Do you remember the "Golden Rule"?

      It says to do unto others as you would have them do unto you, NOT, do to others what they do to you! Joyce has been teaching on loving others this week. If you don't watch her, you are missing a treat! She is funny at times, and very serious at others. I really am ministered to by her teaching, and try to retain it long enough to share it with you. It's so easy to get caught up in our own four walls and say my four, no more. But, that's not what God wants us to do. He wants us to share our love and compassion with others. They may be family, friends, or strangers. If you've found yourself to be bored, depressed, or discontent lately, examine and see if your are reaching out to others. If you are not; doing something , even small, can really help you feel better! Now some people are out of balance in helping others to the point that they are burned out. There has to be balance in everything. God talks about balance in the Bible. Pray and ask the Lord if there is some specific thing that He wants you to do or give to someone today. I dare you to obey God and receive a special blessing!
       At this time, I don't have any new pics to share with you. I've made granola in my dehydrator that I had to throw out because it had too much cinnamon. I also made homemade bread and cooked a small pot of pinto beans. I also made country fried steak, which is also delicious! I've also been juicing again because I've read where juicing can bring your immune system into balance, which can reverse allergies. I'm tired of being allergic to everything! God is showing me little by little how to help myself, and I am so grateful to Him for doing so!

Good Afternoon!

 Hope ya'll had a great weekend. It was literally a whirlwind! Storms kept me awake two nights. Did you sleep through the storms? I've been catching up on laundry and other things, and am still behind, but I'm getting closer to getting my kitchen clean. Hubby and I worked outside Friday night until about 10:30 trying to get two raised beds built before the rains. We got them made!

Looks like a pine box, if you know what I mean!

Intently working.

I'd rather eat french fries than smile!

Grandma and granddaughter.

Supposed to be good egg layers.

New baby chicks. 

I don't know if you can tell in this pic, but the Wright Dairy Farm milk is yellow!

All three hens love to lay in the same box!

Margo Costner rose.

Are you going to the party?

      Joyce Meyer has been teaching on forgiveness this week. She used the story of the prodigal son and his older brother. The older brother was offended when he saw his father welcoming back the son who had wasted his life and money. The father gave a party for his son who had returned from the dead, so to speak. The older son was very resentful at his father for doing this. Do you see where resentment and unforgiveness can get you? It can keep you from enjoying what God has placed in your life to enjoy. Jesus died so that we might have and enjoy our lives, not be miserable with bitterness and unforgiveness. God will not forgive use if we don't forgive others! It doesn't matter who has offended you, hurt you, or spoken evil or lied about you, you MUST forgive them and let it go! It's not easy to forgive. You may have to keep on forgiving until you know in your heart that you have truly forgiven that person or group of people. The Bible tells us to love our enemies, do good to those who despitefully use us, and pray for them to be blessed. That all sounds so crazy, I know, but we are the ones who will reap rewards for obeying this truth. It's time to forgive and let it go! Lay it at Jesus' feet and He will help you through. Now, let's go to the party!
      I haven't made any pics lately because I've been very busy in the house . I also have been working outside, even though the temps are a lot cooler. It feels like winter again! I even had to put the heavy blanket back on the bed! I'll be glad when this is over because people have planted veggies that could be damaged if it freezes.

What do you want, what do you want from me?

      Joyce Meyer was talking today about  running away from what God originally called us to do or what we learned from God during our early years of Christianity. She gave examples of Elijah the prophet and how, after he had killed and chopped up 400 prophets of Baal, He found out Jezebel was after him so he ran into the desert! Wow! The power of one woman! God got after him so he went back and did what he was originally told to do. Another example she gave was about Jonah. God told him to go to Ninevah, but Jonah thought he knew what was best, so he disobeyed God and went in the opposite direction. He was eventually thrown into the sea where he was swallowed by a whale. Where are you? Have you been swallowed by a whale?Are you doing what you want to do  your own way even though you know in your heart God has told you something else to do? God told the whale to vomit Jonah out and he landed on the beach in Ninevah and did what God originally told him to do. It's never to late to obey God. He is very merciful and kind. We may have to suffer for our disobedience, but God will reward us when we submit to His ways. He knows what's best for us even when we can't see it or understand it. She somehow, tied that in to loving your enemies. If you have been treated unfairly or an injustice has been done to you, cast it on the Lord. He will recompense you in ways you could never recompense yourself. He will even help you to forgive those who have hurt you or done you wrong. You will experience a release you never could on your own.
      Have you ever said "I know this is wrong, but....." If you are saying it now,  whatever the wrong thing is: STOP IT! SPIT IT OUT! THROUGH IT DOWN! POUR IT OUT! TURN IT OFF! RUN, AS FAST AS YOU CAN AWAY FROM IT , NEVER TO RETURN TO IT!  You may suffer for awhile until you allow God to heal you, but it will be worth it, I promise!
      I was blessed with some money plants and irises yesterday from a new friend, so I've been busy finding them a new home. While I was outside, I also took more pics.

