, learn to use the weapon of ceaseless prayer. You were called unexpectedly to undertake a difficult and responsible position, supported by Me. I have given you these difficulties and as the Lord God I will bless all your works, in all your paths. In everything I, your Lord, will be your guide and teacher. Remember always that every difficulty you come across, every offensive word, every slander and criticism, every obstacle to your works, which could cause frustration and disappointment, 

This is from Me.

Know and remember always, no matter where you are, That whatsoever hurts will be dulled as soon as you learn In all things, to look at Me. Everything has been sent to you by Me, for the perfection of your soul. 

All these things were from Me.

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40 Days-40 Lenten Recipes: The Recap

Last year, I had a challenge for myself of not only keeping the fast, but also blogging daily for 40 days of recipes, to help share the day.  It was a challenge, I will admit, not being a daily blogger, it was tough! When I mean tough, think how exhausted Julie Powell of "Julie and Julia" was, lying on the couch. She worked, she cooked, she blogged. For me, add trying to make church services, a child and a few other important demands on my time.

Kudos to all those who post daily. You are all superwomen! For me, I am so excited that this year there is help on the horizon. The help is that of my beautiful and sweet guest writers, who will be with us to share the Lenten day. Not only recipes will be shared this year, but also Lenten crafts, activities and family time.  The purpose of this series, is not about the food, it's about helping make it easier to focus on the real things we need to focus on.  If you are new to fasting, walk before you run. If wish to join us, there is still time. Email me at preseleni(at)gmail(dot)com, to share some ways to make help this be a blessed Lenten season. Kali Sarakosti!

The remainder of this post is photo heavy, be prepared.

It will link to all 40 recipes of Lent 2013, to see recipe/posting, click on the name of the recipe.
If you like what you see, please leave a comment, don't be shy, I love reading them.

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Would you like to Guest Post for 40 Days-40 Lenten Recipes 2014 Challenge?

Last year I challenged myself to complete posting daily and offer to you all, 40 recipes for Lent.  

My hope was that it would help that ever present question, "what are we going to eat?" and I am always trying to answer that question. In fact, it is the question that led me to discover blogs in first place. Admittedly this season always brings with it, a sense of excitement and renewal. I am looking forward to Lent this year and returning to cleaner whole eating.  This year's lenten offering to you all, will focus on easy and healthy recipes and few other surprises.

Drum roll...offering 5 guest post openings . 
Would you like to be that guest?

If you would like to be a guest, please email me.  To be considered, please submit either a tutorial or recipe with at least one clear picture of the finished food item or activity.  If submitting a recipe it must be vegetarian or vegan to be considered. 

40 days Recap will be posted soon!
So send me an email and come over to Share the Day!

Introducing: From the Little Fields of Basil Bookshelf

Our family are avid readers and I am excited to announce a new feature here on Fields of Basil. Our son will be adding reviews of children's books to the blog, from his point of view.  You may not realize this but he has shared on the blog before, by providing ideas, helping with projects and at other times, providing the photography.
The books will be for the under 12 crowd.  

Introducing...  

Four questions will be answered:

1. What is the book about?

2. What did you like about the book?

3. Was there a lesson learned?

4. Would you recommend this book?

Will be posting a new book review from time to time.

Watch for it!

Just another way to share the day.

I'm back.

2014-The blog has been quiet, so far.  The quiet felt good, but it's also good to be back.  I took a break from a few things, including my knitting, still unable to do that, it's a little tendon overuse issue. 

It has made many things difficult and the typing is hard too. But I was able to turn my focus to many other things that needed me as undivided as I could get. Time...time is always the biggest challenge and prioritizing, as everything is important, or is it?

In general, all is well and I thank God for so many things and especially the people in my life. I am grateful for another year, for the one that is past and the adventures ahead.  I am planning a couple changes for the blog, nothing drastic, but hoping for some more consistency, fun/interesting times and will continue sharing the day. Stay tuned, more ahead.

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Happy New Year!

Fall Breakfast Buffet Menu

When planning an event when you need to feed a crowd, 

the place to start is to know the location and resources available. 

For this function, there are two sets of stairs, no elevator and no kitchen but lots of tables. 

How did we overcome this, you may ask?

Four ways is the answer. 

1. Have fantastic help,
many hands make everything more fun,
and more beautiful.

2. Plan the menu 

(nothing that needs to be reheated/cooked at the site)

3. Coolers/ Pack smart

4. My favorite-this year we were blessed with a clergy kid extraordinaire,

 who joined us and did tons of running up and down those two sets of stairs. 

God Bless Her!

This year's Menu included:

Coffee, creme, etc.

Apple Cider

Bougatsa (creme-filled fillo pastry-sweet and delicious)

Assorted Fresh Fruit including,

Grapes, Watermelon/Melon, Pineapple, Figs, Blueberries and Strawberries, Apples

Yogurt and Granola

Rice Pudding with Cinnamon and Nutmeg on the side

Pumpkin Cake

Apple Strudel

Blueberry Cake

Pumpkin muffins

Cornbread

Apple Crisp

Sesame Anisette Biscotti

Cheese Plate and Rolled Deli Meats

Bagels and Cream Cheese and Jams

Rustic Breakfast Stromboli 

Ham and Cheese Pinwheels

When planning a menu, try to consider dietary restrictions and a balance of sweet and savory.

The little leaf toothpicks doubled as decor and we had written on them if something was gluten-free, or had nuts, etc. you get the idea. 

Some of the decor you will end up seeing back on my mantle, reveal will be soon. You may recognize a few pieces already from last year, like the Three Little Sweater Pumpkins and this year's Glitter Gourds before they were dressed for a party.

Still loving me some burlap.

Do you think we missed anything?

What should we add to the menu for next year?

                                 

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Sharing with these lovely parties.

 Jennifer Rizzo , FarmHousePorch, Feeding Big, Mandy's Recipe Box, Dedicated House, Scattered Thoughts of a Crafty Mom

Catch up

Has it really been 10 days since I checked in to share the day, with you all?
I'm still here and all is well.
Lots happening and will try to catch you up.