The Harvest
The journey of finding my harvest in the midst of difficulty, my autumnal art wardrobe mood board, and a powerful essential oil recipe for respiratory health
I dedicate this post to the angels that have helped me get through this season. You know who you are. May you be blessed tenfold.
There have been times living in the countryside when the changes of nature have entirely taken me away, and this was one of them. As my husband walked out of the home this afternoon, I caught a glimpse of the changing leaves and gently asked him to leave the door slightly ajar. I wanted to marvel at the beauty of the scarlet red leaves draped over the pergola in front of our home. All the leaves will have blown away in a week or so, leaving bare vines behind. Yes, indeed, the Fall is here.
The autumnal season is synonymous with the harvest, during which crops are gathered. Here in Tuscany, the harvest (la raccolta ) is characteristically marked by the gathering of grapes (la vendemmia) and olives (olivetti). On a morning walk one day after having a particularly tiring week, I asked God with an exhale of bated breath:
Where is the fruit, Lord? What is the fruit of all this hardship?
My husband and I have been spinning in circles trying to make ends meet as our financial reserves are dwindling (you can read more about that here), yet in my heart, all I'd hear was a whisper of "fruitful" and "harvest."
A few months back, I closed my eyes during prayer and saw myself holding two persimmons with the word "harvest" shining above. Cachi (persimmon in Italian) is a vibrantly orange-colored autumnal fruit found in the gardens of many Tuscans. They are so proliferous that the trees bearing them are often left unpicked. In the Asian culture, from which these fruits originate, persimmons symbolize abundance, longevity, and transformation.
Abundance. Longevity. Transformation.
The way I felt at that moment on my morning walk was anything but this. All I felt was barren, worn out, and stagnant. And so, with the morning sun breaking through the thick veil of fog, I continued walking all the way down to the end of the road. I am so happy I did.
As I turned down the winding road adjacent to a vineyard, I saw red milk crates stationed row after row with juicy grapes. La vendemmia had begun! Here I was, asking God for evidence of fruit, and the appearance of these freshly picked grapes—the fruit, the harvest—was a clear answer.
You see, I had been looking for traces of the "harvest" in our finances and other areas that felt bankrupted by our move to Italy ( you can read more about this here and here). I was looking for tangible signs of comfort and stability. But perhaps God was referring to another kind of harvest.
Biblically, the word harvest (קָצִיר, katsir in Hebrew) symbolizes God's provision, blessings, and the gathering of people into the kingdom of God. Interestingly, the harvest season is marked by several high Jewish feasts such as Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, and most notably, Sukkot- the commemoration of God's sheltering and provision of the Jewish people on their journey from Egypt to the Promised Land celebrated in foliage-covered booths (called sukkah).
"For seven days you shall celebrate the festival to the Lord your God at the place the Lord will choose. For the Lord your God will bless you in all your harvest and in all the work of your hands, and your joy will be complete"
Deuteronomy 16:15
After escaping their enslavement from Egypt, the Israelites wandered in the wilderness for 40 years. God was a cloud of protection from the sun during the day and a pillar of fire at night. He provided daily provisions that poured down from the heavens and sprung forth from rocks. Though the Israelites walked through the wilderness for 40 years, not even their clothes were tarnished or worn.
And I have led you forty years in the wilderness. Your clothes have not worn out on you, and your sandals have not worn out on your feet.
Deuteronomy 29:5
God provided for the Israelites. They had everything they needed. But what God wanted more than anything from His people was their trust. Sukkot celebrates not the arrival to the Promised Land but the thanksgiving of God's provision on the way to the Promised Land.
I know it is no coincidence that I write this on the week of Sukkot. The truth is that God has provided for my family above and beyond what I could have imagined during this season of wilderness. Provisions have poured in from people and places I never could have dreamed of. In the face of difficulties, I have learned that the true harvest and fruit are, in fact, joy and thanksgiving.
Being able to sing in thanksgiving and joy because this season of hardship is growing deep roots of faith and perseverance is far more valuable than being comfortable. My joy is having a faithful God, genuinely happy, healthy children, and a husband who won't give up. Voilá, there it is—the harvest.
So even if my harvest for this season may only look like gleaning, for now, I will glean with singing and gladness. I already know how this ends—Jesus wins. And because Jesus loves me, I win. This—right here—is the eternal harvest and fruit.
Il Closet Dell’Arte
The Art Closet
As I approach my 40s, I no longer worry about wearing the latest cool-girl trends or keeping up with today's ever-changing fashion. Nevertheless, I believe in dressing to the nines because it directly impacts my mood. When I am well dressed, it feels like I am showing up for the day with my best foot forward.
Dressing for the fall season is a sensory feast. I delight in wrapping my skin in beautiful, natural fibers that are warm and cozy. The appetizing colors of the fall harvest make feel alive- pumpkin orange, chestnut brown, pomegranate red, olive green.
Did you know that the frequency of pure wool measures 5,000 (Hz) units of energy? It’s no wonder the Bible instructed the Israelites to wear linen or wool (but never together as they cancel out each other’s frequency). Cashmere, merino wool, suede, and leather are my fabrics of choice. I know what you're thinking—hefty price tag! Pas du tout (not at all)! This is where buying secondhand comes into play. Thanks to this age of fast fashion, it is easier than ever to find secondhand or vintage pieces made of high-quality materials because they are no longer as treasured as they once were. I will write a separate post for you on how to shop for high-quality items on a budget.
