Average or not, and other random thoughts and actions

good morning beautiful, dear friends.           as I sit here this morning finishing up my morning coffee and this blog post that was started back towards the last of October,  yup you read that right, I've heard birds outside calling to their mates and friends.          I've heard dogs barking.         one in particular is unfamiliar.           it's funny how you get used to hearing animals and then all the sudden you hear one that's new and it makes me wonder if someone in the neighborhood did get a new family pet.        in the far distance, I'll hear the random mower, start and stop and wonder what's happening.        hahahaha        I heard the train run thru earlier and wondered about the engineer and what was being hauled from one place to another.         I'll hear the random vehicle go past just outside the house and then I'll hear a car door slam and then all the sudden an alarm in the kitchen will go off and I need to get up and take care of something.       maybe my countertop oven finished baking some bread.        but when I hear the sound for me to do something, I'm quickly brought back to my home and no more wondering what's happening just outside the walls of our home.        anyway, that's just some of the randomness that's taking place here this morning.         and the sun is shining beautifully.          it was a crisp 34* this morning, so it's beginning to look and feel like fall and very closely like winter.          most of the leaves are off the trees by now.         so it's starting to look bare.         and I don't mind telling you that I am missing my garden now.          so that's what I'm dreaming of these days.     

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I did want to just put up some random pictures and tell a little bit about each one and maybe share a little bit of info.        back early in the year, I got about 80 to 90 seeds started which was the beginning of my outdoor garden.        they was growing really well and looking great.       I would take them from the garage to the porch every day when it got above freezing and give them some sunshine and shade and let them get used to being outside.         I had all the starts outside on a night that wasn't supposed to get any colder than the low 40's.        so I knew if it didn't get any colder than that, all my plants would do well.          a little stress is good for them.         well, the temp dropped like a lead balloon and was at 19* most of the night, after we went to bed!!!!!          all my plants froze to death!!          weather bug is the biggest liar!!!!          I do NOT trust it anymore.         after I cried all day, I started trying to solve my problem.          I ordered a hydroponic system from amazon.         I got it and got some seeds started and they came up in record time and they looked so good  and healthy.        once they was stable, I took them from the hydroponic and potted them in container soil in solo cups and then put the solo cups in larger container that would hold 12 or 13 solo cups.        I put that container in the garage in the little greenhouse that I have out there with grow lights and a couple of heat mats.        with the hydroponic empty, I started 12 more seeds.         my husband ordered another one for me and I could then start 24 seeds at a time.          that's how I even had a garden this time.        I grow everything in containers and off the ground raised beds.

this is one of the containers of my starts that was started in my indoor hydroponic systems.        they grow so well and I'm so excited to have them that I can't hardly wait to get my garden started.

this is just a random picture of some of my babies, just starting.

this is both of my DakRide hydroponics from amazon loaded up with growing seedlings.          it's so exciting to the pictures because I know in a few short months, if the Lord lets me live, I'll get to start more.         yay!!

these are some of the lettuces that I grew.           they were so good.         I've been thinking about starting some more to have thru the winter.

this is what basket looks like that holds the pod that I put the seeds in.        when I get read to transplant the seedlings, I gently pull the pod and the plant from the basket and wash it and put another pod in it and put a seed it and the cycle starts again.

this is where I took the DakRides apart and cleaned them for the season.         if you use tap water, they will build up a lime scale from the water.          it is recommended to use store bought water that has been boiled and all the impurities removed and I learned my lesson.        you even have to take the little water circulator apart and clean it.         one of the best and safest things to clean them with is cleaning vinegar.         it will cut the scale, plus it cleans it well with no harsh chemicals.       

well, I guess this is enough randomness about my hydroponics.         keep an eye out for when I get ready to start my seeds for 2025.          I'll take more pics and share more.  

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someone here back had asked about dr and going to the drs and how to deal with them when they belittle us.         this is the response that I shared from a real life actual experience.        my nurse practitioner had sent me to this specialist.      I was looking forward to getting some answers to some long time problems, but instead he sat with my file rolled up in his hand like a little horn, I kept expecting him to toot it.         he sat there and talked for about 45 minutes.           he never once looked in my file.        he just kept talking about the "average woman".             when he finally took a breath, he said, "what treatment do you think suits you best?"           I looked at him and I asked him what I should have a thought about, because he never said one thing about "me", just the "average woman".           

he never looked at the file in his hand, if he would have, he would have seen some of the things that's in my history and my family history.               I just told him that I'm anything but "average" and I didn't hear him say one word specifically about me.             I was sitting there with the check for the office visit written and holding it in my hand the whole time.            after I asked him what exactly he had said that was concerning me, he went stark raving mad,  screaming and cursed me up one side and down the other.           

