Announcing
the Winner of
Life Is a Garden Party, Vol II bookstub
12 note cards
flower seeds
Samantha Charey
from Kansas
Congratulations!
Please private message me your address on facebook, Samantha.
Life is a Garden Party
Thursday, July 31, 2014
Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes
Preheat oven to 325. Grate zucchini. (If young zucchini, leave skin on.
If mature zucchini, remove green skin and seeds before grating.)
2 cups grated zucchini
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup unbleached flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup oil or 2/3 cup applesauce with 2 Tablespoons oil
2/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup chocolate chips, optional
Measure all ingredients into mixing bowl. Blend well. Using ice cream scoop, fill cupcake tins.
.
Makes 27 cupcakes.
When zucchini is abundant, grate 4 cups, freeze. When ready to bake, defrost, measure out 2 cups of pulp, discard juice.
This recipe and others are in Volume II of Life Is a Garden Party available through WestBow Press
If mature zucchini, remove green skin and seeds before grating.)
2 cups grated zucchini
3 eggs
2 cups sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 cup unbleached flour
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
3/4 cup oil or 2/3 cup applesauce with 2 Tablespoons oil
2/3 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup chocolate chips, optional
Measure all ingredients into mixing bowl. Blend well. Using ice cream scoop, fill cupcake tins.
.
Makes 27 cupcakes.
When zucchini is abundant, grate 4 cups, freeze. When ready to bake, defrost, measure out 2 cups of pulp, discard juice.
This recipe and others are in Volume II of Life Is a Garden Party available through WestBow Press
Saturday, July 26, 2014
Time
Sunrise, sunset, sunrise, sunset,
swiftly flow the years.
Seedlings turn overnight into sunflowers
laden with happiness and tears.
(from Fiddler on the Roof)
Seeds planted yesterday
have sprouted today.
Germinated then burst.
Out of their shell came forth.
These little sprouts
will send out
two little leaflets
where nutrition is kept.
Growing by leaps and bounds
a center stalk abounds,
huge leaves surround,
with roots underground.
These roots provide needed stability
for life isn't always tranquility.
Sometimes storms arise
and trouble is nigh.
But these seedlings survive,
much to everyone's surprise,
with flowers
yellow.
Soon taller than you are,
these tall yellow flowers,
dependent on sunshine and rain
from heaven which daily reigns.
Overnight
seeds are ripe
then birds
are heard.
Caw caw
caw caw
they swipe
tonight.
The elements defeated.
Their cycle of life completed.
In a hurry to grow up.
Now becomes someone's sup.
Did you guess the name of this flower?
Tall stalk, big leaves, yellow flower,
producing seeds
that becomes bird feed.
I'm a happy flower named after the sun.
When birds come to eat my seeds, to watch is fun.
I can grow as tall as a tower.
I'm a bright yellow sunflower.
* * * * *
From sunrise to sunset
each new day is met
with unused seconds, minutes, hours,
with sunshine or possibly showers.
Twenty-four hours to make a difference
for there is someone needing encouragement.
To make a difference regarding injustice
for the world is full of evil and injustice.
The plight of abused children, of famine, of poverty,
of violence and incurable sickness would make one cry.
It's like a blight across the land
and across the seas to other lands.
Yet today twenty-four hours have been granted to us
to make a difference in just one life if we would just
sacrifice a little time or a few dollars to help
those who cannot help themselves, a giving of oneself
is a wise investment of time
each day one finds, time after time.
Don't put off until tomorrow
what may lessen someone's sorrow.
Tomorrow may be too late
to relieve someone's fate
for evil lurks
and always hurts.
How quickly time seems to go.
As fast as the river flows.
Those once young, now old.
Those old could have told
how quickly times goes
for they certainly know.
Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart;
then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work
and in everything you put your had to.
There will always be poor people in the land.
Therefore I command you to be open handed
toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
Deuteronomy 15:10-11
Anyone who knows the good he ought to do
and doesn't do it, sins.
James 4:17
swiftly flow the years.
Seedlings turn overnight into sunflowers
laden with happiness and tears.
(from Fiddler on the Roof)
Seeds planted yesterday
have sprouted today.
Germinated then burst.
Out of their shell came forth.
