The seasoning of life (ruined appetites and bitter cukes) | VLOG

Hey ya'll, I'm Jess from Roots & Refuge Farm
Welcome to a place that feels like home. A small farm with a big family. We hope you'll pull up a chair, grab some coffee and visit awhile.
There was a time that all I wanted in the world was a little farm where I could raise my family and grow our food. Now, that is exactly what exists outside my door. In watching it unfold, a new dream was formed in my heart - to share this beautiful life with others and teach them the lessons we've learned along the way. Welcome to our journey, friend. I am so glad you're here.
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[@marygrott8095]

You say we are such good cheerleaders, but don't you realize that you dothe same for us? You're always encouraging us to grow something lively or to try something new!

[@paperchaser9565]

I agree...totally

[@izaacdreddpimp]

Yea, there's NO way shes not pouring her heart out. Thats why we watch her.

[@StaceesNtheAfterGlow1989]

Just her goofy laughing and encouragement alone is enough to make u wanna try! Spreading pure joy and happiness thru food. Love it

[@tammydake710]

I was videotaping my 7 year old (she has a crush on Ben btw 😀) planting her own garden with flowers and she ended the video with "I bless you, until next time"! ❤

[@alexanderfarms99]

So sweet❤

[@myurbangarden7695]

A great use for bitter cucumber 🥒 is to juice it and add fresh squeezed 🍊 orange and ginger.

[@patchurch1677]

Great idea!

[@jillpellegrin4137]

My mother-in-law taught me to cut the stem end of the cucumber off and rub it together in a circular motion with the just-cut end to draw out the bitterness. This works to an extent. Also, when tasting a cucumber in my garden, I always munch the blossom end first. God bless you, Jess, for all the wonderful lessons you have presented to us.

[@marysurbanchickengarden]

Girl you should have a acre of pink eye purple hull peas growing, they are delicious and do keep well in the freezer if you blanche them. If I had the space you have I'd have zipper peas, and butter beans growing and succession planting them again. A food staple in the south and cost $45 a bushel at the farmers market.

[@chastain2825]

Basil ice cream with a tomato cobbler! Sounds amazing . Jess you have to do it !!

[@becky6739]

A Swedish friend makes an amazing summer salad that is equal amounts cherry tomatoes and strawberry’s chopped with a little crushed garlic and a tonne of basil. It’s amazing. Every barbecue she has I’m always hoping she’s made it.

[@nicoleolson1347]

That podcast is open to Patreon members and I listened to it and just cried. I am in a season like I have never been of trial and growth and difficulties. I have been getting to the end of my day and desperately wanting to have enough left to be who I want to be, to take care of myself and my family the best I can. I needed that encouragement more than you could ever know. That’s why we cheer, because God works thru you.

[@naynerboppers5254]

These struggles, if you choose to step up to the plate as best you are able, are what truly make us stronger and closer to our loved ones. I hope you find a way to get through it all, learn and grow along the way, but also reach out to the genuine, goodhearted people in your tribe before you break yourself. I know what that's like....and because of those times, my husband and I don't get as stressed as we used to whenever a storm comes in. We always get through it and are stronger for it. I wish you everything you need to get through these times while still pushing you enough to build on your own personal foundation.

[@brachashighhopeshomestead226]

@@naynerboppers5254 Very helpful to hear this, TY.

[@nicoleolson1347]

@@naynerboppers5254 i definitely know this is just a season and have done everything in my power to drop the things that need dropped and reached out for help. I have lots of support but it is all still very overwhelming. The podcast was a very firm reminder that I’m not alone

[@sn232]

I cut 1-2" off of both ends of the cucumbers to avoid bitterness. Just watched videos on "milking your cucumbers" to get rid of bitterness. Watch some videos, it is interesting, has been taught for generations, however I just learned of it and it worked for me :)

[@lindameyer3005]

I’ve had basil ice cream from an ice cream shop in downtown AnnArbor MI. I had my first taste a couple of weeks ago when I was visiting friends. It was incredibly delicious!

[@ginnysulya9805]

I agree Jess, if I don’t take the time to sit in the shade with a cold drink and watch the fluffy clouds or the swallows darting by I feel jipped of the joy in wanting a simple life in the country in the first place! There will never be enough time for the busy so I choose to make time for beautiful moments thoroughly enjoyed! Enjoying my blessings and counting them! 💖😘

[@peggykirk6851]

Jess you are so wise and I love your videos. Your farm is beautiful and I love watching it grow. We have a small garden this year as my husband and I are both in poor health. I have a serious heart condition (sudden death syndrome) and the doctor told me to do what makes me happy. I go out in my electric wheelchair and ride around my raised beds to pick my beautiful fresh vegetables and flowers. I also put a chair in my garden so that on days when I can I get up and walk around I’ve got a lovely place to sit and reflect. Thank you Jess.