I stood up and looked him square in the eyes and started screaming myself, since that was the only way he would hear me, and told him if he wants payment for this quackery visit, he better have some tape on hand.          I tore that check   up into pieces   smaller than a dime and threw them in the air.          I told him that I would never pay him or anyone else to treat me like garbage!!!          (I also contacted my ins co, so his time with me was on his dollar, not mine or my ins co.)         he was red faced and madder than all get out, still cursing me to the top of his lungs.           

he left the room and slammed  the   door  behind  him and then  went  to  another  room and  slammed  that door behind him!!           when I walked out of the room and went towards the front desk, his 2 employees was standing there crying.          I looked and seen they was crying and I just hugged them both.         they whispered and said he does this to women all the time.          they was so proud that someone finally stood up to him.           I asked them if they was afraid to stay in here with him now and if they was I would stay with them.          they both hugged me tight and assured me that they would be ok.         they was just so happy to see someone stand up to him.           

there is nothing about me or anyone else that's "average"!!!          think about it, God made us all in His image!!!!          that's enough to say that we all are very well "above average"!!!           and we  certainly  don't  have to pay anyone to treat us like garbage!!          that was a pivotal day for me!!!            I am not an "average woman".         an "average woman" would have taken his garbage.           we don't have to!!!!           because we're not "average"!!

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hey y'all.         I posted about my pepper strings that I'm working on. I just wanted to throw this out there for food for thought.           I usually dehydrate all my excess produce.          it takes up less space than canning and I don't have a lot of storage space.

so over the last few years I've done a lot of experimenting with planting seeds.       not just any seeds, but seeds that had been dehydrated.         in the process of experimenting, I found out that most temps that are recommended for dehydrating is just too high to begin with.         yes, it will get the food dry quicker, but you may end up with "case hardening", which means it got dry on the outside, but still wet on the inside.          anything less than completely dry will cause mold in storage.        so I coined my own phrase, "cracker crisp, rock hard and bond dry".          those are my criteria before I can store it.

in all the experimenting I've done, I've found that my produce is much more beautiful when dry, when I use much lower temps than the manuals or others may recommend.           anything with sugars and starches in it will turn dark with the high temps.           a lot of people will recommend dipping everything in lemon juice to prevent produce from turning dark.           that has never worked for me, but lowering my temps is what worked to preserve the natural beautiful colors.

also, during the experimenting I done with my temps, I was also sticking seeds in the soil to see at what temp, a seed would germinate.         seeds that have gone thru the dehydrating process at the higher temps won't germinate.

guess what, all the seeds that had gone thru the dehydrating process with my dehydrators set at 110*, I got 100% germination with all the seeds I tried.         at 110* your seeds will still viable. they may be viable at a little higher than that, but 110* is what I found to be the sweet number for me to use to dehydrate peppers and tomatoes and for sure.           and I wouldn't hesitate to use my small dehydrator to just load it up with all kinds of seeds at the end of the growing season and dehydrate seeds for next year. as a matter of fact, I'm gonna try it for a lot of my seeds for next year.

this is what my pepper string looks like and just a sampling of my dehydrated goods.

    

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I seen this posted the other day and I thought, you know what, this is exactly spot on.          it can work both ways.         either good or bad.        I pray that we all strive for this to be good.         start reading the bible and let this become who we simply are.        what could be better than that, to become the embodiment of scripture.         to be more like Jesus in every way, every day.        let's do it y'all!!!!        it's needed more now than ever!!!!

like I said, this can be either good or bad, it's just what we make of it.        practicing in sin starts just like this.        also living for Jesus starts the exact same way.        and how we treat others is simply who we are.        intention, behavior, habit, practice, second nature, and it's simply who we are.          let's make sure that who we are is someone living for Jesus with every breath.         

it's hard to do.           because we live in a day and age where people do not care about others.           most people are waiting to jump on someone or shame them in some way.         just like the dude that I called out for jumping on someone for not wording something exactly like he thought it needed to be.      and just like the dr that literally gave me a cussing in his office!!      that's what I call mean spirited.          and nothing about that dr and the dude that jumped on someone on line over him not understanding what the person wrote; there's nothing in these 2 men's behavior would lead me to believe that they sat at the feet Jesus or even knew who Jesus is!!!           and then blame it on having to deal with people all day long.         excuses!!!!     we are who we are and it will definitely show.

