Cucumbers

Numbers 11:5
We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the melons, and the leeks, and onions, and garlic:

Isaiah 1:8
And the daughter of Zion is left as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city.

okay this may not be anything new to you, but I have read these passages many times before. However, today these words just stood out or at least one of them. Maybe it is because I am watching my veggies grow - waiting each day for the produce that they will bring. I did not plant cucumbers, do not really care for the taste of them, but still that is the main word that stood out. Before today, I could not have even told you the word cucumbers was in the Bible...lol. However, it lead me on a search. I found two verses that listed the word - cucumbers. In Isaiah it talks about a lodge in the midst of a garden of cucumbers - a commentary talks about someone staying during the growing season to keep watch over the crop - who would have thought someone would be so desperate as to try to swipe all the cucumbers so that someone had to stand watch. The other thing that amazes me is how some of the same foods the people, who walked the pages of my Bible, ate are foods still available for us today. Can you just imagine sitting down to a meal with Paul and sharing a cucumber? just makes me smile to think of it. Another thing - this just makes the Bible even more real for me and shows me that the rest of the it is applicable for the here and now. Thanks for letting me share my ramblings today.

Coffee

One of my favorite drinks is coffe. I love to get up on my day off, put a pot of coffee on, grab me a cup with some sweetener and french vanilla creamer - Yummy!!!!

I can remember a time when I thought coffee was nasty, but now I love it. I can forgo the creamer but have to have at least a little sweetener. However, it makes it extra special to add the french vanilla creamer. It is a vice that I like and enjoy.

Wish we could share a cup together.

Blue

Today has been a gloomy day. We had a little bit of rain, but mostly has just been hot, sticky, cloudy, and depressing. I have worked on making cards - was mainly using different papers, stickers, and glitter pens. Have several that look pretty cute.
Looking outside I did see a tiny baby tomato on one of the plants. That was a surprise cause I check them all the time, but this is the first time I have seen anything beyond blooms.
Reading some and getting very tearful - think I am just overly tired!!! I was off last night but never got much sleep. So even though it is early, I am headed to bed in a few and hopefully when I was up I will be refreshed. Have a good afternoon/evening.

Good Night

I was suppose to work last night, was all psyched up and ready to go back to work, had my shower, uniform on, and sitting on the couch killing some time before leaving for work. Vacation was over, I was refreshed from being home this past week or so, and so I was willing to return to my job at the hospital.
Then out of the blue, the ring of the phone startled me. I usually have the phone on vibrate but was using the alarm so had the volume turned up. Caller id said it was work. They wanted to know if I wanted to be on call - never expected that because just took an on call day right before vacation started. However, they said it was my turn again. Sweet! So I ended up staying home another night - never did get called in.

Since I had slept yesterday in preparation for working last night, I ended up being wide awake. I worked on the computer sorting/filing pictures, did some searches for poems, made a quick run to Walmart, typed up some papers, and worked on some cards. I have the cards ready that I need to send out this week, so worked on the ones for next week. Yippee, I have them all ready to go except for postage. I am so ahead of the game and that is unusual...lol.

Now why did I post a picture that says Good Night when it is early morning? Well, it is because of the perils of night shift. My day ends when most people's is beginning. So my good night is probably your good morning. I am winding down for a bit, then will head to the other room to find my pillow and blanket. I am just about ready to go snuggle down and get some sleep. Hope everyone has a blessed day whether they are getting up to start the day or winding down their day. Till next time, have a good one.

Garden

It seems like forever since I have updated on here. I have been on vacation since May 19th and have been thoroughly enjoying the time off work. I have cleaned the whole house - going through drawers, cabinets, closets and such - the bedroom, the kitchen, the bathroom, the living room/craft area, the garage, and the "black hole" otherwise known as the spare room. It was not named the black hole for no reason - things that went in there were lost. It is so organized now - I can find what I want, I have room for a small table to sew, and most of all - I can see the floor (stuff had just been tossed in there....lol. ) Any unwanted or not used items were boxed up for a garage sale sometime this next month or so. It has been work but the final results are so worth all the time and effort. My furry companion, Miss Cleo, has helped. She helped by following me from room to room, she helped by climbing into any empty box, she explored all areas of the house - open a door or drawer and she thought she needed to see what was in there. She was such a nuisance but a good nuisance. Such a joy to watch the curiosity of a cat!!!

This is Miss Cleo lying on the back of the couch trying to decide what to get into next....lol.

Growing up, we always had a huge garden. My mom canned, froze, or somehow stored/saved anything and everything. When I was married - I did the same. I am not planning on canning that much or putting that in the freezer, but so wanted some fresh veggies (just not the same when you go to the store and buy them). Last year, I wanted to plant a few veggie plants but never got it done. So this year I was determined to get some planted. I had bought 4 large planters last year during the after the season clearance and stored them in the garage for this year. See, I told you I was determined...lol. I have a large back deck that is not really used that much, but lots and lots of sun shines down on it. So perfect for my container garden. I did need to get some more larger pots, but am so pleased with the results. I can sit at the kitchen table and see my garden's growth. With all the greenery I decided I needed some color too - so I bought this lovely hanging basket of petunias. They look so pretty and best of all - they were marked down from $14.99 to $7.99. WhooHoo!!! Love to save money. I have a total of 3 tomato plants - I got two of them a couple of weeks before I got the third plant, so they had more chance to grow - they already have blooms on them and are getting quite tall. Can't wait till there are red tomatoes. Yummy!!!

I love broccoli too so decided to try to grow some. It did not come in individual pots so had to get a small tray. There are 6 broccoli plants. I originally had them in smaller containers then had to transplant them - good thing I did cause they were getting root-bound. I have heard that broccoli needs a larger pot in order to produce - not sure mine are large enough, but so far they are growing. I, also, got one pepper plant. I do not like big chunks of pepper, but love to use it for seasoning, so if it produces it will be perfect for me. I had a small package of seeds - peas - so decided to see what would happen if I planted them. The first couple nights they were in the pot - a late night-time visitor (a raccoon) decided to dig in the pot - some of the seeds got uprooted. They had not been planted that long of a time, so I just pushed them back down and covered them back up. The peas have taken off. My friend came over and we made a make-shift trellis for them. I have no idea whether they will produce, but will say they are sure pretty and I am so enjoying watching them grow.

So what are you doing this year? planting a garden? planting flowers? anything? hope you take some time to plant something and watch God's handiwork in action as he helps your plant to grow. Have a blessed day.