The mountain across the street has been burning lately! But God has kept it from doing damage to everyone's property.This may actually be a sunset! Need new camera.

Mrs. Becky, I hope these  money plants make it!

These are the irises.

Old fashioned rose bush provides shelter for chickens and duck.

Wild violets.

Can you believe dogwood trees are blooming?

I don't know what these are called.

Can you believe figs on the fig tree?

Keria  and rosemary.

Clematis about to bloom!

Can you believe it's finally Spring?

      And my, how warm its been lately! Temperatures have been in the lower eighties and right now it is seventy-five outside and very windy. Soon spring will be gone and it will be hot summer. I could barely stand the heat last year because for about three months, the temp hovered around one-hundred every day! I hope it will not be that hot this summer!
      We had a very busy weekend, but we did take time out to go to one of our favorite restaurants, Canyon Grill. It is rated one of the top ten restaurants in Georgia and boy is it good! If you haven't tried it, on your next special occasion, call them up and make a reservation. You'll be glad you did.
      One of the things I did was to learn a new skill. I actually used a skill and a jigsaw! It's not my favorite thing to do, but I can do it when hubby is around to guide me. We decided to build raised beds and I thought I could do that, since my husband makes everything look so easy. I can do it but at a very slow pace.  I might not even get finished if I have to use the jigsaw because it is slow go. I enjoy trying new things, even if I never master them. At least I know if it is for me or not.
      I have pictures but the camera is still not showing them up on the screen. I'm taking chances with the ones I show you. Hope they turn out!

Canyon Grill close to Cloudland Canyon  State Park

Bread, butter and what's left of an appetizer1

Slash and burn catfish, so delicious!

The best grilled swordfish I've ever eaten!

Grilled filet mignon and garlic mashed potatoes.

Swordfish and salad with sugared pecans and blue cheese.

Coconut cake.

Me and my man.

Key lime pie.

Does not like his picture taken!

Big Full moon above our house.

Me using jigsaw.

Can't see him but Jack is in his lap.

Hubby using skillsaw.

Me using the skillsaw for the raised bed.

And this is what we made, along with some of the raised bed parts.

Are You watching Joyce this week?

      She is teaching on five ways to avoid temptation. One thing she said that stood out to me is that not only does the devil tempt us when we are week, but he also tempts us when we are strong. I never thought about it like that, but she gave several examples, and I realized she was right. We should never come to the place where we think that we have overcome in an area and that it is no longer a problem for us. That will be the moment that satan steps in and before you know it, you are in a situation. Always stay on guard because the devil is going about, seeking whom he may devour! She also said that not only are we tempted to do wrong, but we are also tempted to do right. Of course we know who tempts us to do wrong, but did you know that God tempts us to do right? Now I know that the Bible says that God does not tempt us, but that we are led away by our own sins. I'm not talking about sin, I'm talking about doing right. Joyce gave an example of how she bought two or three of the same kind of watches, and one day she had one on and a lady commented on how nice it was. She felt like God wanted her to give the watch to her, but she resisted that temptation to do good. Do you see what I mean? She felt bad afterward because she knew that she had disobeyed the Holy Spirit. But the next time she was tempted to give something away, she acted on it immediately and enjoyed peace!
      I didn't post yesterday because I had problems with my camera. It doesn't show up a picture on the screen, so I thought it didn't make. I can look through the tiny viewer and focus and take a picture that way. I'm putting some pics on here and I hope they look right. I hope when my camera dries out, it will operate better.

This is the spot where I planted Yukon Gold potatoes.

You can't see them, but I planted Jewel and Fall Gold raspberries. They were marked half price and didn't look very well. Will they make it? The weeds and grass that I dig up go into the buckets. One bucket has horse manure used  in the planting holes.

Wow! These tomato, eggplant, peppers, and herbs have really grown! The ones on the front are tomato and eggplants.

My first year for tulips and aren't the daffodils pretty!I think my camera is working pretty good!

