How the Herbs from My Garden have Grown

Herbs from my garden

Gather the herbs in the early morning after the dew has evaporated to minimize wilting. Avoid bruising the leaves. They should not lie in the sun or unattended after harvesting. Rinse herbs in cool water and gently shake to remove excess moisture. Discard all bruised, soiled or imperfect leaves and stems.

 

dried dill

Drying is the easiest method of preserving herbs. Tie them into small bundles and hang them to air dry. Air-drying outdoors is often possible; however, better color and flavor retention usually results from drying indoors. Suspend a small bunch (large amounts will mold) of herbs in a bag and close the top with a rubber band. Place where air currents will circulate through the bag until the moisture evaporates. Any leaves and seeds that fall off will be caught in the bottom of the bag.  

I put mine in a black net bag which I hang mine in my closet. 

oregano ready to dry

When fully dry I place a newspaper on the table and gently squeeze the bundle over the paper. I then check for stray stems and discard them. I fold the paper and pour into a spice bottle and then write on the label what spice it is. I bought some inexpensive spice bottles from Dollar Tree.

And presto basil, thyme, & dill spices are ready for use.

I am currently drying out oregano.

Proverbs 6:6-8

⁶ Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!
⁷ It has no commander, no overseer or ruler,
⁸ yet it stores its provisions in summer and gathers its food at harvest

Kroger Deli Fried Chicken

https://img.bzzagent.com/image/krogerFriedChicken.jpg?Type=activity&Activity=3259567091&Campaign=0019997611&Uid=1289174&token=1da394de2866039beebda857dc986c32

I am a bzz agent and I recieved free of charge an eight piece deli fried chicken, a bag of Kroger Kettle Chips and a liter of coca-cola. You may ask why? To review the products in the campaigns I am approved for and to write a review.

Let me tell you after working a 12 hour shift I really didnt feel like cooking. So I went to the Kroger deli and picked up the chicken and cole slaw, then the chips and coca-cola. Went home set the table and my family had a meal in no time. Thanks.

Until next time

The way my garden grows with birdsong

God provides

Matthew 6:25-27
That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life, whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing. Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

I love watching my Grandchildren having fun & not worrying about things in everyday life.

 

If there’s one thing I know and am thankful for it’s that God provides and values each and every one of us.

He provides whether I ask or don’t ask, and He provides more abundantly than I would have ever dreamed, and most of the time in ways I never imagined.  I have been very blessed in my life.  

Who would have thought God was going to bring me thru all the trials that He did and somehow worked it for ‘my good’.  You know what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.  I am in awe of His grace. 

It’s time to let God know we value him as well. It’s up to us to stand up for our rights as Christian believers. People around the world are demanding their rights, claiming they are offended and filing lawsuits and setting precedents’ regarding what they find acceptable.  Whether to say the pledge of allegiance, to pray or sing about God, Carry or read a Bible, Christmas Plays, Nativity Scenes, even putting in God we trust on our money.  Well it offends me that this stuff is being considered for banning or already been banned. Does it offend you?

Until next time.

 

Taking pleasure in God Bounty

Psalm 104:14
He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man: that
He may bring forth food out of the earth.

2 Corinthians 9:6

But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. 

Thought I'd share some pictures of my garden with you today. It truly is a bounty that will keep giving all season long. This garden gives me alot of pleasure. It is beautiful to my eyes and peaceful. My thoughts often turn toward God and I thank God for allowing me to have my garden spot. And my blog spot to share with you.

Remember this week and always treat others kindly as you would like to be treated.  Share your bounty with others, you will find that you always will have enough.
Until next time.

Grandparents Jewels

Proverbs 17:6 
Children's children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children.

Caleb Austin

Gracie, Alexis & Clarissa

Brodie James

Autumn Rose

I love each and every one of them.  I feel really blessed to have this chance to be their grandma. They are unique and a lot of fun to play and just hang out with.  Pretty smart too.  And are a good looking bunch of kids if I do say so myself.  Friday I will have the four youngest all at once. So besides a good selection of toys and depending on the weather. I have desided to try to be the crafty grandma. 

What the crafty grandma needs

We grew up with construction paper, scissors, and glue, and many of us still keep them around for the grandkids to use. I know I do. But you could try newer craft supply ideas such as these.

For the younger kids:

Sidewalk Chalk

Your grandkids' sidewalk masterpieces remain long after their visits, or at least until the next time it rains! 

Old Socks, pompoms & buttons and card board boxes

To make puppets and puppet stages.

Fingerpaint

For pictures or to decorate a shirt. Or the puppet stage.

Clay and Dough Shaping Tools

Kids love shaping things with clay or Play-Doh. These tools are an easy upgrade to give them even more control over their creations. Tools like the cutter make it easy to separate the clay, while rollers let kids easily flatten or roll zigzag shapes onto clay.  I will put down wax paper first.

For the older kids on another day :

Glue, beads, buttons, stamps in fun shapes, shoestrings, and fishing wire and pop cycle sticks to make necklaces, bracelets, key rings or decorative picture frames.

Felt

Easy to cut, sew, and glue, felt can be attached to almost anything, including notebooks and clothing. Provide kids with stencils, or let them draw shapes free form, then help them cut and attach shapes to the accessory of their choice.

Stamps or Fabric crayons or paint.

Pair form stamps with colorful ink pads in the kids favorite colors you can decorate T-Shirts, Blank tote bags and other things.

 

S   

There is a Time (Thyme) for everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1

For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: 

Ecclesiastes 3:2

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted.

Thyme is an ancient cooking herb that is versatile and one of the most widely used from many countries. It pairs well with lamb, poultry, tomatoes lemon, and other seasonings. It is used chopped or whole and imparts a woodsy, warm flavor to any dish. Though widely available in fresh and dried forms, thyme is easy enough to grow at home. I like to keep some on hand for use in soups and stews, or add to roasted vegetables and it will enhance your favorite grilled foods.
It is a very aromatic herb commonly used for both cooking and in natural medicines. It has a wide range of uses and abilities. I like to use it in cooking the best.
It also grows back year after year. Here is what mine looks like so far this year. It is already producing flowers.

Used through the centuries as a remedy for many ailments, from epilepsy to melancholy., it is prescribed by herbalists for intestinal worms, gastrointestinal ailments, bronchial problems, laryngitis, diarrhea, and lack of appetite.  It has antiseptic properties, and can be used as a mouthwash, skin cleanser, anti-fungal agent for athlete's foot and as an anti-parasitic for lice, scabies, and crabs.  For skin inflammations and sores, make a poultice by mashing the leaves into a paste. To use Thyme as an anti-fungal agent or as a parasitic, mix four ounces of Thyme to a pint of alcohol, or buy the essential oil and use sparingly on the affected area.  For bronchitis and gastric problems, make a tea to be used once per day.  Add honey as a sweetener, if desired.

The essential oil of Thyme (Thymol) can cause adverse reactions if taken in it's pure form, so use Thyme-based medications sparingly.  If taken in a tea, drink only once or twice per day, and if used on the skin, be aware that it may cause irritation.