[@Laura10231969]

When my cucumbers turn bitter, I cut up them up and soak in salt water. You gave me the idea to try it because of the combo of soaking in salt water for bug removal and ‘soaking out the heat’. The summer salad turned out really great with tomatoes, cucumbers and onions from my garden.

[@erikas974]

Jess some of my "seasoning" is to watching your video go around your garden than go out to my garden and try to copy what you did. I would of never done things without your "cheerleading". So thank you. Without personally knowing you you have become my friend and I thank you for that. ❤🌻🌻🌻

[@pattiripley7599]

You are one of my biggest cheerleaders! You teach, encourage and remind me off all things wonderful about being out in my garden. I’m older and it’s harder but you showing different ways and encouraging even just a few herbs or something is not hard and can be done. As a handicapped person I amazed myself but it because of your lead and encouragement that did it

[@debihuntsman9314]

Same here. And my little garden has two chairs. I bless you, Jess. ❤🙏

[@pammcbride9691]

how true, how true, dear lady...seasoning and rest are so important to really feeling grateful for our life and surroundings. love your garden walks!!

[@MorePranaGardens]

PLEASE let us know how the cherry, tomato thing with the basil ice cream is. I'm super curious.

[@jennyl.3742]

The heat/drought here in Missouri is ridiculous this year. Squash bugs have all but destroyed my summer squash and zucchini. (I actually had to pull and replant the zucchini) My Roma tomatoes are, however, doing great, along with my basil and peppers. Everything else, though, is mad at me, mad at life, maybe even mad at themselves. Oh well... hopefully next year will be better.....

[@Nins-niche67]

A gate with muscadines growing all over would be so whimsical and lovely

[@yourtransformationjourney6503]

I miss muscadines so much! Those were my snack from my grandpa's in SC.

[@lisaelliott3864]

@@yourtransformationjourney6503 Cool! They were mine in Opelike, Alabama! Miss walking down to the pond and skipping rocks!

[@juliedupree6708]

Love your beautiful farm & all the videos you do. You are so inspiring!!!!! God bless you , your family & your farm!!!!!

[@tonyaboyer5723]

You help me to stay encouraged! When I'm in the season to start to give up, all I have to do is, watch yours or Jills videos and you both pick me back up to keep me going again I love you two girls so much Thank you for your time and kind words.

[@julie-annepineau4022]

I think the seasoning of life makes you more able to have the energy for everything thing else in life. Love the golden hour waanders and the thinking points you have when you do those walks. Thanks for including us in your seasoning today!

[@catofthecastle1681]

The most beautiful thing I ever saw next to water~ pink white and purple bearded iri with pale pink Sarah Bernhardt peonies!

[@noranature]

My garden don't have a chair because it is not flat ... I gardening in the Mountains. But my garden have a nice corner where I sit on the ground and enjoy the view over the hole garden. This corner is my relax place and give me so much.

[@susanwright3843]

I've heard of tomato jam!. If you can make a good jam with tomatoes, I imagine that cobbler will be good!

[@terresiagregg9326]

Have you ever made tomato jelly

[@littlesaltyhomesteader]

“There’s gonna be a lot of food that comes out of this mess” LOL it’s as if you have been walking through my wild garden 😂

[@TalkingJohn88]

that little Ben can already chuck it pretty well for his age! That's always good sign for a young ballplayer!

[@Youcangarden]

Thanks for being some of the seasoning in my life! I bless YOU!

[@belieftransformation]

Beautiful reminder to add spice to our lives! For me, it’s having time to putter around my house & gardens, especially when I don’t have to go anywhere! Blessings & thanks 🤗💗🇨🇦

[@tennisisme222]

On your future berry area I can see 2 beautiful arches of climbing ROSES over 2 separate gates that lead into your "vineyard"...an ode to your original garden in Arkansas. :)

[@rachelbosley6633]

Daniels seasoning of life metaphor is so lovely

[@Junkinsally]

I remember when my kids were growing up how sometimes I would just totally get burned out from caring for them. Every time I did it wasn’t long before they changed, they grew into another phase of development and everything was new, exciting and different. That change was enough to bring a renewed sense of focus to caring for them. It’s the same with the garden. Whenever I get burned out or overwhelmed I just stop and remind myself that it will change soon, sooner than I really want it to! Another season will come and that sense of renewal and excitement always comes back. I think that’s the key to living a balanced life. Seasonal living….it’s just not for food.

