Monday, March 17, 2008

The Fern and The Bamboo

Happy Saint Patrick's Day, everyone! Pictures tomorrow :) Meanwhile, I would like to share an email I received today. Author is unknown. I am adding pictures for you to enjoy.
God Bless!

****************

fern picture: information here

The Fern and The Bamboo
(author unknown)

Don't give up.....
One day I decided to quit...
I quit my job, my relationship,
my spirituality...
I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.
"God", I asked,
"Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me...
"Look around", He said.

"Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied."

When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds,
I took very good care of them.
I gave them light.
I gave them water.

The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.

In year four, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.
I would not quit." He said.
"Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant...
But just 6 months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots.

Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He asked me. "Did you know, my child,
that all this time you have been struggling,
you have actually been growing roots".

"I would not quit on the bamboo.
I will never quit on you."

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said.
"The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.
Yet they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come", God said to me.
"You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes." He said,
"Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story.
I hope these words can help you see
that God will never give up on you.

Never, Never, Never Give up.
Don't tell the Lord how big the problem is,
tell the problem how Great the Lord is!

Heavens door open this morning, God asked me... My CHILD...what can I do for you?" and I said "Daddy please protect and bless the one reading this message. God smiled and answered ... "request granted . This message is now in your hands.What will YOU do with it? send this to at least 10 people so they too will have their
lives in God's hands You never know when GOD is going to bless you!! Good things happen when you least expect them to !!!!!!!!

About the picture

Saturday, March 15, 2008

Flowers and Butterflies

Hello y'all! happy advanced St. patrick's Day to you :)
I just want to direct you to Nature Girl's blog... if you long for the sun, bright color, the beauty of flowers and beautiful butterflies. 'NG' is from Canada and visiting her son or daughter in Arizona. She's got great pictures over there...

Have a happy weekend and God Bless!

Saturday, March 8, 2008

Eye Candy

Good morning, good morning, here's some eye candy for me and hopefully for you:) I went to the thrift store last Monday, and left with "stuff." First, let me show you a lamp I "crush". I didn't buy it because it doesn't go with what I have at home.

I crush you very much!

Here's what I bought for our home and am so happy with! The red pottery are my cookie jars now, and the yellow pot, made in Italy, is where I put my potatoes and bananas and stuff. The candle holders are now on my mantle.






And look!!! Starfish!





Then when I get a chance, these are going up on EBay:



Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Focusing On Chores

I need to get caught up with my chores and other duties. Here's some music for you all, I love you! Here are pictures of seeds I am growing, and more plants I ordered. I can't wait!!! Lots of things need to get done, oh computer tell me to keep working and to stop blogging!

From seed:
http://www.burpee.com/

portulaca, coreopsis, lavender lady, oriental poppy

http://www.butchartgardens.com/

annual cut flower mix, forget-me-nots

Shipping in April:
http://www.springhillnursery.com/

lilies and Peony sorbet
Other plants I am expecting have been posted here..

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Time To Grow

Today I finally sowed my seeds - indoors. This year I decided to make do with what I have and I think it's going to be just fine. The seeds I'm growing are poppies, forget-me-nots and an annual cut flower mix - I got them last year but did not get to sow them all.

About the poppies. I sowed 300 of them directly to my flower bed. Then watered, watered, and watered them away! None of them grew. Thank goodness I left 1 pack unopened.



Oriental Poppy Pizzicato Mix courtesy of http://www.burpee.com/





Annual Cut Flower Mix (above) and Anchusa Blue Angel or Forget-Me-Nots (below)

Courtesy of The Butchart Gardens, www.butchartgardens.com





DH requested me to grow some portulacas this year, which I still have to get.

So here's what I did today... I just used whatever containers I could find, pierced some holes underneath them, put some soil in, sprinkled the seeds, then a little more soil on top.