Bloom Where You're Planted: Our First Garden

After almost three years of being in our home we finally decided to tackle the largest part of the backyard; the grass.(well the weeds that used to be grass :) 

I have always wanted a garden so we set aside a portion of the yard to build and setup raised garden beds. 

After many hours of  preparing the area, building wood beds, and installing an irrigation system, the garden is complete.

My husband can do just about anything and he did an amazing job. He dialed in the watering system until it was perfect and and worked so hard to ensure that every garden bed was leveled.

This blog Tilly's Nest helped us with the construction of the beds. 

Step 1: Removing old sod/weeds from future garden area.

We watered a little too much :/ so it was a bit muddy 

Matt working on the drip system

Once the first two beds were complete we had a lot of soil left over so we decided to add a 3rd bed. 

After the beds were complete we ordered 5 yards of bark and voila!!! We are are so happy with the results. 

Easy to install EcoBorder edging from Home Depot!

Here's what we planted!! 

Happy Gardening! 
Ashley 

More Juice Please

In the last year juicing has become a regular thing around our house and I absolutely love it!! Here are some reasons why I think it's so wonderful along with some of my favorite recipes. 

I have the classic Jack LaLanne  Juicer from Costco. 

Facts about juicing taken from The Complete Book of Juicing 

• Juicing increases your vegetable/fruit intake 
• Your body gets a break from digesting food
• Quicker absorption of high quality nutrients 
• Increased energy levels
• Weight loss
• Healthier/Clearer skin  

Usually I don't use a recipe for juicing. Typically I use whatever I have on hand and it always tastes great...well almost always :)  What I had on hand today was 

Swiss Chard, Oranges, Apples, Beets, Carrots and Cucumber. 

Always cut your larger fruits and vegetables so they can fit down the shoot.

The final product is a deliciously nutritious meal

Here are some recipes I have tried and loved. 

Super Detox Green Juice

2-3 celery Stalks 

1 small cucumber

2 kale leaves 

Handful of fresh parsley 

1 small lemon or lime 

1 pear or apple 

Better Red Than Dead 

1 beet 

1/2 medium sweet potato

3 carrots 

Green Drink

handful of parsley or wheatgrass

2 granny smith apples 

2 kale leaves

handful of spinach 

Iron Plus

1 beet with top

2 kale leaves

1/2 cup broccoli florets with stems

4 carrots

1 apple 

Here's to happy, healthy, juicy future 

Ashley 

An Excellent Wife Who Can Find?

Let the wife make the husband glad to come home, and let him make her sorry to see him leave" 

Martin Luther 

Lately this topic has really been on my mind/heart. 

I have been asking myself what does it mean to honor my husband; and how am I actively showing honor to my husband and my marriage. There are several definitions of honor, but there were two that really captured my attention. 

•  high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank: to be held in honor.
•  a source of credit or distinction: to be an honor to one's family. 

If you have been married for any period of time you know it can be easy to focus on what your spouse isn't doing or what you think they should be doing...can I hear and Amen ladies!!

    

  Throughout our marriage I have had seasons of frustration and confusion with my husband. Honor and respect don't usually come naturally. It is something we have to be actively practicing. 

Here are some things that have really helped me. 

1. Let him finish a story- I try not to interrupt the whole time he is talking. When we do interrupt it says to him and others, that you don't think he knows what he's talking about. (This one is hard for me)

2. Do not complain about him or put him down to others. It is one thing to confide in a close friend but say no to husband bashing.

3. Don't complain about what he isn't doing but lift him up and praise him for the things he is doing!

4. Thank him for working hard to provide for you and your family. It is a gift to have a husband who is a diligent worker.     Whatever your hand finds to do do it with all your might. (Ecc. 9:10)

5. Join him while he is doing something he enjoys. Some call this "shoulder to shoulder time." This can be watching TV, washing his car, etc... Show an interest in the things he likes to do. I never imagined after doing this I would actually like football or basketball but I have grown to love it.

An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

Proverbs  31:10-13

Here are some good resources for digging a little deeper.

https://www.reviveourhearts.com/articles/5-ways-to-honor-your-husband/

http://powertochange.com/experience/sex-love/respect/

http://lovinglifeathome.wordpress.com/2012/08/06/25-ways-to-communicate-respect/

Good luck ladies. I pray for long and happy marriages for each and every one of you! 

Love, 
Ashley