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so I guess this is enough randomness for one day.        just a bunch of little things that I didn't want to forget, and maybe some that I should.        hahaha        hopefully some of it was worthy of your time being here.       I hope you seen something here that will be a blessing to you.      may you know the love of Jesus Christ in your life today.        I pray that you have a beautiful rest of your day!!!!       hugs and love and blessings beyond measure, patty

"all things cranberry" and a little gripe going on

good afternoon lovely friends!!!!!          I hope that your day has been spectacular, where ever you may be on this big beautiful globe!!!         we finally had a little bit of rain this afternoon.         it's been over a month since we've had any, so even though it was a little, a little is better than nothing.         but we have been having some really beautiful and nice days here lately.         it's been a very nice fall so far y'all.     I hope it is for y'all too.       

I continue to pray for all those that have been devastated by hurricane Helene up in the Appalachian mountains and the latest one to hit Florida.          we sure haven't been hearing much about either of them on the news as of late.        if it weren't for the "can do" attitude of the people in Appalachian Mountains, nothing would have been done!!!        but they are getting the work done without much interference from the govt, and that's good all day long.        keeping the political hands away is always better anyway.        neighbors are not going to take advantage of the people where as the govt always does.        if a hammer costs 10 dollars at ace hardware, someone has a buddy that has a buddy that has a buddy in politics and that same said hammer will cost $10,000.         so, if you can keep govt people out if, do it.         and I'm mighty proud of the folks in the Appalachians with their "can do, will do" attitudes.         I keep praying for them daily, as they continue to find lost loved ones.     it's so heart breaking.         

and besides, we all know that it's more important for the news media to spend all their time focusing on the wicked evil people that are running for president, than it is to keep a focus on a part of this country that has been devastated, voters, no less.          how can you tell if a politician is lying?          when you see the news media is there with a microphone stuck in their mouth.          if their lips are moving, they're lying.              I can't believe that what's running for president is the best that this country has to offer!!!!         if it is, then this country is a lost cause.          I can't believe that the people, voters, in this country would actually vote for either one of them!!!         but what do ya do when these wicked, evil perverts is all we have to vote for?        oh well, I digress.          I've done what I can do and that's vote, and I'll leave the outcome in God's hands.         I've prayed about and prayed about it.         I've prayed and voted and the rest is in God's hands.         God help us all.   

well, my favorite time of the year finally rolled around.           the stores got stocked with cranberries, fresh cranberries.         yay!!!     woop woop!!!    happy dance!!!!       woohoo!!!!!          yes, I've got some cranberries dehydrated.          and I thought I would do an "all things cranberry" blog post.        I kept checking the stores and finally they showed up.          I never seen them at kroger, but I seen the price and they was gonna be over $3 for a 12 oz bag.        nope, not gonna happen.          I finally seen the wal mart app said they were in stock and we went , sure enough they had them!!           so, I got 10 bags, yup 10 bags.           I sliced in half 6 1/2bags and the other 3 1/2 bags, I pureed.        the pictures below will help explain what I done with them.            

this is what a bag of my cranberries weighed.      361 grams is what my scale showed.       the bag shows 340 grams.       there was a few bad ones in each bag, but I didn't weigh them before I put them on the dehydrator after they were sliced.       with picking out the bad ones, it probably was down to 340 grams. 

this is my method for slicing each cranberry.  I wash them well and drain them.   put them on my large cookie sheet with a small cutting board and start cutting.   I can fill my 6 tray weston in about an hour with 3 bags.

this is the rotten ones from 3 bags.

a close up of the cranberries after dehydrating.

this is the weight of a 12 oz bag, previously weighing 361 grams on the scale.  the bag said it was 340 grams, but I did take out several bad ones, after dehydrating it's now weighing 41 grams.

this was just a few hours after I had poured the puree into the trays.

this is the trays that I done the pureed cranberries in.      to puree them add no more than 1/2 cup of water toa 12 oz bag.      the water will have to be dehydrated out, the less the better.

