tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77641841284418746142024-03-09T00:42:05.447-08:00Garden of DiscoveryWhere learning is a way of lifeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.comBlogger155125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-64917785258090483212014-10-07T19:55:00.001-07:002014-10-07T21:25:54.639-07:00The Surface Tension of Our Heart: Why it can take time to receive God's Word<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Why is it that it takes so much time for us to receive God's truth in some areas of our lives? I have asked myself this question numerous times. God's timing is not like ours, I am always reminding myself of this and that is one part of it, but another part is that we can be pretty stubborn customers and breaking down that stubborn pride takes His resistance to what we are up to and that can take a lot of time. God is careful about getting whatever it is out of His way so the work will be unhindered. There are books on the subject, but I'm not writing one today. Nope, today I want to share a pretty cool insight God gave me about resistance that came from the soil in my garden. It has to do with <i>water surface tension, </i>which translated for the purpose of my question into <i>spiritual surface tension</i> or <i>surface tension of the hear</i>t. It speaks to how this tension affects our ability to receive the water of His word and helps explain the reason why it takes so long for some things to sink deeply in to our hearts.<br />
<br />
There was a moment at a recent women's retreat where I felt that "sinking in" happening in all it's glory. It was amazing. It was a head to toe experience that I never wanted to stop. As I was thinking about that experience the Lord drew my attention back to the moment right before it when my soul wasn't really receiving in fullness from a truth I thought I believed. If we took a look we would all have to agree there are those things in us that we know so well we only think we believe but in actuality we don't and because we don't we are not experiencing the fullness of what would happen if we truly did believe them, the fullness of power and blessing God has for us when we do. In God's economy it is all or nothing, faith or unbelief...there is no "sort of believing" and just knowing something is not enough. He wants us to be all in, fulling invested and in full faith believing His promises. He's not into lukewarm or fence sitting, He wants us walking on water with Him, believing Him for anything and everything, because He is God, the God of all things, Creator of the universe, the Great I Am. And I was right there that morning, on the fence, with something I thought I was doing, thought I believed. And God was not surprised nor was He angry with me for not getting it. He was about to show me I had little true depth of understanding in it, the true faith of it had not saturated my being like He desired it to and then take me to a whole new level of understanding. A level of knowing that is beyond the mind, where I would experience seeing in my spirit and then the actual physical sensing of it, that "<i>knowing that I know</i>", and He was going to do pull out all the stops to begin to make that faith deeply mine.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YNqo4Un2uZI" target="_blank">"It Is Well"</a><br />
"Through it all, through it all<br />
My eyes are on You<br />
Through it all, through it all<br />
It is well" <br />
<br />
Our speaker, Di Endicott lead us in singing this beautiful song, I had been hungering deeply for God, for change in my life, for an empowering breakthrough. As I began to sing these words I put all I was before the Lord and was quickly, but gently, interrupted by "that voice". The Lord asked me, "Is it really? Is it really well with your soul?" Nothing is hidden from God I know this, but I also know how good I am at lying to myself. I was busted, there in the midst of my sisters as we sang my heart was laid bare before God. At that moment with no shame I had to confess it did not "feel well" within me at all. Actually I didn't even have to say it, I thought it, and God wasn't surprised by my thoughts, He already knew I didn't. "Sing it to yourself, tell your soul it is well!" He told me, urging me into unknown territory in His strong gentle way. My eyes overflowed with tears, I choked out the lyrics singing..."Through it all, through it all it is well." speaking to my soul, not to God, but to my soul. "It is well, it is well. It is well, it is well. It is well, it is well, with my soul." The moment I had taken that step to obey, I found mind flooded with an image of my body and what I can only describe as it's spiritual circulatory system and sensed the blockages and pain and then, just as quickly, I was given grace to receive what I was singing to my soul...the wellness of my soul by faith. As I sang out of this deeper place of faith, my understanding opened up and the sensation of wellness flooded my entire soul and body! O, if only you could have seen it, if only you could have felt it! I was undone.<br />
<br />
How God does this just amazes me. How I had never experienced it before, I can only chalk up to this thing, <i>spiritual surface tension,</i> that needed to be broken in me by God the Master of all gardeners, through His nurturing care of my soul. At that moment I, for the very first time, fully receive this promised wellness within. It was the very first time I had ever experienced it with such bold honesty and I hadn't even asked for it too which really blew my mind. But the Heavenly Father knew how much I needed to experience it, He knew the lack of wellness within me and He did all He could to bring me to the place where I would be able to receive it. Oh how I wish I could give you what I received in that moment. How I hope if you have yet to, that you will and soon. It is my prayer that our Lord will make it so.<br />
<br />
So what does this have to do with this "<i>surface tension</i>" I keep referring to? How does this fit in? As I sat here writing in my journal about the retreat and being flooded by wellness God gave me a very clear picture in my mind of a bead of water sitting on barren dry ground and how it just rolled off and away without sinking into the soil leaving only a damp spot on the surface. I knew exactly what it was immediately, <i>soil surface tension</i>. He was speaking to me about how this image of water being unable soak into dry ground freely was connected to my experience at the retreat. Well that was interesting, I had never thought of there being any correlation between the two. This is so cool.<br />
<br />
Have you ever poured water out onto very dry soil and noticed how the soil resists the water and the water just sits on top of the ground in a fat bead and actually will run off without hardly wetting the soil at all? Have you ever wondered why it does that? Why won't the soil just soak that water like a sponge? What causes there to be such
resistance between the two when the soil obviously needs the water? The reason this occurs is because of something known as "<i> surface tension</i>" which affects the soil's ability to draw water down into it and it occurs when soils become overly dry. The soil in this state has become what is known as "<i>hydrophobic</i>". This means it is resistant to water being absorbed into it. This happens when the molecules of the water become more dense than the soil. (Nerdy I know) It's sort of like what happens with magnets when their poles are at odds with one another and instead of pulling together they push apart, sort of. <br />
<br />
The way to avoid having to deal with soils that do this is to take care of the soil properly by being sure it has good levels of organic material in it (<i>humus</i>) and keeping it hydrated. If the soil does become <i>hydrophobic</i> it is reversible and the tension can be broken, but it takes <i>patience</i> and careful slow watering to get the soil back to where it will do a good job of water absorption. After that the addition of organic matter and basic soil care are in order. Now for the spiritual aspects of this. <br />
<br />
There is a similar tension with us, a <i>spiritual surface tension</i> <i>of the heart</i>, and when I look at it in relationship to surface tension seen in the illustration God showed me I can see parallels to what happens in our hearts versus what goes on with <i>hydrophobic soil</i>. There are clearly things that affect our hearts ability to absorb what God desires us to have, things that rob us of that water of life, the water of His word. Things that cause this tension and resistance to those truths that will set us free, those things that strengthen our faith and lives so we are able to produce good fruit. This parallel helped so much to explain why it takes time for things to sink into our lives and it gave me more hope, because God is far from finished with His daughter. <br />
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<i>Hydrophobic</i> soils are frustrating and can be troublesome to deal with for a couple reasons, the main reason is the obvious lack of water and a secondary reason is when the soil contains the type of organic matter more prone to becoming hydrophobic and usually is more that way than the soil itself is. Why does this matter to the message? Because what we put into our lives, our thinking and our system of beliefs, will feed our soul and spirit, or not. When they are the wrong thing, or unholy compost as I like to call it, they produce this same <i>hydrophobic tendencies</i> in the spiritual realm of our heart and cause a desert bareness of the soul. This spiritual surface tension resists the truth of God when He goes to pour it into us. This is why God's patience and forbearance with us is so important for us. If He wasn't He would just hang up the watering can and go find another heart to garden in! <br />
<br />
How can you know if you have taking in this unholy compost? Get serious, pray, seek
God and take time to hear Him! Ask Him for discernment to see the things hindering His word in your life and fearlessly
surrender the deep places of your heart, not just those up front that are less painful and
easy to get to places...DIG DEEP! The root of the lies we have been led
to believe run deep. I pray God will give you the desire to get every
last one of them OUT once and for all, to destroy what Satan has tried
to destroy you through, because he has tried to. Okay, where was I?<br />
<br />
Unholy compost are those lies rapped up in just enough truth that unless we are careful we can fill our lives up with them because they "sound good". Beware of them, these things even in good times are suck us dry spiritually and will leave us thirsting, but in a desert place can be devastating to to one's faith. To be sure, none of us is perfect, we have all made mistakes like this to one degree or another. Go to God when you are made aware of this unholy compost in your life. And remember, God is <i>continually pouring out</i> His truth to us, giving us all we need through Christ our Savior. He desires our best, our blessing, that we produce good fruit and you can bet He'll will do whatever it takes to ensure that fruit comes to harvest in us. Okay, back to the soil.<br />
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There is no fast and easy way to reduce <i>soil surface tension</i>. It can't be broken by applying lots of water all at once, any more than we can have that "know that I know" kind of faith by consuming copious amounts of scripture, it doesn't work that way. The method used to break soil surface tension is by watering slowly and steadily, over time, sometimes for several days. It's because it can only seep into a very thin layer of soil and so it has to go from one depth to another to another until that tension between the soil and water is mitigated and the water can be taken up fully and deliver it's life giving properties to things living there. Yes, it seems quite similar to what God does in us over the course of our life to work His truth well into our hearts. Now do you see why God gave me the picture He did? <br />
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Surface tension is also why we see flash floods happening in drought ridden or desert areas when a they receive a normal to large amount of rainfall quickly. Flash flooding waters flow along the top of the ground because that surface tension in the soil has not been <i>broken</i> yet. I've experienced a very similar type of spiritual flash flooding in my
own life those times where I get filled with emotion as I am washed over
with a flood of truth, but my heart is properly prepared to receive it
and within hours I am back to where I was, parched dry and unchanged. This flash flooding of our spiritual life is that quick dose of emotion and inspiration we get from hearing an exciting message or what we experience in a really cool worship concert. We feel revived, alive and ready for battle, ready for anything and praise God. Certainly God is changing people there and pouring into them deeply, but so often it's all adrenaline and emotion. Unless the Holy Spirit has done
the necessary work to break the spiritual tension within our hearts, those flash
floods of truth will flow away into memory and we'll be again standing
on the dry ground of our lives wondering why things didn't stick. (Lord have mercy.)<br />
<br />
I should also mention this tension in the soil is not just at the surface which is why it is so problematic and takes so long to break. It goes as far down as where ever the soil has become parched. If we believe it is only at the surface we lack proper understanding of this whole of it's impact and will continue to water as if the water will move as it should when it won't. This lack of understanding will cause our gardens to fail to thrive, while we stand there wondering why. And it's all because we don't understand the full impact of that tension in the dry soil, and so it remains parched and
dry, physically unable to take up the moisture. Isn't that true of our spiritual lives too?<br />
<br />
The continual dryness in the soil of a garden causes all kinds of issues, from stunted plant growth to proneness to disease, damaging desiccation of the leaves and stems, blasting (sudden death) of flowers,
lack of fruitfulness and even eventually death of the plants. Does any of
this sound familiar to you in your spiritual life? I know it does in
mine. There are things I have wondered about that I know God has planted
in me that I have always desired to grow in and felt hindered to do
so. Same with my personal life too but as I believe the two are
intrinsically bound in my service and faith in Christ they go together
for me. That morning as I was stepping out in faith, speaking to my soul "it is well with in me", God broke through where I could not in my own strength and did
things in me I didn't even know I needed done. And I think I finally
know why in my garden here at home we have suffered with this kind of soil problems for so long. God really knows how to set up an effective object
lesson. Anyhow, as I thought about that image God gave me I realized it
is so like what He did with me over time to bring my heart to be able to
receive the fullness of that statement "<i>It is well within me</i>", a verse in a new song we learned that weekend.<br />
<br />
I really don't like that my heart can be like those <i>hydrophobic soils</i>
and resist what God is wanting me to take in. Understanding how
breaking surface tension works sure helps to take the fuel out of my
frustration though and helps me to be more forgiving of myself. It
gives me a window into understanding how God is at work in my own life.
For my heart so needs that soft repeated application of the water of
His truth, like watering parched earth,
to get it to the point where it will finally sink to depth it needs to
go and I will become alive with it and thrive in
spirit and truth in that area of my life. <br />
<br />
As I look back on my thirty plus years following Christ, I can see how
this has happened over and over again in my life and the truth is that
it will probably will be for the rest of it too as God breaks into those
hidden places of my heart, those neglected spaces and gets to work
performing His will in me. Yes, I believe this is exactly how God works
in us to bring the living water of His truth into our parched souls,
from the time He begins to woo us until He calls us home to heaven. He
offers water to the thirsty soul, love to the hungry heart...a little at
a time over a long period of time, soaking in a little deeper with
every drip, drip drip, until our hearts are ready to fully receive it
and it brings forth life in us! <br />
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I hope this has given you some food for thought and some encouragement. God works all things out for His glory, for the good of those who He has called. <br /><br />~Patty~<br /><br />P.S. The song lyrics quoted in this post are from the song "It Is Well" Written by Kristene DiMarco and produced by Bethel Music Publishing. You can hear the entire song at the link provided above.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Copyright © 2014 by Patty Hicks<br /><br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.</span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-38660952377944943782014-10-01T11:14:00.000-07:002014-10-01T14:36:33.261-07:00Clearing A Path; God's Will and Moving Boulders<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />
Life is a funny thing, God's timing is a mysterious thing, both are difficult to understand sometimes and for me that sometimes has been years long. The circumstances have been ones that seemed to happen over and over again, every time I would get a good idea or see a path that had promise and get a good strong running. I'd be on my way, seeing the goal in front of me and some successes and WHAM...I was knocked down, stopped dead by something in my way. I was cut off, even knocked completely off the path I was on and unable to find a way back. <br />
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Some of my friends have tried to explain my situation by saying God was bringing death to a vision and that He would certainly provide a way and restore it in His timing and His way. I don't know if that is correct or not. Certainly there was death, but I'm not presuming the goals I had at the time were born of His vision or calling for my life, I know many of them have not been. However what my struggling did do was send me to a very deep and desperate place, where God set up a couple of encounters I am going to share with you, about the time He spoke to me through two strangers. I was powerfully reminded about them yesterday as I read <a href="http://kimberlybrockbooks.com/2014/09/30/what-we-wish-for/" target="_blank">“What We Wish For”</a> on Kimberly Brooks website. <i><br /><br />"I realized this: creativity – the source that has always been the
soul-restoring energy available to me in that nest-closet of mine – is
like any other thing on this earth that FLOWS. It needs a clear path” </i><br />
<br />
Kimberly's words on the flow of creativity needing a clear path thrust me into a strong refreshed memory of when God spoke to me about something quite similar through two strangers. It literally took my breath away as I was instantaneously and powerfully reminded about it. Her words also explain pretty clearly what is going on in my life since those encounters as well. Maybe it's the same thing that's going on in yours too, I know I am not alone and I want you to know neither are you. <br />
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For me this has been years of deep longing to be set free to create with my hands and heart as I have been gifted to do. To use my abilities in a meaningful way to both add financial support to our household and to serve others too. For these many years something has always happened or been there to stop me or at least to slow down my creative work to a drip, drip, drip. There are days it feels like my heart wants to burst from it. But I am tempered by the understanding that God is at work even when I can't see what He is doing. After reading Kimberly's post I felt the strong nudge of the Holy Spirit to share my personal account of what happened when I was met by two women of faith at that women's retreat. This account is not just what God said to me back then, but how He spoke, the method He used to reach me.<br />
---<br />
<i>The Encounter:</i><br />
Three years ago I attended a women's retreat for Free Methodist churches in our region. I went feeling deeply empty, spiritually exhausted and with everything in me crying out for God to do something, anything. I needed so very much to hear from Him that my whole being ached with desire for Him. It was during that weekend that I had encounters with two women who were strangers to me and who God used to speak to me, each sharing specific images He had shown them about my life, each sharing a very specific word of exhortation for me. When I first met these women I had no idea I was about to receive something from God through them. There were no signs, no goose flesh, no bells, no halos, no angel wings, no heavenly chorus, just common friendly conversation between spiritual sisters. What began as friendly interaction was transformed into life giving words when God moved in on our conversation. Through these women, God, beautifully and clearly delivered His message to me with such intimate detail there was no doubt it was directly from God.<br />
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The first morning of the retreat, during our free time, I sat down at the piano to worship in song for a while. The first woman approached, listening, and then introducing herself. She said she admired my playing and the lyrics of the songs, telling me they blessed her and ministered to her heart. She offered encouragement to me to keep writing as she felt God was blessing it. I graciously thanked her for the kind words and told her I was thankful she was blessed. We kept talking for a while and decided to go out for a walk down to a stream not far from the main lodge. Along the way she told me she had something she felt the Lord urging her to share with me, something about my life that He had shown her. This had never happened to me before but I figured what could it hurt and I agreed to hear her, though somewhat cautiously. We kept walking just talking casually until we reached the stream.<br />
<br />
As we walked along the bank my new friend stopped and told me to look as she pointed over to a boulder out in the middle of the stream with water streaming around it. She proceeded to tell me how God had shown her that the stream of my life had been diverted and hindered by a boulder just like the waters of the stream we were looking at were diverted and that my life had even been stopped up by the boulder. She firmly but lovingly told me I would not be able to move the boulder out of the way. She went on to say only God could and would remove it. He would remove it and allow for my life to flow restored and without my lifting a finger. Relief began to sink into my soul and at the same time I was undone by her words, it was a near perfect picture of how life had been for me. Only God could have shown her that. <br />
<br />
On the last day as I was getting ready to leave I was approached by the second woman who smiled and stopped me to ask if she could give me a hug. I needed a hug and I'm sure I looked like I need a hug, I was still a mess of emotions inside. But in all honesty, I had wanted to hug her too since I first spotted her in the crowd the first night of our retreat, but I kept missing her all weekend. I didn’t even know who she was, I only knew I wanted to give her a hug. I was so drawn to her I was actually glad to finally give her that hug, but even more thankful to be receiving one from her. As we parted from hugging she took my hands, looked me straight in the eye, and asked how she might pray for me. Oh boy, that did it. I broke into a blubbering mess right there in the hallway, crying so hard I could hardly talk. She took my arm and calmly said “We need to find somewhere quite to talk.” took my hand and let me to a quiet room where we wouldn’t be disturbed. <br />
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As we sat there, I tried to again answer her question through the tears, but all I could get out of my mouth was how badly I needed God’s touch or a word, anything from Him. She suddenly sat up very straight and with authority said in her sweet but firm voice, "Honey, you need to quite trying so hard! You let go right now, you need to relax! God's go this! Why are you trying so hard?" Boy did that get my attention. What she shared with me next cemented that this was indeed God's message to me and that it not just her speaking, it was the Holy Spirit speaking through her. She explained how I was like a little plant who wanted so badly to grow and who was trying to, but there was this big rock on top of me that was making it very hard to grow. Then she shared with me how every time I tried began to grow so I could bloom, a foot would come and press down on top of that rock, pushing it down on me so I couldn’t. Then she told me I was not going to be able to remove the rock either. She told I needed to just stop trying right to move that rock out of my way right now because I couldn't do it, that was God's job. As if that wasn't enough she said it again, telling me to RELAX and stop trying so hard, that God would move it and that I must trust God because He would do it. God was drilling His word into me through this lady who was barely five feet tall, what a powerhouse! I think my jaw must have hit the floor as I listened to her words. How could she know this about my experience, my personality and my struggle? Certainly God had given her my number, there was no denying it.<br />
