A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day....04-26-05....How Does Your Garden Grow? II

Billie

[Billie]

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day

Free Republic made its debut in September, 1996, and the forum was added in early 1997.   Over 100,000 people have registered for posting privileges on Free Republic, and the forum is read daily by tens of thousands of concerned citizens and patriots from all around the country and the world.

A Few of FR's Finest....Every Day was introduced on June 24, 2002. It's only a small room in JimRob's house where we can get to know one another a little better; salute and support our military and our leaders; pray for those in need; and congratulate those deserving. We strive to keep our threads entertaining, fun, and pleasing to look at, and often have guest writers contribute an essay, or a profile of another FReeper.

On Mondays please visit us to see photos of A FEW OF FR'S VETERANS AND ACTIVE MILITARY

If you have a suggestion, or an idea, or if there's a FReeper you would like to see featured, please drop one of us a note in FR mail.

We're having fun and hope you are!
~ Billie, Mama_Bear, Dutchess, Aquamarine, DollyCali ~

The Butchart Gardens in Victoria, British Columbia, are rated as one of the most beautiful garden displays in the world....50 acres of beautiful flowers, trees, and the most lush landscape. You can stroll through a Sunken Garden, Japanese Garden, Italian Garden, the majestic Ross Fountain and the English Rose Garden. Each garden is linked by spacious lawns, streams and Lily ponds.

Butchart Gardens, Victoria, BC

We did this two years ago, but since Spring is in full bloom, and Summer is not far away, we thought it might be fun again to let those who enjoy their gardens - whether flower or vegetable - do a little bragging. We can't all look out our window and see a beautiful view like the two photos above, but then, unless we had a huge full-time garden staff, we wouldn't have time to visit the Finest. :)

In the meantime, if ours aren't quite as majestic, at least we can enjoy ourselves in these beautiful settings for a short time today.

For the greenhouse lover.....

For the artist in all of us....

Nothing can match the beauty of a waterfall....

A tranquil place....

I don't claim to have a green thumb nor spend a lot of time digging in the ground, but this is where I enjoy early morning coffee, listening to the birds sing, and watching the goldfish. It's peaceful and quiet and relaxing. Low maintenance - ground cover and concrete and brick - that's the lazy man's garden. :)

Your turn! Let's see some of FR's Finest Gardens.

THIS WEEK'S THREADS 04-25-05 Military Monday

Opinions by our own 'King of Ping' The guy's good, folks!

Click on the photo to view the album. To
submit your photo, please contact dansangel or .45Man
at
danbh59@yahoo.com
and include Freeper Photo Album in subject line.

03-29-05 ~ Hall of Fame #11

[Billie]

[RedBloodedAmerican]

I've been to The Butchart Gardens when I lived in Seattle. Took the ferry over and spent the day. Pretty nice area. Another nice one is Washington Park Rose Gardens in Portland, Oregon.

[Billie]

Good morning, please join us in the garden today.

I had some problems with pictures opening after I posted this morning. I hope they all open for you. They *are* there. If not, just right-click and then "Show Picture". I'm sorry if they play Russian Roullette for you, too. :(

[Billie]

Oh, you've been there! They just look so beautiful!

[The Mayor]

April 26, 2005

From Worms To Wars

Read:
Judges 6:11-16,33-40

The Lord said to [Gideon], "Peace be with you; do not fear." -Judges 6:23

Bible In One Year: Psalm 46-48

It was 10-year-old Cleotis' first time fishing, and as he looked into the container of bait he seemed hesitant to get started. Finally he said to my husband, "Help me, I-S-O-W!" When my husband asked him what the problem was, Cleotis responded, "I-S-O-W! I'm Scared Of Worms!" His fear had made him unable to act.

Fear can paralyze grown men too. Gideon must've been afraid when the angel of the Lord came to him as he was threshing wheat in secret, hiding from his Midianite enemies (Judges 6:11). The angel told him he had been chosen by God to lead His people in battle (vv.12-14).

Gideon's response? "O my Lord, how can I save Israel? Indeed my clan is the weakest in Manasseh, and I am the least in my father's house" (v.15). After being assured of the Lord's presence, Gideon still seemed fearful and asked Him for signs that He would use him to save Israel as He promised (vv.36-40). And God responded to Gideon's requests. The Israelites were successful in battle and then enjoyed peace for 40 years.