This is showing a mix of my cranberries.        a jar with halves, a jar with blenderized cranberries and a jar with powder.

This is what 10 bags of cranberries looks like.

This is what 20 bags of cranberries look like.

and even as I type, I have 7 more bags in the fridge that I need to get done.           I'll puree them and dehydrate them that way.           I found out that the pureed ones really do make fantastic powder.        the half pieces do too, but I'll use some of the half pieces in baking and stuff like that.         so while I'll always dehydrate half pieces, I'll also dehydrate some pureed cranberries too.          I'm hoping when this last 7 bags done, that it will be enough to last me till next october.      we'll see.       hahaha       

I use cranberry powder in my breakfast every morning.          it's also good to put in my homemade greek yogurt.          and, and, and............just for fun, it's delicious to put in white almond bark and make a cranberry candy.          oh yeah!!!!!!   now were talkin' some goooooood stuff up in here y'all!!!!        cranberry slices also good to put in pancakes or waffles.           when the slices are used, they have to be rehydrated with water.         so what I'll do is take the amt of cranberries I want, say 1/4 cup and pour 1/2 cup of boiling water over them and let rehydrate.        sometimes I'll the rehydrate over night in the fridge.         if I'm going to use the right away, I'll let them sit for at least 30 minutes.          then they are ready to use.

another thing that I enjoy about dehydrating cranberries, is that it usually comes about during the times when the weather is mild, so it doesn't just run the utility bill right thru the roof.       so while it's been mild, I've been trying to take advantage of that.

I encourage anyone to dehydrate.       my rule of thumb is this: "cracker crisp, rock hard, bone dry"!    that's it.          if it doesn't meet that criteria, it will mold.         if you've lost hard work to mold, you do better.         you learn to do better.         or you will lose more hard work.         just recently someone asked me about how I get powder so fine and they shared a pic of what theirs looked like.        my suggestion was that she had not gotten her produce as dry as it should be.         she said she had lost some to mold.        so if you do dehydrate and you don't know what it's supposed to be like, write my criteria down.       "cracker crisp, rock hard, bone dry!!"           anything less than this will result in mold.        a lot of books and manuals will tell you dehydrate for so long, 5 or 6 hours.         that results in loss.          you dehydrate for as long as it takes to get it to meet my criteria.         maybe 24 to 48 to even 96 hours!!!!          if you're not willing to put the time in, then just don't do it at all.        but if you put the time in you won't lose anything to mold.         

another thing is temperature.           LOW and SLOW         lower your temperature!!!!           all manuals and books have WAY too high temps recommendations.           anyone that knows anything about produce at all knows that starches and sugars will turn dark when the temps are too high.        I love for my produce to look like it did when it was fresh, color wise.         with too high temps, every thing turns dark or black and you don't know what you're looking at.         so if you want dark or black produce, use the recommended temps.          but if you want beautiful colors, set your temp to 110*F or less.         110*F will keep most of my produce beautiful.        

something else that a lot of people do is dip everything in lemon juice!!!!          if you want everything to taste like lemon, go for it.          but I don't.         if I want something to taste lemon, I'll add lemon to the dish.         plus, if lemon was so good about keeping stuff from turning dark, then lemons wouldn't turn dark when they are dehydrated.         if I see pics of other peoples dehydrated produce their citrus is always dark.       so I don't buy the fact that citrus keeps everything from turning dark.  

well, this about all I have for now.       if I think of any more dehydrating goodies, I'll share them.       I hope everyone has a wonderful night of rest.   and I pray that we all wake up to a wonderful new month.        and that we are refreshed and ready to get into it.        just remember that God provided a way for us to be in right relationship with Him thru the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.         if you don't know Jesus, why not?          now is the time.         He's waiting for you.       be blessed y'all, hugs and love, patty

What I've learned about Container gardening and other non-essential...

goooooooood morning beautiful friends!!!!           I pray that where ever you are this morning, that it's a most spectacularly beautiful day.         it sure is in my neck of the woods.         I don't know what we have planned for today yet, but if it involves being outside, then it will be a good day.          every time I look out, I see more and more leaves falling and the woods are getting thinner and thinner and the noise from the train gets closer and closer just from the lack of foliage on the trees.          we'll quickly get used to it and not pay it any attention.           this weekend is the weekend that we fall back an hour.       it's about time for me to get back that I hour I lost this spring when we sprang forward an hour.          I don't know about anyone else, but I wish they would leave the time alone!!!       back in the day, it probably was useful, but not any more.         just an old tradition that needs to be buried as far as I'm concerned.          but then again, what do I know?          "they" don't ask me for my opine, so I'll voice it here and maybe some of the big shot big whigs will read it and say, "why didn't I think of that?"      you know what, I'd even let them think it was their idea, if they would just do it.         hahahaha          ok y'all, I put it out there, when it happens, you'll know who was responsible for it.         hahahaha          oh well, on can hope.       