<br />
After she finished sharing I confirmed humbly she was correct in what she had stated about me and repented of my self reliance and stubborn will. We spent some time in prayer over what had just been shared and my new found perspective and from that day on I knew that I knew, God had met me there, that He had heard my cries and He had spoken to me. That day I left that place renewed, trusting God fully, still not sure what He would do or when, but with my hunger fully satisfied and my spiritual legs were back under me and ready for whatever was next.<br />
<br />
This was such a peculiar thing to experience, to have two
strangers say nearly the same thing to me about things they could not
have known outside of God showing them. I had read about this kind of
thing in the Bible and understood what receiving a <i>word of knowledge</i> meant, but to
actually be on the receiving end...and twice in two
days, that was somethin'. Through these beautiful and obediently loving sisters in
Christ, I had been given a message quite specific to my
life by my Heavenly Father. (Oh there go the goose bumps again!) The whole experience was so mind blowing, they didn't know me from Adam yet spoke so directly into my situation, even about my weakness, each making it crystal clear that the necessary work was NOT mine to do with the last lady going so far as to exhort me to stop trying so hard and telling me I needed to relax and let God do the work for me three times! Seems sometimes God knows that we, that I, need to hear something more than once and sometimes from more than one person, even strangers.<br />
<br />
This truly is the most amazing thing to me, I was in such a dire place and here comes God's spokeswomen who lovingly, obediently, tenderly and firmly, delivered God’s loving response to my crying out for Him. They took part in something that changed my life that day which is why, when I read the words Kimberly wrote, the air left my lungs as I felt those written words strike my heart with the same force and tone of the twin messages those women had shared with me. They were like deep penetrating chords so familiar they went through my body, I leaned into them to fully feel them and hear them as fully as possible. Her words confirming to me again that the path of my life still needs to be cleared, the hindrance has not been removed and I agree, I still feel its presence. But this time it is different for me. I know the problem and the problem isn't mine and that God sees it and my desire to grow and bloom, to thrive instead of just survive the way I have been doing for so many years. And I know that yes, He will perform what He said He would on my behalf.<br />
<br />
So with all that said, now I'm sitting here wondering what is God up to? Why this reminder? These thoughts came to me after I felt the harmony of Kimberly’s words to the word of knowledge and exhortation the two women had shared with me. I share this because I am trying to process all of it still, and because I still feel the boulder that has been hindering my path has not been removed, I am still waiting. I share because I need to confess that I know I still can’t move the darn thing. Yes, I confess, I’ve tried a time or two but gave up quickly because I immediately recognized I was trying to do God's work myself again. I share this because I still shake my head in amazement at the love God demonstrated through those two strangers that weekend and I want others to have that same type of experience with Him. And I share to say that the waiting time has allowed me to learn a lot about myself and my gifts since letting go of my struggle. And maybe most importantly, I share this to say that God has done a refining work in me, to teach me to be quiet in my soul...well I'm still working on that one but am much better than I used to be, and I am much more at peace with God's timing and plan than I used to be...at least most of the time.<br />
<br />
A passage in the Old Testament that has been very meaningful to me regarding the work God is doing in me and my situation is Isaiah 54:10-18 <br />
<br />
<i><span class="text Isa-54-10" id="en-NASB-18734">“For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-10">But My lovingkindness will not be removed from you,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-10">And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,”</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-10">Says the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span> who has compassion on you.</span> </i><br />
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<i><span class="text Isa-54-11" id="en-NASB-18735">“O afflicted one, storm-tossed, and not comforted,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-11">Behold, I will set your stones in antimony,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-11">And your foundations I will lay in sapphires.</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-12" id="en-NASB-18736">“Moreover, I will make your battlements of rubies,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-12">And your gates of crystal,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-12">And your entire wall of precious stones.</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-13" id="en-NASB-18737">“All your sons will be taught of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>;</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-13">And the well-being of your sons will be great.</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-14" id="en-NASB-18738">“In righteousness you will be established;</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-14">You will be far from oppression, for you will not fear;</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-14">And from terror, for it will not come near you.</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-15" id="en-NASB-18739">“If anyone fiercely assails you it will not be from Me.</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-15">Whoever assails you will fall because of you.</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-16" id="en-NASB-18740">“Behold, I Myself have created the smith who blows the fire of coals</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-16">And brings out a weapon for its work;</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-16">And I have created the destroyer to ruin.</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-17" id="en-NASB-18741">“No weapon that is formed against you will prosper;</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-17">And every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn.</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-17">This is the heritage of the servants of the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>,</span><br /><span class="text Isa-54-17">And their vindication is from Me,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>.</span></i></div>
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<i><br /></i>People may look in from the outside and not understand what is going on with my life, but God is in the middle of it, in full control and working to bring about His will and blessing for me. He is good always.<br />
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~Patty~<br />
<i>For more on spiritual gifts God gives us read 1 Corinthians 12. <br /><br />P.S. It is not lost on me how God uses so many references from nature...the boulders, the plant...you should see all the boulders I have dug out of my garden here at Tinkerer's Paradise. And my delight with His fingerprints revealed in His glory in the garden...I just love how He does this. </i>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-6989224156468312732014-02-18T09:52:00.000-08:002014-02-18T09:52:40.865-08:00What's New at Tinkerer's Paradise<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />It's been a while since I've posted but I wont' bore you with apologies or rationalizing why I was away. But I do want to catch you up on a couple things.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Freezing cold and snow, is this Portland?</td></tr>
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First the weather, and boy aren't we all having weather this year. From snow in southern states to snow that just keeps coming with more cold and snow in the eastern US and one of the longest snow events I can remember in recent history here in Portland and cold...BRRRR! It was also really dry here from the from October until this month, October being the beginning of our rain calendar. <br /><br />Then yesterday we had a rare six hour windstorm that hit over night with 45 mile gusts that started off with a bang taking the roofing right off our house and kept on roaring all night long! Thankfully the damage wasn't too bad and easily repaired. One woman here crawled out from under the tree that toppled onto her bedroom where she had been asleep. The stories could just go on and on. Today we are making ready for another blast this afternoon. Guess I better get done here and get my errands run this morning before it hits.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben making roof repairs after yesterday's storm.</td></tr>
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God has been so faithful and brought answers to prayer after years of wanting help and direction. He wastes nothing and timing is everything in His economy so I am glad glad glad! They began with my being accepted as a patient to <a href="http://www.pacificu.edu/pt/" target="_blank">School of Physical Therapy at Pacific University</a>. I've not had insurance to pay for such help and am so totally blessed by the help I've been given there, its a great school too if you are interested in this field. My therapist, Jeremy Hilliard, has been such a gift of help and encouragement to me. As a part of my therapy he wanted me to start using equipment that I didn't have forced me to join a gym. Yeah I know, me a gym rat? I'm still chuckling about this one but I love it and it challenges me to keep going.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.crunch.com/" target="_blank">Crunch Gym</a>, which is in my neighborhood is where I'm going. When I signed up I decided to try out their physical training and had three sessions. Scott M. worked with me as my trainer and so full of information and help I really want to continue working with him and hope to figure out how to finance those sessions soon. Everyone there is really friendly and sincerely encouraging which makes it even nicer going. If I'm not having the best day I can count on someone lifting my mood and feel better just knowing I made it there to do what I need to for my own health. This may not seem like a big deal to some of you but I've been so bound by the pain and weakness for so many years now this is like a dream come true.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little winter sowing as the snow began to fly, just a little.</td></tr>
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I'm so encouraged and getting stronger and more hopeful every day. Finally I am beginning to seeing a future that is more than sitting in this chair on my laptop. Finally I am beginning to able to keep my house myself and have more hope. It's been a long time coming. <br /><br />So right now my challenge is to discern which thoughts are true and which are not regarding my injury and to learn just how I am to do things. My guess is I'll learn to do things the way I should have been doing them all along. I need to learn to do things a better way because things are different for me know than when I was 35 too. The biggest thing is learning to keep myself in check and not go running off doing more than I should or being careless in how I do something. This will be fun especially when I feel a bit like a race horse behind the starting gate wanting to shoot out onto the track. But I'm determined to take it one day at a time, one step at a time and do some real solid work on thinking about why and how I am doing things.<br /><br />As far as the garden goes this year, I'm working on a garden work party to begin renovation. I'm praying the heavy rain we are having will stop long enough to dry the now sopping wet soil out so we can get some work accomplished. So yes, I'm busy laying plans for how to renovate the front yard which is so overgrown with weeds and sadly in need of it too. Here's a link to the video I posted about what I am feeling about the garden right and the need here. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10201482171436439" target="_blank">Garden Tour Video</a><br /><br />Just so you know I am very excited, a little sad yes but filled with anticipation about the coming changes. I'm finally and honestly saying goodbye to past things, letting go of some things I really loved doing and moving on to what God has for me next. Gardening may or may not be a part of that picture, but whatever it is I'm sure I'll be blessed and so will others.<br /><br />Here's to bright tomorrows!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/5392693/?claim=nk256w3wpcp">Follow my blog with Bloglovin</a><br /><br />Copyright © 2014 by Patty Hicks<br /><br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.<br />
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<br />With the devastation in the Philippines from Super Typhoon Haiyan we are all reminded of how much we have to be thankful for. Personally I am often overwhelmed with emotion with thoughts of it and the bombardment via news media can be crushing. Overwhelming too is trying to comprehend the scope of what it must be like for them which from all accounts is far worse than our technology is able to allow us to see. And I know probably think about it too much in my empathy. Lately I am finding my self trying to work out what I should or could do
with the knowledge I have of the need. But have no idea what to that
is...it is just so big! Where does one start when the need is so great
and helplessness is reality?<br /><br />
As I made myself a bowl of hot cereal this morning, the suffering souls in the Philippines crossed my mind again. The stark contrast of my blessings and their need gave me pause and I stopped to give thanks to God for this most basic of supply and asked for His help for those suffering...but the experience didn't stop there for me like it usually does.<br /><br /><b>Facebook timeline post November 14, 2013: "Day 14 - thankfulness - I am thankful for the simplest most basic supply of food and water which today became so much more."</b><br /><br />As I took that first spoonful of hot cereal into my mouth I found I could not get it down when a wave of emotion laden thought of those in desperate need came over me; my heart was overwhelmed. I struggled with the feeling of being so blessed to have food and water in abundance and not knowing what if anything I could do to help these suffering souls. It was not guilt but true compassion and it was a strange dichotomy of emotion, this feeling of being blessed but feeling so utterly helpless and wanting so badly to help.<br /><br />The blessing of supply God has given me in juxtaposition of the need of others surprised me sending my heart to my throat, effectively closing off my ability to swallow for that one moment. It was just long enough to make me ask, "How could I eat when others had none?" Like so many of us I am wanting to put my hand to some work that will make a difference in times of tragedy like this. I want to help my neighbor, to be a part of meeting their need.<br /><br />As I began to partake of this simple supply of food it suddenly transformed and became not only sustenance for my body, but a catalyst in my heart for wanting to serve. I took that first swallow and before I could eat more and with every bite it seemed I was praying for how I might help, praying for guidance and discernment beyond the blinding emotions of sorrow for their struggle. I must remind myself to not take up a fools mission in the strong emotional bath I so often find myself in when I consider the gravity of the suffering of others, it will lead to little good. My obedience to God's will is what will accomplish what is best and accomplish the most possible good, as it does in all situations...so I wait and pray.<br /><br />As I considered the great need for food and water in the Philippines I was also reminded of the words of Jesus in Matthew 6 urging me again to not worry, not just for my own need this time, but for the great need of this myriad of hungry thirsty others in the world, especially in the Philippines. So I will wait for His direction and ready myself to serve, whatever that is. If His direction is only to pray I will be glad, as prayer is the currency of Heaven. And as I pray I will remember that once centuries ago a widow gathered empty jars which God filled with oil to meet the needs of her and her son, and on the hillside after Jesus spoke, thousands were fed when God multiplied a pitiful amount of bread and fish and everyone went away satisfied. All of this happened when people were obedient to God's direction and these are only two of many accounts. I know it doesn't always turn out with miracle provision, but it does give me hope and an understanding of the character and capability of God to meet any need.<br /><br /><b>Matthew 6:26 - Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?</b><br />So I give thanks for this simplest of supplies and ask God to help me take on His compassion that will, as He wills, bring aid to others. <br /><br />Every act, every prayer, chips away at the mountainous need before us. Lord help us help the suffering. ~Patty Hicks~<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Copyright © 2013 by Patty Hicks<br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.</i></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-50768905818571503522013-07-31T10:07:00.002-07:002013-07-31T10:07:53.290-07:00I Thought I Was Over That!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<br />"I thought I was over that." Have you ever found yourself saying that before? I found myself saying it after a recent conversation I had with some new friends where I suddenly realized I was lying to myself and was not over something that I kept trying telling I was. It was blatantly obvious too as I sat there and blabbed away at how I had been so disrespected and it was just too competitive and hard to find someone willing to pay me to do what I do. I resented the success of others, of those who didn't give me notice...so who did I think I was kidding? Sadly the only fool in the room was me. <br /><br />In my statements it was clear I was still snarling at others in my past as I sat there licking old wounds. That is exactly the picture I got of how I sounded as I heard myself share how I gave up a dream of a career path after it became such a frustration with door after door closing, of others who were "someone" getting all the business and God was not blessing anything I did along that path. I cringe to even write about how I felt, it hurts to clean this wound and get all the gunk out so it can heal. <br /><br />I struggled with things in part because I am obviously gifted in many aspects of that career path and have a natural affinity for the subject of it. I was not at all prepared for God's plans to not marry with my vision of where I was going. Not prepared for Him to stop me cold in my tracks with disablitity that has brought huge refining in my life. God sees something deeper, more profound in me that He wants to bring out and use. My holding on to the past and licking my wounds does me no good towards being able to see what God wants me to do either. Honestly I didn't think I was terribly stubborn about this but evidently I was more than I though and my holding on to this junk makes that pretty clear I've been resistant to letting go of my dream, something He wants to fully surrender to His will.<br /><br />What I was sharing about in that conversation last night was how I had applied for a dream job that looked like a total "God thing" but ended in devastation and disillusionment. This job opening looked like they had taken every area I had worked and volunteered in and designed the job specifically for me, right down to it the applicant not needing a college degree. It would have paid more than I have ever made, had benefits better than anything I have ever had and sorely needed and the no college degree item was the jerk of the pole that set the hook in my mouth and led me to believe it was from God. Presumption is such a trap that way. I jumped in with both feet on this one and as it turned out I was not called in for an interview, was not even thanked for applying but only given a short letter stating the job was filled. WHAT!? Not even a nod to my skills and a thank you? Why how dare they! Self righteously I stated I would never work for someone who treated applicants who took the time to properly apply as I did. Why of all the nerve! I mean how could they be so cold when I had even sought counsel on how to write that resume and had help editing it until it was clear I was more than qualified. But it wasn't them that closed the door, it was God. <br /><br />I had honestly wished I hadn't say a word to anyone after it all came down as everyone was as shocked as I was and only fueled the first of disappointment and frustration over the whole ordeal. And since then I have found myself battling with resentments and being more jaded than ever about ever being able succeed in that industry so I tossed in the towel and have sat pouting about it ever since...though on the outside it isn't always evident. God has seen it though and said "That's enough of that! It's time for a little attitude adjustment my dear girl". This jaded, pouting, resentful attitude did not speak well of my trust of God and my so called desire to follow Him and He was done with it all. So was I really but as happens so often, change sometimes takes time and a nudge from God before it happens. Thankfully, God doesn't want to leave me here but wants better for me, in spirit and in my life. <br /><br />After the conversation and God's little tap on my shoulder, I began to think about all I was feeling and why. Why am I struggling so? Why, if I know that God has something better, am I even holding court with any resentment towards anyone or feeling sorry for myself? Having such a cold response to that application was basically getting no acknowledgement for something I had given my life to as a career I was quite passionate about and had
placed a lot of hope in, so didn't I have the right to feel that way? You might think so but I don't. Those feelings goes back to that old gnarly root of feeling the need for validation from man which ruled my entire life for decades. I thought I had gotten over that too back when I realized the work of Christ on the cross, that shed blood, had removed all my guilt and His love filled me up so much I wasn't striving for validation any longer. Well, evidently there was some root left that God made clear to me was trying to again take root and needed ousting. But I am not discouraged.<br /><br />
These old roots of resentments tug at my heart, skew my perspective and misguide the trajectory of my life as I try to move forward in God's will. My aim will be a bit off if I don't cut them away and let them fall to the side and will hinder me when I move to take steps forward into what God has for me. They will color how I see situations and affect my relationships for the rest of my life and I don't that! I want to see things the way God wants me to, have His truth do the affecting of those relationships and follow freely His lead...step by solid step in faith and trust.<br /><br />
God relishes my trust but I am not trusting if I am still feeling resentment, self pitty and putting the blame on others for something He actually did. He was the one who kept closing the doors, even withdrew His blessings in related non-work applications of this doing all He could to get me to stop and change course. Yup...it wasn't those evil HR people, it was God trying to get me to stay on His path for my life. And those old resentments needed to go for they kept me lashed to that past experience and on the path of my own will as I refused to surrender them to the Lord. <br /><br />It is not so easy to let go of that future I had planned out as I thought it was; it's even a little heartbreaking. It's hard to not put all this up into God's face, all the hours and energy invested and the fact that I have a natural gifting for it. Hard not to say why did you allow me to like this so much that my heart is sick from hope deferred. Then I hear God ask "Where is your hope really?" and I am undone again. God said "No, I have something better." Even I understand this truth it's still at times hard to not fall into rehearsing that hurt and talk about that frustration I feel. But the Lord understands and is patient.<br /><br />When people ask me what I do that's when it is hardest because I want so badly to be doing something but what I was planning on and had worked so hard for was denied me and now I am doing nothing. Because of the change of my life's trajectory God brought forth I keep saying I am having to reinvent myself but that is really not true at all. What I am trying to do is figure out how to follow God's path for my life which means finding what His will is for me in what I do with my gifts and talents. I keep tripping myself up with things I need to let go of and feel like I can't get my legs under me and feeling frustrated for the lack of forward motion in my life. This is what the reinvention for this Christ follower is really all about. Reinvention is about restoring order in my spiritual life first and about creating that attitude within me that will not listen to every fickle whim of my heart and busy creative mind that at present has no real focus when it comes to career, at least non that is viable yet.. It's about creating that heart within me that will not run like the wind into what "seems" right and instead sit quietly waiting for Him to say go do this. Creating that heart of peace and restedness that comes from complete and utter trust in God's will and purpose for my life. O Lord, have mercy and help me get this one right.<br /><br />Finally, I encourage you to take time to read <u>Proverbs 16</u>...the entire passage and do it prayerfully. It doesn't take but a couple minutes at most and there is a lot in there relating to what I have shared here and more that we need to be reminded of. I hope and pray that God will bless the reading of His word to your life. Living a surrendered life is an amazing thing.<br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Copyright © 2013 by Patty Hicks<br /><br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.</span><br /><br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-80087104083363333072013-07-25T12:25:00.001-07:002013-07-25T12:33:51.392-07:00Budget Crafter's Tools: Rubber Stamp Cleaning Pads<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wGCk34TTx87exRP_b4HvjYxH190faVpyh-ItcJXjct4sBFoT6P9MKcGC_LRak6LVVOGAB6_MpHu9-tpEu4XEmUemz8FO7QB1S4Hkyagd8CfJPo2OJpyC9iTQ3RqYNZJLmnlKj8TDtaN8/s1600/Cleaning+tool+A+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wGCk34TTx87exRP_b4HvjYxH190faVpyh-ItcJXjct4sBFoT6P9MKcGC_LRak6LVVOGAB6_MpHu9-tpEu4XEmUemz8FO7QB1S4Hkyagd8CfJPo2OJpyC9iTQ3RqYNZJLmnlKj8TDtaN8/s320/Cleaning+tool+A+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A good tool sometimes takes time to find.</td></tr>
