Mace and the nut.

I joined Anna for a short while today, while she was gathering the nutmeg fallen from the trees in our garden. 

After gathering them, the routine consists of of washing them and opening the partially open shell to take out the nut covered in a red mace. The mace which is like a flower and the nut need to be dried in the sun or in an oven.

This practice has a history of fifty years since the the nutmeg trees started yielding in our garden. I felt good to have helped Anna as on most days she gathered them on her own to have them ready for our domestic helper to continue the rest of the routine, when she arrived later in themorning. 

What a provision this garden has been for us to live in and live on! 

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)