I know one thing that will make me very happy and that's for this election to be over.          how can you tell if a politician is lying?          when they're talking!!!!!!          I've never heard as many lies spewing forth from all parties.         it's not just one,  but all.          a decent human being with morals and integrity doesn't run for political office any more.         it's not even the lesser of the 2 evils anymore.      because they are both evil and wicked.           I'll say one thing, I used to think that women could have a place in politics.         I don't think that anymore.          I've got a gut full of some of the wives of former presidents that despise this country and have done everything they can to undermine this country from within.        they should all, former presidents and their wives, be brought up on treason.         but that will never happen.         the good ol boy and now girl system is so entrenched in this country that there will never be any way of getting rid of it.      I just wait for God to exact revenge, and He will.        I don't know who will win the vote, but I can assure you of one thing, that it will be a LOSS for this country, who ever does walk away with the vote.       I don't know what will happen in the days after the election, but I don't think it will be a shining moment in our history.       those days are gone.        

the fighting taking place all over the planet are the things that just may usher in the return of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and all I can say is "come quickly Lord Jesus!!!"        be ready or get ready for the coming of our Lord!!!         it will happen in the blink of an eye.       if you don't know Him as your Lord and Savior, NOW is the time.       there will never be a better time than now.        so ask the Lord to forgive you of your sins right now and and accept Him as Lord and Savior of your life and start walking with Him and letting Him guide your steps, thoughts, actions and live for Him till He comes to claim His own.

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I keep  up with some  gardening groups on fb.         I like to  learn and even help out some, when possible.       so,  I just thought I would share some of the things I've learned about container gardening and a lot of other non-essential, useless stuff.        hahahaha     

one  of the things that I see people doing that are new to gardening is putting way too many seeds in their seed starter  trays.          when the seeds come up, if you can't see the soil, there's way too many seeds.      they will struggle to even survive.       they will fight for root space.      then when and if they get big enough to even think about transplanting, there is way too many roots to even pull apart.        all plants have had their roots damaged before they even hit the soil.

another thing is not filling their  containers to the top with soil.       I use  only container soil or potting soil in my  containers and above  ground raised beds.       the wrong soil is just as bad as not enough soil.         fill those pots to within an inch of the top with soil and watch the depth as you water.         watering will help/cause the soil to settle, which will also lower the depth of the soil.       you want the roots to have plenty of soil, below the roots and above the roots.       if you see a lot of settling, then top that container off with more container soil.    

container soil and potting soil contains peat and other things that help retain moisture.        they also have a certain amt of fertilizers in them.         fertilizers is what a lot of people will come to blows over.  hahaha      verbal blows anyway.         hahaha           grow up people, it's just fancy cow poop or blenderized fish guts or dehydrated animal blood.        at any rate, use what you like and are satisfied with, but use a good fertilizer.          there are chemical fertilizers too, and if you want to use those, use them.         I'm not about shaming anyone for what they have or what they can afford.        use what you have and don't worry about it.         I always ask God protect me from any purposeful harm created by man.        I always ask God to help my garden grow in spite of my ignorance.          after all, He is the Master Gardener.       

what I will shame people for is making fun of new people who are trying to learn how to garden.         if you can't be helpful, take your keyboard warrior attitude somewhere else.         if I was admin of some of the gardening groups, the first time I seen someone laugh at another person for asking a question, I would delete, block and ban that person from ever being a member again.         that's one thing that wouldn't happen if I was an admin.           if you laughed at someone trying to learn, you'd be gone, as quick as my fingers could get you gone.