These little sprouts
will send out
two little leaflets
where nutrition is kept.
Growing by leaps and bounds
a center stalk abounds,
huge leaves surround,
with roots underground.
These roots provide needed stability
for life isn't always tranquility.
Sometimes storms arise
and trouble is nigh.
But these seedlings survive,
much to everyone's surprise,
with flowers
yellow.
Soon taller than you are,
these tall yellow flowers,
dependent on sunshine and rain
from heaven which daily reigns.
Overnight
seeds are ripe
then birds
are heard.
Caw caw
caw caw
they swipe
tonight.
The elements defeated.
Their cycle of life completed.
In a hurry to grow up.
Now becomes someone's sup.
Did you guess the name of this flower?
Tall stalk, big leaves, yellow flower,
producing seeds
that becomes bird feed.
I'm a happy flower named after the sun.
When birds come to eat my seeds, to watch is fun.
I can grow as tall as a tower.
I'm a bright yellow sunflower.
* * * * *
From sunrise to sunset
each new day is met
with unused seconds, minutes, hours,
with sunshine or possibly showers.
Twenty-four hours to make a difference
for there is someone needing encouragement.
To make a difference regarding injustice
for the world is full of evil and injustice.
The plight of abused children, of famine, of poverty,
of violence and incurable sickness would make one cry.
It's like a blight across the land
and across the seas to other lands.
Yet today twenty-four hours have been granted to us
to make a difference in just one life if we would just
sacrifice a little time or a few dollars to help
those who cannot help themselves, a giving of oneself
is a wise investment of time
each day one finds, time after time.
Don't put off until tomorrow
what may lessen someone's sorrow.
Tomorrow may be too late
to relieve someone's fate
for evil lurks
and always hurts.
How quickly time seems to go.
As fast as the river flows.
Those once young, now old.
Those old could have told
how quickly times goes
for they certainly know.
Give generously to him and do so without a grudging heart;
then because of this the Lord your God will bless you in all your work
and in everything you put your had to.
There will always be poor people in the land.
Therefore I command you to be open handed
toward your brothers and toward the poor and needy in your land.
Deuteronomy 15:10-11
Anyone who knows the good he ought to do
and doesn't do it, sins.
James 4:17
To order Life Is a Garden Party, go to WestBow Press.
Wednesday, July 23, 2014
God's Love
This one is not about gardening but does apply to life.
God's love is like an anchor
in a safe and secure harbor.
A haven where one is moored
through all life's difficult storms.
You'll find problems and troubles
sometimes render you unable
but God's love will remain secure
and will enable you to endure.
There's always something, it seems,
as difficulties come in teams
without answers or release
that disturbs our sense of peace.
Disappointments weigh us down.
Failures somehow increase and hound.
Rejections everywhere abound.
Sorrows deepen facial frowns.
We know constant worry and fear
are not sent from God each year.
The enemy of our souls appears
when we become weighed down with fear.
"In this world we will have troubles"
is found written in the Bible,
"but be of good cheer," does follow.
"Jesus has overcome" our sorrows.
Troubles coupled with the good times
helps to ease our changing mind
that God's love is a secure anchor
where we'll find a safe, peaceful harbor.
You see, life will ebb and flow
with much joy and many sorrows.
But God's love will remain the same -
unconditional - and will not wane.
Yes, God's love is like an anchor.
It's a safe and secure harbor.
No matter what happens today
be assured, God loves you always.
In the end life's many billows
and troubles in which we wallow
are meant to strengthen waning faith -
to grow in us believing faith.
One day our finite view
will cease wondering why.
God's love saw us through.
Our faith will sail free and fly.
Get on board the faith boat.
God's love will keep you afloat.
God's love is like an anchor -
unchanging and never falters.
In the world ye shall have tribulation
but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 (KJV)
He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm,
and He guided them to their desired haven.
Psalm 107:30
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul,
firm and secure.
Hebrews 6:19
God's love is like an anchor
in a safe and secure harbor.
A haven where one is moored
through all life's difficult storms.
You'll find problems and troubles
sometimes render you unable
but God's love will remain secure
and will enable you to endure.
There's always something, it seems,
as difficulties come in teams
without answers or release
that disturbs our sense of peace.
