Six months later we are still feasting on the abundance of beets, peas and carrots from our garden, yet other areas were a little disappointing last summer, which is no big surprise. I dream of healthy rows and pledge to weed frequently.
But, one summer is rainy, another swarming with mosquitoes. Guests distract from chores. Travel, TV or temperature erode those pledges. And suddenly, it is time to harvest.
Why were there so few raspberries? Why are the pumpkins so small? Why is the corn so tiny?
Regardless of the quantity and with an attitude of gratitude, I brought it all in, cut, blanched and froze the lot in two-person sized packages.
And I kept a tally.
The 21 pumpkins provided popular fare when guests arrived, given as hostess gifts, shared at a potluck or when a house warming pantry-party was scheduled.
The eight broccoli plants we bought at Farmer’s Market yielded plenty of summer munching as well as 20 frozen servings! Summer’s sunshine to savour during winter’s chill.
Although only six packs of raspberries were stored, I just served a splendidly red sauce over our chocolate Valentine’s treat.
The tiny cobs of corn (51: I counted), boiled, scraped, bagged and frozen total 11 meals ready to enjoy.
Scraps, a little bit here and there, have provided us with “free lunch” over and over again.
Meanwhile, every winter I puzzle piece quilts. Challenging myself to use up a bin and a bag of scraps, I wrestle with the limitations. How shall I use this long strip of pastel? Bits and pieces of this rich green call to these floral prints. Four mis-matched, yet complementary squares might be framed with these solids. How will I ever bring unity and peace to this loudly shouting pile of orange, turquoise, purple and bright pink scraps?
The challenge of limitations and the abundance of scraps seem to be everywhere.
Not only scraps of physical resources, but I might waste or glean scraps of time, money and other personal priorities.
How can I fit more fitness into my day? How can I stretch this paycheck? How can I squeeze in more time to spend with my kids?
It seems to me, if I notice little scraps, harvest them and value them, strive towards the goal and believe that “something is more than nothing,” I might actually achieve much.
