It Finally Feels Like Spring ~

Last year I was sooooo looking forward to Autumn, even Winter, I realize there are those of you who cringe at the thought of cooler / cold seasons, but I really don't care for the dry, sometimes, intense heat of the desert. Now don't get me wrong I do love the beauty the desert has but the heat last longer than any cooler weather we might have. This past fall and winter it was un-usually dry and mild, not good for fruit trees that need a good chilling. 

When I took these pictures of what made it through the winter I was very impressed.  Even the cheap clearance plants from Tractor Supply came through. When I took the first group of photo's it was a cooler cloudy day which was sought after by me since March was awful and unusually hot! All of us here were commenting about it, but not holding our breath in hopes it would turn to the normal Spring temps. And then it was finally a reprieve. Yay!

He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightings for the rain and brings forth the wind from his storehouses. Psalm 135:7 ESV

He gives snow like wool; he scatters frost like ashes. He hurls dsown his crystals of ice like crumbs; who can stand before his cold? He sends out his word, and melts them; he makes his wind blow and the waters flow. Psalm 147:15-18

Today I took the pics below and so excited about the blossoms on my Meyer Lemon - As I'm hoping for lemons! Last year I got eleven.

 

God is good always, I wasn't able to tend to anything the last few years and I was blessed with what harvest we got. This year the only thing I'm not certain about is the fruit trees. They took a beating with the heat and several limbs didn't make it. I hope they come around and I pray I'm able to help them along.

Here we are almost halfway through April and this past week has been beautiful and what a blessing to go from the stark - dust - and heat of March. I am truly thankful. They say summer is going to be a bear, but my son mentioned we might get El Nino this year that could interfere with our weather I hope that reprieve will last longer ~ a lot longer. :)

"While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, shall not cease." Genesis 8:22 ESV

Weather is always changing like our seasons ~ But He is in control of them all and I'm glad He is.

Anticipated Time ~

The long anticipated wait for Autumn and here we are half-way through with October 31 the "halfway" mark and I don't believe I enjoyed the first half as much as I always do.  Aargh! Summer had been long and hot without the precipitation we were hoping for - we did get a brief good one earlier last month so our colors weren't to exciting. And, the dismal day didn't portray Autumn at all as I remember it to be. 

The pics were taken 10.8.25

As you can see many leaves had already dropped before they could change into the beautiful colors we like to see.  I did get a decent show of pom's with more white this year than red. God is good and we had plenty. This little orchard has been neglected over the past three summers with only watering and we still had enough fruit to handle as I had my hands full in other types of busy.

Sometimes when you plan things as with a garden project or a little orchard - really anything that requires time and work knowing - for the most - you might be thinking, what it will entail with its up keep. What you aren't thinking of or counting on is all the "stuff," thrown in the mix that need immediate attention. You become stretched thin having to let some go.

Maybe this is when you realize you are getting older and the once was is no more, you look at what you do with a different perspective and understanding, you have now a few limitations you didn't have before. Even still you press on getting as much as I/you can accomplish.

Besides God has a beautiful garden, He likes them, it is a wonderful place for us to meet.  And, He has plans for me I just might require a little help. 

I will be your God throughout your lifetime -- until your hair is white with age. I made you, and I will care for you. I will carry you along and save you. Isaiah 46:4 NLT

Why I love this time of the year - it is when all of nature seems to slow down - getting ready for a winters rest. 

Now don't feel to bummed with Isaiah for there's another verse you might like:

"He will renew your life and sustain you in your old age" Ruth 4:15 NIV   (He keeps us going, hopeful).

Lets be honest - we do age but, a friend of mine said, "he didn't like the word old and says we are in our prime!"☺

So we don't lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 ESV

Okay, it's just where my thoughts went believe me I don't have the muscle I used to but still enjoy when I'm able to go out and get lost in nature, even work hard on the property.

Now here, still the colors aren't Ooh La La, pics taken 11.3.25 but the evenings are cooling down and the days are finally more pleasant.  I also for the first time in a long while took a drive up the hill to catch some quiet and color. I even took my camera though the main lens is toast I had a couple others I was able to use.  I'm hoping to post soon.

The word Autumn isn't directly written in the Bible though the time of this season would be considered harvest time. I read an interesting bit on line that I will share here.