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Anyone who crafts know how expensive this hobby can get, especially with all the new gadgets and tools the industry is always parading in front of us. But if you are like me you are always on the look out for ways to save and when it comes to tools, have tools that still work well. Honestly, sometimes some of the tools craft supply companies come up with are not the best things out there nor the only tools that will work for that application. Take rubber stamp scrubbers for instance. <br />
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Back when I began creating with rubber stamps I purchased a stamp scrubber pad for around $13.00 through The Angel Company (TAC), now <a href="http://www.red-rubber-designs.com/double-stamp-scrubber.html" target="_blank">Red Rubber Designs</a>. All my friends in my paper crafting group used this scrubber and loved it. Being a newbie to the group I figured they must know what they were talking about so I bought one too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouDWLc04yTCNR_1PDegQgBT4IBmmphY4ZAq51nIHs0FJyhYWRw5sCHuu0WdBAELza_6utow6JkB-ne97Uv-dt8IsPJEL8Wo5_KoE6uxyY0mKcKqE8s3yacYTdZQ5lM1d7TaR3n_viSHmC/s1600/Cleaning+tool+A1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiouDWLc04yTCNR_1PDegQgBT4IBmmphY4ZAq51nIHs0FJyhYWRw5sCHuu0WdBAELza_6utow6JkB-ne97Uv-dt8IsPJEL8Wo5_KoE6uxyY0mKcKqE8s3yacYTdZQ5lM1d7TaR3n_viSHmC/s320/Cleaning+tool+A1+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">TAC Stamp Scrubber detail</td></tr>
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My friends were right, it is a really good scrubber and thoughtfully designed too. Basically it is a folding plastic case that contains a replaceable foam backed scrubber pad on the bottom where the cleaning solution goes, and another thin scrubby pad on top for drying off the freshly cleaned stamp. The top pad that is glued onto the lid, presumable to keep it dry and is non-replaceable. Because it closes the cleaning solution doesn't evaporate much and you don't have to worry about accidentally laying things on top of a scrubber full of cleaning solution, which as every busy scrapper knows happens....so that lid is a great idea. And yes, it is one of the best scrubbers I have used and works well for most stamps but I had issues with it. I didn't like to use it to clean larger stamps on due to the hard edges of the case that kept me from being able to scrub the entire stamp on easily. Either the edge was in the way of moving the stamp around or it kept the stamp up off the scrubber pad. That is what got me started in looking for other options, something without hard plastic edges and a less expensive option too.<br />
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Next came the day I started using Stayzon Ink and Stayzon cleaning solution. I love this ink because works on non-pourous surfaces like glass and plastic and it is my favorite ink to use when indexing my rubber stamps so I use it a lot. Because it is a more permanent ink it stained my fancy shmancy TAC scrubber pad...not that it was perfectly clean or anything but it just looked gross. And because I only had the one scrubber pad I suddenly realized I didn't want to be stuck using the Stayzon cleaner as my only option. But I wasn't going to shell out $13.00 for another one so the hunt began in earnest. <br />
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That was when I found this Stampendous scrubber pad at <a href="http://www.craftwarehouse.com/" target="_blank">Craft Warehouse</a> for around $6.00 on sale. Only problem was it didn't work as good as the TAC one did so I was a bit bummed out. For one the pad is glued in so it cannot be taken out to give good wringing out if needed and there are those darn edges again.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGcOcy6Sk65Cq5B2arocyEE9SyjdhO5kaONkSa3yIAiDH_eI7xFcSPp0Tx4yBd3xAyQDj8pmD3zy8OUBgoqD6PQvVszGtK7yVaH0l4bNe4xxfrCfz7SB-GciUq9AO1VYO1eFWNAFOt7oz/s1600/Cleaning+tool+B+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtGcOcy6Sk65Cq5B2arocyEE9SyjdhO5kaONkSa3yIAiDH_eI7xFcSPp0Tx4yBd3xAyQDj8pmD3zy8OUBgoqD6PQvVszGtK7yVaH0l4bNe4xxfrCfz7SB-GciUq9AO1VYO1eFWNAFOt7oz/s320/Cleaning+tool+B+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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So I was back to searching and determined to keep looking until I found something that would work this time, even if I had to make it myself. After all, the material those scrubbers was made out of isn't that unique. When I am out on these hunting forays of mine I look in all kinds of places for knock off options just for that reason. Well I am happy to say my perseverance paid off this week and I discovered a product that was FABULOUS! No kidding...it really is!<br />
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I was poking around the paint department at our local <a href="http://www.fredmeyer.com/Pages/default.aspx" target="_blank">Fred Meyer</a> store before I dove into the grocery shopping I was supposed to be doing. (It's a one stop shopping kind of store.) I love pocking around every department in whatever store I go to because it helps me maintain a running list of sorts of what goodies they have that may connect with a need I have at home.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOHsVEPYRaWVk0gS3bzDt7NpGs-lTQ1GqLlssQTYFrZAc-LGUG5LQgqi31_XXlgjtUkHrB0R6LWRqDKK2ak6U68aYLm4w-D39HBtKPHCxv5LdtxiJR4fG5QpqmAJxoYHF51SmsoTKvoZ8/s1600/Cleaning+tool+C1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiOHsVEPYRaWVk0gS3bzDt7NpGs-lTQ1GqLlssQTYFrZAc-LGUG5LQgqi31_XXlgjtUkHrB0R6LWRqDKK2ak6U68aYLm4w-D39HBtKPHCxv5LdtxiJR4fG5QpqmAJxoYHF51SmsoTKvoZ8/s320/Cleaning+tool+C1+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">SCORE! My new favorite scrubber.</td></tr>
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As I got about half way down the isle I spotted this painting tool made by <a href="http://www.shurline.com/products.aspx" target="_blank">Shur-line</a> called a "Handi Painter". (Oh happy day...my prayers have been answered!) I think I did the happy dance in the isle after discovering it. I mean I was so excited after looking for so long. This "Handi Painter" may have been originally designed as a painting tool but not in my world. To me it was one handsome looking stamp scrubber and I couldn't wait to try it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRg0xMQQqh7Nw2GKZpnl9_U0N3ECRng7C7KoGVaveOyp6ny1AtaVtGS8YVJzRSfAs5fhEETKuiz5hBrO8ZSeiM_AnMrBREiYxGjONk4paiBdyJ5jvm93m9cDEMvmQ8Ls5xX1iAKF8gx0H3/s1600/Cleaning+tool+C+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRg0xMQQqh7Nw2GKZpnl9_U0N3ECRng7C7KoGVaveOyp6ny1AtaVtGS8YVJzRSfAs5fhEETKuiz5hBrO8ZSeiM_AnMrBREiYxGjONk4paiBdyJ5jvm93m9cDEMvmQ8Ls5xX1iAKF8gx0H3/s320/Cleaning+tool+C+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just look at that...and a handle too!</td></tr>
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I don't think it could have been more perfect if I had designed it myself. No hard raised edges to run into while running the stamp over the scrubber pad, light weight with a well fitting handle to hold on to, washes up easily with soap and water and HEY...it was only $2.99! Oh happy day...my prayers have been answered! (More happy dancing.) AND...You can either apply the cleaner to the scrubber or the stamp which I liked to do sometimes because those detailed stamps benefit from
a little extra spritzing of the stamp cleaner. So aren't you just dying to know how well it worked?<br />
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Yesterday morning the mail carrier delivered a big ol' box of goodies I had ordered from Red Rubber Designs yesterday. (Hallelujah I get to test drive this baby!) Wow...I have to tell you it works like a dream. The foam handle was surprisingly comfortable and it's light as a feather to hold but still sturdy enough to scrub with. I just layed the stamps rubber up on my work surface, spritzed them with a tiny bit of cleaner and with a few easy rubs they were cleaned and ready to dry. I wiped down the scrubber with paper towel and used it to dry them off. It worked slick!<br />
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Now I have an arthritic thumb on my right hand and a wrist that was howling at me yesterday so I can assure you that if you have arthritis you just might find this cleaning method and tool easier to use too. It's because you don't have to grasp the stamp in your hand but
will be holding the light weight scrubber tool instead. I sure helped me. All that aside it is just plain easier to use any other scrubber I have used anywhere hands
down. The only down side, and it's not much of one, is that the "Handi
Painter" does take
up a bit more space than other scrubbers do. For me it works so
much
better that it's a non issue.<br />
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Now that I am in love with my "Handi Painter" I'm going to have a hard time going back to my other scrubbers. Oh and in case you're wondering, I used this on cling foam mounted stamps, not wood mounted. Setting the wood stamps on a towel will help keep them from sliding around too much as you scrub them. And those tiny ones, you'll have to hold those in one hand most likely. <br />
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TOOL CARE NOTE: I recommend that you wash it up right away after using it to keep it in good condition. I washed mine in warm water with <a href="http://www.mrsmeyers.com/category/product/household-cleaners/pc/2155/2172.uts" target="_blank">Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day</a> dish soap which worked great. I found the sponge (that green part) held the soapy water and I had to sort of squeegee it out with my hand two or three times to get all the soap out but that was no biggie. It probably didn't help that I put the soap straight onto the scrubbing pad either...words to the wise...dilute the soap in water first. Then it needed to be pressed it into a towel to help get rid of the excess water in the sponge and propped up on edge on a paper towel to finish drying. This morning I have a nicely cleaned scrubber all ready for next time.<br />
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I know there are other rubber scrubbers that I have not mentioned out there, but before try them I highly recommend that you give this product a try. Oh and before I forget...I have seen smaller versions of paint brushes like this so watch for those too. I bet they would work and if storage space is an issue might be just the ticket for your craft tool box. So have fun and give it a try.<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Copyright © 2013 by Patty Hicks<br /><br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.</span><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-88634946959512865012013-07-19T11:51:00.000-07:002013-07-19T11:57:04.949-07:00Grocery Store Discoveries: Unusual Garden Seed Sources<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi86XqI3MlEbNcDUY67KfvGDgGcdcqMpzY4m-jQL2Pgrem54BNWC5_jNN34vKdKnCfR1iLmynb3ssC-2PIp0pjp2_SXvE8B2M38xuRU2X_hE-a1g4WoQua1hXYYVrupt0glDHNYoQJY_WB/s1600/Poppy+Seed+Test+Cover+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi86XqI3MlEbNcDUY67KfvGDgGcdcqMpzY4m-jQL2Pgrem54BNWC5_jNN34vKdKnCfR1iLmynb3ssC-2PIp0pjp2_SXvE8B2M38xuRU2X_hE-a1g4WoQua1hXYYVrupt0glDHNYoQJY_WB/s320/Poppy+Seed+Test+Cover+2+copy.jpg" width="252" /></a></div>
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Do you only buy garden seed the traditional way, or do you look for seed you can sow in more unusual places...like the grocery isles, bulk bins, ethnic markets and feed stores? If you only buy seeds the traditional way you're missing out. Not only can you save money by looking elsewhere, but it can be a real adventure. Beware though, it is a teensy bit addictive.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoZl8mYEERTHlutN-_VxuvPdZJMAh0RzsjsFBtvOkLblCxtIpLfdK8wr6jZSnaR_EGSd0WJul61tanp1hKBHFf3WTDjdCCNgxqOrWWRLPnou0pmXnN7-te27GnJcX6kVrZ2SOHxgfMFl_/s1600/Packaging+Hints+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoZl8mYEERTHlutN-_VxuvPdZJMAh0RzsjsFBtvOkLblCxtIpLfdK8wr6jZSnaR_EGSd0WJul61tanp1hKBHFf3WTDjdCCNgxqOrWWRLPnou0pmXnN7-te27GnJcX6kVrZ2SOHxgfMFl_/s320/Packaging+Hints+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clues on the packaging.</td></tr>
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The other day I snatched up a great deal on an 8oz bag of <a href="http://www.blogger.com/">Bob's Red Mill Natural Foods "Premium Poppy Seed"</a> for $2.00 at a local liquidation market. Yes you can find seeds there too. Anyway, Bob's 8oz bags go for $3.39 each online, plus shipping. Even at that price these seeds are a steal compared to buying the stuff in those little bottles for twice that price or seeds a single seed packet which would be at least that much if not more. See, I told you it was a great deal. And it ends up my bag of seed is about 1.5 cups worth which is a ton-o-seed but we love "poppy-seed-anything" around here so it won't go to waste. If I told you my first thought when I spotted it was cooking I'd be lying though. I snatched up these seeds mainly to see if they were viable seed I could plant. Yes, that's right...I wanted to plant them. <br />
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To find this out I would need to test the seed to see if it was alive, or in gardening terms "viable". To do this I sprinkled a few seeds between two layers of moistened paper towel, then wrapped it in plastic wrap and stuck it on top of the freezer where it's nice a warm and waited a couple of days.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKFS6OFw8UeNC6-tFEzFFwkmOCRCNNdSxoL2yj7YDKO3Ylzelnm5Kh2PbCzP0o0k1AwUGbENkGqeFAPw2CDvp6aCZAZTgcp6by9COVMAbJaJ60-oi9eEbsdV7IMCIQer9RG_bEpdqRyz8/s1600/Poppy+Seed+test+1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="158" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKFS6OFw8UeNC6-tFEzFFwkmOCRCNNdSxoL2yj7YDKO3Ylzelnm5Kh2PbCzP0o0k1AwUGbENkGqeFAPw2CDvp6aCZAZTgcp6by9COVMAbJaJ60-oi9eEbsdV7IMCIQer9RG_bEpdqRyz8/s400/Poppy+Seed+test+1+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sqweeee! Look at 'em...they're sprouting!</td></tr>
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This morning when I checked on of my little science project and found the seed was indeed viable (yippee!). This is day three and there are better than 50% of them sprouted, with more on the way. That means I can sow them and have my own crop beginning next summer.<br />
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Testing seed for freshness is also helpful if you are using them for cooking as the freshness seeds can effect their flavor, or as is the case with dry beans, determine whether we should even use them at all. Dead dry beans do not absorb water and you can break a tooth on those puppies. Other seeds used for oils can go rancid with age so if it doesn't sprout it could be dead which could also mean rancid and save you from ruining that lovely meal you are planning to use them in. Freshness dates are your only recourse with those.<br />
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So the general rule when it comes to viability is the lower percentage of seeds that germinate, the less fresh the seed is. You can test any seed that has not been pasteurized with heat which would kill the germination. Oh and one more thing...this is a great science project for the kiddos too. Get your kids hooked on this and you may find them scouring the stores for seeds to sow too. I'm not trying to be an enabler or anything.<br />
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Poppy seeds are only one of the many types of seed you will discover that you can grow. There are many dry (horticultural) beans, flax seed, wheat and other grains, chia (these are really yummy) and much more. I wanted to start with Poppies because not only the seeds, but the pods for crafting and before that the beautiful flowers with soft grey/green foliage and I figured something in this mix of things might encourage you to give it a try. <br />
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Well, it seems I now have enough poppy seeds in that jar to sow a whole field of poppies so I guess I'll have to get busy and bake something. Lavender lemon poppy seed bread or maybe some short bread cookies sound pretty good don't you think?. Stay tuned, I'll be posting a recipe next.<br />
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Happy Gardening!<br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Copyright © 2013 by Patty Hicks<br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-63825980676123182782013-07-18T08:55:00.001-07:002013-07-18T08:55:54.156-07:00Lemon Swiss Chard With Elephant Garlic<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyQhTscmhifeU7BL2g83FKPDl_9by3Mwnsb2NhcpUYZmncgtyMcd-Cbfj3Jh59f3PiJ8y4ZQy-ztPlBBmksp9QiSvbDP4AyrmadFtSOOlVS9c-S6Z-QfrmzIRiOumTxNNqrhp4lEtmx0W/s1600/Swiss+Chard+Rhubarb+2+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvyQhTscmhifeU7BL2g83FKPDl_9by3Mwnsb2NhcpUYZmncgtyMcd-Cbfj3Jh59f3PiJ8y4ZQy-ztPlBBmksp9QiSvbDP4AyrmadFtSOOlVS9c-S6Z-QfrmzIRiOumTxNNqrhp4lEtmx0W/s320/Swiss+Chard+Rhubarb+2+copy.jpg" width="275" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhubarb Swiss Chard</td></tr>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Inspiration in the kitchen is a wonderful thing when it brings success and last night was a big success with some Swiss Chard. So here's the latest recipe from my inspired kitchen. <br /><br />A good friend had given us a generous bag full of beautiful Swiss Chard that I had been using in salads this week. But that bag was taking up too much room in the fridge so it was time to cook it up. I had no idea how I was going to cook it but I just knew it would make the perfect side dish for the fish and potatoes I was planning for dinner.<br /><br />Being someone who does more cooking by the seat of my pants than from recipes I blew off looking for a recipe and just began tossing things I had into the pan. I had just finished prepping the fish for the oven and had some left over lemon zest on the cutting board that was making my mouth water so I decided to use it in the chard. </span></span></h5>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Elephant Garlic at harvest time</td></tr>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">I have had elephant garlic sitting next to the stove for months, literally months, it is from last year's harvest, and because of my neglect it was almost jumping up and down on the counter like a child with it's hand raised saying "Pick me, pick me!" Well it sort of was, but it was more likely the guilt of having not used it that was talking. <br /><br />By the way, is it just me or does anyone else have this happen; you get into the kitchen not knowing how you will prepare something and suddenly it is as if ingredients almost seem to speak to you, igniting inspiration to the point of being able to taste how things will turn out? I swear that is exactly what it felt like was happening last night and the results were fabulous! I absolutely loved how the fresh lemon zest gave this dish a really
refreshing flavor. The fact that the chard is much milder in flavor than spinach made it all the more perfect.<br /><br /><u><span style="font-size: large;">Lemon Swiss Chard with Elephant Garlic</span></u><br /> <br />You need enough Swiss Chard leaves with the midrib removed to fill a stock pot or dutch oven.<br /><br /> In the bottom of the pan place the following and heat to a simmer.<br /> 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon zest (or half of the zest of a whole lemon)<br /><span class="text_exposed_show"> 1 cloves elephant garlic sliced thin<br /> 2 Tbsp white wine vinegar<br /> 1/2 cup water</span></span></span><span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"> </span></span></h5>
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent">Next add the Swiss Chard...Sprinkle with kosher salt and fresh ground pepper to taste. Keep in mind you can always add more later so don't put in too much.<span class="text_exposed_show"><br /><br />Place the lid on the pot and cook on medium, turning every so often cooking until nicely wilted but still
bright green.<br />You may want to have some vinegar to sprinkle on after it's dished up for those who like tangier greens like my hubby does but this on it's own is a simple and lovely dish.<br /><br />This took maybe 10 minutes to cook including prep time. Now that's what I call good food fast. <br /><br />ENJOY!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">Copyright © 2013 by Patty Hicks<br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.</span></span><br /><br /></span></span></span></h5>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-17509271868815832122013-06-05T13:04:00.001-07:002013-06-05T13:04:57.517-07:00Realizing Your Dreams; Some Thoughts and Perspective<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dreams like blooms opening on a warm day, <br />fill our mind with the fragrance of hope</td></tr>
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<br />Do you have dreams you want to see come to life? Have you ever thought of why or what it would be like if you did? I mean the good, the bad and the ugly? And have you thought about what the payback or fulfillment of reaching those dreams might be? It could be less fulfilling than you think. <br /><br />This is a subject I have been pondering for a few weeks now as I work to gain a better focus on what is next in my life. My blog bears witness to some of my struggle with lack of focus and I am hoping to change that, but anyhow, I figured you might benefit from some of what I have been thinking so here goes. And please let me know what you think. I would really like to hear from you and what you think about this subject.<br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Dreams vs daily living...using spiritual gifts and talents. </u></b></span><br />I recently stated in large group that I have a dream to be an inspirational speaker...I have been thinking about what that really means and why I would even want to do it and came to some interesting conclusions.<br /><br />When someone has a dream to do something that seems really big or challenging, there is most likely an under-girding gift or talent and desire they tend to employ in their daily lives that would help give birth to their dream. For me those things are speaking and writing like I do here on FB and through my journal writing. I love encouraging others and even moving in the prophetic gifts, something I use with great care. I speak to people every where I go, every day and I want my words to impact those I meet in a way that will change them for eternity. That doesn't always happen but I am getting better at it all the time thanks to God's grace working in and through me.<br /><br />Communication through spoken and written word is a talent and gifting I recognize I have and I don't say that with any pride for this is not always an easy gift to own. It comes with many challenges and battles and only looks glamorous on the outside. Anyhow, along with this gift has come this crazy dream of one day being an inspirational speaker. I chuckle as I think of my goofy personality being on display on stage before a couple thousand people...but God uses whatever and whomever He wishes so I'm in. <br /><br />Now before you go all "hyper encouragement" on me, I want you to hear what I have to say. This may seem like something really wonderful and great to go for but here's the deal; it is far more important to me that I daily speak with with the love and words of Christ to anyone I come into contact with than just to speak before a thousand people or ten thousand people. That dream of mine, I only desire it if it is God's will for me, when I can go in with His blessing and power. It's tempting to want to feel that adrenaline rush of being in front of large crowds and gain fame and those accolades of those who like what they hear...and it is a temptation trust me. The pride of life that feeds off of those fuels would only end in a big ol' face-plant on the pavement of life and I'd rather not thank you. It can also have a lot of collateral damage in the lives of others because it does not love, no matter how much we want to think it does.<br /><br />I am constantly reminded that God requires us to be faithful with the little things He gives us to do, the quiet talents and gifts we have that sometimes seem so common and even homely. They are important things in God's eyes, it is we who judge them otherwise. He often gives us those to train us up for bigger things but not always, and people need those little things as much as the bigger more glamorous things, maybe more. The little things can be very intimate things. Think about it.<br /><br />The reality is that we will always have the little things, they help to keep us grounded in humility and remind us Who is of supreme importance in this life. They keep us from becoming too full of ourselves when we can recognize it's not about us and all about God being glorified. So I may be completely capable of doing the thing I dream of and you may agree and are sitting there thinking "Go for it!", but God sees my heart and is the only one who really knows if and when I will be fit and ready, able to hit the mark He desires in the lives of those who He sends me to.<br /><br />Another thing I was thinking about is how big events like conferences or hearing a famous speaker are often falsely perceived as wonderful watershed moments for us because we judge them based on our emotions. They are by nature things that get us all hyped up and feeling rosy and sure God uses them and those amazing speakers/teachers we get to listen too but in reality they are only a flash in the pan in bringing forth lasting change in our lives. That is why I want to live ready every day of my life and not focusing on my dream. I want the impact of my words to be lasting! And I don't want to be "famous" for what I say but want God's work to be the force and Him the famous one. I want to be that simple woman that God can count on. And I believe this in large part because hearts are more often won one at a time during the daily living of life than they ever are at large events. That simple meeting at a grocery store or at work, wherever it is that God sets up that moment so we can pour out into that other person's life the thing they need from Him and the other person is open to receive. I want to be that person in THAT moment because that is what leaves the biggest and more lasting mark in a person's life.<br /><br />Do you have a spiritual gift or talent that God has been talking to you about using? Are you challenged by it, have a passion to use it or is it something that seems twisted up inside of you that you are afraid of using or just don't see how God could use you? <br /><br />I am praying for you today that God will set you free in a profound way, tweeking your perspective and definitions to match His own so you can have greater confidence to use your gifts and talents. I pray you will lay down your desires and take up His for when you do the glory will rightfully be placed upon Him and lives will be changed for eternity. And the most amazing thing will happen...you will be blessed beyond anything you can imagine. <br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"><i><b><span style="font-size: small;">"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."<br />1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV</span></b></i></span><br />
