"You're the STAR" - Week#1 GARDEN (September 2016)

This fun new blog hop called "You're the Star" is replacing the "ChainLinkyCLIMB" - WELCOME!
Before we continue onto the Linky party I wanted to share with you what's been going on in my garden:
I grew the "Vincent's Choice" Sunflower variety this year - click HERE to view more pictures.

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

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WELCOME to GARDEN feature week of the
"You're the STAR" blog hop!
Meet your GARDEN week Host & Cohosts 
(actually it's just me so far - we will be adding 3 more Cohosts)

This is a month long Linky party featuring YOU!

There will be 4 different features each week and 4 different feature categories.  Just to be clear - this is NOT a themed party - you may link up ANY family-friendly blog posts any day of each month. 
The "theme" occurs in our weekly features:
WEEK#1 GARDEN - gardening, homesteading, recycling &/or preserving (this can include any type of green living,  repurposed ideas all while remaining family friendly)



(For this month only - the features will be chosen from the August CLIMB blog hop since the "You're the Star" is replacing the CLIMB.  Also, eventually we will have 4 features once we have 4 hosts/cohosts but for this week there is only 1 feature).

Overcoming the Challenges of Growing Peaches by Summers Acres


If you've been featured then please grab a STAR button below:


<a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/2016/09/new-youre-star-blog-hop-cohost-sign-up.html" target="_blank"><img alt="You're a STAR" src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/Title%20Pages%20or%20Buttons/YourAstarFEATURED_zpso7ovwjyt.jpg" /></a>
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As you can see we are in need of more Cohosts (click HERE to view a list of our current hosts/cohosts).  For GARDEN feature week we  need 3 more Cohosts.
If you are interested in joining us as a Cohost then please click HERE & fill out the form.


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All Hosts/CoHosts will post this blog hop on every Monday of each week.
Please link up your family friendly blog posts below!
It wouldn't be a linky party with YOU!
(IMPORTANT NOTE: by linking up you understand that you might be featured next month and if so, we will use some of your photos from your post - rest assured - we will always link back to your lovely blog.  We might also share your fantastic posts on social media.  Also, you may link up as many family-friendly posts as you like & YES - other blog hops &/or giveaways are welcome {giveaways and blog hops will NOT be featured though}  Thank You & ENJOY! )

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(Checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!) 

Cynthia from "ShorelineDesigned HANDMADE on Amazon"

Great Lakes stones & planet earth nautical jewelry - beautifully Handmade!

(click on the button below to visit her shop)

Find out more about this amazing artist CLICK HERE

Old Fashioned Sunday Hymn #45

Welcome to the 45th Old Fashioned Sunday Hymn Sing!

I miss the old hymns that I remember from my childhood - there were no drums, no electric guitar and no mind numbing beat. It was just voices and maybe a piano or an organ. The choir led the congregation in singing - and the words of these hymns are poetic. I realize that there is a need for the modern "seeker oriented" worship music - but it is also necessary to have deeper songs (no offense intended to anyone who prefers the newer church songs).

I decided to have an "Old Fashion Sunday Hymn Sing" once a month on this blog.

I personally do NOT have a great singing voice - I used to play the guitar & piano but my voice is NOT an instrument. That's the great thing about this digital hymn sing, you can warble along without being embarrassed or without offending anyone else.

The hymns that we will be studying are taken from an old hymnal from a Baptist church that is no longer in existence - "The North American Hymnal" published in 1956 by "THE ROGER WILLIAMS PRESS"

I will also try to find a version of the featured hymn on "YouTube" to share with you each month.

Today's featured hymn is "I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say" written by Horatius Bonar, (1808-1889).  
This composer was born in Edinburgh and followed in his father's footsteps by becoming a pastor (his father was actually a church ruler).  Horatius began by writing verse for the youth because at the time, during Sunday school the youth only sang metrical Psalms.  Pastor Bonar found that they youth were not interested and could not relate.  Once Horatius began writing verse he discovered how much he enjoyed it and then began writing adult hymns.

I had actually never heard this song before writing this post.  It is very "Celtic" sounding and I absolutely love that style of music so this hymn almost seemed modern to me.  I have included 2 YouTube videos of this lovely hymn!  The first one is very Scottish sounding and the second one sounds more traditional - ENJOY!

Turn with me to number 231 in your hymnals and let's sing:

I Heard the Voice of Jesus Say

written by Horatius Bonar, (1808-1889)

1. I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Come unto Me and rest;  Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast."  I came to Jesus as I was, Weary, and worn, and sad;  I found in Him a resting place, And He has made me glad.

2.   I heard the voice of Jesus say, "Behold, I freely give The living water thirsty one, Stoop down, and drink, and live."  I came to Jesus and I drank Of that life giving stream:  My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, And now I live in Him.