We all have fears of various kinds-from worms to wars. Gideon's story teaches us that we can be confident of this: If God asks us to do something, He'll give us the strength and power to do it. -Anne Cetas

When you're afraid of what's ahead,
Remember, God is near;
He'll give you strength and joy and hope
And calm your inner fear. -Sper

To take the fear out of living, put your faith in the living God.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
What Can I Do With My Worry?

[Texagirl4W]

They are all there ((Billie)). I wish my yard looked 1/2 as pretty as any one of these.

[GailA]

Good morning, it's raining here and supposed to be a fairly rainy week here in Memphis. My green beans now have 3 sets of leaves, the 4 tomato plants have blooms on them. The pansies have filled the 2 pots up nicely on my steps.

[Flyer]

About 10 years ago I reached my vegetable gardening plateau. I had okra, onions, corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, jalapenos, watermelon, strawberries. . . it was a wonderful garden. I tended it every day. Pulling weeds, squishing bugs, eating okra right off the plant as I worked.

We had a particularly dry year in my part of Texas and I couldn't keep enough water on it and it dried up and blew away.

I haven't had a garden since.

[Gabz]

Mother Nature (not to mention a sick 6 year old) has conspired against me and my garden so far this year.

I've got tons of seedlings ready to go in the ground - but nothing in the ground yet.....and my herb garden still sits empty as I have not gotten anything to put in it yet.

good morning all the Finest!

[dutchess]

Good morning Billie. I was hoping for this one!!! Still a winner!!!!!

Have a busy work day but hope I can sneak in later and post some pictures! BTW, very near our Michigan cottage is Meijer's Gardens in Grand Rapids, Michigan. (Meijer's as in the big department stores) It's supposed to be beautiful too! Will try to google it later. ((((billie)))))

[Gabz]

I can so totally relate to the frustration.

We planted corn for the first time last year....we picked some for dinner one evening and it was WONDERFUL. I went out the next day with the idea of harvesting half of it for the freezer and there was not one single ear of corn left.....the deer had eaten it all.

We had a particularly wet year last year and so what the deer didn't eat in the garden drowned. But I'm not giving up - I'm going to do it again this year - for better or worse.

[Billie]

Good morning, thank you as always for the daily words to live by.

[Billie]

They are all there ((Billie)). I wish my yard looked 1/2 as pretty as any one of these.

Morning, Texagirl - good to see you here first thing this morning. :) I wish mine looked as pretty, too, and we certainly have the *space* to do something like any one of them - if space were all it took LOL!

[Billie]

The pansies have filled the 2 pots up nicely on my steps.

That's the kind of gardening I do! Pansies in the winter, geraniums in the summer. :) (but you do more productive gardening as well) :)

[Billie]

About 10 years ago I reached my vegetable gardening plateau. I had okra, onions, corn, tomatoes, bell pepper, jalapenos, watermelon, strawberries. . . it was a wonderful garden. I tended it every day. Pulling weeds, squishing bugs, eating okra right off the plant as I worked.

Okay, I'll admit to Once upon a time we did, too.....but as much as I love fresh vegetables and fresh fruits, I HATE the 'tending to' and everything that goes with vegetable gardening. Wish I didn't. :(

[Aquamarine]

Beautiful presentation Billie, really like the frame that you built for the Post.

The Biltmore Estate has the prettiest flower garden in my lil corner of the world and now is the time to see it:

Festival of Flowers — April 2–May 1
Visit the estate on Saturdays and Sundays, April 2–May 1, for a variety of fun activities during Festival of Flowers. Offerings include music, dance, playful skits featuring giant bugs, garden talks, fashion shows, and more.

[Gabz]

.....but as much as I love fresh vegetables and fresh fruits, I HATE the 'tending to' and everything that goes with vegetable gardening.

I'm the total opposite........I don't do flowers!!!!

We bought a new tree a couple of weeks ago - it's called Fruit Cocktail. It's a grafted "breed" and supposedly bears apricots, nectarines, plums and peaches.

[Aquamarine]

Everytime that I've tried to grow corn a wind storm comes through and lays the stalks down like domino's. I really enjoy growing corn but can't take the disappointment so don't plan corn anymore.

[Aquamarine]

Meant to type *plant* not plan.

[Billie]

Mother Nature (not to mention a sick 6 year old) has conspired against me and my garden so far this year. I've got tons of seedlings ready to go in the ground - but nothing in the ground yet.....and my herb garden still sits empty as I have not gotten anything to put in it yet. good morning all the Finest!

Good morning, Gabz. I knew that you grew your own good things to eat - hope you get to plant it soon. Is your little girl still sick? :(