I said yesterday on a post that gardeners used to be some of the best people on the planet.          I still believe that for the most part, many are.            but what we have today, is people that wanna be funny and hurt people and make fun of people.         some of these days they will be with their kind, burning in the pits of hell.          if you make fun of someone trying to learn, you'll do absolutely anything for a laugh.         remember that when judgement day comes.

something that I've learned is that you don't have to replace your soil each year like some people suggests, all you have to do is amend really well.         that's where my "black kow" comes in handy.        I keep several bags of it and when I start on a new pot, container or off the ground raised bed, I'll drag a bag out and use it.            earthworm castings are also really good to use.           when I get ready to drop a transplant in a hole, I'll make the hole then I'll put about a tablespoon of earthworm castings in the hole then the put plant into hole and cover it with soil.         that will really give the newly planted seedling a great start.     

another thing, when we grow in pots, containers and above the ground garden beds, seeds are something to take into consideration.          I always always always always look for bush type of everything.        and then I look to see if I can find an adult height of the plant.         I always opt for anything that's on the shorter side.         just so I don't have to deal with a lot of sprawl.        I'll plant my green beans pretty thick because they will help support each other and not fall over so bad.         I also have some poles that I can stick in my pots and clip my plants to, to help them grow upward instead of falling out of the container. 

if you can  keep everything  growing upward, it will  help a lot with keeping down some of the soil borne diseases and diseases that are caused by humidity.          it also helps you find some of the bugs easier.          I keep my clips handy in the garden shed and I'll get a pocket full and just put them on as I see that something has taken a growth spurt.       

as well as bush type, I look for specific wording, like dwarf, tom thumb, mini, patio, container friendly, deck friendly, micro mini and I'm sure I've missed some key words.           but get used to looking on the seed pkts for those those types of wordings and you'll quickly see what I mean.         when I get carrots and root veggies, I also look for varieties that say they are shorter or smaller, so that I don't have to worry about having really deep pots and containers for everything.     

I look for shorter corn and bush type okra too.         even smaller sized eggplants.         what I do actively keep looking for is the perfect place to order seeds from that have done all the hard work for me.         it gets to be such a daunting task to try to find all these smaller, shorter types of garden produce.        I wish it was all in one place.         a place that's specifically for container gardeners.         I keep praying for that.        haven't found it yet, but hopefully it will appear someday. 

I've also learned that it's near impossible to keep squirrels out of your garden.          notice I said near impossible.         but I seem to have found the perfect thing to do just that.         guess what it is?         go ahead and guess.           are you ready for the answer?           well, here it is------plastic forks, lots of plastic forks!!!           it's worked this year.          it may never work again, but I've got 2000 forks to use in my containers.           some of my containers have at least 15 to 20 forks.        with tines up of course and the handles stuck in the pots in such a way that the tines are pointed up and out.           I put them in the soil at a slight slant with the tines pointing upward.          it's working too.            something else I done was take long skewers, 3 feet long, and tie some strips of holographic plastic to them and it's reflective.          it blows in the breeze and that's enough to keep the birds out of my containers.         so between the forks and holographic plastic strips, as of right now, I'm not having squirrels and birds in my planters.         just praying it stays that way.         hahaha.

this is a few pictures of my some of my containers with the forks in the pots.        once I got these in the pots, I went back and added that many more in each pot.         I didn't leave a space large enough for a squirrel or bird to climb up in or land in.        and you can also see the long skewers and holographic strips tied to them.          these 2 things have worked this summer.         the forks will be reusable and the skewers to tie the holographic strips to will be reusable also.         I'm all over reusing what I already have.         hahaha

that's not a lot of info, but hopefully it's enough to help get someone started that's interested in container gardening.

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well that's about it for today.   have a blessed day in the name of Jesus.       thanks for hanging out with me for a few minutes.          hugs and love, patty

Dehydrating stevia and lots of peppers

good afternoon lovely friends!!!!            the sun is shining brightly here in my neck of the woods and I'm thankful for it.            I know as of late, a lot of people are hurting from the hurricanes that have ripped thru the Southern US and the Appalachian Mountains.           lots of death and destruction has taken place and my heart breaks for them all.             I pray that God will help the survivors.        I pray that this country will step up and help these good people.           please continue to pray for these people and the areas that has been devastated.            it will be a very long recovery period.           years and years for most.  

