Do Not Grow Weary

Today we picked up our big Dutch Valley order. As soon as I finished milking, the early morning call from the truck driver came. Once a month I order over 500 lbs of grain, sunflower seeds, rice, flaxseed, different baking supplies and other sundry items from a distributor. Thomas and I take the old pickup and meet the truck at the general store down the road in Catawba since our driveway can't handle a huge semi truck and trailer.

We organized our goods in the "store" room, which is our breakfast room. While eating lunch we read our history lesson. I learned about Leonardo da Vinci.

Since the sun was shining today we worked in the garden this afternoon. What a surprise! Underneath all the weeds we found lettuce! And onions! Even the green beans and corn have sprouted.

Rose and I weeded side by side for awhile. She bemoaned the fact that getting all the weeds out takes a lot of effort.

I agreed.

I remembered the scripture in Galatians that reminds us to not grow weary in doing good for in due season we will reap a good harvest if we do not give up. Rose and I discussed the wonderful harvest we would have all summer long. And the harvest we would not have if we did not weed the garden. After a good long spell Rose remembered she better go practice the piano. Maggie took her place. For a while.

They did a great job helping me. But for some reason, I am the one who likes to stay in the garden pulling weeds. I hear the sound of the pond overflowing the dam. I hear the guineas in the distance calling each other. I hear a baby goat crying because he got left behind in the tall grass. Ducks quack as they search for grubs and other goodies on the pond's edge. A ewe baa's. The cows munch. A tedious task becomes a meditation. Meditation with a promise.

Salad. Onions. Green beans. Roasted beets.

Many people crossed our threshhold this afternoon and the weeding was paused. Friends picked up their Dutch Valley order. Kids ate buttered bread. People picked up milk from Coco. Piano lessons were taught.

Unfortunately we had to postpone our Tuesday night Bible study. I love meeting with the ladies. We are about to embark on a study of Esther, a terrific gal back in the days of Xerxes. But when I realized we had the evening off I got hungry.

Pulled out lamb chops from the freezer and thawed them in a pan of water while I weeded another couple of rows in the garden.

We had the MOST DELICIOUS SUPPER!

What a gift to have the most delicious lamb raised right here on this farm. I hope that every one I know will go find a farmer with lamb and beg, buy or barter some lamb loin chops and try this recipe. It will be a good reward for all your hard work.

Lemon Caper Lamb Chops.

Sprinke lamb loin chops with Cavenders Greek Seasoning. Or if you don't have that, marinate lamb with oregano, garlic and olive oil. Sear in cast iron skillet, preheated and generously drizzled with olive oil. DON'T OVERCOOK. When lamb is brown on one side, turn over and cook til just medium rare.

Place lamb on platter. Add more olive oil or butter to skillet. Juice a lemon into pan. Toss in several cloves of garlic, sliced thinly. Toss in a tablespoon or 2 of capers. Add a little more lemon if you need it. Cook til garlic is tender. Won't take long.

In the meantime, make some steamed broccoli, or saute that broccoli with garlic and olive oil and plenty of sea salt. Boil some water or broth for couscous.

Pour the lemon caper sauce over lamb and enjoy with broccoli and couscous. A glass of dry red wine will work nicely. You could make a big salad with feta and olives and red peppers. You could heat up some bread. You could make the couscous fancy with pine nuts and parsley. Or you could just scarf down those chops and broccoli and give thanks to God for giving us so many wonderful things! Like the promise that our hard work is not for naught.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. Now I am weary, but I think that my full stomach will help me sleep very well.

Peace.