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<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Copyright © 2013 by Patty Hicks<br /><br />All
rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted
in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including
printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system
without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of
brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and
a link back to this blog.</span></span></span></span></h5>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-83306746684766604802013-04-16T08:55:00.001-07:002013-04-16T09:39:54.282-07:00And Yet I Do Not Fear: Thoughts After the Boston Marathon Bombing<br />
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Yesterday, April 15, 2013, 2 bombs explode near the finish line of the Boston Marathon…3 dead, 144 injured that we know of today. I cannot wrap my mind around the senselessness of this event. Why do people feel this kind of act is necessary? Such acts are beyond my comprehension and I struggle to understand…we all do.<br />
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Those bombs tore relative peace from the streets of Boston and the lives of thousands of people. Again terror has entered our reality; forced upon us by hate-filled individuals who have sought to cause us to fear them, have sought some sick retribution in their twisted self-righteousness. Even here on the other side of the continent I feel the concussion from this terror filled blast. Honestly my heart and mind are tempted to fear as I struggle with the why but this morning in stead of fearing I find I am looking to the heavens, to my God and I am not afraid; I do not understand and yet I am not afraid. I have been deeply shaken yes, but I am not afraid, I pray and cry, but I am not afraid.<br />
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My heart weeps for the loss of the little 8 year old who was killed, weeps for the ones who died and for those physically injured. I weep for those loved ones the blast left torn, for the damage done in the hearts and minds of all who are touched by this event across this nation and across the world. I weep for the painful struggle I know many will have to endure as they heal…struggle in their bodies of pain, in their heart and minds to not give up as they overcome the pain they feel. I weep in prayer for those with hidden injuries that only God can reach in to touch in those heavily guarded places of the heart. Those injuries that might break open a hardened heart to their need for the Savior…wounds that go deeper than flesh, injuring the sense of peace and the comfort of the safety we have known.<br />
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I look to God and understand that He saw this. He saw it coming. He knows who did it and why. Knowing this does not make it easy and I find I am tempted to want to know why He did not intervene but stop short of asking. God so often does things outside of human understanding and honestly even if we knew it may not bring satisfaction. It is enough for me that I know the character of my God and His ultimate purpose to use what the enemy meant for evil for His good and for His glory somehow. It is enough for me that I know His ways are not our ways and that this world is fallen and evil resides here and will until Jesus returns to claim His bride…until Christ returns to judge the living and the dead.<br />
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I do not strive to understand things to great for me regarding this senseless, evil act, but only strive with the love of Christ to carry in prayer those affected by this terrible event before my Heavenly Father and to ask that those who are responsible will be brought to justice. So I pray for strength of heart and spirit for those attending the wounded and for their families. I pray that the goodness of God will surround those who have been wounded, His comfort, His peace…sheltered beneath His wings in this terrible storm of affliction. I pray also that lives will be shaken enough to realize their need for Jesus, the hope for the hopeless. The song “He Is Our Peace” courses through my mind as I pray…(Father we long for peace outwardly and find none, may we look to You for peace inwardly, eternally.)<br />
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I know that even if and when the perpetrator is found and convicted, this will not bring and end to evil here, it is only one more event in many we will suffer along the timeline of this earth's history. We have for centuries been spared violence at the hand of our enemies here in our country, separated from those who would seek to do us harm and for many decades have not had to look terror in the eyes as they do daily in other parts of the world. But it seems those days are fading, coming to and end, and the days are darkening as a way has been left open for such men to do their worst here. So I pray for faith that will not fail, for a heart of greater understanding…and for His mercy. I pray that we will see God’s goodness, actually I know we will, even though the perpetrator meant this thing for evil, but I still pray and ask for it.<br />
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Lord God, Lord Almighty, I pray for my brothers and sisters in Christ, May we all watch how we speak about this and remember that vengeance is Yours and give You room to enact that vengeance as You see fit. Keep our hearts from seeking retribution and from calling blame! Help us to walk in the fruit of the Spirit and help us to do Your will. Help us to be Jesus to those around us who are struggling to understand and may Your peace be upon us and evident to others. Help us to not sin in our anger over this event but help us to love as Jesus loves, to pray for our leaders and our enemies. Be glorified in us today. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-62228687289096942762013-03-20T15:25:00.000-07:002013-03-20T15:25:41.252-07:00Spring Day Garden Tour<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ938U2x26vkdn1SaPdkJnIsUIFIpH1mIBEnhy2BUYm1r0NCXXzhlQC4aQnXas_1Pek-0srndIe-vmtNO3-deWNHmix-LuKllgegzfBxCWi5XAzNQDtFHz2Z9loqy2dbfW2NpF9FWo4zB/s1600/Helleborus+x+hybridus+alba+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQ938U2x26vkdn1SaPdkJnIsUIFIpH1mIBEnhy2BUYm1r0NCXXzhlQC4aQnXas_1Pek-0srndIe-vmtNO3-deWNHmix-LuKllgegzfBxCWi5XAzNQDtFHz2Z9loqy2dbfW2NpF9FWo4zB/s320/Helleborus+x+hybridus+alba+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">HAPPY SPRING!</td></tr>
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Whoa....Spring is here finally...YAY! Yup...I am sick of winter and this winter wasn't even that bad here. I am so excited I had to go grab the camera. Come on, lets go see what is happenin' in my garden! Oh and bring a cup of coffee...its chilly out and this might take a few minutes.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Licorice flavored very pretty leaves</td></tr>
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Yumminess is happening in the back yard...and some flowers too but I'm hungry so where is that kale?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This buds for you...yummy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hey this isn't cheating, they are doing the sowing not me</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGIYkLBnreQrf2Kwe-zfmLRZjD99ZaTJTyRg-g1D40y-ExD7y5U2rTuAfI7GIQ5P1J3sppzZv5ytWPEWGLoEUT-Wk_ECJowD027BIo-w1aVLEZJvqAjWuuPwBQ-QQ8Ji05BIigqZNNUrL/s1600/Garden+shame+pots+galore+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBGIYkLBnreQrf2Kwe-zfmLRZjD99ZaTJTyRg-g1D40y-ExD7y5U2rTuAfI7GIQ5P1J3sppzZv5ytWPEWGLoEUT-Wk_ECJowD027BIo-w1aVLEZJvqAjWuuPwBQ-QQ8Ji05BIigqZNNUrL/s320/Garden+shame+pots+galore+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I am not an addict...I am not an addict</td></tr>
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Garden shame...we all have it...here's mine. That bunch of pots...all the stuff I bought and never got planted and some that I dug up...and never got replanted. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAHQv0BOtz3xksA9_9MtIW_YldYsq8G2cLkwFdl0LFmTglJ4XeeN8lwvS2MQhuBPd3Ix2q5RR1AAlnXZEZGzgIA9q9PvWqCy9qE78geCnplYMp9ZagUuP36dLRUaQTP1ZQso3FeJKyloV/s1600/Pansy+Power+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAHQv0BOtz3xksA9_9MtIW_YldYsq8G2cLkwFdl0LFmTglJ4XeeN8lwvS2MQhuBPd3Ix2q5RR1AAlnXZEZGzgIA9q9PvWqCy9qE78geCnplYMp9ZagUuP36dLRUaQTP1ZQso3FeJKyloV/s320/Pansy+Power+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last year's Pansies thriving and blooming again</td></tr>
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Lets see what the Prims are doing....(moving a chair)...LOOK!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_LeK8igT1kmPrjvJN0B8TtqtY_SgpGxGoRte0lBnqPDXssI6AanYkzMEyzBx7W0P4wSLim0Ann7xcTxPRtTKrSwfVGlae7Dvw-hHbTILYpgsmbpRJntld4tDZGRGMXGhbB-gfuyeD95r/s1600/Primula+Mahogany+Sunrise+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_LeK8igT1kmPrjvJN0B8TtqtY_SgpGxGoRte0lBnqPDXssI6AanYkzMEyzBx7W0P4wSLim0Ann7xcTxPRtTKrSwfVGlae7Dvw-hHbTILYpgsmbpRJntld4tDZGRGMXGhbB-gfuyeD95r/s320/Primula+Mahogany+Sunrise+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A plant from my past as a propagator</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3t44QeQ_7NH8kR59y5xDswCSJzlHEn9ljXAmbWa0Ue380QB8-p66lBwHZcUpC7eLgUu1ffsWZmrBFOL2H1eLYRyu5PGFsDT7n8iIe5VHjOQGvEiw7PzC8yKKW9qhKFDPtUmX0u-qZUu9W/s1600/Primula+Wanda+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3t44QeQ_7NH8kR59y5xDswCSJzlHEn9ljXAmbWa0Ue380QB8-p66lBwHZcUpC7eLgUu1ffsWZmrBFOL2H1eLYRyu5PGFsDT7n8iIe5VHjOQGvEiw7PzC8yKKW9qhKFDPtUmX0u-qZUu9W/s320/Primula+Wanda+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wanda never disappoints and is so easy to grow</td></tr>
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Let me show you a weed over here that you don't want going to seed...Galium, or Cleavers as a lot of folks call it. The seeds are like velcro and it sticks to everything...especially sock, cat's tails and curly haired dogs. It is a useful plant but just don't let it get out of control. I call it Velcro weed because the leaves and stems have little hooks on them.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubpPV92UxdzKEFqDaKc1SGCd6JrTb_DQbSEug13PeTxcsA-wA_oGl9hGZuHU_fiCC723hDq6VVvNahx0buULk5V7VDjIuRj22-_oP8ibfGCuoGnTYaf7FeZ5H3IuMJiyU-NPJAlPP-1rr/s1600/Galium+aparine+AKA+Cleavers+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjubpPV92UxdzKEFqDaKc1SGCd6JrTb_DQbSEug13PeTxcsA-wA_oGl9hGZuHU_fiCC723hDq6VVvNahx0buULk5V7VDjIuRj22-_oP8ibfGCuoGnTYaf7FeZ5H3IuMJiyU-NPJAlPP-1rr/s320/Galium+aparine+AKA+Cleavers+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Oh and one more...yup...Labrador Violet...it goes everywhere...pretty and pretty invasive, at least in my garden.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0XxBIhA-UrR4AuiOYq-pxeEnety-3VO3ALD8YAvo5Q3FwDkOjD2yT5l2tVGJUkzncAYsgzHcQEwG3zZ01MDiBq_bupcELkjkkErTC-I_tjzY3RZJh3IO0JBhSQtLdg-1jBfmbrPGoP5N/s1600/Viola+labradorica+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="309" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX0XxBIhA-UrR4AuiOYq-pxeEnety-3VO3ALD8YAvo5Q3FwDkOjD2yT5l2tVGJUkzncAYsgzHcQEwG3zZ01MDiBq_bupcELkjkkErTC-I_tjzY3RZJh3IO0JBhSQtLdg-1jBfmbrPGoP5N/s320/Viola+labradorica+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Oh look...LETTUCE SEEDLINGS! Nope...they are from last year's seed. They wintered over so now I will have fresh lettuce without sowing a thing this year. (I am right on task with my no seed sowing aren't you proud of me?)<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosTgVbuYmK5-Nw5hgDff6YZIgo4ifcGmAgtNNB0yfeAmgWAqf8C8A8QwLnkMvAoG7Qv_JL2Ij8dODjzaIPM7UnKUrXjcnz9h5aC0U7PBtnjJJYPdR3cjFxwGMVaz1jj4NwiJKZCvKvPxS/s1600/Lettuce+and+Bittercress+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjosTgVbuYmK5-Nw5hgDff6YZIgo4ifcGmAgtNNB0yfeAmgWAqf8C8A8QwLnkMvAoG7Qv_JL2Ij8dODjzaIPM7UnKUrXjcnz9h5aC0U7PBtnjJJYPdR3cjFxwGMVaz1jj4NwiJKZCvKvPxS/s320/Lettuce+and+Bittercress+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Lets to out to the front...here we go down the side yard...oh look at that...red violets...I love violets.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qSEUbxwBwgb2WBRrUtV49mUiWzqaIWcA4jnAyqmswrxMIx8FBr14ZOB4qKTpJF8_OVJl61xkaKHtsEA6NUFSi-vp1rDf7oTfGI5WMGDtami_tlHfAA7qkeEC7hcg543IF9ePWnuC3INs/s1600/Viola+species+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="249" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3qSEUbxwBwgb2WBRrUtV49mUiWzqaIWcA4jnAyqmswrxMIx8FBr14ZOB4qKTpJF8_OVJl61xkaKHtsEA6NUFSi-vp1rDf7oTfGI5WMGDtami_tlHfAA7qkeEC7hcg543IF9ePWnuC3INs/s320/Viola+species+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I like getting up close and personal with my plants</td></tr>
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<span id="goog_102771212"></span><span id="goog_102771213"></span><br />If I ever am without this next plant I will be sad...David Ward is a man from my past...er a plant from my past. I adore this plant. Those leaves lighten up the shade and the flowers are such a sweet salmon pink. Be still my beating heart!<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8iKtMfsTo4eh7lYkswo1oyknJaFHDbqn1hYrfTAW2wBIBPtm7H6CpCfhyphenhyphen9sG4ejmbudqmD7WRzFEad1zkJAu6O3TnQMhDWKVbAArRbXIcOsqsIDH4hjSJ9jzLMChChOhoiOdUCBoenGz/s1600/Pulmonaria+David+Ward+1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8iKtMfsTo4eh7lYkswo1oyknJaFHDbqn1hYrfTAW2wBIBPtm7H6CpCfhyphenhyphen9sG4ejmbudqmD7WRzFEad1zkJAu6O3TnQMhDWKVbAArRbXIcOsqsIDH4hjSJ9jzLMChChOhoiOdUCBoenGz/s320/Pulmonaria+David+Ward+1+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another plant from my past</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dCU2VutfVRC5cnoIUyQbqjWkHr7esJLc-FWigH0v0YQCStYzk4jTsD3H_mw17J3Er61noRrPh-DjplHIbCFgCEi431gzNVtKqbh9rwHeSgEGEJc3_o0niJqC7aMrbQ70Fe_kFgRiQsgs/s1600/Primula+veris+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9dCU2VutfVRC5cnoIUyQbqjWkHr7esJLc-FWigH0v0YQCStYzk4jTsD3H_mw17J3Er61noRrPh-DjplHIbCFgCEi431gzNVtKqbh9rwHeSgEGEJc3_o0niJqC7aMrbQ70Fe_kFgRiQsgs/s320/Primula+veris+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Historically favorites in the garden</td></tr>
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Oh no...more garden shame...actually it's not really shame its just the garden being itself. That's what happens when you can no longer whip it into submission. (lol) Sword Fern, Carex, Scilla and Orris root all fighting for land rights. I wonder who will win? Oh and yes I made the hyper tuffa planter. Nice moss huh?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tpU8JofB90R9MumVIVTTVvv1w0ex1L0rmMKMHAE2B_UxeEXj9fgUEwJ1kow_dmPIC7RNX1piXW5aFhazUoPCkut8sgADB6ZJV1DXr6pQDRDwW40MiILulLne6NykAkVeGFNSmQlZRMVX/s1600/Iris+Carex+mess+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-tpU8JofB90R9MumVIVTTVvv1w0ex1L0rmMKMHAE2B_UxeEXj9fgUEwJ1kow_dmPIC7RNX1piXW5aFhazUoPCkut8sgADB6ZJV1DXr6pQDRDwW40MiILulLne6NykAkVeGFNSmQlZRMVX/s320/Iris+Carex+mess+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Out of my way." "NO out of MY way!" (You mean you can't hear that?)</td></tr>
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You gotta see this Hellabore...its just the sweetest little thing....here she is.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyRY2417gS9Jrhe_2zpARl0cxRX4C0WpnVHigjyycqpGHyXvHXoQntmJoJOJXB_15eD3PdpxXfcvXWw1WXuhjYffEs10F5XUiXxYZ9cvcVBbFcVR_qBrUBmj6EWxIPEaQm5clLe81CK7H/s1600/Helleborus+x+hybridus+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWyRY2417gS9Jrhe_2zpARl0cxRX4C0WpnVHigjyycqpGHyXvHXoQntmJoJOJXB_15eD3PdpxXfcvXWw1WXuhjYffEs10F5XUiXxYZ9cvcVBbFcVR_qBrUBmj6EWxIPEaQm5clLe81CK7H/s320/Helleborus+x+hybridus+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sweetest seedling in the garden.</td></tr>
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Well here we are at the front porch...yeah the Ribes is pretty isn't it. The humming birds just go nuts over those ruby red flowers. I like it because it blooms over my birthday...oh and we really needed something against this white wall and this worked great.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsmZZdh1Q1M0OP5OcDOWWkyR1Bm-i7YwW63f7kAWxPahOSzLew1wTvXLbmzTq3cqyx-C3kkuCGd22SGQqnEmIRSw5HCHKpQHa6cokrKSGKth5-hp7TMcVOc02KuvYELNBZSnpXHkwwiUm/s1600/Andromeda+and+Ribes+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTsmZZdh1Q1M0OP5OcDOWWkyR1Bm-i7YwW63f7kAWxPahOSzLew1wTvXLbmzTq3cqyx-C3kkuCGd22SGQqnEmIRSw5HCHKpQHa6cokrKSGKth5-hp7TMcVOc02KuvYELNBZSnpXHkwwiUm/s320/Andromeda+and+Ribes+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />Thank you for taking the time to humor me and take a look at my garden. It's funny writing this post because I am really doing nothing in the garden but letting it do it's own thing...proof that there is still beauty to be had when things are taken out of your control and that different doesn't necessarily mean bad...it's just different.<br /><br />~Happy Spring and Happy Gardening ~Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-31737376064673006392013-03-04T11:30:00.000-08:002013-03-04T11:30:55.826-08:00A Promise of Celebration<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6oyhxYePCTkF1WYWHRtwwui6qgRjS0isdtgjYHyyxKx42bqnBS0uFJ5TGTd98nbbmc0oMNe4z9rHwDylLWQW3DF-TfHkrkZwxvv5HZvwuPm0G9NV-aRAdGTN_9ln_pejIVTr4FeFGjFq/s1600/Weakness+as+Celebration+Rock+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn6oyhxYePCTkF1WYWHRtwwui6qgRjS0isdtgjYHyyxKx42bqnBS0uFJ5TGTd98nbbmc0oMNe4z9rHwDylLWQW3DF-TfHkrkZwxvv5HZvwuPm0G9NV-aRAdGTN_9ln_pejIVTr4FeFGjFq/s400/Weakness+as+Celebration+Rock+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The praising man in ice</td></tr>
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<h5 class="uiStreamMessage userContentWrapper" data-ft="{"type":1,"tn":"K"}">
<span class="messageBody" data-ft="{"type":3}"><span class="userContent"><span style="font-weight: normal;">If the little man in ice were real I know exactly how he feels...trapped. This journey feels like being trapped sometimes....often asking "Will this struggle ever end?" I've been asking that question a lot lately it seems and again my week started with having to face the challenges brought on by physical pain and weakness. I have been struggling internally and angry since the results of my recent MRI and talking with my chiropractor who was less than encouraging only made things worse. I found I have been wrestling with God about this whole issue because of how things are happening and not in a particularly healthy way either. My wresting has been robbing my peace and causing me to become impatient with others, that person I don't like being. <br /><br />Even after God's specific instructions to wait, to let Him do the doing I still fight it. It's easier to said than done to trust when you are someone who has always had to find help on your own. It doesn't matter that God wants me to just be still and not fight against the way He is doing things, I want so badly to find answers and relief and it's not coming...at least not yet and this waiting is hard and I don't like it. I don't think that it is that I don't think God will do something, it is that I don't know how to really wait or maybe what the heck am I supposed to do while I wait. Am I supposed to do anything at all? <br /><br />God knows me well and all those internal struggles I go through and my heart that desires to please Him even when I struggling...yes I do want His will most of all. So in spite of my struggling God being ever so patient and faithful knew exactly what I needed and did not correct me for struggling or failing to trust Him completely. Instead He spoke quite clearly through a good friend as she stood and preached about God taking ugly things and transforming them...specifically the cross, into lasting symbols of redemption, grace and forgiveness. Then these words came out of her mouth,<i> "Your weakness will be your celebration."</i> and I knew God was looking directly at me telling me what He is going to do next... Tears immediately began to stream down my face as I felt the finger of God touch my heart and my heart begin to let go of its struggle...but not all the way.<br /><br />I must confess I don't know what it looks like at all to live transformed in this manner or even sort of feel that way about this life of pain. And this letting go doesn't seem to be happening overnight as I found myself still struggling this morning. Old habits die hard I guess. All I know is that this struggle has robbed me of so much it has left me with little to feel celebratory about other than God is using it. <br /><br />Knowing all the Bible verses relating to such a word hasn't made me feel any better or turned me into an instant expert on it either. That is only head knowledge and of little value when the soul is crying out for mercy. What I lack is true heartfelt understanding of what it means...and it seems God is planning on showing me what that means. This is same work that God did in the heart of King David enabling him to say "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing" in Psalm 30:11 and that same transformative power that takes a horrific symbol of payment owed for wrongs committed like the cross and turns it into a symbol of grace and mercy and of His love. It is the transformative power God.<br /><br />I find those words spoken through my friend so beautifully compelling and I hear is His voice, my Abba Father's voice, every time I read them. It is as though HE is saying it to me out loud "This is my will for you and what I will do in you!" so I read them over and over again, letting the sound and spirit of them sink deeply in my spirit. <br /><br />My heart is responding with such a longing to experience what God says He will do and my soul is encouraged. My spirit is hungry for His good will to be accomplished within me. Am I nervous about how it might happen? Yes, I have to say I am, but I am not afraid and am not going to sit here and dredge up all the various ways I think that might happen. That is just a waste of time and energy as I have no control of what God has planned...not to mention it would be the perfect way to open the door to worry and fear and become bound with anxiety. <br /><br />This ability to celebrate will not be achieved any other way than by His work in me and only God knows how to accomplish the necessary work that will transform the pain of weakness of this struggle into my celebration. It is God taking what is not and making it so, God taking what the enemy meant for evil and using it for the good of those who are His own. It is the kind of thing that cannot be accomplished by human strength of will or through constant quoting of scripture and claiming them in faith any more than we can save ourselves. This"celebration" will only become reality through the work of the Holy Spirit according to God's will in me...or in you if and when you come to this place in your walk. Then and only then will this "celebration" be born in my/our hearts and not just in our minds, born of truth and not just something we worked ourselves up into "feeling". It will not be the sinking sands of emotionalism or vain imaginations but foundational truth built in us by God...built in me and built in you.<br /><br />This is one of those times when I can say, "Though my heart and flesh may fail me God is my strength and my portion forever" and really mean it. If it were up to me I would just give up, through in the towel, get angry and stay angry, fill up with self pity or even self loathing and become a pitiful example of a suffering saint. How grateful I am He is not leavning me as He found me and not forsaken me...or you too for that matter. And I mean that. <br /><br />Here's to more adventures in discovery as God works in us in ways we could never imagine. </span><br /><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Copyright © 2013 by Patty Hicks<br /><br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.</span></span><br /></span></span></h5>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-75676078521903192532013-02-16T17:18:00.002-08:002013-02-18T13:15:53.668-08:002013 Challenge: To Not Sew a Single Seed<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtVaE3jF1dkfGXWadbgGzNT5DThQQ8HxYnGhTTqAwHvkn9HQLFyuteYqBhBvKE97TqxVnd2lubhIsKzPBDtR1sJimGt1zOZ8dbNC9Vu-ZMx7JV6VACIvAgOQUBAMHlTg0gmhWRk7VVrRN/s1600/Seed+Catalogs+2+edit+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwtVaE3jF1dkfGXWadbgGzNT5DThQQ8HxYnGhTTqAwHvkn9HQLFyuteYqBhBvKE97TqxVnd2lubhIsKzPBDtR1sJimGt1zOZ8dbNC9Vu-ZMx7JV6VACIvAgOQUBAMHlTg0gmhWRk7VVrRN/s400/Seed+Catalogs+2+edit+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catalogs became the voice of the devil to me</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />What would happen to my life if I didn't sew a single seed in my garden? I began wondering about this a few years ago when pain levels in my back began making it increasingly difficult to garden and have decided actually do it and see what will happen. That may not sound hard to some of you, but for someone like me who has passionately gardened for decades, I am finding it at times to be very challenging.<br />