it's just about that time to wrap up the summer garden and put it to bed for the long season.           oh how it breaks my heart.             I have enjoyed this garden season.           and I love doing things that people have said it can't work or it won't work.            if you want to see this old person get into a tizzy, just tell me that something can't be done, and I'll prove you wrong or right, one of the other.        but when it comes to gardening, I'll probably prove you wrong, but you'll never know it.           unless you find it out by accident.           hahahaha            """if you can't be an encourager, keep ya yap shut."""        hahaha              """but if ya say it to me, I'll prove ya wrong every time!!!"""           hahaha

just wanted to share what I'm up to over the last few weeks and a little bit about why I do what I do sometimes.             I've had a lot on my dehydrators the last few weeks, so this is just a touch of what I've been up to.              but I need to share why I do what I do.

the first pic is my harvest from sept 24th.           the pic second pic is everything I got on the dehydrator sept 25th.         I stripped the stevia leaves from the stems yesterday and got a good 2 quarts.    I just popped them in the fridge till this morning.        I got them layered on 3 of the trays.          they are on the bottom of my upward forced air dehydrator.             I didn't want my stevia getting hot pepper infused into it. although that might be an idea......hummmm.                  hahaha

so that leaves me with all these peppers. my goal is to be able to keep each pepper separate and all their seeds respectively separate too.       I done some experimenting a few years ago and this is something that I found out.        not only does dehydrating at 110*F keep my produce from turning gray or black, but it also doesn't damage any of the viable seeds in the produce.             I was in an online group, and  I asked if anyone had ever planted a seed from a dehydrated pepper.          I was quickly jumped on, cussed up one side and down the other for EVEN ASKING that question.          well, that was all the dogged determination I needed to find out for myself what can be done.         and I'm happy to report that I did find out.

do not ever plan on next years garden coming from dehydrated seeds.          that's NOT what I'm saying at all.            but I am saying, that if you've dehydrated your seeds at 110*F and if the seeds are viable to begin with, even before dehydrating, guess what?            they're still viable.         they will grow a pepper plant.             but, that's only if the seed was viable to begin with.

when I was told that it was impossible and that I was stirring a pot, well, that didn't sit well with me.      I'm not a pot stirrer!!!!!           but that was all I needed to set out and prove it one way or the other.       I have a small greenhouse on my deck.          I've started hundreds of seeds in it over the years.          it gets up to 125 degrees easily and my thermometer doesn't go any higher, so it probably gets hotter.           but seeds will germinate in the heat of that greenhouse.           now, I try not to let it get that hot during the day when I'm trying to sprout seeds, but sometimes it might get that hot before I get the door opened.

that particular spring I dug around and found seeds in the bottom of my pepper jar that I had dehydrated the fall before.           I put them in my seed trays.        nothing.           I done a couple more, making sure I got seeds that looked like they were viable.        nothing.

as soon as I got peppers that was ready to come off the plant later in the summer when they started changing color, I was picking different types of peppers and that's when my experimenting started.

I knew I had been dehydrating at 135*F.            so I loaded a few peppers and dropped the temp to 125*F.             as soon as they were dehydrated, I got another batch going at 120*F.         as soon as they were dehydrated I done another batch at 115*F.          and the last batch I done was at 110*F.          then I took a few seeds from each temperature that I had dehydrated and started the process of trying to see what, if anything would grow.

just a couple of seeds from each temp and marked my trays well.          from that experiment, the only thing that sprouted and grew was from the 110*F and the 115*F dehydrated peppers.         both seeds that I planted from the 110*F pepper jar came up.           1 seed from the 115*F pepper jar came up.        none of the rest of them came up.

the next year, I done basically the same thing.        and for the last 2 or 3 years, I've been dehydrating everything at 110*f for these reasons that I have mentioned.            for beautiful colors of my produce and viable pepper seeds.

like I said, do not count on a garden from dehydrated seeds.        but if someone gives you some pepper that you love, that's been dehydrated, ask them at what temp they dehydrated.         you just may be able to grow a pepper from one of the seeds.           once I figured that out, now, when I give someone some dehydrated peppers, I always tell them that if they like the peppers, try to grow a pepper from a seed, because most of them will be viable.

now, back to the pictures.          I wanted to keep all the peppers and their seeds separate from the others.      so I got to digging around and found these little parchment tart cups.           I took the liners from my trays and flattened these out just a little bit and then as I sliced my peppers, I put them in the little tart cups.          they turned out to be perfect for what I was wanting to do.         when I got done with cutting one variety, I washed the cutting board, my knife and my gloves I used to chop up those hot little buggers.          so I think this will be a good way to help keep all the peppers and seeds separate.

