Triple Tomato Tragedy

 

Triple Tomato Tragedy

Every year, for about 15 years now, my husband & I have started our tomato plants from seed in our recycled paper pots (click HERE to view "Newspaper Pot Maker").  I have always taken pride in my healthy, organic tomato plants and each year I always try to grow a few different varieties (click HERE to view "Three Unique Tomato Varieties").  This year however, a Triple Tomato Tragedy has occurred:

Tomato Tragedy #1 - If you recall, last year we built a Hoop House (click HERE to view "Building a Backyard Hoop House") and we built this to replace our "toy" greenhouse (click HERE to view "Harbor Freight Greenhouse WARNING").  Well, I placed my tender tomato plants in our hoop house and they were thriving! - Unfortunately we had an early unexpected warm day (about 85 degrees) early in May and the Hoop House acted as a magnifying glass, therefore scorching my plants!!   

Tomato Tragedy #2 - I was able to save about 1/2 of my plants from the previous tragedy and I was nursing them back to full health.  They had been in the shade now for a few days and the healthy new green growth was just starting to appear so I decided that they needed a few hours of Spring sun.  The best sunny part of the yard at that time of the day happened to be the edge of the driveway - knowing that we were NOT going anywhere the rest of the day I decided to place the flats of recuperating tomatoes there........on the edge of the driveway.  Well, about an hour later my husband decided to mow the lawn and had to back the car out of the garage in order to use the riding mower.  He walked to the back of the car and proceeded to remove the blower from the top of the trunk (the tomato plants were right there! - He had to have seen them!!).  You can see by the pictures that he did indeed run over our tomato plants.  I have to say that it was equally both of our fault - me for placing them in the driveway and him for not knowing what is behind (isn't that rule number 1 when backing up in any vehicle?).

Tomato Tragedy #3 - Finally and lastly - the squirrels!!!  Even after all of this I was still able to salvage about 20 tomato plants.........but then the squirrels found them!  This year the squirrels seem to have misplaced their priced acorn from last years harvest because they are digging holes in every part of the yard  - including the remaining 20 tomato plants.  All are ruined.

 

This will be the first year in over a decade that we will have to buy our tomato plants!!

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

 

 

 

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Your monthly ad could be here!

Click the button to see how

Extinguish Flaming Arrows with the Shield of Faith

 

"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one." Ephesians 6:13-16

 Today's Bible study is part 5 in a series on "Becoming A Christian Soldier." - Now, I have to be very clear - I am NOT talking about becoming a physical soldier and I am NOT saying that you should go out and physically fight (although I appreciate and respect anybody who has served or is serving in our army, navy or air force) - what I'm talking about in this series is on a spiritual level. 

Our God is all powerful, all knowing, He is our Protector and Provider - He would never throw us into a battle without fully equipping us first.  Today we continue learning about the "full armor of God" and specifically "the shield of faith."  

 

What was the shield in a Roman Soldier's attire during Jesus' day?  The shield was an oval shaped protecting gear that was light enough to be held in one hand but large enough to stop arrows from penetrating the soldier.  It wasn't just held in place - the soldier moved the shield up and down or left and right - When the soldier saw which direction the enemy's arrows were coming from he had to move that shield to intercept the weapon zooming at him.

 

I find the use of "flaming arrows" in the highlighted verse above very interesting.  Roman Soldiers truly did use flaming arrows but in today's scripture we are talking about "flaming arrows of the evil one" - remember the evil one is Satan; the devil a.k.a. the Christian's enemy.  "The flame" infers eternal damnation but to me it also symbolizes sin.  Whenever I do something wrong, whenever I have sinned I feel this burning rush of guilt flow over me - it's hot & fiery almost like an embarrassment flush only worse.  This happens when the evil one's flaming arrow has penetrated my spiritual body and it happened because I did not have my "shield of faith" in hand.  These "flaming arrows" can come in the form of temptation and deception and can be subtle - this flaming arrow could fly by you from behind & just catch your clothes on fire - you don't notice until you're fully engulfed in flames.

 

The only way to extinguish these deadly arrows is to "take up the shield of faith."  This is action on our part - we must cling to the shield & move it in the direction necessary to smother the arrow.
  
I looked up the meaning of faith in the dictionary: faith - belief in something that cannot be seen, trust in & loyalty to God, confidence in a person, thing, deity or doctrine, conviction, assurance, devotion. 
 
This "Shield" is our Christian faith - which comes from accepting the gift of salvation through Jesus who died for our sins.  It is this faith, conviction, belief, devotion that is the only weapon that will continually protect us against the evil schemes of the devil - our Christian assurance is the only thing that will stop Satan's temptation & deception.

 

 

Be sure to have the Shield of Faith in hand at all times - moving it in the direction that will extinguish all arrows!

 

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

 

Part 1 - "Be Strong In The Lord"

Part 2 - "Stand With The Belt of Truth"

Part 3 - "The Breastplate of Righteousness"

Part 4 - "Feet Fitted With the Gospel of Peace"

 





 

Smoothie Saturday #9 - Strawberry Spinach

 

Smoothie Saturday #9 - Strawberry Spinach

A while ago I bought - The "NutriBullet". Since then I have been creating many smoothie creations.

Today is the ninth "Smoothie Saturday" where I will share one of my smoothie experimentation.

In this recipe the healthiest ingredient is Spinach.