<br />
For instance, those seed catalogs that I so love to see come in the mail have turned into the voice of the devil to me. No more fun shopping those gorgeous photos of luscious lettuces and tempting tomatoes. I wouldn't you know it, I opened my mailbox the day after making this decision and out popped two of my very favorite seed catalogs on the same day. "NO, NO, NO! This is not fair!" I shouted waving them in the air so God could see them and everyone else too, laughing at the irony of it all. My neighbors must think I am a loon sometimes. <br />
<br />
When the seed packets were put out at our local grocery store I just had to peek. Just once you know...take a little peek to see if there was anything new this year which I realized was really seeing what I was going to be missing and a really bad idea too by the way. Standing there in the isle in front of God and everybody I suddenly realized I could not buy a single one of them even if I wanted to! Resisting the temptation to envision gorgeous lush Mascara lettuce plants or killer Laciniato kale or beautiful Bull's Blood beets I could grow was awful and hard and sad. The reality of it all, even though I knew it was good for me was harder than I expected and my eyes welled up with tears. Suddenly I realized I had better get away from the racks before I lost it completely.<br />
<br />
This whole exercise in letting go of growing from seed is probably good for me I keep telling myself. Not probably, it is actually very good for me and for two reasons. First, because I have chronic back pain, 24/7 rob your life kind of chronic pain, back pain that has gotten so bad that it is basically crippled me. I can't sew seeds if I cannot take care of the plants and to take care
of the plants I need to be able to shovel, which I can't do, and I can't
kneel or bend to weed, and I absolutely cannot lug a hose...you get the
picture. (I still secretly dream of digging...I miss digging more than any others work in the garden.) I know I need to be careful with what I do and that means the gardening has to go. This pain was the impetus for my taking on this challenge which also has made it easier to accept. Hopefully it will be a part of me sticking to it too. Harder is convincing other people that gardening is not something I should be doing right now.<br />
<br />
Some of you are probably wondering why I don't get my husband to garden. Let me stop you right there before you attempt to voice that thought...No! No! No! That man, who I love dearly, is best when he just fixes things and stays out of the garden! We all have things we just cannot do very well and his is gardening so don't even go there! He proved that long ago when I trusted him to help water the veggie garden while I was at a family reunion. I demonstrated what needed done and recommended what not to do and why...he did the later. I got home to find half the tomato plants had died for lack of water because he thought he set up this smart watering system, the one I warned him not to. I just cannot trust the man because he is always trying to do things by <i>"sciencing them out"</i> which almost always fails. (ugh...Sorry Honey...I love ya but you are no gardener.) <br />
<br />
At this point I have not been able to take care of the garden as it should be for three years and I am more than ready to let it go. It has become a bit of a nightmare and needs a total makeover, as in an "extreme garden makeover". Outside of a miracle that will not be happening by my hand unless I gain my health back and even then the desire to garden like I used to just isn't there anymore.<br />
<br />
God has been trying to get it through my thick scull that there is something else He wants me do besides gardening which honestly was my whole life for several years. I kept getting nudges to use other gifts and talents, like writing and art...not that I am incredibly artistic but God has this crazy way of taking what we have and making it wonderful so I am game. But what should I do? That was and is the big question for me right now. There are enough options that it is making this pretty exciting actually. <br />
<br />
There are a lot of friends out there who know only that I know a lot about plants and little else about me. It has been difficult for them to wrap their minds around the idea of me not gardening because it was my identity for so long. To them I have always been "Patty the Plant Lady" and gardening is what I do! I am Patty who talks in Latin and can grow anything from cuttings and Patty, the lady everyone goes to with their plant questions. Yes, that WAS me, and I am still that person...just not like I used to be, I am becoming more. <br />
<br />
Gardening and plants had taken up so much of my life I think I got lost in the process; I had become a "gardenaholic" as we gardeners jokingly say. But honestly I think I really was addicted to it. I used it as an escape, as my identity and I buried myself beneath it like a drunk hides in his bottle. The truer me was trapped beneath it all, my desires laying dormant, waiting to grow, to bloom the way God intended for me too from the beginning. <br />
<br />
This has been confirmed to me as since having to let go of being "the gardener" I have seen an increased desire to grow in other areas that were not as well cultivated as my plant nerd self was. Desires to do things I used to do and some things I've never done before have been sprouting up like spring seedlings. It's time for those other things to be brought forward and I am really excited by some of the possibilities.<br />
<br />
So by laying down my trowel, the shovel and hoe, giving away all the seeds of temptation I have stored up in my pretty little heart and head, I am now opening my hands and my heart to what God has next. I am getting ready for my next assignment and gaining better understanding of who this me is that God has designed so wonderfully. Preparing myself in mind and body,
through studying scriptures, reading books, working hard on getting my back health restored...it is me taking this journey hand
in hand with my God, one step at a time. It will be interesting to see where it takes me and I look forward to what I will discover. Stay tuned!<br />
<br />
<i>Jeremiah 29:11<br />For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plant for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.</i><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Copyright © 2013 by Patty Hicks<br /><br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-76284566073816921032012-12-25T16:37:00.000-08:002012-12-25T16:56:27.246-08:00Seeds For Christmas<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAecMmFjyJ-EYOfGmc4Y7eJWbgBevqOzgD2mtakaWfnZBqU1pftZHi5bbw3T8Wt4C3Gc75EY_xcM5RsicBNhyVevv9JiWHMoN3E-rDVKbM0VvjXbHUt0hcxI8wpjan0Bpshms_tVtNS0o/s1600/Botanical+Int+Gft+Cert.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiAecMmFjyJ-EYOfGmc4Y7eJWbgBevqOzgD2mtakaWfnZBqU1pftZHi5bbw3T8Wt4C3Gc75EY_xcM5RsicBNhyVevv9JiWHMoN3E-rDVKbM0VvjXbHUt0hcxI8wpjan0Bpshms_tVtNS0o/s400/Botanical+Int+Gft+Cert.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christmas came early to this gardener</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Christmas came early in my mailbox this year along with proof of that old saying, "You can't win if you don't play". Oh but this post is not about my winning, but to say thanks to my friend, author Renea Winchester for hosting the drawing for the gift certificate on her blog, <a href="http://blogthefarm.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">"Bloggin' Billy's"</a> and to let you all know about the company it's for, <a href="http://www.botanicalinterests.com/" target="_blank">Botanical Interests high quality seeds</a>.<br />
<br />
I have been using their seeds for several years and have had great success with them. They have signed the "Safe Seed Pledge" so they sell non-GMO seeds which is important to so many of us and the future of our food. And besides that, I love their commitment to teach and inspire and all the info they have included on the packets which are quite pretty too by the way. They carry a nice variety of heirloom and organic seeds, some American native varieties and other products for gardeners as well. So be sure to poke around the entire site, I bet you'll find something you can't live without...or at least cannot resist.<br />
<br />
While you are at it check out Renea's blog too. It is a wonderful and inspiring blog with lots of great information on gardening and more. I'll just leave it at that as it's time I go spend that certificate before it burns a hole in my garden glove.<br />
<br />
Happy Gardening!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-5018785016959707392012-12-14T16:13:00.001-08:002012-12-14T16:15:31.037-08:00There Is No Making Sense of Violence<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9WogX90ijeKAw4Nbvja8hXjEvDwcJg5dh1PuindQMI2bQgEPhl3VGXAhpxMnXgGzTWQLflM6asPzosG-NUA0SCZYtt11ICkdqNOXBUYhFCF_Y_0x1eeodKus7ZEq1JmCebGXVwP7eXSz/s1600/Boiling+clouds+3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="347" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx9WogX90ijeKAw4Nbvja8hXjEvDwcJg5dh1PuindQMI2bQgEPhl3VGXAhpxMnXgGzTWQLflM6asPzosG-NUA0SCZYtt11ICkdqNOXBUYhFCF_Y_0x1eeodKus7ZEq1JmCebGXVwP7eXSz/s400/Boiling+clouds+3+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<u><b>A DIFFICULT DAY</b></u><br />
This was a difficult day.<br />
My mind trying to make sense of violence<br />
Violence that makes no sense<br />
My heart bruised from Tuesday's shooting in my town,<br />
Shoppers in Clackamas Town Center, friends, family, neighbors gunned down in cold blood...<br />
Our community rocked...it made no sense<br />
Violence never does<br />
<br />
Today's violence eclipses even the fresh emotions of Tuesday's tragedy here.<br />
So many dead, so many children dead, <br />
So many mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers suddenly, violently robbed of hugging their loved one again. <br />
This was a most difficult day.<br />
<br />
Those shot are all strangers to me<br />
Yet it is as if they are all my family<br />
As my heart wraps itself up in mourning for the loss of ones loved<br />
As I see the shattered heart on the face of the mother screaming in pain into her cell phone...<br />
The children..a sister with a comforting hand on the shoulder of her frightened younger brother <br />
<br />
I sit alone in my living room and cannot stop thinking of their pain<br />
And wanting it to make sense, praying God will make it make sense<br />
So it won't hurt so bad! <br />
The loss, the horror, the torn lives<br />
This is a most difficult day... <br />
Because there is no making sense of violence.<br />
<br />
<br />
This morning after my husband left for work and I had eaten my breakfast I opened up my laptop to Facebook and was greeted with horrific news. It was 7am Pacific Standard Time. It is now 4pm and I found it nearly impossible to leave this place of deep sorrow for the sudden and violent loss of loved ones those Newton Connecticut are feeling today. I am sure others of you may be feeling much the same as I am, but my grief has been magnified by the violent taking of lives earlier this week in my town of Portland Oregon at the Clackamas Town Center shooting. It made this a most difficult day. <br />
<br />
I am a person who is strongly empathetic and these events have left me unable to set it aside so much of the day has been filled with prayer for it is all I know to do when my heart is so burdened and I understand so little. I know God saw everything and for reasons known only to Himself He allowed this horrific violence to occur. I do not understand...God knows this. Many will ask how a loving God could allow such a thing to happen. I do not have the answer.<br />
<br />
Bad things, really bad things happen to good people and have from the beginning of time. I can only pray that some good, actually I am praying for some great good to be born out of the horrific events of this week in our nation. I pray that bitterness won't win in the hearts of those who have lost loved ones. I pray that we will not turn to anger ourselves to try and solve what we believe to be the problem in our society that brought these things about. We don't understand, maybe we will never understand why either of these young men took to deadly force to satisfy the completely selfish evil desire that was inside of them. I pray we might rise above arguments that pit one against another until we all want to vomit from hearing so much of it from our friends, neighbors and strangers. I pray that somehow God will bring wisdom to our leaders that will provide better safety for all of us...but most of all I pray for God to change hearts. <br />
<br />
Today was a most difficult day, I pray that tomorrow will bring hope and healing and comfort to those who need it most.<br />
<br />
For the people of Newton Connecticut and surrounding communities and the people here in my city affected by unthinkable tragedy, you are in my thoughts and prayers. May God have mercy.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Copyright © 2012 by Patty Hicks<br /><br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-64258679112871032552012-11-22T11:37:00.000-08:002012-11-26T10:18:43.158-08:00Memories of Mom and Honey Bread Careen<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtDOMdZlTITETe9AVGk9xJGnSp2ZtLC1GHrm17kJTS3xe-9LR6fkS6cIhZJjMqw6riLKE3ePlcOJk35T2M-Y6ZCEw3UzlGJ6pPw-dWvAwzm26cjrCAKHOiqVQ5BoC_aL5AjznlEZiOfpP/s1600/Cinnamon+Bread+5+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUtDOMdZlTITETe9AVGk9xJGnSp2ZtLC1GHrm17kJTS3xe-9LR6fkS6cIhZJjMqw6riLKE3ePlcOJk35T2M-Y6ZCEw3UzlGJ6pPw-dWvAwzm26cjrCAKHOiqVQ5BoC_aL5AjznlEZiOfpP/s400/Cinnamon+Bread+5+copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Honey Bread Careen Cinnamon Loaf</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
This time of year evokes so many memories around food and all of us have them no matter how simple or elegant our celebrations were and are today. This year I decided it was about time to pass along one of these traditional foods I love to my son and granddaughters, Honey Bread Careen.<br />
<br />
During the holidays my mom would bake up a huge batch Honey Bread Careen dinner rolls and at least one pan full of sticky buns. They were so delicious we all had at least two dinner rolls if not more for dinner. They were soft and little sweet, made even more irresistible with a pat of butter that would melt into the warm bread and honey drizzled on top.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOj9UEricBTe33ZAg9DKeetv8BuQXkvwunFsv5t6UOaeC00igGhZ0jtrSXfn7X4ZCKAfPP6b2Ycml8MUXSi97N7zxZO52sy7m3JmuKYIFO__EHpZEnW_JGxs_ZgxwDaG-PIsZmytMxh5n/s1600/Cinnamon+bread+toast+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYOj9UEricBTe33ZAg9DKeetv8BuQXkvwunFsv5t6UOaeC00igGhZ0jtrSXfn7X4ZCKAfPP6b2Ycml8MUXSi97N7zxZO52sy7m3JmuKYIFO__EHpZEnW_JGxs_ZgxwDaG-PIsZmytMxh5n/s320/Cinnamon+bread+toast+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon bread toast and eggs for busy mornings</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
When I mixed up the batch for today's Thanksgiving dinner it made such a huge amount it gave me opportunity to make the rolls and two large loaves of cinnamon bread, one for us and one to gift my son and his family with. The cinnamon loaf makes the most wonderful toast in the world, perfect for the busy holiday season. And now that I have you all drooling I suppose I better get busy and share the recipe.<br />
<br />
<b>HONEY BREAD CAREEN</b><br />
<i>Bake at 400F ten minutes, then 350F for twenty minutes </i><br />
5 cups water (divided)<br />
3 cakes yeast<br />
1 tsp sugar<br />
1.25 cups powdered milk<br />
1.25 cups peanut oil<br />
1.25 cups raw honey<br />
2 Tbsp kosher salt<br />
15 cups all purpose flour<br />
<i>Additional flour for dusting work surface and to add to dough as needed</i><br />
<br />
Heat 3/4 cup water to between 100 and 110 degrees F, add yeast and sugar and stir to dissolve. Let rest for about 5 minutes until yeast mixture nears double in size. <br />
<i>NOTE:If the water is over 110F it will kill the yeast and if under 100F the yeast will not activate properly so temperature is key.</i><br />
<br />
In a very large bowl dump the remaining 4.25 cups water (I used 90F water to speed things up a bit), powdered milk, honey, peanut oil (also warmed a bit) and salt, stirring well to blend. Next stir in the yeast mixture and then add the flour. I added the flour 5 cups at a time, mixing as I went which seems to work best. Once the last 5 cups are in you'll need to get both hands in there and start working the dough to incorporate it well. This is a lot of dough and will take some strength.<br /><br /> <br />
Once everything is incorporated sprinkle your work surface with some flour, place the dough on it, sprinkle a bit more flour on top of the dough and begin kneading it. The added flour keeps the dough from sticking to things too much. Reapply flour as needed during the kneading process. I think I used between 1/2 and 1 full cup extra flour for dusting. The kneading takes some muscle due to the weight and volume of the dough so be prepared. <br />
<br />
As you begin to knead the dough it will stick to your hands some until enough flour has been worked into the dough. Keep kneading it for 10 to 15 minutes. You will feel the dough will become less lumpy feeling and more silky when the kneading is near done.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nMS8zylKhze5deu1bNs5mlUkax6djT6A1xA8spN7AjixWrzYr7uJGf3Kcxd2fETnpUHIvUKjEkGwTgLPu2sRPS-tr3x1UyOmDQ-A04t5uKxMOMKBe5HTnYlw_tDF-Y6oxHQ1xAUt7eC1/s1600/Bread+dough+1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3nMS8zylKhze5deu1bNs5mlUkax6djT6A1xA8spN7AjixWrzYr7uJGf3Kcxd2fETnpUHIvUKjEkGwTgLPu2sRPS-tr3x1UyOmDQ-A04t5uKxMOMKBe5HTnYlw_tDF-Y6oxHQ1xAUt7eC1/s320/Bread+dough+1+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grandma, what a big bowl you have!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Place the kneaded dough in a very large clean bowl that has been oiled so the dough won't stick to the side. (I just washed and used the bowl I mixed everything up in.) Lightly oil some plastic wrap and place it over top and drape with a towel. Place the bowl in a warm spot (not hot) or over a large container of very warm water. I used my Dutch oven with very warm tap water. Let the dough raise for about 2 hours or until doubled in size. Punch it down and repeat. Now you can shape into rolls of loaves, let raise to double in size and bake. I also should note here that<i> you can keep this dough refrigerated for a
week</i>. It takes longer to rise that final time before baking but all
good things are worth the waiting for.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpES_VPjhqCp9oW4doj1mzjd-20FgMOObXt4No5GM5V1IaE-dXoK3MOdB2Xhid626cDIIyRD8hg1DKFoV_B31amxIJ5tRLdNOChExiHFmo0tGLKALEmVYRMUPLLtIr93QugoS7n4M35gL/s1600/Bread+dough+3+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="275" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRpES_VPjhqCp9oW4doj1mzjd-20FgMOObXt4No5GM5V1IaE-dXoK3MOdB2Xhid626cDIIyRD8hg1DKFoV_B31amxIJ5tRLdNOChExiHFmo0tGLKALEmVYRMUPLLtIr93QugoS7n4M35gL/s320/Bread+dough+3+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dough, doubled and silky to the touch</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
A note here...I find preheating the oven for 30 minutes really does help breads to bake best. The rolls took the recommended amount of time the recipe above states. I did have to cover them with foil for the last 10 minutes to avoid the tops getting too brown.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVi32S7qCoI7qyCby47QYEQ_Sek6gF8tQowXBeKXsxo4ymNPL78wNcB6ilXPUDm38ztyqgi4TPsbyfzWs6z3ZWgzGJTEZu99Dr0euj09SbLuh3h75twcQ7kZcsVuNxtI0k3XAl9qN8u5pp/s1600/Rolls+1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="228" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVi32S7qCoI7qyCby47QYEQ_Sek6gF8tQowXBeKXsxo4ymNPL78wNcB6ilXPUDm38ztyqgi4TPsbyfzWs6z3ZWgzGJTEZu99Dr0euj09SbLuh3h75twcQ7kZcsVuNxtI0k3XAl9qN8u5pp/s320/Rolls+1+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eighteen large dinner rolls</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I made the rolls in disposable aluminum casserole pans which work really great for heating them up in the oven the next day like we are having to do. Make the dough balls about the size of a small apple and leave space between each row. A 9x13 baking pan would work well for the rolls.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncGxXRPQ4tcZnal8CJc0uENY6WSDT2BemKUfH2HE5x2ql7jPrZWTYbrtfiKTxTmc5krwDG3h77KecMjRFPQBXGPwAn8aNpdbXlsIw_6BNvYO6xvDwN6_cPIm9JLTB-Nd7tFVj-milXo9v/s1600/Cinnamon+bread+1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhncGxXRPQ4tcZnal8CJc0uENY6WSDT2BemKUfH2HE5x2ql7jPrZWTYbrtfiKTxTmc5krwDG3h77KecMjRFPQBXGPwAn8aNpdbXlsIw_6BNvYO6xvDwN6_cPIm9JLTB-Nd7tFVj-milXo9v/s320/Cinnamon+bread+1+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cinnamon bread loaves are rolled with ends folded under</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>CINNAMON BREAD</b><br />
The remainder of the dough I worked into a flat, semi regular rectangle shape about 1/2" thick. Sprinkled a healthy amount of cinnamon and about 1/2 cup of sugar and melted 1/2 cup of butter which I drizzled over top and spread around with my hands like a 5 year old...FUN! Next I carefully rolled it up, cut the roll in half and transferred the loaves onto a sprayed backing sheet, folded the ends under and left them to rise beneath the oiled plastic wrap I had used previously on the dough bowl. They were ready to go in the oven by the time the rolls were finished baking. <br />
<br />
Bake the bread at 400 for 10 minutes and then reduce the temperature to 350F to finish baking. You will need to cover the top of the loaves with foil about 20 minutes into the baking time to keep them from getting too dark so have some ready. This bread took about 20 minutes longer at 350F to finish baking.<br />
<br />
So there you have it. A family tradition that I hope will bless your family too. <br />
Have a wonderful Thanksgiving everyone. And may God bless you as you gather, be it with family, friends or with strangers.<br />
<br />
<i>Final note...I am sharing this recipe in remembrance of my mother, Betty Fitch, who died suddenly at the age of 58, thirty one years ago. She was the kindest, most patient woman I know and a beautiful Christian woman who taught me by how she lived, how to hold fast to God in life, no matter what the circumstances. </i><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-56938366244443143532012-09-15T13:21:00.001-07:002012-09-15T13:21:26.911-07:00European Wool Carder Bee (Anthidium manicatum)<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYVqQxdSaWrj6uWkqECQ5HIT7MtsoCalmDsiPXjYMBHSJ-LM3s6NMNInztriU0i0yJ2JXo16vRk7BzeGNPMHv7w6Jcvo0jZ3Mt9TRmwT_wVkuNqy1sQgKuLdW3bDRnqspN8bYvnD7zw2V/s1600/Anthidium+manicatum+Bee+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUYVqQxdSaWrj6uWkqECQ5HIT7MtsoCalmDsiPXjYMBHSJ-LM3s6NMNInztriU0i0yJ2JXo16vRk7BzeGNPMHv7w6Jcvo0jZ3Mt9TRmwT_wVkuNqy1sQgKuLdW3bDRnqspN8bYvnD7zw2V/s320/Anthidium+manicatum+Bee+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">European Wool Carder Bee is now here in Oregon</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Let me introduce you to the <b>European Wool Carder Bee</b> AKA <span style="font-family: inherit;"><i>Anthidium manicatum</i></span>. This little guy (that is a male in the photo) gets it's name from gathering hairs from leaves, particularly Lamb's Ear (Stachys byzantina) that it uses to line it's nest with. Related to the Mason Bee, this leaf cutter bee seems to have found a good home here in my Portland Oregon garden and elsewhere in the United States and Canada. Other than being rather protective of its foraging area and the leaf cutting habit that helps it build it's nest, it seems it is not a huge pest so I can relax. (I have been a little on edge about new insects lately after the battle I've been fighting with Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs the past couple of years.)<br />