Autumn's theme of change, with leaves falling and new life preparing to emerge, is used as a metaphor for spiritual lessons. The shedding of leaves can symbolize the need to let go of old things in our lives to make room for new growth and spiritual renewal. (Bible Off Line / Harbor of Hope US) AKA Google

The Bible gives many references to harvesting, growth and renewal.  I would hope you who are reading take some valuable time this season of harvest/ autumn and rest in the Lord, be renewed for what is next for you. 

Autumn leaves are falling

Preparing for us new growth.

As nature gets ready for rest

We slow down and wait, resting,

Anticipating the Savior's plans.

Oh He has not forgotten us,

Nor will He let us go.

He finishes what He starts ~

In each of us.

VLB 11.7.25 

Pomegranates ~

Well all seasons do come to an end, and this year like most, wasn't lacking in any surprises for me. Take the pomegrantes for instances, as this is what the post is about, harvesting in Arizona can be anywhere from early October through late December - so I've read. I've not harvested any out that late.

Darby ~

I believe two years ago - and hard to believe - we had a freak freeze that killed off fruit from all my trees/bushes. Everything from peaches, nectarines, pomegranates, even all the grapes went! In fact it killed the vines with one barely having a few leaves this year. Last year no fruit. I took a possible odd look at it as a rest and hopefully fruit would show this year. And we did! 

As far as the poms go I've always had success with one bush. The one pictured had a couple the previous year nothin really to show. This year it produced many though to my surprise it wasn't the same variety of pomegranates. The labeling was not correct with the plant and said it was the same as my good producer.

As you can see the outer color is different from the common poms we see in stores that is reddish. This outer part (the epicure) or husk a hard layer that protects the fruit (arils) there is also a soft covering past the husk called mesocarp a softer inner layer that is easy to peel off the arils. The arils of this pom are white with a slight pinkish tone not ruby. (photo below)

The crazy thing was since I didn't know I planted one different I just keep thinking it wasn't ripening or maybe since summer had scorching temps they were just cooked! lol No bugs and birds weren't bothering, only going after the red poms.

Finn~

He likes fruit as well.

Darby - not so much~

Barely in my hand reddish most common and the "surprise" pom!

So what to do with all the arils? I eat them of course, juice , put them in a salad, make scones with pretty red dots, and don't forget to share ~ Here is a salad recipe I love and made a few times but haven't posted yet. Found on the Fox and Briar blog, Autumn Harvest Salad w Pomegranates I hope you check it out - a tasty blog with something for everyones diets and likes!

If I ever find out what variety this delicious pom is I'll let you know! 

The whiter arils are very sweet and the red sweet with a bit of tartness.

From my main bush and most common to everyone of course is the red. I planted a "purple" three years ago and it's been struggling with no show of fruit yet. I have to say I haven't been good about there care of recent it hasn't been a good couple seasons - overwhelming to say the least or until I post. :)

What do you know about pomegranates? Possibly more than I did so here are some interesting facts. 

I read where there are more than 500 pomegranate cultivars in the world! Here is a link if you are interested in Identifying The Different Types of Pomegranate Trees.

You can keep poms in the frig for up to 2 months as in whole fruit, once seeded 5-7 days. Mine have lasted longer. You can also freeze them and they will keep up to a year- even can them! Even can them - wow, that is fantastic news to

Have you ever made Pomegranate Syrup/Molasses? I made it around eight years ago it was delish I wished I had taken time to post it. The link is a very similar to the recipe I used - I'll be visiting this one soon I think there are so many excellent blog out there!

The fruit is low cal, high in fiber that has been said to promote a healthy heart and possibly help to prevent cancer. Packed full of good things healthy and tasty.

Now putting aside all the previous things that we may have known or thought of here's something  even read about in the Bible - here's something I didn't know:

It has been said that there are over or around 613 arils in a pom! that is amazing to me. It has been said it is a symbol of the 613 mitzvoth (commandment or religious duties of the Torah of the Jewish religion.) It also said it has also come to express an individual act of human kindness in keeping with the law. 

Can you just imagine trying to keep them all? God in He infinite wisdom knew we needed a Savior - JESUS ~ He said be perfect as He is perfect ~ As believers we are grafted into the promise of God as sons and daughters. 

I'm for one thankful Jesus rescued me - 

He paid the ransom and set me free.

I'm grafted in and made perfect,

THROUGH HIM~

VLB 11.1.24

But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes the sun to rise one the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have?  Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:44-48

It's like a perfect fruit let's not over look the Pomegranate ~ Enjoy all that God has for you! Amen

2022 Harvest Pics and nothing 2023, this year was better and God is good!