[@abrilikih7135]

I needed that reminder in the last few minutes, Jess. Thank you. It’s easy to just do the jobs that need doing, but I need to make time to enjoy my people, farm, and garden.

[@elizabethlink3993]

💚 Ahh yes, the Seasoning and Enjoying a few moments here and there in contemplation. 💚

[@mountaingardenamma8730]

my favorite is the frogs singing!

[@cynthiahennessy7]

I love the sunflowers…they look like happy scarecrows guarding your garden. ☺️

[@louiseswart1315]

I love gardens that look like wilderness tamed just al little bit.

[@nerdnicole9292]

Hey Jess. I had an idea of growing grapes alongside your berries. It would make the most beautiful rows.

[@julie-annepineau4022]

Would be especially lovely on arched trellises to connect the rows

[@kewpiefan72]

I hope you’ll be able to show us your reaction to trying cherry tomato cobbler with basil ice cream. And I’d love to see Miah try it, too. Bet he loves it!

[@krisl2492]

I love seeing Ben and Miah playing catch.. it's about as wholesome as your garden

[@TheTinkerersWife]

You have to make the pie and basil icecream, absolutely! That Pie should be called sweet sisters from different mothers pie. 😊

[@jacqsbackyard1562]

The loveliness! I love the wildness of the sunflower garden. Is that not the ideal? Lovely and full of food. Unkempt beauty and nurturing. ❤️

[@samanthahoos9827]

I made ice cream with basil, strawberries and chunks of chocolate. Delicious!

[@donaldtruster1064]

Pray without ceasing,and life will have seasoning, I see you take in the simple things of life,which are very important! People are living way to fast, I'm battling with living at this moment, and I so miss the simple things, but with prayers, I'm starting to taste the seasoning ,of time properly once more!

[@GeekWaresASMR]

grew the silver slicers this year. first cucumbers i have gotten enough to make pickles. sooo sooo good.

[@angelaroelands159]

I went out last week and picked a salad bowl full of blackberries and raspberries. If i had to buy that amount at the store it would have cost me $50. We have the best berry crop this year. I felt gardening is so worth my time .

[@lulumchugh3908]

Your constant smile makes me smile. Thank you.❤❤❤

[@sallyboothe911]

I really wish there was more light, it really makes it hard for me to enjoy it like I want too. Blessings 👏🏻🥰

[@Jackiehutchings23]

Hi Jess , time(thyme) is a seasoning for life .💜💜💜💜💜

[@susanturner9023]

Jess I truly love the way bring us along as you would any friend ✌🏻🙏🏼❤️

[@loriy7532]

Always lovely to drop by and visit with you and your garden Jess....

[@colleenfoster6841]

As you are cheered on and given great ideas, as we all and myself included cheer you on, l cheer myself on. I am inspired. I want to tell you thank you for taking time to do these vlogs. No doubt, l am not alone with the thank you.

[@thebuddinghomemaker]

I am growing Beit Alpha and China Jade, both from Baker creek, and neither variety are bitter. We are in the Raleigh area and have been harvesting loads at a time!

[@nestahumphries5496]

Another lovely video. I like to save your videos for my morning coffee because it makes my day start with joy and peace and happiness. You are my seasoning at this time in my life. Thank you 💓💓

[@beckac4624]

Thank you for this video. I always love the ones you film at dusk. I don't have any outdoor space right now, and this video brought back so many tactile memories of sights, sounds, smells of the garden, and your stroll along the pond. Thank you for taking us with you. Also, you have waited patiently for months so that you can have cherry tomatoes for dessert, so enjoy them. I would love for you to share with us when you make the cherry tomato/cherry/basil ice cream dessert, it sounds very interesting. P.S. Ben has a good arm!

[@jasongriswold7799]

Cut the end off the cucumber and rub it in circles on the end of the body. It will make a white foam and be tremendously less bitter! I was actually watching this on my tv, and had to go find my phone and sign in to tell you this. 😆 Thank you for your videos. Oh- I almost forgot, if I get a big batch of bitter cucumbers, I rub out the bitterness and turn them into Cajun pickles. That flavor works super well with a teensy bit bitter cucumber.