<br />
Our world is much smaller place these days and insects are finding it easier than ever to stow away to other parts of the world. Hey, migration happens! My rule of thumb is to not get too excited when I spot an unidentified insect species and avoid become an insectaphobe. Here is what I recommend you do should you have an insect show up that seems out of place in your garden:<br /><br /><b>TAKE CLEAR PHOTOS</b> - You may need these to send to the experts or to refer to yourself. It is nearly impossible to ID something from a fuzzy photograph so the sharper the picture the better<br /><br /><b>NOTE APPROXIMATE SIZE, COLOR AND MARKINGS</b> - be sure to include exoskeleton and what the wings (if present), legs, head, abdomen and thorax look like with lengths if you can get them. Also mouthparts etc., as this information helps when the identifying gets tough. But again...that sharp photo is priceless for someone else looking at what you have found. (I use the macro setting on my ancient Sony Mavica camera to get the shots I do.)<br /><b><br />NOTE HABITS</b> - Aggressive or gentle behavior, plants it is feeding on, movement patterns (slow or flitting), did you find it hatching from eggs (get a photo of those please) or did it just emerge from the ground or a whole in a tree...all of this helps. In the case of my bee here it's aggressiveness was a dead giveaway to helping ID it. It not only let the honey bees know those plants were its foraging territory but let me know as well. That comes in handy to know when children are around so they can be taught to respect these bees and avoid possible stings. <br /><b><br />SEARCH ONLINE FIRST</b> - I use Google Images, <a href="http://bugguide.net/">BugGuide.net</a>, Wikipedia and my local county extension office and find them to be some of the best resources in identifying insects I know. I rarely ask friends online and when I do am always searching myself in the background. <br /><br /> <b>ASK THE EXPERTS</b> - Reporting unusual insects in the garden is always a must before coming to a final conclusion on what the insect is, especially if you believe it is a trouble maker. There are millions of insects in the world and some are really difficult to discern between but have very different lifestyles in the garden. Less than one percent of them do real damage by the way. However, an insect that is native to a different region can be devastating when it migrates to a new region where it is not in danger of being eaten by something or weather does not keep down the numbers. Though it is an invasive species, I don't think this Wool Carder Bee is one of those that will cause real damage and am glad I now know who it is and that I don't have to be worried about it too much.<br /><br />So there you have it. Have fun looking for insects and happy gardening!<br /><br />P.S. I noticed while editing this post that there is another bug on the leaf this bee is sitting on. Can you see it? Do you know what it is? (I already know but am interested to see if you can find out too.)<br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><br />Copyright © 2012 by Patty Hicks<br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.</span><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br />
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-88475807421955650182012-08-30T18:56:00.000-07:002012-08-30T18:56:20.529-07:00Fire In The Hole! Potting Soil Flammability Test<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWgqWztZ4JmvxpOulqs0gFYJDQf_uOFyb4I-MvVSkzbjm4_DMKTqiN8e_4yXVQNuJnnqFw0snXK-xFZUL0cj21zuF6ilNW_a3RduJ2_t5d3YZgFEUviQtxW70GZAAEdptjvpBVrvMWBrG/s1600/Cig+Butt+and+soil+fire+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWgqWztZ4JmvxpOulqs0gFYJDQf_uOFyb4I-MvVSkzbjm4_DMKTqiN8e_4yXVQNuJnnqFw0snXK-xFZUL0cj21zuF6ilNW_a3RduJ2_t5d3YZgFEUviQtxW70GZAAEdptjvpBVrvMWBrG/s320/Cig+Butt+and+soil+fire+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can it really start a fire in a dry plant pot?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It's summer and fire season, a time when most of us are watching for dry brush, trees and grasses that might pose a hazard around our homes and businesses. But there is something else flammable that we might have not even considered...potting soil, dry crusty potting soil.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CLG4JDickO3Je11KMCWjfdbD_f3egJX7bCNf310SLLTkBTIb9bb-tWXpiUNqXE4LGmAWgE7asgmed-mTnbtk-azy1yCj2d-c2Fv1-ga2do2hVa0DIHeLq57MDZzzax3dbaSsv1RrFU_l/s1600/Dry+soil+floats+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8CLG4JDickO3Je11KMCWjfdbD_f3egJX7bCNf310SLLTkBTIb9bb-tWXpiUNqXE4LGmAWgE7asgmed-mTnbtk-azy1yCj2d-c2Fv1-ga2do2hVa0DIHeLq57MDZzzax3dbaSsv1RrFU_l/s320/Dry+soil+floats+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dry potting soil is not easily re-hydrated and floats on water</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Who would have thought such a thing possible, I mean the whole fire issue seems so far removed from growing plants in containers that why would it cross our minds? But it is true...potting soil is flammable, actually very flammable when dry.<br />
<br />
I got to thinking about this a couple weeks ago as I was listening to a local news story on bark mulch fires being a real problem in our area, the fellow they were interviewing showed how these types of fires often migrate up through the soil to the base of a home and can end up causing the structure to catch fire. Now I have seen first hand a bark mulch fire caused by someone's carelessly discarded cigarette butt, and how it was migrating up toward a building just as the expert had shown. That is what got me going on dry potting soil possibly being a danger as well since it is mostly organic matter like bark which burns readily and how we NEVER hear about it.<br />
<br />
Then today another blogger sort of beat me to the punch when he blogged about a <a href="http://patricksgarden.com/my-planter-is-on-fire-potting-soil-is-flammable-think-about-it-please/#more-2138" target="_blank">reported an incident of a fire</a> that destroyed a dozen apartments where a 56 year old man lost his life and that fire began in someone's planter. Shocking I know but it's true. And in case you are wondering, no, dry potting soil does not self ignite, it needs a spark to set it to smoldering before it becomes a fire hazard.<br />
<br />
With that said I got all fired up (pun intended) and decided to do a little experiment of my own just to see for myself how flammable this stuff really is and hopefully have something to show you too. So here goes!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_3tzVWfH5XwhiF2pD1C8bFYWjb1fAzNHQwAccx57Wr-lhL2tOubi61mGLfhyphenhyphenEwXrOGjOalI5gVvEa0Vv4tNeZ4DNwOjtwvfH4aZc6UqBYZ9pkuHg7DRtfMCTPKHq8O-SxDUazE4pWL1Z/s1600/Bucket+o+water+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_3tzVWfH5XwhiF2pD1C8bFYWjb1fAzNHQwAccx57Wr-lhL2tOubi61mGLfhyphenhyphenEwXrOGjOalI5gVvEa0Vv4tNeZ4DNwOjtwvfH4aZc6UqBYZ9pkuHg7DRtfMCTPKHq8O-SxDUazE4pWL1Z/s320/Bucket+o+water+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Safety first...water to put out the fire</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I placed a handful of dry potting soil in a cast iron skillet. Since I
don't have lit cigarette butts at my disposal I used a lighter which
took only a few seconds to make the potting soil smolder. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3lVrzekwOD9QdHnHE7ERN8brOmyXIjW8fl9lUxbALOFqjeOJ2fMTYoOnYwWZz-lOqCK0d1O9kHaZub62kZZRDs9ZvO9R6f37tMFuX1NEMV_g27Cqj6jdIQoGcXkljvKwgoBaEku4r65e/s1600/Burning+Potting+Soil+1+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg3lVrzekwOD9QdHnHE7ERN8brOmyXIjW8fl9lUxbALOFqjeOJ2fMTYoOnYwWZz-lOqCK0d1O9kHaZub62kZZRDs9ZvO9R6f37tMFuX1NEMV_g27Cqj6jdIQoGcXkljvKwgoBaEku4r65e/s320/Burning+Potting+Soil+1+copy.jpg" width="308" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Potting soil smoldering with a little glowing spark</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It is important to note that it
does not matter which brand of potting soil you have, they are all
equally flammable.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGhdxmNVnAl2B2aK9I4JITpogcgdMpO-rw9yXzkLPTLViiUMzkxcNFYl12R1DNbXoZcDsTjqh5dIk1eUfE7U7hzJDpHfpdxDWkPeaEvCxDt5Hp8xJHwMs-VHO08AiT2-f2o1Bk2a9kndd/s1600/Soil+burn+5+minutes+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioGhdxmNVnAl2B2aK9I4JITpogcgdMpO-rw9yXzkLPTLViiUMzkxcNFYl12R1DNbXoZcDsTjqh5dIk1eUfE7U7hzJDpHfpdxDWkPeaEvCxDt5Hp8xJHwMs-VHO08AiT2-f2o1Bk2a9kndd/s320/Soil+burn+5+minutes+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Five minutes into the test this is how much burned</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If there would have been a good breeze blowing my little pile would have actually flamed up into a real fire. Unfortunately we had no breeze so I was stuck blowing on the smoking pile of potting soil and this is what I got.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_ycOd1NtYcUQmj4kOogbjyUJlwQVhl3aIrJRkzlutS9npzKr1-_QnGoQzd1Qnk-g8wod-oZtNZrf2zknRIHxOauRq-piTQrinTrp4Jmv0oxszCmiV2D6Hk6AB1x4bXN3XnPOe9H0wsrF/s1600/Soil+Embers+glowing+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz_ycOd1NtYcUQmj4kOogbjyUJlwQVhl3aIrJRkzlutS9npzKr1-_QnGoQzd1Qnk-g8wod-oZtNZrf2zknRIHxOauRq-piTQrinTrp4Jmv0oxszCmiV2D6Hk6AB1x4bXN3XnPOe9H0wsrF/s320/Soil+Embers+glowing+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh woopie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
The flammability of potting soils is due to the nature of the material potting soil is made up of...and all recipes are pretty much the same with each company adding their own variations to the basic mix. These products are really not soil at all and in the industry are called "soil-less mixes". In fact potting soil is mostly peat, bark (cedar which is very flammable when dry) and perlite.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF07Vz1RqyyR75m8trUodF1yiuQ6NcqpXmmMxo82DoY2sH_qWeUgMZ96G_TFTdegjf3VNImDsEhbHRowVSlJiwovKv6Tv33E2IJkPpspaAGbdJREgSLMcIpXlWMe4j8iwlmeJfxdGK2v0/s1600/Burnt+Soil+15+minutes+later+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjF07Vz1RqyyR75m8trUodF1yiuQ6NcqpXmmMxo82DoY2sH_qWeUgMZ96G_TFTdegjf3VNImDsEhbHRowVSlJiwovKv6Tv33E2IJkPpspaAGbdJREgSLMcIpXlWMe4j8iwlmeJfxdGK2v0/s320/Burnt+Soil+15+minutes+later+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After fifteen minutes, one third or more is burnt up</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Companies also often add bits of other ingredients to make each recipe uniquely their own but the main ingredients...bark and peat or coconut coir (husk) are always present and all are always quite flammable when dry.<br />
<br />
So what is the take away from all this? Two things....FIRST: Keep those containers moist so they will not be able to catch fire. (This second one is like spitting in the wind to me because those who do it just don't seem to get how dangerous it is or if the do they just don't care.) <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30XQRqKLcmGi6ebn15oIQxUuBRGRlZeT10rzr40VC6odCPoQy1cZR1vg2yu9adbJaynslqN3LTNH6vQ599S84nOfQF_EUl1bwE0KJ25szto7rjhG57PDCEtXKs2WDFOExtjYLOKz5eHld/s1600/Cigarette+Butt+with+tobacco+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh30XQRqKLcmGi6ebn15oIQxUuBRGRlZeT10rzr40VC6odCPoQy1cZR1vg2yu9adbJaynslqN3LTNH6vQ599S84nOfQF_EUl1bwE0KJ25szto7rjhG57PDCEtXKs2WDFOExtjYLOKz5eHld/s320/Cigarette+Butt+with+tobacco+copy.jpg" width="311" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of many I find at the sidewalk in front of our house</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
SECOND: Stop putting cigarette butts where they do not belong folks! If wishes were fishes as my momma used to say...and I sure wish there was a way to stop people from doing this but smokers, not all but some, just don't seem to get it that those butts are dangerous.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKGSaUYl5NIwPnRbArBXtMPpcSqAWuJLnHpE2oYHRKhq3PflOhDuZqtHUvDytGv7hDTIi_X7DSr_yzTKyOKAfAXhkJtLEo-YghVxpHAaqtNYAM9NaneTwh5vV83RBIBcpCykJvtJPIJXx/s1600/Cig+Butt+In+Gutter+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikKGSaUYl5NIwPnRbArBXtMPpcSqAWuJLnHpE2oYHRKhq3PflOhDuZqtHUvDytGv7hDTIi_X7DSr_yzTKyOKAfAXhkJtLEo-YghVxpHAaqtNYAM9NaneTwh5vV83RBIBcpCykJvtJPIJXx/s320/Cig+Butt+In+Gutter+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh well...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Need more proof? Here is a <a href="http://www.wday.com/event/article/id/63773/" target="_blank">video showing just how fast it can happen</a>. <br />
<br />
<br />
Safe gardening everyone and keep those hoses handy!<br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Copyright © 2012 by Patty Hicks<br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-81357203152979659172012-08-24T10:48:00.003-07:002012-08-24T10:48:58.813-07:00Tomatoes Have Worms?; Or What I Discovered Was Eating My Tomatoes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNSEQi-f8O30nTlS9zWeDBOz-NCsvloT0c5KMnxKbU75C7FgMrsHIwCxNJ2IvhmlxtkmThkrld5_wt3M6Es6Gb1btmHwppiz6ZWfRdVh0AP3252I8wN3dB26dsyFhbysIFbCTlzg4Dpdl/s1600/A+A+A+A+Tomato+Invader+Hole+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRNSEQi-f8O30nTlS9zWeDBOz-NCsvloT0c5KMnxKbU75C7FgMrsHIwCxNJ2IvhmlxtkmThkrld5_wt3M6Es6Gb1btmHwppiz6ZWfRdVh0AP3252I8wN3dB26dsyFhbysIFbCTlzg4Dpdl/s320/A+A+A+A+Tomato+Invader+Hole+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who is that eating MY tomato?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Garden fresh tomatoes, we all wait with great anticipation for these luscious gems of the summer garden. We love them so much that when something spoils them we cry with the heart of a five year old “He stole my candy!” At least that's what I did last night.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5MIixbrodUir8638BMEuXCh9Raut3NE-fWXd2ht05iHw2C_iSse58lRlv-dXh_Y1idgnzvjkAkUYZevdZxEkEWuMRntHzpEa6P6dsm37ojQvYogpO2BtdiSN3fJGebXeC1BkOcUcuRUr/s1600/A+A+A+A+Tomato+Invader+Dark+Spot+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn5MIixbrodUir8638BMEuXCh9Raut3NE-fWXd2ht05iHw2C_iSse58lRlv-dXh_Y1idgnzvjkAkUYZevdZxEkEWuMRntHzpEa6P6dsm37ojQvYogpO2BtdiSN3fJGebXeC1BkOcUcuRUr/s320/A+A+A+A+Tomato+Invader+Dark+Spot+copy.jpg" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The spot that made me shudder with disgust.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
There it was all red and luscious looking just calling my name. But when I went to pluck it from the vine my finger landed on something that was just not right…a large soft spot. EEEWWW! “That’s not supposed to be there! That was when I went into panic mode “WHAT? No, no, no…not my tomato!” Next came disgust and that sinking disheartening feeling of being stripped of enjoying the fruits of my labor. “What is it this time? Please God, not another new invader, some strange disease!” I went into praying it wasn’t true mode.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzySNRl_IAQgEQ7vPiikj_mcfeJX-zZKTNaetN8IrgUtfoM0gav_xa-MfN752vvgXa8XzcN3kO8fHuaom6aYVohbYmkP4Tb6_1jHb84Lx09jvPMyuXnbwlE6nP4bW4SF__JfjJNt8IN9Ub/s1600/A+A+A+A+Tomato+Invader+Tunnel+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzySNRl_IAQgEQ7vPiikj_mcfeJX-zZKTNaetN8IrgUtfoM0gav_xa-MfN752vvgXa8XzcN3kO8fHuaom6aYVohbYmkP4Tb6_1jHb84Lx09jvPMyuXnbwlE6nP4bW4SF__JfjJNt8IN9Ub/s320/A+A+A+A+Tomato+Invader+Tunnel+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That explains the soft rotten spot...there is an invader afoot!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />I took the fruit inside to do my geek thing, dissecting it to see if I could find was going on. Investigative research is important in fighting battles in the garden as we cannot fight our enemy with any hope of winning until we know who or what the enemy is.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwenUqmIPTSBO90Rt7e1YkjM0yL7jYf6F864bSYGd9SaWfIAlt538g4-_zaVX37oX0babjG0ir4pnOGSQk0CRDuBfCJPF_2vgKO7M20c-AQm5b88Dnef2X5P0d8JlvmfGss73GLJis7JTR/s1600/A+A+A+A+Tomato+Invader+011+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwenUqmIPTSBO90Rt7e1YkjM0yL7jYf6F864bSYGd9SaWfIAlt538g4-_zaVX37oX0babjG0ir4pnOGSQk0CRDuBfCJPF_2vgKO7M20c-AQm5b88Dnef2X5P0d8JlvmfGss73GLJis7JTR/s320/A+A+A+A+Tomato+Invader+011+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early pupal stage of the tomato fruitworm.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My research unveiled something I had never seen before. I didn’t even know tomatoes had things like this. The pest from what I can tell is Tomato Fruitworm, <i>Helicoverpa zea</i>, which by the way is the same pest as the cotton bollworm and corn earworm, an insidious little moth larvae that can be a real troublemaker if left undetected. I am not looking forward to another battle but here we go again.<br />
<br />
At first I was Googling tomatoes that eat worms to get some idea of what I was dealing with but had to stop. The pictures were really creeped me out. Maybe it was just too much to see worms eating garden fresh tomatoes but my stomach started feeling all icky. By the time it got too uncomfortable to continue I had want I needed and knew I had my enemy by the tail. I could plan my defense and get into the battlefield and hopefully save some of my tomatoes from this pest. And I will be watching and waiting for them next year now too. The jigs up, these nasty little worms won’t stand a chance in my garden.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsM4tnsuZBvr6w4ncygZ-trNGX8Me24T3qBxo_BMXqBe9yg-DASaMmsebt53YNT8edHO6xtzSgZPqerVHQ1qKnbtwIBXhiuvTo-oHxJlbcZ8t6-jezAv98v6AiUf2i2hfCyEjppv4ic9kf/s1600/This+Means+War+screaming+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsM4tnsuZBvr6w4ncygZ-trNGX8Me24T3qBxo_BMXqBe9yg-DASaMmsebt53YNT8edHO6xtzSgZPqerVHQ1qKnbtwIBXhiuvTo-oHxJlbcZ8t6-jezAv98v6AiUf2i2hfCyEjppv4ic9kf/s320/This+Means+War+screaming+face.jpg" width="233" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">YOU WORMS ARE GONNA DIE!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
The information here at <a href="http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/r783300111.html" target="_blank">UCDavis on tomato fruitworm</a> great for starters. They include life cycle info, a list mechanical ways to control it from physically destroying eggs and monitoring plants, pheromone traps, preditory insects (our garden soldiers), and at the bottom of the page is a list of pesticides that may be used to control this pest.. If you should choose to use pesticides please contact your County Extension Office, Master Gardeners for what is listed for use in your area just to be safe and within the laws of your state.<br /><br />I hope this helps if you have found a little worm ruining your garden plans. Here's to winning the battle and future successes in your garden!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Copyright © 2012 by Patty Hicks<br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.</span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-59559247572610344472012-08-11T11:55:00.000-07:002012-08-11T22:30:00.176-07:00What I Discovered At Viscaya: Social Plant Addiction<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOR_dO5MZxMZ7sBj-gQXthqma7WXW5rqQB8DWzbJsG3bkakNCOvZ_lU85lb4ji9bhyphenhyphenJgNnNq5ung4HMBKwEMDXI7DSI0Gwna8Q2tTbuFThEXDz3Y8IL9gfMzcjoQKsyvUH2YRAiybWOT8G/s1600/Viscaya+Desert+plant+display+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOR_dO5MZxMZ7sBj-gQXthqma7WXW5rqQB8DWzbJsG3bkakNCOvZ_lU85lb4ji9bhyphenhyphenJgNnNq5ung4HMBKwEMDXI7DSI0Gwna8Q2tTbuFThEXDz3Y8IL9gfMzcjoQKsyvUH2YRAiybWOT8G/s320/Viscaya+Desert+plant+display+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stepped out of my car and into delight....</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Do you live close to a nursery? Do you just go to walk around and chill? Have you ever considered that you may be addicted to plants? Why do I ask that? Because I love to go chill at the nursery. For me it takes me to my "zone" where the rest of the world is allowed to evaporate for a while. But I don't just do this sort of thing by myself all the time, I am probably more of a <i>social plant addict</i> myself, people are a big part of why I enjoy gardening so much. Sort of like a social drinker only instead of the booze it's plants I share in the company of others. Just ask my friend William if I'm right. He is owner of Viscaya, a great little nursery near my home that I go visit probably once a week at least.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCw8XK5USQmGnY1HBTOnLW4VNsvAJtr1YoGHr6vGRWaXg_SU1McTmtjMaXUqtJWZ26D1i4_8gQiDfyKql9KZHPA-QXiuwf4XjNmZOya3UaVRC3keI-fPPsl644UE48NoTUGjF5llvgv-C/s1600/Dahlia+in+dark+red.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOCw8XK5USQmGnY1HBTOnLW4VNsvAJtr1YoGHr6vGRWaXg_SU1McTmtjMaXUqtJWZ26D1i4_8gQiDfyKql9KZHPA-QXiuwf4XjNmZOya3UaVRC3keI-fPPsl644UE48NoTUGjF5llvgv-C/s320/Dahlia+in+dark+red.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yummy...I must get one for my garden too!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
William and I seem to share this common bond of being <i>social plant addicts</i>. Not just regular plant addicts but those who seem to enjoy sharing about what we love publicly. He is even lucky enough to be a host of a garden show, Garden Time, that is broadcast locally here on television. So he is sharing on a level I can only dream of and drool over. (Oh dear, I think I may be a little jealous.) <br /><br />Like all plant addicts we use Latin nomenclature more than common names, comment on plant anomalies as if it was a yummy dessert, swoon over the latest new thing, gushing as we share any new discoveries and enjoy trying to figure out plant related puzzles that we come across and often are asking questions about issues with plants we are growing. <br /><br />The human quotient is as large if not larger in our addiction though. We could never be solitary plant addicts like some gardeners I have heard of. People make it even more fun for us. We laugh about ourselves often too. If we ever stop being able to laugh at ourselves please plan an intervention, we will be needing one. But we laugh mostly because it is who we are and besides...being a social plant addict can be quite entertaining. What a great way to have good time. So how about you? Social or solitary?<br />
<br />
Speaking of laughing, today it was my turn to make William laugh. But I want to take to peek at the nursery first. I'll you what made him laugh in a minute. (See, I really am pathetically addicted.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnJ5ZOw2HpvlZbQDaYhB0_hjDrDF4SEyqyCy6IFZAB3yzX_pUYpYTBsSvNcwYdNswxCYmjXcwVsdfvspDlyZb3t3GiTYLofK1d8jk8s18esEYeMgvNm9owKo3v406IuwNYfNGQHvO8QAO/s1600/Viscaya+Cosmos+in+sun.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVnJ5ZOw2HpvlZbQDaYhB0_hjDrDF4SEyqyCy6IFZAB3yzX_pUYpYTBsSvNcwYdNswxCYmjXcwVsdfvspDlyZb3t3GiTYLofK1d8jk8s18esEYeMgvNm9owKo3v406IuwNYfNGQHvO8QAO/s320/Viscaya+Cosmos+in+sun.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is so unfair. It's too gorgeous I want it all!<br />
Chocolate cosmos and those leaves...fabulous! </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
What could be more perfect than a garden with a nursery sprinkled along the pathways? Delightful and very approachable is what I have decided it is. It is a very friendly place with spots to sit in the shade and even a table to sit at too. In spite of the number of times I have visited Viscaya I always manage to come away inspired, either by new plants, new garden art ideas or by a lively conversation with William and his mom Roberta. She's a peach too by the way and as friendly as the day is long.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTVQmuBlGv1DoKZpcFXQwlOgFdclS8NbmRujwmC_1cHlRkpYERpUt8QbpuQhQwBLbdoS6taoW1zTtJ72WkdqFddISCmDW-q7U4mRXW-ibJoQ9OM55wd_cf17-aE5OWJIFwGGxUISjNJxH/s1600/Viscaya+nest+in+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqTVQmuBlGv1DoKZpcFXQwlOgFdclS8NbmRujwmC_1cHlRkpYERpUt8QbpuQhQwBLbdoS6taoW1zTtJ72WkdqFddISCmDW-q7U4mRXW-ibJoQ9OM55wd_cf17-aE5OWJIFwGGxUISjNJxH/s320/Viscaya+nest+in+tree.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sweet nest and things hanging about.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Fountains
and creative art pieces seem to be around every corner. Many William has created in homage to his heritage and others are just plain fun, but all of them are great examples of things we could replicate for our own gardens and that is something I really appreciate about his place. The whole place is just friendly...just like William is. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgA2BMLgwhZDRT38aMHXcrEIr6atg-GKYMDNbWwIlq0UapGKUrFyz9ysaY3d5vkVCK3K3Zripyjt8MpGMJ8GI1NkY88LnEpelsf29yS1ocTZU6gSE-KEERNLo_Y5eyvrPKI1esmOYQymd/s1600/Viscaya+Dicentra+scandens+arch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQgA2BMLgwhZDRT38aMHXcrEIr6atg-GKYMDNbWwIlq0UapGKUrFyz9ysaY3d5vkVCK3K3Zripyjt8MpGMJ8GI1NkY88LnEpelsf29yS1ocTZU6gSE-KEERNLo_Y5eyvrPKI1esmOYQymd/s320/Viscaya+Dicentra+scandens+arch.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dicentra scandens in the serenity of the shade</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
With that being said I want to say William has become one of my favorite people and his momma Roberta is becoming a good friend too. The thing I love most is that they really are
my neighbors and though having Viscaya so close to my home may not be
