it's a date

Last year we totally missed it....September came and went...and the date harvest happened without us. When I realized what had happened I made a big note on September 2013 so that our busy schedule didn't keep us from missing what was important. 

Last week when Jay and I looked at the calendar together it was obvious that if we were going to travel across the state and help with the harvest it had to happen right away. So, despite that fact that we had just returned from New Mexico on Tuesday morning, we packed up late Friday and headed out, this time traveling west for two and a half hours, towards Dateland. 

As always, Abba's timing was perfect. Our elderly friends, working together, had harvested 1 of the 16 trees that had been nurtured for harvesting.  Unlike years in the the past, they didn't have any full time guest living with them to help with the extra work during their most labor intensive time of the year. And they were down in numbers due to the death of one of their members this past spring and the increased dementia symptoms of another member of their "family".  And the extended forecast was looking like rain.

By the time we headed home there were 10 trees harvested, three tables full of dates waiting to be cleaned and sorted, several more boxes of dates  waiting in the wings, and about 30 trays of dates cleaned, sorted, and drying in the greenhouse. Our tried aching muscles and date stuffed bellies were blessed to be able to help our friends.

A bonus perk of helping our visit was enjoying the peaceful oasis of their beautiful property. The years of lives dedicated to living a holy lifestyle has resulted in a shalom saturated environment that leaves one feeling rested despite all the hard work.

This photo is for my sew-loving nieces....

wouldn't you love to have a sewing room like this?