[@growjoyfullyhomestead]

Thank you for putting into words what I do each day. Very profound and helpful.❤

[@teresarock7380]

Thank you for the reminder to enjoy the seasoning of life. It is so easy to get caught up in the routine of life and lose the seasoning. I am currently in a season of change as our plant is closing and I am going to have to find a new job. One of my goals with that is to find something that allows me more time to enjoy the seasoning of life!

[@lynnsteiner1580]

Try Cucumber cinnamon dessert bread, it’s very similar to zucchini bread. You can also use green tomatoes the exact same way. Add ins such as pecans, apples, pineapple, coconut, bananas and a list of many other things work well.

[@HeatherNaturaly]

I had the same issue with my cucumbers in early Spring. I actually went the opposite. My failures were started and the last go I direct sowed the entire package in a 2 ft space and they all grew. I have a tangled mess on the trellis but my grey water drain empties directly onto that spot. I have only had 2 cucumbers so far, but they were not at all bitter. I guess it is all about the water because ..yeah.. the last week has been BRUTAL.

[@trtltrx]

If you put pitcher plants or whatever carnivorous plants you have in a terra cotta pot in the peatiest soil you can make and then sit that pot inside a bigger pot that you just put water in so the top pot sits in the water the plants do pretty well. Like the African violet pots they sell. Easier to maintain water and the plants can have access to what they need.

[@theIAMofME]

I was canning dill pickle relish while watching this. LOL Yup...bitter cucumbers make great relish!!

[@Renie-hl8dd9mw8c]

Love the sights and sounds of your farm, especially in the early evening. Thanks for sharing.

[@terresiagregg9326]

Thanks for the tour really enjoyed it your gardens look awesome

[@denisemankewitz8480]

♥️a truly glorious beautiful ‘mess’ 😊 of homestead food

[@ValdirSilva-sz1ms]

*I LOVE JÉSSICA👏🏻*

[@daniellegardner7381]

Your words are so beautiful, thank you.

[@trudyschaaf9917]

A friend of my from India told me if you cut the end off that was attached with the plant and then rub the 2 cut parts together for a few minutes and that will pull out the bitterness. Might be cool to check out. My plants have only been in the ground since Father's day so it will be awhile for me to have any!

[@sharoncalatayud6410]

Lovely - just lovely Jess! I love the seasoning concept from Daniel 💕

[@bonniecochran407]

“Oooo that’s a mess. It’s GREAT” I feel that so much 😂😂😂

[@WeirdHeather]

Wow, those are some really wise words from Daniel. I gotta remember that.

[@kristinthornton2690]

I so appreciate your take on things. The struggle is real, but you handle it with such grace. Thanks. I bless you

[@beckymay439]

Nice call, Jess. I am definitely deep in overwhelm and needed to hear this. Looking forward to the podcast this week. ❤

[@naynerboppers5254]

The ice cream+ cobbler combo not only sounds amazing but I actually was considering making a basil and cherry tomato ice cream with the sweet basils and the crazy sweet cherry tomatoes that are growing in my garden. The Super Sweet 100, Jellybean, & Sweetie varieties are the sweetest so far but I still am waiting on a few others. I'll be googling that recipe tho cuz I think the combo would be amazing!

[@taratrifone9243]

I hope that whatever you do, and if you fence it in ...I want you to know I miss your old bright pink gate. I LOVE your new garden and new adventure, but I miss your pink gate. Hoping you can d something new that pays homage to the old pink gate. Always look forward to your next post.☺

[@JulieDEhomesteader]

So Jess~I have a vision of you selling chicken & dumpling peas. We viewers buy them, then later on, you set a time where we can watch you on your porch, shelling peas and talking to us, as we shell peas and listen to you❤🤠

[@yourtransformationjourney6503]

I would put the bitter cucumbers in a green juice with some granny apples, lemon, ginger, and kale would be worth it.

[@cloehahn1233]

I’m early! ❤

[@billiejoblizard6050]

I am growing papyrus as well!! Please do make the basil ice cream and tomato dessert. I made tomato jam and you can’t tell at all that it is tomatoes. I love to experiment!! An older gentleman told me about muscadine peel jam. His Mom made it when he was growing up. It’s delicious!! Thank you for all you do!! Great inspirational talk!!

[@alexjagneaux7079]

This may be one of my favorite endings.... so good. And something I struggle with so much.

[@crystals14acregarden61]

When our cukes get bitter/too big, we make pickle relish, usually sweet.

