Heart Choices: 2013-05-26 -->

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Five Minute Friday ~ Fall


It's Five Minute Friday when I link up with Lisa Jo of The Gypsy Mama.  Each week we receive a word prompt.  We get to write for five minutes flat on this word.  Our word for today is FALL.

GO

Children fall.  It's a given.  A baby learns to walk.  They fall down but get right back up.  A child tries to ride a bike.  Over and over ...they fall.

But do they quit?  Do they say I'm not going to walk or I'm not going to ride a bike?  It's too hard.

No way!

They get back up again and again and again until they finally succeed.

Why can't we adults be like that?  I fall and think to myself.  I must not be very good at this so I stop trying.  I come to the place of fearing failure.  So instead what do I do?  I avoid certain things that cause me anxiety.  Or I don't complete what I started because I'm afraid I will fail and ...fall.

I want to learn to fall and pick myself back up and keep trying.

  • I'll keep on blogging even if only one person reads it
  • I'll keep on writing my book even if I have doubts as to my ability as a writer
  • I'll keep on exercising even if I don't see the weight on my scale going down as fast as I'd like
  • I'll keep on praying even if I don't see the results right now
  • I'll keep on allowing God to work in me and through me even if I don't see my loved ones change
I just may have to fall many times like a child.  But I will get back up and keep going.

STOP

Blessings and love,




photo credit: clarkmaxwell via photopin cc
QuickEdit

Summer Fun Begins


Source
Although my calendar says it's not officially summer, it feels like it's already here in Phoenix.  With sunny days and triple digit temperatures, what's a girl to do?

I would love to head to the beach.  After all, our school year is completed.  But instead, I get to teach summer camp to Pre-K 3 and 4 children.  Well, at least I know I will be laughing and having fun.    

I worked summer camp two years ago and enjoyed it.  That was the year I was teaching Culinary Camp.    But the students were older (1st through 4th grade level).


It worked out that Miss Annie and I will be switching jobs each week. So this next week I'll be teaching and the following week, she'll be teaching.  The weeks I don't teach, I get to work for only three hours.  But I think I will like this since I'll be able to spend those mornings working on my book.  You know, the one that was supposed to be completed by the end of the school year.  

So the beach is out for now.  However, I found this on Pinterest and ...loved it.

Source

I continue to count my every day blessings.

#847 A fun day at The Simple Farm
#848 Experiencing the farm with my friends
#849 Wearing my hometown t-shirt and greeting Michael who is also from Lindenhurst
#850 Working on my front garden entry
#851 Getting ideas on growing herbs and vegetables
#852 Enjoying the pool at our condo knowing I don't need to take care of it
#853 The first cup of coffee in the morning
#854 Participating in an online Bible study with Good Morning Girls.
#855 Having one week of rest

I'm linking up with Ann of A Holy Experience for Multitudes on Mondays.



Blessings and love,

QuickEdit

Simple Farm Living but Please Don't Feed the Goats


The Simple Farm
What a fun Thursday morning my friends and I had visiting The Simple Farm.  It's located in the midst of a beautiful Scottsdale, Arizona neighborhood.  Every Thursday Michael and Lylah Ledner host a farmer's market from 8:30 until noon.  That's when the locals get to shop for fresh organic vegetables and herbs grown right there on the farm.  If you've not read Part 1 about my visit to The Simple Farm, you might consider reading that one first.

The goats on the farm produce milk.  I have to admit I've never tasted goat milk but I understand it's very good.  I can definitely vouch for the caramels that are made from the goat's milk though. I've tasted them and oh my; they actually melt in your mouth.  Did I mention you can order them online?

Heidi is checking out the fridge to see what's inside for sale. Everything is so fresh.  I wasn't going home right away so I didn't want to buy any perishables.

Vicki got right into the swing of things as she weighed out her potatoes and onions.  I think Theresa liked the caramels.  I bought some amazing caramel sauce and heaped a tablespoon on top of my single bon-bon after dinner.  Could that be why I'm not losing weight as fast as I'd like? :)

Laurie was deciding which jelly she preferred.  I purchased a lemon verdana jelly that was homemade on the farm.  Yum, yum.

Let me tell you about the best whole wheat cinnamon raisin bread I've ever tasted.  Carol (on the right) posed with my friend Barcia. Carol is a baker and has a brand called Grano de Vida.  I first met her when I went on Arcadia's Edible Garden Tour last month.  She offered samples of her breads and bagels and ...I loved them.  She's the nicest person and someone I know I could be friends with.  We have that heart connection through our faith.

Michael and Lylah are Christians.  It's interesting how they have returned to working the land.  I noticed a Scripture on Michael's Facebook page from 1 Thessalonians 4: 11-12:

"Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody."

Wise advice from the Apostle Paul and one we could all learn from, I believe.
I think Michael and Lylah are taking the Good Book to heart and they're doing a great job.  Take a look at the basil that grows abundantly at the farm.  I did a double take when I noticed the beautiful artichokes.  I didn't know they flowered like that, did you?  

When I posted this picture of Lylah in part one of my visit to The Simple Farm, I failed to mention that she was handing each one of us sorrel, an herb.  She had us taste it.  I can't say that I remember ever eating an herb like this but it was good.  That's Lylah.  Listen but apply.  Try new things.  Experiment with cooking.  Use fresh herbs.  I love that about her.  Going from a designer label gal to a farmer has been quite an adventure but she seems very content.

It's a bit contagious.  I'm working on my own garden and getting lots of great ideas.  I already have a basil plant and I use it when I'm cooking.

So if you live in Arizona, you must stop by and visit The Simple Farm one Thursday to see for yourself.  I would suggest checking out Lylah's blog for updates and events they host.  I know that I will be returning for sure.

Blessings and love,

QuickEdit
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