Birds Eye View of the Garden & Father's Day

We celebrated a nice, sunny, quiet Father's Day.  A family tradition the last 3 years is for the guys , do I need to repeat myself the guys, go for a dunk in the lake.  Me?  I stand pretty taking pictures and a video.

This year was defiantly warmer than the last two years.  Last year the lake was so high that the guys had to clear logs so they could even get into the water.   

Getting ready to get in. =0]

Now on another note this is what the garden looks like from a birds eye view.  I am hoping when there is a let up of rain I can go out and take some close ups and maybe a video tour.

The Lower Garden aka East Garden.  We have the bottom quarter and the my MIL uses the top section.  I will show some more of what we have in the front later on.

Here is a view of the North Garden

I had to include at least one picture of our latest additions to the homestead.  This is Leah.  I will have to get another picture of her with her sister Rachel.  

Last but not least, here is a picture of what one of our apple trees looked like in full bloom.  I was tickled pink that this year it was warm enough during this time the bees were able to pollinate the trees. ((HAPPY DANCE)) 

In the Garden as of May 1st, 2013

It is, thankfully, starting to green up around here.  Even though we get tiny flurries of snow here and there.  We are happy that is all it is and not a covering of snow.  It looks like we are going to get a touch of warm weather this coming week end.  My prayer is that it will stay warm and so when the fruit trees bloom the bees will come out and pollinate them.  We would love to have a good fruit year this year.  The last couple of years when the blooms happened it was too cold for our friends the bees and sadly very little apples.

I was finally able to capture our mountains along with what is going on in our garden.  I am so excited now that the garden is starting to take shape.  I can now visualize and envision what it could look like.   I pray that YHWH will bless this years efforts and that he will give a big bounty to feed us and to share.

We are planting beets, celeriac, parsnips, potatoes, carrots,  sweet and hot peppers, salad greens and cooking greens, tomatoes, zucchini oh so much zucchini ( 6 plants), two types of green beans, herbs ( chives, basil, oregano, sorrel, chives, garlic chives), spaghetti squash, pumpkins, and peppermint.  I think that is it but I could have missed something.

Here is my peppermint plant.  I really hope this will thrive and grow and then continue to winter over each winter for many years.

Because we live on a mountain we build raised beds all over.  Here, there and everywhere.  In the lower part of the main garden is our section of it.   We have eight raised beds down there plus raised beds in front of our house, the potato patch above the apple orchard, and the raised beds behind our woodshed.

The last couple weeks Handsome and I have been walking up our waterline to check on things.  It is so beautiful and the air is AMAZING to breath in as we walk along the creek.

I could stand there all day and just listen to the creek rush by.

Favorite Pic of the Week

Counting the Days of Gardening 2013~ Wk 1

We are starting to count the days of our BIG garden project.  We are now into the end of our first week of prepping and digging or new expanded garden area.  We had done a lot of shared gardening in the past with my MIL but this year we are venturing out more on our own and reclaiming a area behind our house.  This area had the old chicken coop ( before that the goat barn).

  Last year we tore down the chicken coop, this year we burned away the brush and starting digging.  We are figuring out the garden layout and establishing our raised beds.  All kinds of dreams and plans are beginning to materialize.  In the picture below on the top right will be where we plan to build the new future chicken coop/goat barn.  I am dreaming of all kinds of good veggies and future good wholesome eggs, chicken ( meat), milk, and really want to try my hand some cheese making.  All kinds of dreams are being dreamt and are coming true.   

(above) Our rustic woodshed to the left.

The back of our house. ( with the red trim)

Here you get a glimpse of the upper fruit orchard that I have taken pictures of in the past.  That box shaped thing is our new compost bin and just above that is some more garden space that was opened up this year.  We are getting all kinds of new raised beds this year.  Ohhh I know what you are thinking.... that means work.  Yes, but I am so happy to be the gardener's ( my sweet hubby)  helpmeet in this venture.  I will have tons to blog about this year.  With all the gardening , cooking , and the other things the Lord has been teaching me I won't have any lack of blogging material.  I just now need to schedule my blogging time so I can get it journaled.  

In the picture below gives you a glimpse of some of the mountains we see.  I have mountains on all four sides of us and we are beautifully surrounded.  

I have to show you that spring has finally sprung here.  Patches of Johnny Jump Ups. 

Our Lovage plant has popped up too.  It has a similar taste to celery.  I can dry the leaves for soups and use the stalks when they are young.  One of my most favorite things to make with lovage in the spring is salmon loaf.

Here is a side view of our new garden spot.  That lean to type building is our root cellar. Everything looks pretty brown right now but very soon everything will be green and lush.  I can wait to show you when it gets to that stage. 

We keep digging and planting things.  So I will keep journal-ling to show you this years garden adventure. 