such a good thing for my pocket book, it is a great thing for my garden
and our community which needs good friendly businesses like Viscaya to
help infuse our area with new life. But enough about all that...you have got to see what I spotted along the drive in. You drive right past it so I lets going back along the driveway to see what's there. You'll miss some things around here if you don't look at what is at your feet too. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3IpFE_FnL0U1ESbxzx2VSXB60aaJ7AFw3ZeEOrRFyYJoPLLx1OECCoxrE24pwoy_NycaHOvDk1gX7eNIwnCU8tEbL1ESGG0514dAd8jIsvQbQctJDnWbgyzhwO-MAYM6wFQAoHQ5fILa/s1600/Viscaya+Stachys+and+Euphorbia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx3IpFE_FnL0U1ESbxzx2VSXB60aaJ7AFw3ZeEOrRFyYJoPLLx1OECCoxrE24pwoy_NycaHOvDk1gX7eNIwnCU8tEbL1ESGG0514dAd8jIsvQbQctJDnWbgyzhwO-MAYM6wFQAoHQ5fILa/s320/Viscaya+Stachys+and+Euphorbia.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Velvety Stachys (Lamb's Ear) and Euphorbia <br />
A beautiful pairing of textures</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Like I need more inspiring me to buy plants, here at my feet was this Stachys and Euphorbia that made me coo. I think I should take a video camera along sometime...I have no pride when it comes to adoring plants. Oh just like when I spotted this pillar planter William put together. I mean isn't it fabulous?! This one is going on my list to reproduce for my garden. Oh and like the planter below...I didn't even see it until I was walking back in from the driveway, walked right by it on the way out too. See what I mean.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpzWXG1C7ceTyO8byh6seAQcXRJp7sxS7CNQUtHsnSa1iH80Z2N602aSVdywxaoO8bgCg0llpxjDIwOQrrhUrI1wxSmv_sh5v1XBfJ70fXdqHG09w8pLs2L3nlGVxm5UqsULmbS_JngHu/s1600/Viscaya+succulent+tower+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPpzWXG1C7ceTyO8byh6seAQcXRJp7sxS7CNQUtHsnSa1iH80Z2N602aSVdywxaoO8bgCg0llpxjDIwOQrrhUrI1wxSmv_sh5v1XBfJ70fXdqHG09w8pLs2L3nlGVxm5UqsULmbS_JngHu/s320/Viscaya+succulent+tower+copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I absolutely love this one and see how simple!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
Now back to that story I was going to tell you. I was checking out the brick pillar planters that flank the entrance to one area just off the parking lot and saw these big fat luscious Nasturtium seeds and was considering making a snack of some of them. William had been doing some edging and stopped to answer a question I had about something.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EmgC3hehFOyRb5y9sR6W6yFfkR_jsD4mjPnohj41Z5v5mwegSpT5_hyJj7YEwxFfYOT3iBeRf7WLxa1wni04CPHRn9W58pA6sXMc6rRH-dbDdmN9gt2XF5gy30YZ7m7xKZB7_oi5oft7/s1600/Viscaya+Nasturtium+Seed+on+Brick.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0EmgC3hehFOyRb5y9sR6W6yFfkR_jsD4mjPnohj41Z5v5mwegSpT5_hyJj7YEwxFfYOT3iBeRf7WLxa1wni04CPHRn9W58pA6sXMc6rRH-dbDdmN9gt2XF5gy30YZ7m7xKZB7_oi5oft7/s320/Viscaya+Nasturtium+Seed+on+Brick.jpg" width="234" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nice seeds ya got there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
"Nice Nasturtium seeds you got there." I say. He burst out laughing, doubling over, and I almost blushed in my confusion. I think I said something like, "What's so funny." and when he finally caught his breath and he explained through his laughter that my statement reminded him of how an addict sounds when they are talking about crack and isn't that funny how my comment sounded like that. Really, it's that obvious? Well at least it's a delightful addiction, that's all I can say.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6j7kzWo2NZ0uXUDfAv88JDTVoeyvEFmQTFQd-WDBTPtIU1yIh4ShNGn7ufvHirq88miXRNfZTIVQxhkTYDQ8qDAxedHMcU9BxbJLHkRLFHX9Vcbp4ha9PlTtzNxtKKJfjOBdDsbts6g_8/s1600/Viscaya+Aconite+Vine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6j7kzWo2NZ0uXUDfAv88JDTVoeyvEFmQTFQd-WDBTPtIU1yIh4ShNGn7ufvHirq88miXRNfZTIVQxhkTYDQ8qDAxedHMcU9BxbJLHkRLFHX9Vcbp4ha9PlTtzNxtKKJfjOBdDsbts6g_8/s320/Viscaya+Aconite+Vine.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unusual and beautiful Monk's Hood Vine (Aconite)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you are ever in Portland I recommend you take the time to pop in to visit Viscay and meet William and his momma and prepare to be tempted by the plants. You may even get in a good laugh.<br /><br />Happy Gardening!<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size: x-small;">Copyright © 2012 by Patty Hicks<br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-65290998889464153372012-07-24T10:23:00.000-07:002012-07-24T10:23:33.754-07:00Unexpected Beauty In Letting Go<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEoDCld6iCDHezclHwRdMaQauV1wlC20IgvyjdywrPcxfPQxXbP0SdsQqfrhcK4ndS9btMYuhPxXI1K3D9ypGT5pDW8QK_v8H8pb7rKxCzVyEqNm3ovFc2qQDcXdYl1Gpuivc97-Ut3Bl/s1600/A+A+A+July+Misc+048.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCEoDCld6iCDHezclHwRdMaQauV1wlC20IgvyjdywrPcxfPQxXbP0SdsQqfrhcK4ndS9btMYuhPxXI1K3D9ypGT5pDW8QK_v8H8pb7rKxCzVyEqNm3ovFc2qQDcXdYl1Gpuivc97-Ut3Bl/s320/A+A+A+July+Misc+048.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hollyhocks, self sown, are among my favorites this year.<br />
They help welcome everyone to the garden.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have been looking out my window at the summer flowers in my garden and thinking about how much I have enjoyed them this year. This is in spite of the fact that most of them were planted where they are without any help from me and grow in places I would have never wanted to plant them.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo2HZ6JTDBs_pTLiCH4zMUDK2c6qDVsXJvBIGBHQq8UFZxOBvO8XPkt4GSxF_ALpXnWLwvAKcHAoJbwUMqDY5cbj6_UIzfndezzggWqcP05eMnCC3-Mru5eUPI4WSajNSjnxlRA1B-AOD/s1600/A+A+A+July+Misc+077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHo2HZ6JTDBs_pTLiCH4zMUDK2c6qDVsXJvBIGBHQq8UFZxOBvO8XPkt4GSxF_ALpXnWLwvAKcHAoJbwUMqDY5cbj6_UIzfndezzggWqcP05eMnCC3-Mru5eUPI4WSajNSjnxlRA1B-AOD/s320/A+A+A+July+Misc+077.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The wanderers<br />
Jacob Cline Monarda and Cooley's Hedge Nettle</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Between the mole moving bits of roots and bulbs around to things self sowing, it has become a surprise every year as to what will come up where and the garden has become less and less of what I planned it to be and more of a wild child. In spite this the flowers are still performing beautifully...maybe more so than when I wielding control of it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4t3VTSzBbFDf_AWRhIe0ketb0J9g1WMvMsEEE81dymJ_7LccZ7TbRtd7wlTU5F4y4eyeItxGkotVM67YYJwkI0ca2HhMl6ChPpOZyVwn9UC7LBPoAINJ_a4aIxAqsPhIa_85i7ySKDn_/s1600/A+A+A+July+Misc+075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq4t3VTSzBbFDf_AWRhIe0ketb0J9g1WMvMsEEE81dymJ_7LccZ7TbRtd7wlTU5F4y4eyeItxGkotVM67YYJwkI0ca2HhMl6ChPpOZyVwn9UC7LBPoAINJ_a4aIxAqsPhIa_85i7ySKDn_/s320/A+A+A+July+Misc+075.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adenaflora...Under the Quince tree?<br />
I never planted it there!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have spent many days in angst over what I have defined as the crying child who I am unable to console. By that I mean I can no longer keep it weeded and keep plants in their places. But as I think about what I have witnessed this year I have to say, in spite of this anxiety there has been a blessing born in every new batch of flowers that open up...fantastic, beautiful, sweet and bold flowers!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-KLZ9njxKs5fW24w47v-lwCVpQXD2Kn8paH9vrg2R5E71gPVg5noEXyWhiaQi_5ucmWEjaC5nTS0S9QgMcqDYG5eQRHrdt0C3ASm0OPvfTSUU8p5KK2ecSDwc-Cq4t2wgfHw0Q65HuCU/s1600/Wild+serene+blooms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2-KLZ9njxKs5fW24w47v-lwCVpQXD2Kn8paH9vrg2R5E71gPVg5noEXyWhiaQi_5ucmWEjaC5nTS0S9QgMcqDYG5eQRHrdt0C3ASm0OPvfTSUU8p5KK2ecSDwc-Cq4t2wgfHw0Q65HuCU/s320/Wild+serene+blooms.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
This garden is a far cry from the well groomed, regularly mulched garden with trimmed chamomile pathways and plants kept within bounds that I used to maintain. And as I consider what I am witnessing I think I have a huge lesson God is teaching me...I need to relax a lot more. He has shown me that control does not give me what I think it will. It only serves to make me feel I need to always be in control. And if my efforts are all spent on control, how much do I miss out on when I am so focused on needing to be in control? I think I have missed out on a lot of opportunities to see His beauty in my life because of this. But am hopeful for the future as I let go and let Him have His way as I remember that nothing is loss in God's economy.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZFVDPGootFyyfi150MxC5hKfixkLulc8E0BVmgMg-lEBAXZOWrI02q7Ny_zVxOvH8zCMbMwO-TDLYWci63FlgPk6QDpA4TbmeWZWvlAWA_GnyzTxSzjgqnKozjpgc2csgdcU3EZnTXSi/s1600/A+A+A+July+Misc+068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaZFVDPGootFyyfi150MxC5hKfixkLulc8E0BVmgMg-lEBAXZOWrI02q7Ny_zVxOvH8zCMbMwO-TDLYWci63FlgPk6QDpA4TbmeWZWvlAWA_GnyzTxSzjgqnKozjpgc2csgdcU3EZnTXSi/s320/A+A+A+July+Misc+068.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Astrantia major doing a major job of self sowing<br />
where Iris siberica 'David' also grows.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
If you can relate to what I am saying then I encourage you to take today and try to enjoy the blooms you find in your life, especially those that pop up in unexpected and seemingly unwanted places. And don't be afraid of let go of those plans for your life. Let them go and hit the ground and let God raise them up like an emerging plant from a seed buried in the soil emerges in the right time. Letting God direct and design the plan for our lives will bring about His best for us.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuucugYl2yy9XcrMEQpz674SrDqIc-6-V6XxfAXlbAYSE9SvOidOBe6_8gkPkwJ3W7NcAQnAePtaoDOX0eBiOgplATng18MhyphenhyphendZvMQ5UVsHiol_HRd2tka37aG-IoAwaETpHtXFYVEzKe1/s1600/Tulips+and+Fennel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuucugYl2yy9XcrMEQpz674SrDqIc-6-V6XxfAXlbAYSE9SvOidOBe6_8gkPkwJ3W7NcAQnAePtaoDOX0eBiOgplATng18MhyphenhyphendZvMQ5UVsHiol_HRd2tka37aG-IoAwaETpHtXFYVEzKe1/s320/Tulips+and+Fennel.jpg" width="230" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bronze fennel self sowed amid the tulips<br />
and I loved it!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Make room for what God wants to grow in your life, surrender to the Master Gardener. Lay down the shovel of self-will, the wheel barrow of pride, the hoe of anxiety and the rake of rebellion and the tiller of selfish ambition and let His eternal beauty will begin to bloom in the garden of your life. Ask Him for help if you are struggling with this. I had to, my entire identity used to be tied to this garden back in the day. I prayed to God that if it was not a place where He would be glorified and where people would be able to experience His love that He would take it from me. He hasn't taken it from me but He has changed the garden and at the same time has changed my hearts desire for it.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhf-csOBmWNCdM7COAWX6i_eFOUXkjqfX1u9p1_zNWQgRawywuewsaGxJ6JDaeFHkOmuzsqCFG0xmWRdZwcN-HYO-sQj4zvmUaanJ9koDsPKejON6K4C_3DSbiRKNmZoNj0WwI3k1S5rF/s1600/Nectaroscordum+siculum+subsp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmhf-csOBmWNCdM7COAWX6i_eFOUXkjqfX1u9p1_zNWQgRawywuewsaGxJ6JDaeFHkOmuzsqCFG0xmWRdZwcN-HYO-sQj4zvmUaanJ9koDsPKejON6K4C_3DSbiRKNmZoNj0WwI3k1S5rF/s320/Nectaroscordum+siculum+subsp.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Designed by my team of moles<br />
Garden Phlox behind Nectaroscordum<br />
Not bad, Not bad at all.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />
God's will is for our good; a good that is more often defined differently than we define it but in the end will bring forth such amazing beauty where only the weeds of sin once grew. May His beauty be born out in your life today as you start trusting Him for your future.<br />
<br />
Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)<br />
<span class="text Jer-29-11" id="en-NIV-19647">"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the <span class="small-caps" style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lord</span>, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /><br />Copyright © 2012 by Patty Hicks<br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-89825693220442285952012-07-23T05:00:00.000-07:002012-07-23T05:58:58.894-07:00Corn Shucking Magic...Really it is!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pMjK292fGtfJQ4mZgRTFmVSqI9ZM_I12JSEUmvbBoxTKS0ekFEX_Vo0xtKYleOFyAx71O2Nhyphenhyphen2w5BcqjyipQIZjtlqMf5W6lC0GhQeo4XeSJHvpcQ4pXeFsHbEf5vES8XhEBjmLlzevs/s1600/Corn+Cleaning+coming+out+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5pMjK292fGtfJQ4mZgRTFmVSqI9ZM_I12JSEUmvbBoxTKS0ekFEX_Vo0xtKYleOFyAx71O2Nhyphenhyphen2w5BcqjyipQIZjtlqMf5W6lC0GhQeo4XeSJHvpcQ4pXeFsHbEf5vES8XhEBjmLlzevs/s320/Corn+Cleaning+coming+out+copy.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magic about to happen</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Doesn't fresh corn on the cob just give you warm fuzzy memories of shucking corn for Mom to cook up on a summer's day? My own corn memories also include "Corn Day". Corn Day was annual gathering together with house mates around a pull behind trailer filled with fresh picked corn. Then there were the corn shucking races, batting at yellow jackets, corn jokes, corn with lots of butter for lunch and more corn jokes and those wonderful bags of fresh frozen corn that were worth every minute of the day long labor that we feasted on all winter long (Yum.) <br />
<br />
There is one memory though that I am am pretty sure is not a favorite for anyone...fighting to get the silks off the ears. Oh how I used to wish there was some magic way make them disappear during "Corn day". Actually my wish came true this year through a pin I saw <a href="http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-never-shuck-corn-again/" target="_blank">on Pinterest </a>and since I am trying to actually use at least part of what I pin so I gave it a try. Well actually that's a lie. The real reason I tried it was because I could not believe it was going to be that easy. Boy was I in for a surprise.<br />
<br />
The original post said to cook one ear for 5 minutes and then cut one inch off the bottom of the cob after the corn is cooked. Just so you know, trying to cut a corn cob before it is cooked is like trying to cut a tree branch with a table knife. I decided to pre-cut my corn where the bottom end of the cob would be cut off only going in as far as I could without hurting my hand and before I had a major accident with my chef's knife and then removed a few of the outer husks. Then the corn was microwaved 7 minutes for 2 ears, turning them over half way through. (Not all microwaves are made alike and mine is a commercial unit that is high powered so your corn may need more time.)<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8nNQ9iuUUHX9Tg2ji6GAUby44L8Yx24vgnyVE0oRZCFTK3jaWJj1hOr92wjqmOkSnOM5vtHzFDvL7rD2FrbPhldkpE-hzFEEFN7IcijhzIQSEfGbdFgbELnNdVSID8Bb5O9CtX52IN6F/s1600/Corn+Cleaning+HOT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV8nNQ9iuUUHX9Tg2ji6GAUby44L8Yx24vgnyVE0oRZCFTK3jaWJj1hOr92wjqmOkSnOM5vtHzFDvL7rD2FrbPhldkpE-hzFEEFN7IcijhzIQSEfGbdFgbELnNdVSID8Bb5O9CtX52IN6F/s320/Corn+Cleaning+HOT.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Husks are scored through before cooking</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
One tip...be sure to use hot pads when handling the cooked ears, they'll be steaming and very hot. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGNVZ7JVQ8ef49fCyZBT2UucAtFXwJDcWQsSMFhug2GTfK_w9k8ZPV1WyOjdxS4CBS8ztnHZyMgZ8VFw9WjqZeFNNCis5z2cndWUPYQJJT1czcoonhpKVML335BUL61Df7iI8bXTDoXlq/s1600/Corn+Cleaning+cutting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGGNVZ7JVQ8ef49fCyZBT2UucAtFXwJDcWQsSMFhug2GTfK_w9k8ZPV1WyOjdxS4CBS8ztnHZyMgZ8VFw9WjqZeFNNCis5z2cndWUPYQJJT1czcoonhpKVML335BUL61Df7iI8bXTDoXlq/s320/Corn+Cleaning+cutting.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Slices nice as pie</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
With the bottom end cut off it was time to watch the magic so I grabbed the silk end of the corn and shook it releasing my beautiful corn-on-the-cob onto the plate.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkBmw0V0yoG0t2EpAkwNnv7rVI_939yvR9zXtc9TjS8DeeaqXicNTCrZVEgHhr8QwvEH0LPL7MR2ZkAAMf2N4dawGWOWQxvOWUSGjENOCxihMilcohn2vTGwXta0XtljqFPmPzeaFPMG5/s1600/A+A+A+Backyard+redo+023.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKkBmw0V0yoG0t2EpAkwNnv7rVI_939yvR9zXtc9TjS8DeeaqXicNTCrZVEgHhr8QwvEH0LPL7MR2ZkAAMf2N4dawGWOWQxvOWUSGjENOCxihMilcohn2vTGwXta0XtljqFPmPzeaFPMG5/s320/A+A+A+Backyard+redo+023.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This really can't be that easy or can it?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
TA DAAA! Isn't that just amazing? No I'm not fibbing this time...it really does work like magic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0v-NYKsIDfnh_AsJtZCVvwrghaa2GhREJ_kv7aG6ZcGaQyDcPsyVIh1wteld9QLTpuP3Kdjz8tLXT9UOG1VspRkaycjmsxuuPY8B0_afpfpEPMFExKNg_t3drp3XSRGB2CG4BjLEEIXa/s1600/Corn+Cleaning+Tadaaa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH0v-NYKsIDfnh_AsJtZCVvwrghaa2GhREJ_kv7aG6ZcGaQyDcPsyVIh1wteld9QLTpuP3Kdjz8tLXT9UOG1VspRkaycjmsxuuPY8B0_afpfpEPMFExKNg_t3drp3XSRGB2CG4BjLEEIXa/s320/Corn+Cleaning+Tadaaa.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wowwie zowwie, would you look at that!</td></tr>
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So now you can wow your friends and neighbors at your next barbeque. Have fun!<span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Copyright © 2012 by Patty Hicks<br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.</span><br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-74015111833669600222012-07-09T19:48:00.000-07:002012-07-09T19:48:44.465-07:00Falling in Public and Other Summer Fun<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxKVrhZiDHsUl0UcxzbxyqAc4VMzJ1eFKtKRxzlniZ5g8WZKV-uHRHFtwS1Bi6NLK4feiZbFl1Bx4R10Ef8qNjsCX6HpHE54IuriYK5an-8oDVPPPq-6vcwOijFmpmOvlGkjJ-Ztg65TI/s1600/A+A+A+June+Misc+104.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioxKVrhZiDHsUl0UcxzbxyqAc4VMzJ1eFKtKRxzlniZ5g8WZKV-uHRHFtwS1Bi6NLK4feiZbFl1Bx4R10Ef8qNjsCX6HpHE54IuriYK5an-8oDVPPPq-6vcwOijFmpmOvlGkjJ-Ztg65TI/s320/A+A+A+June+Misc+104.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes I am having fun, can't you tell?</td></tr>
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<br />Lets just say this has been one of the most interesting few weeks I have had in a very long time. First off I have been trying for weeks to write but was taking a medicine for chronic pain that left me feeling mentally dead and unable to write or even come up with things to write about. That was like losing my soul so when it stopped working for the pain I was happy to stop taking it. I have always thought that stuff was brain poison anyway and you should have seen the doc's face when I called it that. Let's just say he didn't find funny but oh well. <br /><br />Anyhow, the day after my last dose of the brain poison I decided to go to the local farmer's market and while stepping up on to the curb, I caught my toe and fell in front of EVERYONE full force onto my right hand. (Uhg...why is this kind of thing always in front of a crowd?) As I layed there unable to get up I looked at my poor hand. Yup...this was not good. There was what looked like a bone out of joint or something sticking up on the right side of my hand above the wrist joint and I could not turn or bend it. I waiting wondering if anyone was coming to help and felt like people had just evacuated the sidewalk when I fell...that was a really weird feeling.<br /><br />It took onlookers what seemed like forever to figure out I could not get up on my own and those who helped were so sweet. I was laying there on my back and they were all trying to help me up not knowing I could not get up from a sitting position. It was a circus of kindness but they finally got me on my feet. (Thank you to all of you who helped...whoever you are.)<br /><br />I was in shock for about 15 minutes and given a comfortable chair and some ice for my wrist and then I drove myself back home and wrapped it up and tried to not use it. That was interesting. Try not using your favorite hand for an evening and see how you do.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLWMl9XL92qijbF0qgQg8OXSYvg16_pnSaNduVM_hyuaAJlGcMi50KQ6xyPBCkYOAp1kufXspOmXoW-iIDvPFdFtSo69CuG37mJbZE30MEZGAQTNWJWxT-9mss9oA3hUC9vSwV6D8sOlv/s1600/A+A+A+June+Misc+098.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFLWMl9XL92qijbF0qgQg8OXSYvg16_pnSaNduVM_hyuaAJlGcMi50KQ6xyPBCkYOAp1kufXspOmXoW-iIDvPFdFtSo69CuG37mJbZE30MEZGAQTNWJWxT-9mss9oA3hUC9vSwV6D8sOlv/s320/A+A+A+June+Misc+098.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The boat cast the doc first put on my hand that lasted 24 hours</td></tr>
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By Monday I was at the Urgent Care clinic, x-rays showed it was indeed broken and my paw was set in a boat cast (a type of splint that is made up of the lower half of a fiberglass cast). I got to stand along side the doc and read the book on how to treat this type of injury. I now know the names of th bones in my hand...well some of them and in my arm too. (I'm a nerdy girl and eat this stuff up). My doc was not very up on how to treat my injury and I knew it but gave her the benefit of the doubt.<br /><br />By Tuesday morning I was ready tear the boat cast off my hand and throw it through our front window after a night of constant readjustments and rewrapping the darn thing. It just wasn't staying where it needed too and the nerve pain it was causing was ridiculous. The first thing I called the doc who told me I definitely didn't need a cast (yippee I think) and I could use a store bought splint but it needed to be a firm one and that I needed to be able to move my fingers "a lot". I am a notoriously bad patient when it comes to not using my hand as I have discovered too.<br /><br />So here I am...it will be 2 to 4 weeks stuck in a splint before I am back to being able to using my hand freely again and typing with a single finger is honestly a drag. No gardening, no crafting, I can sort of cook but can't chop veggies so what fun is that? I should get a video of me trying to dish up food...that is laugh.<br /><br />At this point I am painfully aware of every curb or step I cross and am getting board out of my mind. So how's your summer going? I hope you are all staying safe, remember to pick up those feet when you step up on curbs and thanks for listening. If you have a funny story you wanna share here, feel free. I could always use another reason to laugh.<br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-57144287396218392472012-05-09T00:30:00.000-07:002012-05-09T00:30:03.826-07:00Seperating Seedlings safely<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaqJSgxSstdWEO2DutSSJkgfEuESD5iKJLgOJEJOWz4rA-oCADwY0-4_pAuJel6xpUoTW_T99oDOXmsPANhhkPuJ3dg01S1bCOdbHZThgGwMTi5a7A0wyT-yO9ZoL08oC4GtBAk_1tHPt/s1600/Tomato+start+seperation+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmaqJSgxSstdWEO2DutSSJkgfEuESD5iKJLgOJEJOWz4rA-oCADwY0-4_pAuJel6xpUoTW_T99oDOXmsPANhhkPuJ3dg01S1bCOdbHZThgGwMTi5a7A0wyT-yO9ZoL08oC4GtBAk_1tHPt/s320/Tomato+start+seperation+15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Have you ever bought a container just because it had extra seedlings in it only to have trouble getting them apart? Yesterday I was out looking for, oh anything that struck my fancy in the way of plants and guess what I found? Tomatoes starts...three in a pot! My brain immediately went into thrifty shopper mode and all I saw were two pots with six plants in them!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RNDZQjPDbVNHVarB7BM3vXXRx5VJ5mhcNVzKxQgI0mGMrA5IWN4MACMaXxd3cF0Uxk51QHrnWZIKziXwJAtBm61r7IdFz2is4qHLhrLx2KRRImEAbQqcqArFecC6CQcSomUa7T25HqSa/s1600/Tomato+start+seperation+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_RNDZQjPDbVNHVarB7BM3vXXRx5VJ5mhcNVzKxQgI0mGMrA5IWN4MACMaXxd3cF0Uxk51QHrnWZIKziXwJAtBm61r7IdFz2is4qHLhrLx2KRRImEAbQqcqArFecC6CQcSomUa7T25HqSa/s320/Tomato+start+seperation+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, a bonus buy, six for the price of two!</td></tr>
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So here's the deal. You have been lied to...well sort of. You know those pots with more than one seedling in them? Unless they are squash or cucumbers you don't have to cut the heads off of them. Yup...that's right! I had the good fortune of working as a plant propagator for a couple of years and one thing I learned very early on was that plants will take a lot more messing with than we have been taught, at least most plants. <br />
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To get the seedlings apart safely you need to take some care though as just tearing them apart tears off valuable roots so let me share a secret I learned from my propagator job...use water. That's right, water. Here's how it's done.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6ldm_Wsy16QO3m-mc1bspFYpgtaQR4VLLlaFOnVgLw_I_JUg7QIZuYMryo27wmlXP6MHUWKXqFAC6ZJhpElJMb66sRvlR_m0jDRJtp3BOxV2ShFdFgsQUeur45G0qeQtjdUTg2FD59Zh/s1600/Tomato+start+seperation+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV6ldm_Wsy16QO3m-mc1bspFYpgtaQR4VLLlaFOnVgLw_I_JUg7QIZuYMryo27wmlXP6MHUWKXqFAC6ZJhpElJMb66sRvlR_m0jDRJtp3BOxV2ShFdFgsQUeur45G0qeQtjdUTg2FD59Zh/s320/Tomato+start+seperation+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roots at the sides of the pot but not matted</td></tr>
