The Month of Cozy Joys

A free complimentary jar of flowers from the farm - aren't they pretty?

Happy November, everyone! With the crisp autumn air and vibrant leaves, I'm excited about this month's cozy joys!

My first stop this morning was to the butcher.  I had originally intended to order a turkey, but I was drawn to a good-looking chuck roast calling my name. So tomorrow, we'll have pot roast, potatoes, carrots, and some squash. With the chill of fall in the air and some rain, it feels like the right time to start preparing hearty, comforting meals.

I got home, put away the groceries, and then quickly headed to the farm market before the rain started.

Here we are—  

Laydee stayed in the car. They have three large yellow lab dogs who are big lovers but good watchdogs. Each time Laydee barks, the dogs respond with friendly barks; Laydee being a black lab, I guess they recognized their distant kin. They kept up this little routine the whole time I was there. 

I think they were sad to see us go!

What a delightful morning it was! Their property is just so lovely. It's not overly fancy, but I’d definitely call it charming!

They are truly living a simple life. 

I always enjoy taking a stroll around there! The vibrant orange roses are such a lovely sight, and the house adds a charming backdrop.

She has these cute displays everywhere!

This was an old metal bed frame -

I absolutely love this farm market! 

The wife's decorations add such a lovely touch, making every visit a delightful experience. 

I had the pleasure of meeting her husband for the first time! He mentioned that he just retired and was excited to help his wife on the farm. I asked if they were thinking about traveling, and he shared that his wife is a farmer's daughter. For her, life on the farm is really what suits her best, and he's totally happy with that!

Good people. 

It feels like everywhere I look,

 there's a splash of color.

Then there's Flash!  

He’s just like a big, playful puppy! 

He was happily rubbing his neck against the tree bark.

Those country johns really caught my attention!

 I could definitely use one of those washer pans.

The neat things on display are all hers and not for sale. 

She has an old cabinet filled with her homemade beeswax and soy candles. Plus, she just put out some beautifully cut candles that I can't wait to buy as Christmas gifts. It's amazing that she makes all these candles herself!

If no one is there - they are on the honor system. There's a jar, and you weigh your items and pay cash. 

He said they'll sometimes get a slip of paper with an IOU.

Good people attract good people. 

The big pumpkins they had sitting around didn’t actually grow on their farm; they came from the larger farm we visited. They have a huge pumpkin patch and they have many activities there. They also have a produce stand I go to as well. 

 

Warty pumpkins are characterized by their distinctive texture.

While it's common for pumpkins to develop bumps, selective breeding over the years has led to the prevalence of smooth-skinned varieties. This breeding practice has shifted public perception, making unblemished pumpkins the standard. Despite their irregular appearance, warty pumpkins are edible.

My little haul is just enough for the husband and I. 

Since it’s a small farm, she’s all out of apples and pears, but I was able to grab some yummy zucchini, two lovely pomegranates, the last of the figs, and even some homemade blueberry jam! Oh, and I can’t forget about that delicious chocolate swirl zucchini bread—perfect for our group fellowship on Wednesday! And I got a lovely jar of flowers for free too! 

It’s so tempting to cut this open right now—

Since I have a playful naughty cat, I always make sure to keep the flowers in a spot where she can't munch on them—like the garden window above my sink!

A few days ago, I ran to Trader Joe's for the almond Kringle they sell - 

Have you tried a Trader Joe's Kringle yet? 

I only buy them during this time of the year, even though they sell them year-round. 

There is a pumpkin one - as well. 

Proverbs 30:8-9 says, 

"Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’ Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God." 

Context:

 

These verses come from the thoughts of Agur, who shares a heartfelt desire for a balanced life, steering clear of the extremes of wealth and poverty. His wish for "daily bread" beautifully highlights a longing for contentment and trust in God to provide for our needs much like what Jesus teaches in the Lord's Prayer about asking for our daily sustenance (Matthew 6:11). Agur wisely points out that being wealthy might make us feel self-sufficient and forgetful of God, while being poor could push us to make choices that don’t honor Him.

In the New Covenant, we’re encouraged to find our contentment in Christ, recognizing Him as our ultimate provider and sustainer (Philippians 4:11-13). The main message here is about trusting God for what we need and living in a way that reflects our new identity in Christ. It invites us to let go of the love of money and the fear of not having enough (Hebrews 13:5), focusing instead on a fulfilling relationship with Him.