3.   I heard the voice of Jesus say, "I am this dark world's light;  Look unto Me;  thy morn shall rise, And all thy day be bright."  I looked to Jesus and I found in Him my Star, my Sun, And in that light of life I'll walk Till all my journey's done.

A special thanks to "AdventNatt" for sharing this with us!

 A special thanks to "nimportequoi" for posting this on YouTube

Other Hymns on this blog:

Softly and Tenderly Jesus is Calling
Beneath the Cross of Jesus
He Hideth My Soul
Rejoice, Ye Pure in Heart
Praise Him, Praise Him!
My Jesus, I love Thee, I Know Thou Art Mine
My Savior's Love
Jesus, Thy Boundless Love To Me
Jesus, I Come
Hallelujah What a Savior!
Safe in the Arms of Jesus
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Click HERE to view or join this community

If you need prayer please fill out this

Prayer Request form

NEW! - You're The STAR Blog Hop & CoHost Sign-Up

WELCOME to the brand new
"You're the STAR" blog hop!
This is a month long Linky party featuring YOU!
There will be 4 different features each week and 4 different feature categories.  Just to be clear - this is NOT a themed party - you may link up ANY family-friendly blog posts any day of each month. 
The "theme" is only in our weekly features:
WEEK#1 GARDEN - gardening, homesteading, recycling &/or preserving (this can include any type of green living,  while remaining family friendly),
WEEK#2 CREATIVE - arts & crafts, music, writing &/or dramatic arts (this can include sewing, dance, art history, handmade jewelry, computer art, fashion etc - anything creative while remaining family friendly)
WEEK#3 FAMILY - parenting, fitness, finances & inspirational (this can include anything about children like: education ideas for children, also self help etc -  anything family friendly)
WEEK#4 HOME - recipes, home décor, antique/DIY &/or travel (this can include anything about your home - even history posts - all while remaining family friendly)
Below is a graphic showing our weekly feature categories:






We are in need of more Cohosts (click HERE to view a list of our current hosts/cohosts)
If you are interested in joining us as a Cohost then please click HERE & fill out the form.


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All Hosts/CoHosts will post this blog hop on every Monday of each week but since this is the first You're the STAR ever I decided to post my announcement today.
Please link up your family friendly blog posts below!
It wouldn't be a linky party with YOU!

Copyright, Permissions & Disclaimer



Linked to:
Wake Up Wednesday Linky
Turn It Up Tuesday

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(Checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!) 

Cynthia from "ShorelineDesigned HANDMADE on Amazon"

Great Lakes stones & planet earth nautical jewelry - beautifully Handmade!

(click on the button below to visit her shop)

Find out more about this amazing artist CLICK HERE

Round Zucchini - Perfect for Zucchini Jack-O-Lantern

Round Zucchini - Perfect for a Zucchini Jack-o'-lantern

Every year we grow at least one unique vegetable variety and this year it was the round zucchini.  These circular versions of the traditional oblong shaped veggie are very cute indeed and do resemble a pumpkin.  However, the flavor and texture have something to be desired.  The skin is quite tough on these spherical squash versions and the seeds are much too large.  I enjoyed growing them just this once - we will not plant the round zucchini a second time.

Most of these zucchini will be shredded and frozen (click HERE to view how to freeze shredded zucchini).  With this frozen produce I will create delicious smoothies (click HERE to view smoothie recipes using frozen garden produce).

I did set aside one round zucchini and created a sweet little zucchini jack-o'-lantern (see picture below) & ENJOY!

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(Checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!) 

Cynthia from "StoneSoup on ArtYah"

Great Lakes stones are natural as-found, surf tumbled, drilled and designed into wearable & collectible art for you!
(click on the button below to visit her shop)

SweetLeaf Stevia Sweetener GIVEAWAY

SweetLeaf Stevia Sweetener GIVEAWAY! 
Enter for your chances to win!

but first - read this great post:
Stevia Sweetened Lemonade Slushy/Icey



click HERE to view the entire post

(the following post was written by Laura from Michigan Saving and More )
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This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase made Laura may receive a small commission to help support her blog.

Welcome to the SweetLeaf Stevia Giveaway Ends 10/1

SweetLeaf Stevia products taste so good and there are lots of things to choose from!  We want you to see what you like!

Hosted by:  Michigan Saving and More

Sponsored by: SweetLeaf

The winner will receive $50 rv of an assortment of SweetLeaf products!

$50 rv

Read more about SweetLeaf products HERE.

Can’t wait?  You can always purchase these on Amazon today.

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This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. You are not eligible if you have won a prize from the sponsor in the last 12 month. This Giveaway is valid in the United States and Canada. Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 10/1/16. The winners will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The sponsors are responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Laura Smith at las930 (at)gmail (dot) com or contact the owner of the blog you are entering on!