With a small Tuscan armario (wardrobe) and an even smaller budget, I created a capsule wardrobe with what I already owned, adding just a few pieces here and there as needed. Because art and nature inspire me, I created a mood board with a few autumnal paintings that caught my eye. Each painting contains some element of nature, marking the transformative state of the season. The orange hues from the moodboard inspired me to buy a burnt orange wool Massimo Dutti sweater (at a steal of 5 euros, of course) for this season.
How about you- which autumnal paintings do you find inspiring?
Les Glâneurs
The Gleaners
Glean
To gather leftover grain or other produce left behind by harvesters.
To gather information little by little with patient effort.
In the year 2000, Agnes Varda released a sensational documentary called The Gleaners and I, which portrays the unseen lives of men and women who glean and salvage in modern-day France. In this documentary, the Belgian-born French filmmaker lightheartedly invites us on her journey of gleaning from the lives of men and women who gather potatoes left behind by harvesting machines in the French countryside, rummage through garbage bins in Paris, and consume discarded food scraps.
I seldom get a chance to watch anything from start to finish these days, and as such, I am very selective with what I choose to consume ( you can hear why here). However, Varda’s poignant film was worth it. Her childlike curiosity and respect for the individuals captured in her film gently reminded me how small my struggles are in comparison to the hardships of others. One gentleman in the film obtained most of his provisions from leftover market scraps trashed on the ground. He unabashedly munched on parsley while being filmed. It was later discovered that aside from working a low-wage job, he dedicated his evenings to teaching French to immigrants free of charge. A sting of conviction came over me.
When I finished watching this film, I began to ponder my present circumstances in a different light. My perspective switched from focusing on what I don’t have (financial stability, etc. ) to what I do- health, food, a home, my family, etc.
Many paintings and images often portray gleaners bent over humbly as they gather the leftover grain. In contrast, Jules Breton’s painting below depicts his gleaner as dignified but resigned. Perhaps this is the posture we all ought to take when faced with the undesirable circumstances of life.
This is precisely how Agnes Varda endeavored to portray the men and women in her film. Brava!
She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
Psalm 31:29
On Fields Oer Which the Reapers Hand has Passed by Henry David Thoreau On fields o'er which the reaper's hand has pass'd Lit by the harvest moon and autumn sun, My thoughts like stubble floating in the wind And of such fineness as October airs, There after harvest could I glean my life A richer harvest reaping without toil, And weaving gorgeous fancies at my will In subtler webs than finest summer haze.
Essential Oil Blend for Respiratory Health
Keeping my family healthy during the fall and winter seasons is something I take very seriously. I believe that the God that breathed us into existence is the same God that provided all that we need in nature to thrive physically. As such, I rely on natural, effective remedies to keep my children out of unnecessary visits to the doctor. I have successfully done so for a decade. In fact, my children have never taken a single pharmaceutical drug!
I focus heavily on respiratory health, especially after the dawn of a certain unmentionable virus. I am going to work on a series for you on how to build an arsenal of natural remedies at home for respiratory health. But in the meantime, here is a blend of essential oils that I keep readily available in my house and my purse.
As soon as there is an onset of a respiratory illness, I use this essential oil blend in a diffuser, or as a steam blend, as seen in this video. Using essential oils for respiratory health has been game-changing for my family. Stuffy noses and coughs never last more than a day or two in my home!
25 drops Ravinstara (Cinnamomum camphora ct. 1,8 cineol) or Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus or radiata)
25 drops Siberian Fir (Abies siberica) or Black Spruce (Picea mariana)
25 drops Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia)
Directions: This undiluted combination of oils becomes your "stock bottle” to keep in your first aid cabinet or in your purse- VERY easy.
Watch this video to learn how to mix a stock blend. I use bottles like this or this.
Use 1 drop total from the stock bottle in a bowl of steaming water. Place a towel over your head and the bowl, close your eyes and breathe.
To use in a diffuser, add 5-10 drops.
*For a child between 5-10 years old, simply use one drop of cedarwood (Juniperus virginiana, Cedrus atlantica or Cedrus deodara).
Signing Off
Well, friends we have come to the end of our harvest here. My hope is that you have been encouraged. Whether you are in a season of abundance or of gleaning, may you find the goodness and joy in being alive and loved by your wonderful Creator.
And as always I will leave you with a playlist to enjoy on those cozy rainy days with a warm cup in your hand.
If you would like more encouragement, read about the hidden message God sent me via a plum tree here.
Also, could you please help me grow my audience by hitting that little subscribe button? I also share exclusive podcasts, posts and videos with my paid subscribers.
I was Truly fascINated when I first learned about the frequencies of wool and linen — and how, when worn together, they cancel each other out. What amazed me most IS that The Holy Bible teaches us thIS! It’s yet another TESTament that God Knows E V E R Y T H I N G, and when WE dWELL IN His LIVING Word, WE gather Wisdom to Live by. Science IS, IN many Ways, just BEgINnINg to catch up with the t i m e l e s s Truths that The Bible has alWays held. It's hard to comprehend how and / or why anyOne would dismiss such a Source of INsight, especially as science continues to affirm what God has already revealed to us.
ThIS moved me to tears Nicole 🤍 these Words WEre so palpably INspired by the Holy Spirit. “I already know how this ends—Jesus wins. And because Jesus loves me, I win.” THIS!!!! IN Jesus Christ WE are victors — through the ORIGINal Victor Himself. AMEN!!!