[@gypsygirl731]

Good to know about the cukes. You have an invisible family here - us out here watching and learning from you. Blessings to all of you. It’s down to earth watching these videos. Try cucumber ice cream it’s very cooling

[@Joe-xu6pe]

I can’t be the only one to want to see that cobbler attempt 😮

[@shereewaddell3417]

Enjoy your garden like I'm enjoying mine.i have followed you and I have a wonderful garden because of you.winter is coming.

[@jeaniegobin1375]

Thank you Jess for sharing your thoughts n garden. I love the silver slicer too. Last year was so hot all the cubes became bitter. I pulled all fruit and flowers off the plants and the next flush came and were not bitter. I bless you hope it is helpful take care

[@annafcates]

Try making cucumber ice cream, it goes with unusual flavors and the sugar might help the bitterness❤

[@mikkileon6380]

Growing fairies in that big patch is such a perfect idea beautiful❣️❣️❣️ Berry bushes will round out the variety of your garden perfectly!!! You will have all these vegetables and all this fruit too along with the orchard you’re working on. And like you said, you really don’t need to expand your garden anymore with vegetables and you’re going to turn that one high tunnel, enter cut flowers, your idea of a variety of berries is just so fabulous. I’m so excited. And you know the kids are gonna love it and you’ll have homegrown organic berries to cook with in the winter.

[@izaacdreddpimp]

Bless your heart.I felt your words.

[@jayduplessis7698]

Just a warning on installing your shade cloth (you mentioned it 4 days ago): install it in a way to make it easy to get off and on. I used it for my tomatoes last year, and it really does help on those hot days (my plants had no heat stress for once)... BUT it also slows growth and ripening if you leave it on the whole time (and my tomatoes were more acidic). So ideally you only want it up when the sun actually gets hot in the afternoon, but have it off in the mornings and on cloudy days.

[@umiluv]

The seasoning I like to use is gratefulness. Whenever I get stressed or overwhelmed or whatever, I like to always look at the silver lining or what I’m grateful for. Having moved out to TN after the lockdowns in LA, I’m always grateful for everything I have right now. I’m always thankful to God for helping us get out here and helping us find a great church and neighborhood. Never forget the humility of being grateful for what you have. It will make even eating gruel everyday something to appreciate. In my mind, things could ALWAYS be worse and it is for a lot of people. So I’m thankful for what I do have and extremely grateful to God for the grace He extends upon me for having what I have… for even being here right now. There’s so much to be thankful for and that sweetness of gratefulness makes everything so good.

[@hollybacon3172]

Thanks for your videos Jess!

[@shod61]

Please! Take us along with you when you make that cobbler and ice cream. I too am very intrigued

[@patchurch1677]

I have made a blueberry cobbler with cinnamon basil. A few torn leaves in the berries. You think you know what you are about to taste and then you say, Wow! :-) From soggy western Massachusetts !

[@WinkTartanBelle]

I'm just gonna leave this right here: Basil ice cream topped with cherry tomato compote, garnished with crackers of roasted garlic and aged parmesan. Yes, I've made (and eaten) this. No, I don't have the recipes.

[@socorromolina-sm9vy]

Sorry doesn't sound least not tasty 😞😳

[@socorromolina-sm9vy]

Least bit

[@rhilliardqdmi]

If the ice cream is unsweetened then I would assume it tastes like a cold ( good for hot weather) Alfredo.

[@theBigLookmagnifier]

Yummmmmm I need to try this ❤❤❤

[@leahharbison4932]

Bless you Jess !

[@jenniferchristiansen2040]

Will's champaniud (sp?) Looks great! You may need to do your garden tours and your co-projects tours.😂🎉

[@scofieldfarm]

I can really relate to what you shared at the end and I think I needed to hear that today. Thank you so much Jess.

[@izaacdreddpimp]

Wow! In the last 1 & 1/2 min of that vlog; what u said was very touching and personal an highly inspiring. God bless U and all your endeavors Jess

[@steveegbert7429]

As always, blessings from Oregon. Your golden hour videos remind me of why we love photography and prod me to get out there and document the beauty of our Lord's creation.

[@futurefolk9919]

It's a busy season of the year. It can be overwhelming. I try to remember the blessings that come from the busyness. Being thankful for whatever harvest you achieve, even if it's one pepper or squash or whatever it is, it's still a blessing. You didn't have it before and you grew it yourself. You were granted the drive, the inspiration, to look well after the ways of your household. Step back and be thankful. What you grew may not be enough to 'put up' but did you get a delicious meal? That's a bounty. Not everyone can grow on a scale like Jess does. We should be realistic in what we can achieve and be thankful for our bounty. Amen.