Hail Brave Hearts
It’s a stormy day with the thunder crackling. Lightning lights up the sky and the torrents of rain fall heavily. Lucky us. The rain with it’s magical nutrition, watering all of the earth. A day when we can pass on watering the outdoor flowers and lawn and let nature take control and provide the much needed moisture. Fabulous rain, taking that chore off our hands and providing a day of indoor retreat instead.
It’s a delightful day of inside pleasure. The canning, pickling and jam making is on the list. Pies, muffins, breads and cookies all come to mind. It’s a wonderful day of baking and cooking, sewing and playing board games. Inside goodness awaits us, while the rain falls and takes the stifling heat from the air, bringing cooler weather for different activities. Run like the wind, cycle the roads and trails, the cool will only last for a few days, before the summertime heat sends us back to the beach to play.
Meanwhile, the house fills with the smells of fresh baked pies. These rainy days are filled with blessings. No more need to run to the beach to catch that last swim in the lake before dark. Today is the rainy day of thunderstorm pleasure, when we reach for the recipe books and head to the larder. These are the fabulous days, when there’s no place like home.
The berry patch has been abundant this year and the freezer has been filling with a variety of garden choices. The delectable treats oozing with goodness, waiting to be consumed. The baking tins come out of hiding, being prepared for the best of the best in garden baking. Raspberry, white chocolate comes to mind. These are the days of the happy chef and the smiling participants in the joy of cooking. Lovely. It’s always clever to keep a supply of garden goodness for those rainy days.
Stinging Nettle Cake – Skovkær (nordicforestfoods.com)
Let it pour. Let the rains come down in buckets. Let the Earth take care of the watering and let the plants soak up the goodness of the water. Let it rain, so that puddles form and the water splashes on our rain boots. The thunder rolls in, lightning lights up the sky. The heavens display a crackling of light and sound. There’s an awesome display of power in thunder and lightning that sends a communication of awe in the uncontrolled weather. Dark clouds billowing, rain descending.
Lucky are we to have a fine shelter, with garden delights to occupy our days. There’s so much indoor goodness to attend to. These chores are not chores. These are a special gift of time. A time when being forced to flee the inclement weather is a fine gift of welcome time. Time to spend on the pantry. Tine to fill up the cookie jar and prepare the fine feast. Time to sew that garment and make gifts for our friends and loved ones.
That welcome storm. The Earth needs the nutrients of the water and we need to rest and refresh ourselves. Baking, sewing, spa. It’s a rainy day. A day for a treat.
written by Dr. Louise Hayes
August 20, 2023