Modestly Adorned ~ Favorite Scriptures About Modesty

The Lord has really awakened a deep desire to pray for and  encourage Christian woman and girls in modesty.  There are so many reasons we need to continually evaluate where we are with this.  We have to ask ourselves  who are we glorifying in our dress and who we are dressing for.  It is all those little and big things that really do matter.  I have felt the Lord tweaking my heart on somethings. Things that society feels is fine and probably they already feel is on the conservative side already.  What am I talking about?  For me it was the issue of cleavage.  I have always struggled with leaning over to help a child or do a job and have to press my hand against my top or constantly adjust my tops.  I have found some sites that sell some solutions to this challenge. For example here, here, and here.   A good rule of thumb is one or two finger (or less) widths  below the collar bone.

I had also changed to wearing skirts and dresses a long while back but I have to admit I have been playing with styles and lengths.  I now feel better if my length is mid calf or longer.  That way I don't have to wonder if it is too short and I feel very comfortable too.  Also, I have been convicted to ask myself if the skirt or dress is too snug or reveals my shape too much.  There are a lot of skirts and dresses that cover up so to speak the skin but boy do they reveal your every curve.  It is something to think about.   

Today is the first day of the Modestly Adorned Meme/Carnival and we were asked ....

What are some of your favorite scriptures regarding modesty? How does this reflect in your life?

To see what other shared go visit  Happily Domestic 

1 Peter 3:1-4 

Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, when they see your respectful and pure conduct. Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

       What pops out at me is the part that says " respectful and pure conduct." and also the part that says..." but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious."  Having a modest  mindset is so very important and we need to be very careful with what we look like.  A beautiful mindset is such beauty to the Lord.

1 John 2:16 

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.

1 Corinthians 10:31 

So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Matthew 6:1 

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.

But we also have to constantly review our heart and attitude.  We have to ask ...who are we dressing for?  If we are to be holier than thou then we don't have our heart in the right place.  We cannot turn up our noses and judge others.  If you are sharing why you do what you do that is one thing but to tell another what they should be doing is another.  But that is tricky too because we are to teach younger woman in the ways of the Lord.  So I guess it is important to make sure we do all this in love.  As I share this this is because I want to love and encourage others to look where they are and ask the Lord where does he want them.  To ask the Lord does he have anything to show them.  Ask... He will answer. I am going to let the rest of the verses just speak for themselves.  I think I have said what I had been lead to share.  God Bless! 

Matthew 18:6-7 

But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea. “Woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come, but woe to the one by whom the temptation comes!

1 Corinthians 6:19 

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own,

Leviticus 19:28 

You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord

Here is a neat alternative to find some second chance turtle neck tops and make them into something new.

( Almost) Fresh Off the Needles!

I finally finished Handsome's sweater a few weeks ago that I started in late September.  He much prefers to use the sweaters I knit him instead of a coat.  Which makes me a happy knitter and inspires me to knit him another one.  Well after I knit myself a cardigan that is. I will give a peak as soon as I get it going.    I have also started to knit for a charity and I will be starting a pair of slippers and a hat for them asap.  All this makes me a happy knitter for the rest of the winter.

I also finished my 3ds' mustache cowl.    He is happy with it other than being a bit itchy.  I learned that if you take a itchy wool garment and stick it in the freezer for at least 24 hours it suppose to take the itchiness out of it.  I will have to have Noah stick it in the freezer today and we will test it out for you all and give our opinion. [o=  

A Journey To Better Health~ Beautiful Bone Broth

I am going to do my best to break down into bite size pieces ( pun intended [o=) what I have been learning in my "Journey to Better Health".    I have been mulling over what are some of the basics I want to share first.  And bone broth is one of the foundations of good health that has been very neglected in our fast paced modern lives.  If you don't incorporate this age old skill please do and you won't regret it.  This super food has healed my gut and is healing my teeth. ( I will go into the teeth part in the near future)

A Side note ( the reason I am on a side note is because I used a lot of bone broth in my journey of eating the GAPS way) and a sneak preview of a future topic...I really recommend the GAPS diet for those who are dealing with...

• acid reflux
• acne (typical and cystic)
• adrenal burnout
• allergies
• anger, unfounded
• anxiety
• appetite issues (excessively small or large)
• asthma
• attention deficit (with or without hyperactivity) disorder
• auditory hallucinations
• autism spectrum disorder
• autoimmune disorders
• bedwetting
• behavioural problems
• bloating
• blood sugar issues (low and high)
• candida overgrowth
• celiac disease
• chronic diarrhea
• colic
• colitis
• constipation
• cravings (sugar, starch, pica, etc)
• crohn’s disease
• cystic fibrosis
• dental enamel defects
• depression
• diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2)
• diverticulitis
• dysphoria
• dyspraxia
• eczema
• eosinophilic esophagitis (see GAPS Guide book, page 60)
• fatigue
• failure to thrive
• feeding difficulties (including “picky eating”)
• food phobias
• FPIES (Food Protein Intolerance Enterocolitis Syndrome)
• gas
• gout
• hay fever
• headaches
• heartburn
• Helicobacter pylori
• hives
• histamine intolerance (or excess levels)
• hyperactivity
• hypoglycemia
• incontinence (fecal and/or urinary)
• indigestion
• irritability
• leaky gut
• learning disabilities
• libido, overactive
• malnutrition
• menstrual and pre-menstrual issues
• migraines
• mineral deficiencies
• mood swings
• muscle cramps
• nail-biting
• narcolepsy
• obsessiveness (over historical and current events)
• obsessive-compulsive disorder
• pain: muscle, foot
• phobias (food, environment, social)
• psoriasis
• rheumatoid arthritis
• reflux
• rosacea
• schizophrenia
• seizures (possibly dependent on the cause, but including those in which dozens are occurring per day)
• skin disorders
• sleep issues (difficulty falling asleep; difficulty staying asleep, excessively brief sleep, excessively long sleep)
• sound sensitivity
• stool abnormalities
• temper, short
• thyroid, low functioning
• tics
• tooth decay
• tummy pains
• under-eye circles
• urinary tract infections
• violence (against self, against others)
• vision challenges (though not blindness)
• warts
• weight issues (underweight and overweight)
• white coating on tongue
• and more

