{p,h,f,r} vol. 3

What a great framework to help us to keep our minds fixed on "whatever is lovely and of good report". Thanks, Leila & family, for creating this opportunity for us!

{pretty}

This is the view from my kitchen window. The big open space is a field of chili plants. That's the Pacific in the far background.

{happy}

We've got bananas! Growing on one of our banana plants! One of the first things we did when we moved into our house in 2009 was plant bananas and so far we've gotten exactly 2, but NOW there's a whole hand of bananas (aren't you impressed with my banana lingo?) slowly....VERY slowly....ripening. We've discovered that it takes MANY months for baby bananas to get big enough to pick, and it's better to pick them green once they've reached the right size rather than to wait for them to ripen on their own. They actually ripen quicker if you pick them green! Bananas (actually plantains, not the regular type of bananas that we're used to in the US) are very weird in a lot of ways. The plants probably have the highest potassium content of anything, and the best fertilizer you can give them is their own cut up leaves and dead stalks. Once a particular plant has fruited it dies, and new plants are always starting up at the base of existing ones (they multiply through their rhizomes). It's been fascinating to watch their life cycle.

{funny}

Where's my food? Are you bringing me my food?

{real}

This poor grape was planted at least 2 years ago, but unfortunately it's in a back corner of the vegetable garden and until recently was covered up by rolls of wire fencing so it was forgotten and never watered. I'm amazed that it has somehow managed to stay alive, and recently granddaughter Jordan removed all the junk that was on top of it and mulched it, so now it's visible and accessible. It's clearly relieved to have that attention and regular watering!

For more beautiful photos from other happy participants, visit Auntie Leila and family and friends at