Spinach - is high in vitamin C and therefore improves cardiovascular health, it is high in flavonoids which are cancer-fighting antioxidents.  Spinach is said to improve brain function by preventing oxidation on your brain. (again - I'm not a doctor - please see my "disclaimer" at the bottom of this post).

 

 

10 Michigan strawberries or 5 - 7 large California Strawberries (washed & hulled) (I used frozen strawberries - but fresh is yummy also)

1/2 banana (peeled)

handful of spinach (washed & deveined)

1 teaspoon flax seeds

1 tablespoon walnuts

1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder

1/2 cup kefir (or yogurt)

1/4 cup water (if it is too thick)

 

Begin with the smaller "NutriBullet" container and use the "nut & seed" blade to blend & chop the walnuts & flax seeds. Now place the remaining ingredients (including the processed seeds & nuts from the first step) into the larger "NutriBullet" container and use the "smoothie" blade. Blend for about 30 seconds (or until fully blended).

 

NOTE:  Because of the banana - this Smoothie really tastes like a "Strawberry Banana" Smoothie - if you prefer more of the Strawberry Spinach flavors then omit the banana & add extra strawberries. 

ENJOY!!

IMPORTANT: All of my smoothie recipes on this blog are measured for the "NutriBullet" and are a single serving - if you have a different kind of blender that has a larger capacity then you may increase the amount of ingredients according to your desired smoothie needs. The ingredients in this recipe measure close to the max line of the NutriBullet. 

 

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer
 

 

Linked to:
Humble Bumble

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Your monthly ad could be here!

Click the button to see how

Introducing Week#4 Co-host (s) for the May Chain "Linky CLIMB"

<a border="0" <span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">href</span>="http://www.<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">godsgrowinggarden</span>.com/p/chain-<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">linky</span>-climb.html" target="_blank"><<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">img</span> <span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">src</span>="http://i1145.<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">photobucket</span>.com/albums/o501/<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">AngieOuelletteTower</span>/Climb200_zpse69443c4.<span style="background: yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">jpg</span>"/></a>

 

Please welcome The May Chain "Linky" CLIMB week#4 co-hosts:  

1.  Brittany Ruth from "The Rococo Roamer"
(Click on the blog button below to visit her blog)



Brittany Ruth has a dreamy blog!  This is how she describes her blog: "European adventures through the eyes of an American living in Germany.  Traveling, antique hunting & DIY."  Her style is elegant and classy.


2.  Michelle Garrett from "Divas With A Purpose"

(Click on the blog button below to visit her blog)

 


Michelle has such a helpful blog! - It's all about women who are inspiring us through their actions.  Michelle is a wife, mom, sister, friend & a "diva" -  Michelle is an inspiration!


To join in on this month's Chain "Linky" CLIMB (a month long blog hop) - please click HERE

 

 

 

Fantastic $750 Giveaway - Many Ways to Enter!!

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway


 

 

 

 

Themed Blog & Shop Hop - "Colorful Flowers"

 

 

WELCOME to the 15th

"Themed Blog & Shop Hop"

May 16th 2013!

I'm so glad that you stopped by!

For those of you who are not familiar with "Hops" (a.k.a. Linky party) - a Blog Hop &/or Shop Hop is an event where viewers/followers can upload links onto my blog......Links to their items in their Etsy shops (or online shops) or links to their Blogs. And then we can "hop" from blog to blog or shop to shop.

The theme this month is:
"Colorful"  "Flowers"
Please share with us any item in your shop or from your blog that has many colors, or anything that has to do with flowers - planting or growing flowers, flower seeds, any variety of flower........etc......

If you have anything that remotely touches this topic - then please share it with us.

 

Although I would love it if everyone joined my blog or became followers of my blog - that is not a requirement to participate in this "Hop". All I ask is that you keep your submissions decent - no offensive content please.

 

Well, actually there is a second rule:

only 2 submissions per person please.

If you do not have a blog or a shop then please still stop by and take a digital walk through our virtual mall.

I will be having a "Themed Blog & Shop Hop" once a month - the middle of each month. Next month's hop will be on:

JUNE 13th, 2013

ENJOY!!

To Etsy shop owners - please only upload links directly to the items that you would like to share with us - not a link to your entire shop - Thanks.

To Blog owners - you may submit any post that fits into the theme - it can be an old post from many months ago (it does Not have to be a recent post). Also, please submit the link directly to the post and Not a link to your homepage - Thank you!

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer

 

 

April Blog & Shop Hop - THE RESULTS

I would just like to thank all of you again for either visiting or participating in my 14th "Themed Blog & Shop Hop" - I had so much fun and I hope that you did also!

Now - The Results (If you haven't already - please checkout these wonderful shops & blogs) (Remember I have 2 "featured buttons" if you were featured and wanted to place one on your blog - NOT a requirement)

 

With the most "likes":

<a border="0" href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/ButtonLike150_zps91cbd14b.jpg"/></a>

 

 

Darlene from "Little Shop of Treasures" received the most "likes"with this lovely Vintage Anchor Hocking Candy/Nut Dish






Margalit from "Margalita Mosaic Art" also received the most "likes" with this awesome Mosaic Owl Key Holder







With the most "clicks":

<a border="0" href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/ButtonClick150_zps66aa90cb.jpg"/></a>

Angel from "Sew Crafty Angels" received the most "clicks" with a dreamy post on "Craft Room Ideas"  (NOTE - I was unable to paste any of the pictures included in her post - please go to her blog to see these amazing ideas).

Thank you all for your wonderful submissions!!!

 Please join us tomorrow for the 15th Themed Blog & Shop Hop!