It is a diet a person is typically on for 18 months to 2 years. ( some less some more)  I personally only had to go on it for 6 months.  I am now on a modified version  to continue to heal my teeth.

Go Here to check the book out.

 If you have a lot of digestive problems I cannot recommend enough to go check out the GAPS diet.  I followed that diet and have healed my adrenal gland fatigue, food allergies, some digestive issues. Now back to the issue of  broth.

Benefits of Gelatinous Broth

• Bone broths help with detoxification.  ( Go HERE to read up on this!)
• aids digestion by rendering digestive juices more effective by attracting them to itself.   It  has been found successful in treating digestive disorders such as IBS, colitis, and even Crohn’s disease.  Gelatin is a hydrophilic colloid, which means that it attracts and holds liquids, it facilitates digestion by attracting digestive juices to food in the gut.
• Anemia and other blood disorders respond to gelatin in the diet.
• It is indispensable when a stomach flu makes its way around as it can slow and stop diarrhea when small amounts are consumed every few minutes.  Unlike anti-diarrhea medicine from the pharmacy which just masks symptoms, gelatin actually goes to the root of the problem and facilitates healing.  It does this by neutralizing whatever intestinal poison is causing the problem. 
• Glycine in gelatin helps normalize liver function.
• Rich homemade chicken broths help cure colds.
•  Stock contains minerals in a form the body can absorb easily—not just calcium but also magnesium, phosphorus, silicon, sulphur and trace minerals.
• It contains the broken down material from cartilage and tendons--stuff like chondroitin sulphates and glucosamine, now sold as expensive supplements for arthritis and joint pain.
•  Broth and soup made with fishheads and carcasses provide iodine and thyroid-strengthening substances.
•  Acts as a protein sparer, helping the poor stretch a few morsels of meat into a complete meal.
• Helps strengthen and repair bones and teeth.
• Helps with alleviate achy joints. 
• Gelatin was found to be useful in the treatment of a long list of diseases including peptic ulcers, tuberculosis, diabetes, muscle diseases, infectious diseases, jaundice and cancer.
• Babies had fewer digestive problems when gelatin was added to their milk.

For more tips and tricks go see 5 Reasons Why Your Stock Doesn't Gel.

And Remouillage: Getting the Most Out of your Broth Bones.

Please also go check out this wonderful article Broth is Beautiful by the Western Price Foundation.

Sitting at His Feet

Some of you are asking where I have been and if I am okay.  I am.  Really I think I have been at the best place I have been in a long time.  I am sitting at the Lord's feet.  I have asked the Lord for healing and he has been teaching so much that I have been having a hard time keeping up.  I keep hoping to sit down and write out what He has been teaching but I go a bit blank when I sit down to write.  Not because I don't have anything to share but I freeze because I get overwhelmed on how to share all that I have learned.  I know, I know I just need to pick one thing and share it and go to the next.  I promise I will really start on this this coming week.  I have my subject now I need to pray and ask the Lord how He wants me to share it.  I want to give Him ALL the glory for He is the one who answered my prayers and gave me the wisdom.  

As you know not too to long ago I said I was ready to come back and blog well the Lord keeps giving me so much to learn that I have been silent.  I have been silent because I keep learning so much and then mull over what He has been showing and  teaching me.  Then I have to admit some doubt creeps in because in some ways all that He has been showing me is counter culture.  I sometimes get very tired of being different but we are called to be peculiar people, a people set apart.  The battle of the flesh gets in the way sometimes.  Nothing I have been learning goes against scripture so all is good.  There is a powerful message I want to share where the Lord is stretching me right now.

click here go to the ...

Nehemiah Challenge 

Power of Prayer Pt. 2

Power of Prayer Pt. 3

Nehemiah Challenge (Phase 2) Update - Passion For Truth Ministries

Nehemiah Challenge Update (2-1-13) - Passion For Truth Ministries

There is plenty here to listen to here.  I will be praying that you will take the time to listen and prayerfully mull it over yourself.