Disappointments weigh us down.
Failures somehow increase and hound.
Rejections everywhere abound.
Sorrows deepen facial frowns.
We know constant worry and fear
are not sent from God each year.
The enemy of our souls appears
when we become weighed down with fear.
"In this world we will have troubles"
is found written in the Bible,
"but be of good cheer," does follow.
"Jesus has overcome" our sorrows.
Troubles coupled with the good times
helps to ease our changing mind
that God's love is a secure anchor
where we'll find a safe, peaceful harbor.
You see, life will ebb and flow
with much joy and many sorrows.
But God's love will remain the same -
unconditional - and will not wane.
Yes, God's love is like an anchor.
It's a safe and secure harbor.
No matter what happens today
be assured, God loves you always.
In the end life's many billows
and troubles in which we wallow
are meant to strengthen waning faith -
to grow in us believing faith.
One day our finite view
will cease wondering why.
God's love saw us through.
Our faith will sail free and fly.
Get on board the faith boat.
God's love will keep you afloat.
God's love is like an anchor -
unchanging and never falters.
In the world ye shall have tribulation
but be of good cheer,
I have overcome the world.
John 16:33 (KJV)
He stilled the storm to a whisper;
the waves of the sea were hushed.
They were glad when it grew calm,
and He guided them to their desired haven.
Psalm 107:30
We have this hope as an anchor for the soul,
firm and secure.
Hebrews 6:19
Wednesday, July 16, 2014
Changes
A story from a Life Lesson chapter.
There's a house looking worn
which once was someone's home
now in disrepair
as if no one cares.
Time has not been kind.
Sagging roof lines.
Broken window panes.
Weeds growing in the lane.
No lights shine.
No laughs bind.
No ones there.
Others stare.
Once a happy place.
Now a ghostly space.
Uncared for.
Life no more.
Forlorn
for long.
Forgotten.
Wood rotting.
There's a barn leaning,
its roof leaking,
its sides missing,
slowly crumbling.
No cattle roaming,
no calves bawling,
no roosters crowing,
no hens clucking.
Acres now left untended.
Rusty implements upended.
A gloom descends
like depression.
Yet down the road a bit
new construction sits.
Rafters stretching toward the sky,
dreams fulfilled by and by.
New replacing old
when land was sold.
Old forsaken.
New for the taking.
What used to take months to build,
in two months will be filled
with new dreams and memories
and a young family.
Lights through the window panes.
Laughter heard time and again.
Flowers in a vase.
A happy place.
The old unwanted.
Mortar crumbled.
New now belongs
standing strong.
The once young dreamer is now old
in a nursing home down the road.
Still dreaming in their mind
though time has not been kind.
For wrinkles and deep lines
increase over time
leaving furrows
and sorrows.
When once they made furrows
in the stony soil,
now they sit
while the clock ticks.
The young have yet to learn
what the old have learned.
Time is a gift
that quickly shifts.
Both had dreams that were the same
but time has come and changed.
Quickly young become old,
though old is like gold.
For knowledge and wisdom
is the gift that comes with aging,
traded for strength and endurance
when physical strength up and went.
If only the young could appreciate
for the old have much to relate
as they sit
while the clock ticks.
Time slowly changes with each tick-tock of the clock
but time has many lessons waiting to be taught.
The young are too busy to appreciate what time has brought.
The old are waiting to tell before they become naught.
Take time today to seek out the old
for they have lessons worth more than gold
for they have learned the hard way
that time quickly slips away.
There's a house looking worn
which once was someone's home
now in disrepair
as if no one cares.
Time has not been kind.
Sagging roof lines.
Broken window panes.
Weeds growing in the lane.
No lights shine.
No laughs bind.
No ones there.
Others stare.
Once a happy place.
Now a ghostly space.
Uncared for.
Life no more.
Forlorn
for long.
Forgotten.
Wood rotting.
There's a barn leaning,
its roof leaking,
its sides missing,
slowly crumbling.
No cattle roaming,
no calves bawling,
no roosters crowing,
no hens clucking.
Acres now left untended.
Rusty implements upended.
A gloom descends
like depression.
Yet down the road a bit
new construction sits.