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Pop the plants out of the container. The roots should look about like the ones in the photo above. By the way I always check the roots at the nursery, the plants won't be bothered by you carefully popping them out of the container to look at them unless they were just planted which I see once in a while and honestly, they shouldn't be out for sale until the roots hit the side of the pot.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0BMXYCQCnWcRP0DSNSnl41ghqLeS0yYrC-b6ViBs3OiYq2BVVIcsVrQZbv7GyacojVDA8Y4Iw6bdKpAvytJlRlTOB4YxE-nz_017dX3gwYo-uO6EvIsCOsOj2LsAHbzyXqsuIgdv22r7/s1600/Tomato+start+seperation+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0BMXYCQCnWcRP0DSNSnl41ghqLeS0yYrC-b6ViBs3OiYq2BVVIcsVrQZbv7GyacojVDA8Y4Iw6bdKpAvytJlRlTOB4YxE-nz_017dX3gwYo-uO6EvIsCOsOj2LsAHbzyXqsuIgdv22r7/s320/Tomato+start+seperation+6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water is great for removing soil from roots</td></tr>
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Fill a large bowl about half way up with water, enough to cover the roots with room to swish around in it without spilling it everywhere. Gently swish the root ball around in the water to wash away the soil.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3uwNsqtaNPIcSDCxlIFvZ99IbY1CeU4K8hovXD3cak0AKbRAM3Qil_fpx88e-NtxEXPw8OVaq7CsQoAhVG6Jmf0Awxumn5XMHgN6E9Wr4e9u9H4qIvPCHScIPj21KymPDXBHdBEvDzUH/s1600/Tomato+start+seperation+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid3uwNsqtaNPIcSDCxlIFvZ99IbY1CeU4K8hovXD3cak0AKbRAM3Qil_fpx88e-NtxEXPw8OVaq7CsQoAhVG6Jmf0Awxumn5XMHgN6E9Wr4e9u9H4qIvPCHScIPj21KymPDXBHdBEvDzUH/s320/Tomato+start+seperation+7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A gentle pressing of the wet root ball helps release more soil</td></tr>
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After a little swishing around in the water you may find it helpful to gently press the root ball to get the soil to release from the roots.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvdxEJT_fKjmaDI86iqk2ePYcoWL7cjf8mMRkCiREuUDRPAbm52PYzuWGLtfWPPUrGztniK4m9TD7R-5ldz0ZZcXsXCGvU-3lUWK7hh9B0FiNL0TfmcwGQWSdzoEjxN3sIZihGkQhg7VQ/s1600/Tomato+start+seperation+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="299" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYvdxEJT_fKjmaDI86iqk2ePYcoWL7cjf8mMRkCiREuUDRPAbm52PYzuWGLtfWPPUrGztniK4m9TD7R-5ldz0ZZcXsXCGvU-3lUWK7hh9B0FiNL0TfmcwGQWSdzoEjxN3sIZihGkQhg7VQ/s320/Tomato+start+seperation+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost clean of soil particles...yippee!</td></tr>
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Be sure to get as much of the soil off as possible or those roots will not want to come apart without tearing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw3MpIZ_lz1W_zX-2ef6Vhzz5VyZrBOsi-KxpRkKtf23kC8WEoqD7h-UADXE3lgwGgt13lk1YX69qOJUbzCUFNuzK2Yi19OEEDruqf1wzk-0CvBF5QrHOLq4RY_aL7dNu-AZKKmiR-Ke3/s1600/Tomato+start+seperation+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFw3MpIZ_lz1W_zX-2ef6Vhzz5VyZrBOsi-KxpRkKtf23kC8WEoqD7h-UADXE3lgwGgt13lk1YX69qOJUbzCUFNuzK2Yi19OEEDruqf1wzk-0CvBF5QrHOLq4RY_aL7dNu-AZKKmiR-Ke3/s320/Tomato+start+seperation+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">About as good as it gets, time to start unraveling things</td></tr>
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Once the soil is washed off the roots you can begin to untangle them without tearing them. Be careful not to tug on them too hard or they will break off. It is a lot like untangling twine or that necklace.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O9Ynl5qK-B8VQce2Ol5-DeM5kqDmNuthNkEC5QXMcomiP7NOI1dVD7I1EfAJ29ZjMPT_udg73OWsZ9FSe85BgxokhDPQB-2et1hxre9_XVwjCh4tF1ijTqBHc5nX9Tsha69L0BwPZ1iq/s1600/Tomato+start+seperation+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8O9Ynl5qK-B8VQce2Ol5-DeM5kqDmNuthNkEC5QXMcomiP7NOI1dVD7I1EfAJ29ZjMPT_udg73OWsZ9FSe85BgxokhDPQB-2et1hxre9_XVwjCh4tF1ijTqBHc5nX9Tsha69L0BwPZ1iq/s320/Tomato+start+seperation+13.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Don't let a minor root mat get you down</td></tr>
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Watch for matted roots and be patient working them apart. They will come apart, just don't rush it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0wVcN3MQfrkRXNeFtIH1xGfUHzGk2-8mYNfbdkFBcidtDj4twkD76PdRMDv2eUWAB8NuInsWAd5_mZgpE2JI1Xge90hCuUXGHtv55fKQJ8YvcPLqh9Rj8dHhZNWMt9EsZWPHWSxuBZNx/s1600/Tomato+start+seperation+10+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd0wVcN3MQfrkRXNeFtIH1xGfUHzGk2-8mYNfbdkFBcidtDj4twkD76PdRMDv2eUWAB8NuInsWAd5_mZgpE2JI1Xge90hCuUXGHtv55fKQJ8YvcPLqh9Rj8dHhZNWMt9EsZWPHWSxuBZNx/s320/Tomato+start+seperation+10+copy.jpg" width="305" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's working!</td></tr>
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Hey, will you look at that! It's working, they are coming apart pretty well. It is literally like trying to untie a knot in string or a chain. Its best to not yank on them but keep the tension loose and relaxed and it works a whole lot better.<br /><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4jlFj6pObkgXoEtNSOHlfaj1ymz_HrEGAB7vcytdNBFf4xi4kGtvRpPWQtJdriKASW5LogFHPWSYcJC8qGs-j4w5-eC0KeMvsv3t5kvK6z1p8oms-6nFOlG4yQAUJQXqSs6K11Y63Vhm/s1600/Tomato+start+seperation+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp4jlFj6pObkgXoEtNSOHlfaj1ymz_HrEGAB7vcytdNBFf4xi4kGtvRpPWQtJdriKASW5LogFHPWSYcJC8qGs-j4w5-eC0KeMvsv3t5kvK6z1p8oms-6nFOlG4yQAUJQXqSs6K11Y63Vhm/s320/Tomato+start+seperation+11.jpg" width="229" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Three now set free</td></tr>
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Once they are separated you can pot them up in their own little pots or plant them in the ground if its time to.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiave5bNzmEBa-oR5CaKB2EzGU0_3ltCfbzHcjqdMeFTvs-N8JPjMCuVHB6fBImCbfLJqDcDkahFnJBRDDrWDsdkf169awI17ZOijBVaaNWd6mNCd-TlZZUeGpD7zKCezwZDLEnHWqqY1Jh/s1600/Tomato+start+seperation+21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="248" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiave5bNzmEBa-oR5CaKB2EzGU0_3ltCfbzHcjqdMeFTvs-N8JPjMCuVHB6fBImCbfLJqDcDkahFnJBRDDrWDsdkf169awI17ZOijBVaaNWd6mNCd-TlZZUeGpD7zKCezwZDLEnHWqqY1Jh/s320/Tomato+start+seperation+21.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinching leaves</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Pinch off the lower leaves (cotelydon or embryonic first leaves) leaving the top leaves (true leaves). This will let you plant the tomatoes a little deeper and allow them to form roots all along their stem.<i><u> </u></i><br />
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<i><u>NOTE:</u> There are very few plants that can do this so don't try it with others unless you know they can form leaves along their stems too. </i><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKP3GTahNTvpEsxYNb2gsNRO9im-LmXbuh6s-un4acqjqQYrjSRPboe6YJUeSGJuEZsqhAfQQOFZN9SVBfejEq2PvTep9GohGUEfKddH6X2ODKyEy-8ByUZ4G3yUYcnmfEhW44POJP59u/s1600/Tomato+start+seperation+20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKP3GTahNTvpEsxYNb2gsNRO9im-LmXbuh6s-un4acqjqQYrjSRPboe6YJUeSGJuEZsqhAfQQOFZN9SVBfejEq2PvTep9GohGUEfKddH6X2ODKyEy-8ByUZ4G3yUYcnmfEhW44POJP59u/s320/Tomato+start+seperation+20.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just enough soil to cover the bottom</td></tr>
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Place a layer of potting soil in the bottom of each pot and set the plants in them with the roots spread out a bit.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWiJVOW8vs9DgPtt3z8ALWvdZMIEzHqVB-mLw3roxGgp1ZLwPvH71DrXqMETf0YtUtLS_RZmND4qcdyfH1Hu8uBJceQDqK34ZZkcPho6hz650_vpwvT7sqahFIUeClVL3odD-TnORYKpA/s1600/Tomato+start+seperation+25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinWiJVOW8vs9DgPtt3z8ALWvdZMIEzHqVB-mLw3roxGgp1ZLwPvH71DrXqMETf0YtUtLS_RZmND4qcdyfH1Hu8uBJceQDqK34ZZkcPho6hz650_vpwvT7sqahFIUeClVL3odD-TnORYKpA/s320/Tomato+start+seperation+25.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spread roots a bit</td></tr>
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Fill the containers with soil and water in well. Set them in a warm sunny location and when the roots can be seen kind of like the top photo of them go ahead and plant them into even larger pots or in the garden. Six tomato starts for the price of two for a buck and a half...not a bad deal at all I'd say.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhlDhC3speJaYkSRhLIp_Dy6uKpXJ4iWe19J_w52ZIfteuMn7qqFtqA3trjJ_7fgOkldjCX7xQTh50-ZWY6K8JshNtcLyRN-NheSoV2_yAomrgjqQxAX4ABVfJFhdQ5F-x96ur7Z7o25J/s1600/Tomato+start+seperation+28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOhlDhC3speJaYkSRhLIp_Dy6uKpXJ4iWe19J_w52ZIfteuMn7qqFtqA3trjJ_7fgOkldjCX7xQTh50-ZWY6K8JshNtcLyRN-NheSoV2_yAomrgjqQxAX4ABVfJFhdQ5F-x96ur7Z7o25J/s320/Tomato+start+seperation+28.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A little extra effort will reap a greater harvest of tomatoes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Happy Gardening!<br />
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<br />
Copyright © 2012 by Patty Hicks<br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.<br /><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05761905183383934350noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7764184128441874614.post-80627877320699639542012-05-08T16:40:00.000-07:002012-05-08T16:40:04.300-07:00Peeking Into Viscaya<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7npBUfN2NHUqCvdjOgHOCW-_fU6BW_iz2eOuet5Pbuq6VvaeFihpMMyEkfOVG-fI4JTrQjP3tIdOHfj5UaHK31y08Wq2cRHHWi93blqanlkPK_nlZyHNMbj8N62hjZjwtwdU26d-NKPT/s1600/Seating+and+tent.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ7npBUfN2NHUqCvdjOgHOCW-_fU6BW_iz2eOuet5Pbuq6VvaeFihpMMyEkfOVG-fI4JTrQjP3tIdOHfj5UaHK31y08Wq2cRHHWi93blqanlkPK_nlZyHNMbj8N62hjZjwtwdU26d-NKPT/s320/Seating+and+tent.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Container Tent at Viscaya</td></tr>
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Like most plant lovers there is nothing I would rather be doing than nosing around a nursery on a sunny afternoon...especially if it is a brand new one. Just a mile from where I live a brand new plant nursery opened for a little preview peek inside and shopping if one so desired. I was not going to miss this opportunity and headed there right after church with my camera and a few coins in my pockets to see what I could find.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHb3OpQCgporduQTlWdNGRS_PEH5eqa6VCv0f8XpLvQqObAE69ZAJUxo1zKNL_QOPRq6BP72MMw2AYPBtY1hrLejdeLKN1tEh4JxOvQqwdX3TjqXRZ1v3eh7RH1opDFw-36DEzWuKAQYjc/s1600/William+preopening+sale.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHb3OpQCgporduQTlWdNGRS_PEH5eqa6VCv0f8XpLvQqObAE69ZAJUxo1zKNL_QOPRq6BP72MMw2AYPBtY1hrLejdeLKN1tEh4JxOvQqwdX3TjqXRZ1v3eh7RH1opDFw-36DEzWuKAQYjc/s320/William+preopening+sale.jpg" width="190" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">William working it on Sneak Peek Day</td></tr>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_510743368"></a><a href=""></a><a href="http://viscayagardens.com/" target="_blank">Viscaya </a>is owned an operated by William McClenathan who has already made a name for himself as the a part of the friendly expert team on Garden Time TV and as a garden guru at Portland Nursery. By the way, aside from all of that, he is also one of the sweetest guys you would every want to meet. He has been dreaming of opening his own place for a while now and finally, on Mother's Day, it will open to the public. May I tempt you with a sneak peek of your own? Follow me and I'll show you around.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgz3h53vAZCj_w5i6uMJAu0PV2iQBvw87uAAdU2J0v7S0zoSNpSjLUsjbyWcW4Y72t7z4xTv0Du9ioLqxujRQgJim7jZidzLRL_sT19gQhcJpExeJ_UCZD0On0WnPAYFkCgkZg51RDksn/s1600/Sculptured+hedge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsgz3h53vAZCj_w5i6uMJAu0PV2iQBvw87uAAdU2J0v7S0zoSNpSjLUsjbyWcW4Y72t7z4xTv0Du9ioLqxujRQgJim7jZidzLRL_sT19gQhcJpExeJ_UCZD0On0WnPAYFkCgkZg51RDksn/s320/Sculptured+hedge.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sculptured hedge next to the container tent.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The concept of shopping in a garden...very cool idea. It feels like such an adventure yet so peaceful. All the lawn pathways and hedges and beds throughout really make it quite the adventure.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdU-UtHPtzyypHMwf6m2S2TzWD4R270cYhPMgQE6YoHjv0-LXKzovlHxio60mCkIsF9dwQy_18km556WRIwJ9FBI4E6gUdvXaQo45-dkEcvGhfHARzouMqecbyjl0k0DYWIpMx1UstU3Z/s1600/Pillar+fountain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPdU-UtHPtzyypHMwf6m2S2TzWD4R270cYhPMgQE6YoHjv0-LXKzovlHxio60mCkIsF9dwQy_18km556WRIwJ9FBI4E6gUdvXaQo45-dkEcvGhfHARzouMqecbyjl0k0DYWIpMx1UstU3Z/s320/Pillar+fountain.jpg" width="274" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of several fountains on the grounds.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmURsY_EahlDXXwEXTnuHTrJkCHyw82oKnvyB5RGXZiHir5dzolwcqw5QRv1-Gq0YKflQGwYjigeN7AizypYRW0dn_6LO_gNksc_4pfpxMXMTZPSIAzBiRdNqnZ27jFjXiUVOxB26XrXx/s1600/Rusty+circle+sculpture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJmURsY_EahlDXXwEXTnuHTrJkCHyw82oKnvyB5RGXZiHir5dzolwcqw5QRv1-Gq0YKflQGwYjigeN7AizypYRW0dn_6LO_gNksc_4pfpxMXMTZPSIAzBiRdNqnZ27jFjXiUVOxB26XrXx/s320/Rusty+circle+sculpture.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rusted metal sculpture greeting visitors</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzjIX1GLNjKWOsLDvWcBpGPEtx5cGgh8495UL45wbTzlFrCcfO15bqhVGNtC786AtbOp4MTrC6Z-gf9oSDtf3ovk5Dtf_RooPqeM76zuky_wuu7-f6yDihetqwYzqsWlvH1o6N8RcDCY5/s1600/Vine+on+Iron+post.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdzjIX1GLNjKWOsLDvWcBpGPEtx5cGgh8495UL45wbTzlFrCcfO15bqhVGNtC786AtbOp4MTrC6Z-gf9oSDtf3ovk5Dtf_RooPqeM76zuky_wuu7-f6yDihetqwYzqsWlvH1o6N8RcDCY5/s320/Vine+on+Iron+post.jpg" width="182" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Perfect pairing of rusted pole and a sturdy </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8aM2ieqH23l9bNXebbPbY0rCWtLYPcbu-Q8_JlgmoT3seksoTNpNp9_K1x0wOR1o2YDv4VDkPr5tyeHuewiMSYO1Z47doN25IbNCQtavo6oUWeWC2BfLEDuF5qB1-j5OAMKhjB09Ngqq/s1600/Red+Bowl+in+grass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC8aM2ieqH23l9bNXebbPbY0rCWtLYPcbu-Q8_JlgmoT3seksoTNpNp9_K1x0wOR1o2YDv4VDkPr5tyeHuewiMSYO1Z47doN25IbNCQtavo6oUWeWC2BfLEDuF5qB1-j5OAMKhjB09Ngqq/s320/Red+Bowl+in+grass.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inspiring simplicity that calms the soul.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiESanly5dbJrNF2vjJoph1Yig00q1AGpWx8iFU6FP4IvLvedwrz24wSqAkpQF5YJLBk_tYcbU0tv70IeUZ20HQoY2vf8TpX1tmTXNd0Paq7xAGRvxinxi-WNhtEz7jzCo3tUxRpxu3U2e/s1600/Plant+benches+in+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiESanly5dbJrNF2vjJoph1Yig00q1AGpWx8iFU6FP4IvLvedwrz24wSqAkpQF5YJLBk_tYcbU0tv70IeUZ20HQoY2vf8TpX1tmTXNd0Paq7xAGRvxinxi-WNhtEz7jzCo3tUxRpxu3U2e/s320/Plant+benches+in+garden.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thoughtfully places benches with plants for sale along pathways?</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQd9-5vB7lLUCboslOoKEblFqOq79kPe8scvKJv_36irqdykLHPS0Sy_0-63ANqjTYZlCwKg2DdpT52J7A_UoyGcJOsjo-ulDjOt6_KQtEpv1s8J-ywijYnTnSNuC0difLRbFbReQg1hpr/s1600/Corner+pot+genius.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQd9-5vB7lLUCboslOoKEblFqOq79kPe8scvKJv_36irqdykLHPS0Sy_0-63ANqjTYZlCwKg2DdpT52J7A_UoyGcJOsjo-ulDjOt6_KQtEpv1s8J-ywijYnTnSNuC0difLRbFbReQg1hpr/s320/Corner+pot+genius.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clever use of a broken container.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0915aTSy3nMhHhCOYFLvMoVOt2qzFrzMPbaLxRaJO7lx6WtoQ6zjya_2Q2s56J1SFM6xPMc7uUNPt7grgI1K3fd51ivrU-C-cIsfOYvVH8-j6WaeIv1AgugjYJ9BPlQQi3zujj8QctF6k/s1600/Pitcher+plants+in+urn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0915aTSy3nMhHhCOYFLvMoVOt2qzFrzMPbaLxRaJO7lx6WtoQ6zjya_2Q2s56J1SFM6xPMc7uUNPt7grgI1K3fd51ivrU-C-cIsfOYvVH8-j6WaeIv1AgugjYJ9BPlQQi3zujj8QctF6k/s320/Pitcher+plants+in+urn.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unique surprises are everywhere like these pitcher plants</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vLmHhDNMIUEgJkpFSNRs2OxrJBIQkwK3O2fB3gGG2PQGkTVMrcmi6duXxDTX2gi2oqPopVJgF5SmkFFjqfIckMD_jXqHEsQXq2LcLNfEXl0gY_9_DtMiEFy5BTK-UsxxY3jYFrj_RdH7/s1600/Plant+benches+in+garden.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7vLmHhDNMIUEgJkpFSNRs2OxrJBIQkwK3O2fB3gGG2PQGkTVMrcmi6duXxDTX2gi2oqPopVJgF5SmkFFjqfIckMD_jXqHEsQXq2LcLNfEXl0gY_9_DtMiEFy5BTK-UsxxY3jYFrj_RdH7/s320/Plant+benches+in+garden.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Plants for sale along one of the pathways</td></tr>
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I have to stop here and let you know that this garden is
"a-mazing"...The garden itself is a maze and inside of it is another small maze made of Arborvitae on the left side
just across from those plant benches in the photo above. How many nurseries have you ever
been to with one of those?<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0v55dyHhBypWYfTc6_vBQyfLZdQWHW4Ozx_wjm8yR1-JhdUpQSK1FhseBRx03KmWUQQQ78b-Cn5TvrmiRWFvOURYI9a3iWv3Fj2OW2SOE9wwJcP-Xvda1NVBczZOBo3jW_MEYvJAKnSOd/s1600/Post+and+urn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0v55dyHhBypWYfTc6_vBQyfLZdQWHW4Ozx_wjm8yR1-JhdUpQSK1FhseBRx03KmWUQQQ78b-Cn5TvrmiRWFvOURYI9a3iWv3Fj2OW2SOE9wwJcP-Xvda1NVBczZOBo3jW_MEYvJAKnSOd/s320/Post+and+urn.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A simple yet powerful statement</td></tr>
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At the end of the long straight pathway is this wonderful fence made of branches that are attached to a basic board frame that was probably my favorite thing I saw. But that wasn't all.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9iB6FlMqsSN22zo9uh9VJr5b0f0LhTjB_ibo81h7_0i7qbybhpnxJynkJDd2NyawQhY3xKjNbkh8N-8jAiKqtYR9RWMLFYxeL4vS0MLgwTn5sn0P-GBAWt8gtq6CeC8hxZSyTeIJNVOn/s1600/Window+and+twig+fence.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="234" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl9iB6FlMqsSN22zo9uh9VJr5b0f0LhTjB_ibo81h7_0i7qbybhpnxJynkJDd2NyawQhY3xKjNbkh8N-8jAiKqtYR9RWMLFYxeL4vS0MLgwTn5sn0P-GBAWt8gtq6CeC8hxZSyTeIJNVOn/s320/Window+and+twig+fence.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What a great use for a leaded window!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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(If that window and fence ever come up missing, you know where to look William.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpCAXihexz6SIP3e1ioal82igb2NW9m4obF3LYSwGwxZNiWcEWFyd2hbM9B3sNe1M2tHGvZV5b2KoMb_DtJXPc1anWzAve3kTU5KYoz1Ykj67WEL3ocON3OGf7_Ugixu0vNVqj8XvpkoU/s1600/Front+border.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJpCAXihexz6SIP3e1ioal82igb2NW9m4obF3LYSwGwxZNiWcEWFyd2hbM9B3sNe1M2tHGvZV5b2KoMb_DtJXPc1anWzAve3kTU5KYoz1Ykj67WEL3ocON3OGf7_Ugixu0vNVqj8XvpkoU/s320/Front+border.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Indigenous stone wall along the front garden area.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzLeqJ1LmWFuX4NwyZ5udNW1UEVFn0CLW1UhKfZ0FGCf1-j2PntjhICQzsDp3EJzTCw5epJ-W8Ju4Wnkz_CSOTWFrJBWHjmE844Zen37BJLwVfgehqkoLF2kzgT2FFpIWVOMQ6FYjT8sI/s1600/Lewisia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUzLeqJ1LmWFuX4NwyZ5udNW1UEVFn0CLW1UhKfZ0FGCf1-j2PntjhICQzsDp3EJzTCw5epJ-W8Ju4Wnkz_CSOTWFrJBWHjmE844Zen37BJLwVfgehqkoLF2kzgT2FFpIWVOMQ6FYjT8sI/s320/Lewisia.jpg" width="228" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lewisia looking fabulous in bright pink</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-gJ6naEQOsXcm9qZLZA3Edl4CvOadYviU9Mb-J86fK3mo7Y2iWpDbk8uN-8fBU4e955yEbXyQd2HMBtIVgoh-DAZ26Ne549hCpheutxo_T1N0xxblT_-S8pwK9mGXp_IrI1-jZEaDU6H/s1600/Moonlight+vine+on+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw-gJ6naEQOsXcm9qZLZA3Edl4CvOadYviU9Mb-J86fK3mo7Y2iWpDbk8uN-8fBU4e955yEbXyQd2HMBtIVgoh-DAZ26Ne549hCpheutxo_T1N0xxblT_-S8pwK9mGXp_IrI1-jZEaDU6H/s320/Moonlight+vine+on+tree.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Schizophragma hydrangeoides 'Moonlight' looking quite happy</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWByKJQKc1S3dO4cAF5P90zXMuo48kX1bAWNPaM2mee19Fy-kspYpYi0Od3cKbaEt8boTur17hGbP8r4ALSrlBsW4ykVVNaaILLd3rlLFZh-UD3uaH_6u68-nNYkhf3vLAp2eCnwbK4vNi/s1600/Cinderblock+pillar+and+goddess.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWByKJQKc1S3dO4cAF5P90zXMuo48kX1bAWNPaM2mee19Fy-kspYpYi0Od3cKbaEt8boTur17hGbP8r4ALSrlBsW4ykVVNaaILLd3rlLFZh-UD3uaH_6u68-nNYkhf3vLAp2eCnwbK4vNi/s320/Cinderblock+pillar+and+goddess.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This column caught my eye...hmmm</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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It took me a while but I finally realized William had used cinder block to construct pillars for his art pieces in more than one place. I love this idea. Again, simple, and this time very affordable and sturdy. These could be mortared together and given a skin coat of mortar to make them look like a square pillar if one wanted to...but I kind of like them just as they are. Nicely done.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRWsKFyEYLXdlhDx7fhFa-LijEs_Mjmch6Q7qY5bM6Io1XmsINHXtrgMrzPQ0N53RAQc1SiY8sqmYVZ8lpVUvYs0B_3P9KTkcETDcqtEetBc6rBCWDlJfNlwTSkRoQcW2fUVpZFS8i6g8/s1600/Arbor+with+Statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLRWsKFyEYLXdlhDx7fhFa-LijEs_Mjmch6Q7qY5bM6Io1XmsINHXtrgMrzPQ0N53RAQc1SiY8sqmYVZ8lpVUvYs0B_3P9KTkcETDcqtEetBc6rBCWDlJfNlwTSkRoQcW2fUVpZFS8i6g8/s320/Arbor+with+Statue.jpg" width="169" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An arbor shrine</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIWTN66YeN577QE7GOLMSUoWc4SHoq_j_atsgsnXxOHNDH_740HQMeh_7YqkcWS86njb4J2dz7W0sfzf3plvEEiIa2q9uJZN-OPh9wl64BXpaRZb025x0d_L-26YKusunSJQCJTOHJui4/s1600/White+tulips+and+Variegated+Kerria+japonica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRIWTN66YeN577QE7GOLMSUoWc4SHoq_j_atsgsnXxOHNDH_740HQMeh_7YqkcWS86njb4J2dz7W0sfzf3plvEEiIa2q9uJZN-OPh9wl64BXpaRZb025x0d_L-26YKusunSJQCJTOHJui4/s320/White+tulips+and+Variegated+Kerria+japonica.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This took my breath away.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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The pot with variegated Forsythia and white tulips took my breath away. I wish I could have captured how gorgeous it was. So airy, clean and crisp...just beautiful.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD30-LKsSSaSqoWxAAVJxSzrNhWMQt8cZFm9S4HkNMNeMvzdOcP4Y2fhyphenhyphenUn5jIUae-e2_ONEomILwoKTkXDPIXAQjZaiZHkdYAfwXxHcTJLbfdQ4748Nym95u2QsiXCXH4F3FVllV-GaBA/s1600/Cement+urn+and+column.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD30-LKsSSaSqoWxAAVJxSzrNhWMQt8cZFm9S4HkNMNeMvzdOcP4Y2fhyphenhyphenUn5jIUae-e2_ONEomILwoKTkXDPIXAQjZaiZHkdYAfwXxHcTJLbfdQ4748Nym95u2QsiXCXH4F3FVllV-GaBA/s320/Cement+urn+and+column.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Classic bowl and column</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I was so inspired by what I saw I am going to have to try some of these ideas in my own garden.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZGHozReK-KQK5f2BicXAk0dfY9tsLRUPsIDbzS6Rn_vyj3q6qAQvUTBBdxO686-07ke4uCBqzvpRX35mFeOH5lhA6XfocUn8wIRVp2yAUSLdiltudCG8OuVvA8KE2RraEjwMeHJYONAl/s1600/Bentwood+Tower+shelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-ZGHozReK-KQK5f2BicXAk0dfY9tsLRUPsIDbzS6Rn_vyj3q6qAQvUTBBdxO686-07ke4uCBqzvpRX35mFeOH5lhA6XfocUn8wIRVp2yAUSLdiltudCG8OuVvA8KE2RraEjwMeHJYONAl/s320/Bentwood+Tower+shelf.jpg" width="120" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shelf Tower</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
Viscaya will also be offering bentwood furniture like this shelf tower.
I loved the curly willow this artist used...just loved it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjEDf4EFd_dB_Umor7H0KEA49HrICNJDK34ahOAkCe0FVqxdWsm1SzZkD8OwO0bBitQmCiTqrhB3AOsP2d-C9oVGt4qlhxHwCIzbnVLmQvaNMyi9BHlvEtx1wQfgjJhKyoJXwlxXz1jc2/s1600/Bentwood+shelf+and+pots.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvjEDf4EFd_dB_Umor7H0KEA49HrICNJDK34ahOAkCe0FVqxdWsm1SzZkD8OwO0bBitQmCiTqrhB3AOsP2d-C9oVGt4qlhxHwCIzbnVLmQvaNMyi9BHlvEtx1wQfgjJhKyoJXwlxXz1jc2/s320/Bentwood+shelf+and+pots.jpg" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's got curly wood!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8X22ZMiKjN2OD8AGobO7OTQUICl6btw3SJqlFu0MkiwR6bapePGBak8QGALspAgRr9faD2WB0Rq4Fm47IpNUuAlFV7TRJqM1uZj0npBOqFCE2m-AwDpNyDiarTurRrcKeOq-D3EKenwJ/s1600/Hypertufa+on+shelf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO8X22ZMiKjN2OD8AGobO7OTQUICl6btw3SJqlFu0MkiwR6bapePGBak8QGALspAgRr9faD2WB0Rq4Fm47IpNUuAlFV7TRJqM1uZj0npBOqFCE2m-AwDpNyDiarTurRrcKeOq-D3EKenwJ/s320/Hypertufa+on+shelf.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sturdy construction with attention to detail</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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I resisted taking photos of the plant tables, I had to leave something special for you to come see for yourself. There are some really nice specimens and prices are reasonable. I know I found some that just begged to come home with me. Oh I am going to get into so much trouble here.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Viscaya/115799081877731" target="_blank">Viscaya has a Facebook page too.</a> Give them a like and keep up with the latest news.<br /><br />Thanks for joining me. Hope to see you there sometime.<br /> <br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Copyright © 2012 by Patty Hicks<br />All rights reserved. No part of this blog may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including printing, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from the author, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review. All reviews must include author's name and a link back to this blog.<br /></span><br />
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