We “LOVE” it if you like us!

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Weekly Thankfulness & Growth Report #29

#29 - Weekly Thankfulness & Growth Report

If you were following this blog in 2015 then you will be familiar with my "365 Days of Being Thankful" challenge.  I have missed reporting on my thankfulness since I finished my challenge back in November so I decided to at least give a weekly Thankfulness Report & include a Growth Report also.  Growth in our Christian walk, growth in the garden & growth on this blog.  Finally, I am also including a "Posts From the Past" feature - ENJOY!


This week I have been so thankful for an amazing visit with my parents celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.  I am especially thankful to God for blessing me with such wonderful parents.


"......for the Lord your God goes with you;  he will never leave you nor forsake you." 
Deuteronomy 31:6
I praise and thank God that I am always safe in His arms - lets remember this precious old hymn: "Safe in the Arms of Jesus" written by Fanny J. Cosby.
Read: Hymn - Safe in the Arms of Jesus


We are getting near the end of zucchini season but I still have a few gigantic zucchini (they got away from me) - I plan on shredding and freezing these larger squash for use in winter smoothies.

- Here are my Follower stats:

GFC (Google Friends Connect) - 2,265
Bloglovin - 4,141
Twitter - 6,096

Pinterest - 5,510
Google+ - 2,298
Facebook - 4,407
Linky Followers - 108
Networked Blog - 1,206
Activate - 574
That's a grand total of 26,605 followers in some form or another (that's up 16 from last week!).

(click on the title to view the entire post)
Last year was a great year for sunflowers - the "Strawberry Blonde" variety is one of my favorites:
Strawberry Blonde Sunflower Variety - Loved by Insects


Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

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Linked to:
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Take Up The THANKFULNESS Challenge!

I challenge you to thank God for something everyday for one year!  Either write it down in a diary OR share with us on a blog.  If you have a blog & would like to share your THANKFULNESS posts with us, then please fill out this form: 365 Days of Being THANKFUL form - click HERE and you will be added to the THANKFULNESS page.

<a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/p/thankfulness-challenge-365-days-of.html" rel="”nofollow”" target="_blank"><img alt="THANKFULNESS Challenge" src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/Title%20Pages%20or%20Buttons/THANKFULNESSchallengeButton_zpsievqkttd.jpg" /></a>

Happy Birthday GIVEAWAY!

Happy Birthday GIVEAWAY! 
Four different prize packs! 
Enter for your chances to win!

but first - read this great post:
Twin Cupcake Cakes



click HERE to view the entire post

(the following post was written by Laura from Michigan Saving and More )
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This post contains affiliate links and if clicked and a purchase made Laura may receive a small commission to help support her blog.

Welcome to the Happy Birthday Giveaway!

Birthdays are all year long so I thought we should give you birthday gifts for September!

4 Winners will win $910 rv of prizes!

Hosted by:

Michigan Saving and More

Co Hosted by:

Tales From A Southern Mom

Sew Crafty Angel

Java John Z’s

PaulaMS’ Giveaways, Reviews, & Freebies

God’s Growing Garden

Heartbeats~ Soul Stains

Simply Sherryl

Deliciously Savvy

LivingWithBeth.com

Holiday Contest and Sweeps

I want to thank all the wonderful bloggers that help promote these contests! Please visit and follow them so we all can have great contests for our followers!

WE ALSO WANT TO THANK OUR AWESOME SPONSORS – PLEASE SHOW THEM SOME LOVE!

Remember: You are not eligible if you have won from any sponsor in the last 12 months, this includes contests on other websites.

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Glasstic Bottle Co. – Glasstic Value 3 Pack – See review HERE.

Code SUMMER15 gives you 15% off of any Glasstic Product

I SEE ME! – My Royal Birthday books (boy and girl version) – See review HERE.

Mettle Energy – Energy Drink Mix 25 packs – See review HERE.

Mixcder – 872 On-ear Wireless Headphones – See review HERE.

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Neocell - Keratin Hair volumizer - See review HERE.

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PumPedi – Perfect Electric Callus Remover – See review HERE.

Stefilia’s Little Stones – Let It Shine CD – See review HERE.

ECHTPower - Programmable 4000DPI Pro Gaming Mouse - See review HERE.

 

THE GIVEAWAY

This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. You are not eligible if you have won a prize from any of the sponsors in the last 12 month. This Giveaway is valid in the Continental United States Only and Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 9/30/16. The winners will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contests are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Laura Smith at las930 (at)gmail (dot) com.

Also we all “love it if you like us” on Facebook! If you like our blogs on social media it helps us bring you only the best giveaways and more of them!

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