Rafters stretching toward the sky,
dreams fulfilled by and by.
New replacing old
when land was sold.
Old forsaken.
New for the taking.
What used to take months to build,
in two months will be filled
with new dreams and memories
and a young family.
Lights through the window panes.
Laughter heard time and again.
Flowers in a vase.
A happy place.
The old unwanted.
Mortar crumbled.
New now belongs
standing strong.
The once young dreamer is now old
in a nursing home down the road.
Still dreaming in their mind
though time has not been kind.
For wrinkles and deep lines
increase over time
leaving furrows
and sorrows.
When once they made furrows
in the stony soil,
now they sit
while the clock ticks.
The young have yet to learn
what the old have learned.
Time is a gift
that quickly shifts.
Both had dreams that were the same
but time has come and changed.
Quickly young become old,
though old is like gold.
For knowledge and wisdom
is the gift that comes with aging,
traded for strength and endurance
when physical strength up and went.
If only the young could appreciate
for the old have much to relate
as they sit
while the clock ticks.
Time slowly changes with each tick-tock of the clock
but time has many lessons waiting to be taught.
The young are too busy to appreciate what time has brought.
The old are waiting to tell before they become naught.
Take time today to seek out the old
for they have lessons worth more than gold
for they have learned the hard way
that time quickly slips away.
To order Life Is a Garden Party, go to WestBow Press.
Monday, July 14, 2014
After the rain pictures
Thanking God for the needed rain. Prayers needed for those affected by the storm. Be sure to enter the contest offered here.
Sunday, July 13, 2014
Melodies
A wren woke me this morning
with a melody forthcoming.
Several notes were heard sung
strung together in a run.
Was it practicing a concerto
with an audition in alto?
It didn't seem to follow the rules
as so many musicians are taught to.
It was up and down the scale
as the melody sailed
through the air,
meant to share.
It got my attention
through the window open.
If only I could imitate the melody
I know you too would think the song was lovely.
If someone would memorize than record,
it would be a #1 hit record.
A heavenly melody
sung in a tune quite pretty.
A cardinal now joins in.
What a happy way to begin
this Sunday morning -
with joyous singing.
The air is filled with tweets,
chirps, twitters and cheeps.
This feathered band
awaken humans.
I hope your day starts with a song.
Before long you'll be singing along.
Your day will be better for it
if there is a song in it.
* * * * *
A song in one's heart
no matter what
for you'll find cheerful singing
changes one's disposition.
A joyful attitude
brightens everyone's mood.
Turn some music on
and sing to the song.
You'll feel better.
Your heart lighter.
For music soothes the soul
and fills your heart full.
Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things.
Psalm 98:1
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The Lord has done great things for them".
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:6
Is anyone happy?
Let him sing songs of praise.
James 5:13
with a melody forthcoming.
Several notes were heard sung
strung together in a run.
Was it practicing a concerto
with an audition in alto?
It didn't seem to follow the rules
as so many musicians are taught to.
It was up and down the scale
as the melody sailed
through the air,
meant to share.
It got my attention
through the window open.
If only I could imitate the melody
I know you too would think the song was lovely.
If someone would memorize than record,
it would be a #1 hit record.
A heavenly melody
sung in a tune quite pretty.
A cardinal now joins in.
What a happy way to begin
this Sunday morning -
with joyous singing.
The air is filled with tweets,
chirps, twitters and cheeps.
This feathered band
awaken humans.
I hope your day starts with a song.
Before long you'll be singing along.
Your day will be better for it
if there is a song in it.
* * * * *
A song in one's heart
no matter what
for you'll find cheerful singing
changes one's disposition.
A joyful attitude
brightens everyone's mood.
Turn some music on
and sing to the song.
You'll feel better.
Your heart lighter.
For music soothes the soul
and fills your heart full.
Sing to the Lord a new song,
for he has done marvelous things.
Psalm 98:1
Our mouths were filled with laughter,
our tongues with songs of joy.
Then it was said among the nations,
"The Lord has done great things for them".
The Lord has done great things for us,
and we are filled with joy.
Psalm 126:6
Is anyone happy?
Let him sing songs of praise.
James 5:13
To order Life Is a Garden Party, go to WestBow Press.
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