Spring is almost "officially" here

      But it did not start out that way today! The day began cold and cloudy, quite gloomy, but now the sun is shining and the temp is rising. I have my great nieces here today. They are so sweet! The older one takes "care" of the younger one, pushing her around in the walker and sharing her food with her.
      Yesterday was a busy day. I realized first thing that morning I had left my camera outside and it had rained the night before. The problem was, that I couldn't remember where I put it! We all three looked for it but was unable to find it. I knew it was here somewhere and after I got home I would look for it. So I met my friend at the mall for our weekly walk, then I met my husband and son at Golden China for lunch. After that, I went grocery shopping and got home around 3:00, unloaded and put away groceries. Finally, I decided to retrace my steps form the day before. I stopped by the tulip tree where I had taken some pictures, then on to the hen house to gather eggs. I didn't see it at first but somehow I knew it was there. I looked up and there it was, hanging on the fence right where I had left it! Boy was I happy! I'm so glad God led me to I and that He protected it from all that rain!
       Today has been very busy but while the babies are asleep, I decided to post. Their Mom is at the dentist. I understand how young mommies feel with babies close together. Oops! They're up! Here are some pics.

                                                                      

Please remember the people in Japan!

      I am so concerned for what happened in Japan. I pray for the survivors to be kept safe and warm and dry, and find food and water safe for drinking and eating. I know there are a lot of people who have lost everything and I pray that during their loss they will seek and find Jesus, the only one who can truly save them. I'm so glad to be a part of a ministry that sends not only financial aid but physical aid as well. I'm sure as soon as it is safe enough, Joyce Meyer Ministries will be on the scene to help. Consider becoming a partner with them today!
     I am really feeling worked over right now! I just finished working out with Jackie Warner. Man, my muscles are  twitching! I need to go outside and work in the garden later, if I can. The day is so beautiful, but we may have storms later.
     Saturday we went to Whole Foods. I really enjoy shopping there! Just wished it wasn't so far away. But it's probably a good thing that it is, since it cost a lot more to shop there. I was glad they had King Arthur white whole wheat flour so I can make breads, tortillas, and whatever using whole grains. I'm hoping it won't have that strong whole wheat flavor. It's not supposed to, according to reviews I've read. We also went to Carraba's, an Italian restaurant that my husband and I absolutely love. We all three rode in the truck. It was a little uncomfortable, but not too bad.

My husband loves using WF charcoal.

I planted strawberries in pots Sat. Shallots went in the garden.

First time spaghetti sauce from scratch. Hope it's good!

Soaked dough (lacto-fermentation) for whole wheat tortillas.

The Right Path

      Are you on the right path? Proverbs 4:18 "But the path of the [uncompromisingly] just and righteous is like the light of dawn, that shines more and more (brighter and clearer) until [it reaches its full strength and glory in] the perfect day".v. 26: "Consider well the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established and ordered aright. v:27 Turn not aside to the right hand or to the left; remove your foot from evil."v. 12: "When you walk, your steps shall not be hampered [your path will be clear and open]; and when you run, you shall not stumble. What beautiful scriptures taken from the Amplified version. It is very important for us to pray everyday that we walk in light of God's Word. Joyce Meyer is teaching on hindrances to prayer. We may not realize some of those hindrances. Walking in love is one of the most important ways we can honor God and not have our prayers hindered; thus, walking on the right path. I pray that our paths will be directed by God and that He will reveal to us hindrances on our part that are hindering Him from answering our prayers.
      Yesterday I spoke of lacto-fermentation and trace amounts of carcinogens that it produces. The most concentrations are found in alcoholic beverages such as wine, beer, and liquor. It is also found it breads, grains, and cheeses. One study said that when garlic was eaten or taken with it, it counteracted the carcinogen. Other studies say to eat a balanced diet. I am going to read further on this subject and in the meanwhile, eat a balanced diet, with some lacto-fermented food.
      Since I had the flu, I have not been able to exercise until this week. These are the workouts I have done. I love using a stability in my workouts!

Black beans cooked in crockpot for black bean humus. Yum!

Home made wheat thins, not very crispy.

I want to be filled with Your Spirit

      Walk in Your ways, honor You in all I do bringing glory to Your Name. Let my life be an offering to Your Name. I love that song by Mary Alessi. Are you watching Joyce Meyer this week? She's talking about faith and believing God. If you are believing God for something, Never! Give! Up! God honors faith and without faith we can't please Him. Satan brings doubt but we have to overcome those doubts with faith. Keep on believing and it will come to pass!


  I had my other two great- nieces yesterday.Here are some pics

Loving my milk!

Big girl sitting alone!

Sourdough for crackers

Black beans soaking wtih a little kefir whey.

      I have been learning about lacto-fermentation and how it is supposed to be so good for you. It puts the good bacteria in your gut. But last night I read on the web that lacto-fermentation also has trace amounts of a cancer causing carcinogen. What does a body do? Now that I've gotten on the lacto-fermenting bandwagon I may have to drop off until I read more about the carcinogen. I'll let you know what I find out.