A better way

Last year I learned how resilient plants are. Even though they had a rough go at it before making it to their final destination on the Island, we still had plenty of veggies to eat and can. This year I am leaning more on organic companion planting and the type of environment each plants longs for in order to be all they they can be.

This year I've done things a little different. I still planted the seeds in my kitchen using trays with pods but this time I chose the kind I kind transplant in the ground along with my seedlings. I've also chosen to forgo small pots in lieu of the largest I could find. I spent too many frenetic hours trying to water my poor dry as a bone plants after being gone for only a few days. I've gone even more simple now. The last seeding I did was straight into the tray with no pods. So far so good.

Because our spring was so mild and beautiful, I was tricked into planting too early. Now I have full grown Beans and my Cucumber are already flowering. I realize I will not get show pieces by having the roots bound in a too small container but at least this year they are going straight to the green house or garden on the island. No more limbo waiting for the Island sale to go through... Oh and of course, this time I made sure all my pots had good drainage and were bigger.

I haven't yet succumbed to the temptation of installing grow lights unto the shelves I've again placed in our living room in front of the window and sliding door. Of course I see the benefit but just have not gotten around to it. I do know where to get them though.

Yesterday I put my plants outside for some real light. I created a wind barrier with chairs I placed on their sides. I learned last year how badly the beans take to wind. They get all tangled and the leaves go soft. However, I noticed after a few hours of how sun that my beans were still having a hard time. So I took them in and gave them some water with fertilizer and they perked right up. I left the tomatoes, cucumbers and peas out though. They seemed to fare better outside.

This weekend I am taking as many plants as I can. This way I won't have to make a trip by myself with all my plants, place them in our little Runabout boat trying to not go so fast, dying a thousand deaths as I watch my beauties flop around in the wind. The top is gonna be on the big boat and I'll have the benefit of my husband's vim and vigor on this annual pilgrimage.

The illusive Red Squirrels

I thought by not minding it if the Squirrel helps himself to my Sunflowers nature would balance itself out. In my mind I accepted it as a sort of tithe. But I now have noticed after opening our pantry that He viciously found his way inside our cottage and ransacked it. I now realize that they are scavengers intent on hording no matter how full their reserves are. I am now intent on capturing the rascal and depositing him on main land.

Last week I bought a new mulch I wanted to try but it looks more like an invitation to my garden. The squirrel found my bag of cocoa shell mulch in record time. So I put some in the trap and said goodbye to our resident peregrine falcons before making our way towards the boat where we found the squirrel. We try to trap it with a tarp hopping to dump it on the main land but the little bugger gets away and flies out of the boat back unto our island. A few more seconds and he would have been a goner.

On our return, I surveyed the trap. To my dismay it was shut and both the mulch and the squirrel were gone. Somehow he always manages to get what he wants without meeting his demise. Note to self: I guess this means war!

So far so good

We are in the city during the week but at the first sign of the weekend we pack up our gear and load our Expedition Max with building and garden materials setting out to our corner of paradise... an Island on the North Shore of Georgian bay. We started renovating in the fall and did not miss a beat all winter. Now that Spring has sprung we've put away our snowmobiles for our 21 foot Princecraft/ 225 optimax. It skims the water no matter how heavily leaden we fill it.

Destinator

I'm digging to Jesus and all that ensues as a result of taking limitations as a gift not something to be overcome.... Eternity has begun in my heart. I am focused on the how, not the why, what and when. Who cares what I've left behind my goal is to be curious, laugh, love and forgive. I now combine running and praying. This way every impossible next step I take is taken my Jesus in the Spirit. This pushes my limits. A beautiful discovery for me.

What I know to be true.

It is through my imperfections (emotional or physical) that God introduces the Spirit-prepared individuals with whom I am meant to share the miracles He is doing in my life. For this I must humble myself, embracing my vulnerabilities for the purpose of community.

To excel in loving peace is to trust that Christ is enough as soon something unloving happens, the rest takes care of itself as the Spirit who knows what God wants, loves through me.

So whichever way my action come across, the ball is in the other's court. It then becomes a part of their eternity minded pruning process. All that counts is that while I do what I can, Christ's Holy Spirit who talks to the Father will do the rest.

The inadequate hero

Hi, I am a happy Wife and Step mom to three children. My modeling assignments have picked up. The home church we are leading is enjoying a period of growth in the Spirit. The body of Christ is being activated more and more as each member reaches out with compassion in our community. As time unfolds I'll be fleshing out the kingdom minded concepts that are revealed to me. As I dig in the Word and live out my life... doing what I can and letting God do the rest.