Several of my friends are starting to grow some of their own food and have lots of questions, so I write and include links with them in mind. A few of my friends also like to read about our Gardening Adventures each year, even though they do not have space or the ability to grow for themselves just now, so......

We decided to make permanent Beds last year, and are now sticking with the tried and true methods we've learned through experimentation over the years. Since we are both in our late 60's, we are becoming aware, we can not increase-experiment with our Garden Beds as much. We may try one or two new veggies though, just for fun. We love hands on learning and trying new things. Hubby will be experimenting in the Greenhouse though, as he's adding an additional Hoop House and has some ingenious ideas he wants to try out; we look forward to using it as a Sunroom in the Fall, Winter and Spring in days to come.

A friend who manages a Farm, treated us with lots of composted Mature and we filled our freshly made Raised Bed and Plastic Barrels with it last season. We left the bottom open to the ground and made 3 beds out of each barrel. If you plan to move-pull them around, do not cut out the bottom. You may be able to find them through Craigslist or a local Horse Vet, who receives meds in them, Vets usually give them away and some local farmers are willing to give away or sell composted mature for a good price and some will even load it in the back of your pickup with their Tractors, saves on the back. Co-ops such as Southern States will often sell broken bags for half price, perhaps Lowes or Home Depot will as well???

Here is a picture of one of our Barrel Container Beds, this one has some lettuce growing in it.



Just like with our own Spiritual Life, the right amount of Light, Water and healthy Soil is very important and keys to an abundant crop and Spiritual Growth. Not only does it produce larger and a more productive harvest, but the plants are able to receive nutrients from the soil that our body needs. If you do not Top-Side Dress or add nutrients to the soil via Manure Tea and the like, the soil can become depleted and that will affect the amount of nourishment you put in your body, through the food you grow. That is one of the reasons to grow your own, if you can, even if it is just a Patio Tomato, Pepper or Lettuce during cool months. It is one of the reasons we Top or Side Dress some of our plants with composted mature when possible, as each season begins anew and a new plant is placed in the ground. We grow organically and frugally for food, not for how the Garden looks, so you will notice our gardens are simple and hopefully, efficient.

Plastic Barrels like the one below are also a good place to start seedlings in a Greenhouse, rather than a Cold Frame or something similar. We can transplant directly from there if we want, as they usually do not need to be potted up. Below is a barrel with seedlings and straw, from last season. These Plastic Barrels can be used in the Hoop house or elsewhere.

The extinction of too many bees and other pollinators could have disastrous consequences for our food supply and there is some simple, loving things we can each do at home, to help stop that from continuing to happen. 
The easiest way is to begin by educating others and ourselves. Honey Bee Colony Collapse Disorder ... 57 different pesticides found in poisoned honeybees

One way we can do that is by asking ourselves some questions that might make us stop and think and make new choices, such as:



Did you know when you use herbicides, not only do you destroy potential nutritious, wild food, but you destroy the food our Pollinators need also?


Now that you know this, would you like to know of some simple suggestions as to what you can do to be a important part of changing the world into a better place, in your lifetime?
                                    
Obviously, for the most part, you can begin by choosing to no longer use Insecticides and Herbicides as your first option ... after you see this can work for you, you can challenge your Friends to be 'Insecticide and Herbicide free', with you by sharing what you've discovered on your new path! (share this blog too please)





Pollinators also like Herbs, to include medicinal, such as Sage, Oregano, Lavender, Purple Cone Flower (echinacea,) Thyme, Yarrow, Hyssop, Bee Balm and Golden Rod. They also like Salvia, Alfalfa, Edible Sunflowers to name a few more. Yellow jackets, wasps and hornets aren’t bees and won’t be attracted by bee-friendly plants, btw.

My 18 month old Grand Daughter really enjoyed reading Tickle the Duck by Ethan Long with me.  We laughed together as she tickled the various fabrics used on this Board Book. I thought this was a very creative way to play while reading.  Ethan Long has other books such as 'Stop Kissing Me' and 'Duck's Not Afraid of the Dark', as well.



She especially enjoyed reading Ten Little Ladybugs by Melanie Gerth, illustrated by Laura Huliska-beith. Not only did she like reading this Board Book with me, she carried it around and read it over and over alone.  The  Ladybugs used in this book are made of hard plastic and the pictures are very colorful. The Book begins with 10 little lady bugs inside of a hole and as the child turns the page, they count down until there is only one ladybug in a hole. She liked touching them and trying to pick them up.

Duck and Goose, How are you Feeling? by Tad Hills is an excellent beginners book on teaching your Toddler about 'feelings'. It has bright and colorful pictures which illustrates with body language feelings, such as happy and sad, loving and scared and more.... it's a great book to help a little one identify feelings.  I checked this one out of the Library with the intention of reading it to my Grand Daughter over SKYPE (she lives an hour and half away), something we both enjoy. 


Although these are Board Books they can be read by different age children as the subject matter will span over several age groups and can also be used to teach 'first words' so eventually an older sibling can read to a younger one.   Good gift ideas too!

Dial 211 if you need help ... they recommend you call them with your list and if it's in their data base, they will refer you to one of their Resources.  www.211.org has a Data Base filled with Resources for those in need Nation Wide and Canada. Some of the Resources Registered are Government based the rest are Privately Run, Non Profit or Volunteer Groups and Clubs ... there are thousands.

Two examples of how they helped the day I discovered them and referred them via Feed My Sheep a local Volunteer Group I serve with are: Family #1 was in need of Gas money. Family #2 was a 65 year old Single Mom in need of Financial Aid so she could keep her Electric on. Family#1 a Truck Driver lost their job. Family #2 a long time Self Employed Pet Groomer was loosing Clients due to cut backs. Both are seeking employment. Family #1 just lost their home. Family #2 is in danger of loosing hers.  UPDATE: Family #1 was also about to get a grant so she could continue her education and they are helping her to get her vehicle back on the road. They also put her in their data base for employment opportunities.

211 knows of Agencies who help with Vehicles for those in need of getting to work. They also help with Repairs of all kinds as well as......... well I won't list that here. If your in need... remember, they suggest you make a list and call them to see if they can help .... it's what they are there for.

They'd appreciate it if you'd tell others.... so if your so inclined, due share this Blog Link... remember they are Nation Wide and in Canada.  Just dial 211 and you will automatically be connected to the nearest 211 in your local area.

Heavenly Father You say because you love us unconditionally You rain on the just and the unjust ... thank You for meeting our needs through those You've prepared in advance ... Bless You for empowering those Called to such, to 'Feed Your Sheep' ... be it Spirit, Soul or Bodily.