each year I always grow 1 or 2 peppers from each variety that I have dehydrated.          just to keep proving to myself that I done something that someone told me was impossible to do and then commenced to cuss me.

this probably isn't something for everyone to try.          but if you have an experimental attitude, you may want to try the same thing.            my philosophy is "something is better than nothing". and if seeds ever get hard to come by, then for a while, I'll have seeds of some of my favorite peppers to grow.

experimenting with seeds is not a bad thing.        if it was, I would not, under any circumstances suggest anyone try it and I would not have done it myself.           I want to always be safe in my kitchen and garden and I would never make a suggestion that could knowingly harm someone in any way.         if anything, I'll strongly discourage anyone from doing something potentially harmful.

having said all that, I'll even encourage you to save seeds from anything hybrid. when you can't get seeds, "something is be better than nothing."         just don't buy into the traditional "NO, you can't do that!!!"          guess what, can't never did do anything but discourage those around it.            so try to save seeds from anything you can get your hands on.             hybrid or heirloom, a seed is a seed and will produce something.             you know my drill by now, "something is better than nothing!!!"

now you know the rest of the story.         hahaha          I hope if you don't grow something, this may be the encouragement you need to grow something.             you don't have to big garden.           just a pot with a basil plant in it.             a pot with a tomato plant in it.            a pot with a pepper plant in it.        those are all easy and pretty simple to grow.            try it.         you just may have a green thumb.         I spend some of my best times of worship in the garden, just my plants, myself and God.         God does it all.           I do my part, plant a seed and He does the rest.            to be quite honest, that's actually the rest of the story.           God makes my gardening look like I know what I'm doing.           in reality, I don't, but He is the Master Gardener.      

I hope you learned something here today.           don't take no for an answer if it's not something that can make you or someone else sick.          but planting dehydrated seeds will in no wise make anyone sick, maybe only the one who has a cussing fit and says it won't work.         well, it does work.        we'll just remember to give 'em a big ole southern "well, bless their heart!"          then move on.          hahaha

blessing on you all.            remember that God loves you and that He provided a way for you to be in right relationship with Him thru the shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ!!!!            Jesus is the only way to the Father.           so if you don't Jesus today, why not let today be the day that you accept Him as Lord and Savior of your life.           hugs and love to all, patty

But God............

good early evening my lovely friends.           I pray that where we all are today that we have enjoyed the day that was given to us by God.          I pray that we all take the time to thank Him for allowing us to be a part of His wonderful creation today.          

oh, I know there's lots going on that maybe we should think about, lots of stuff designed by the devil himself just to distract us.           but you know what, we need to think more about how God can intervene in all the messes we find ourselves in.            He can clean them up, we can't.             we have removed God from so many places in our lives, but we can bring Him back to those places.           

it's up to us Christians to make sure that we bring the presence of God with us where ever we go.          we just have to.         we stand up with Jesus on our side.        one of the things that we need to do is look for the "but God" moments in scripture.          we need to look for them, find them, and read them, and read them, and read them.         get familiar with them.          then, when face adversity, illness, or whatever we may be facing, we'll know that we can count on God to be with us.        

at some point in time we can look back on our situation and know that, "but God" changed our situation for the good.          what will it look like?          only God knows.         you may still suffer the loss of a loved one, but God will help you thru it.         no matter what the situation, God will help us thru it.          

use the scriptures below as a starting place to get familiar with some of the "but God" moments in scripture.        these are in no particular order.         just read them and lean into them during times when you need an intervention with a "but God" moment.

Romans 6:23    For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

1 Corinthians 10:13    No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able . . .

1 Corinthians 3:6    I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase.

Acts 13:29-30    When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the cross and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead . . .

Matthew 19:26    Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

Psalm 73:26    My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Genesis 50:20     You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Jonah 2:6     To the roots of the mountains I sank down; the earth beneath barred me in forever. But you, LORD my God, brought my life up from the pit.

Acts 3:15     You killed the author of life, but God raised him from the dead.

Acts 7:9-10     Because the patriarchs were jealous of Joseph, they sold him as a slave into Egypt. But God was with him and rescued him from all his troubles.

Romans 5:6-8    For while we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will hardly die for a righteous man; though perhaps for the good man someone would dare even to die. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Samuel 23:14     David stayed in the desert strongholds and in the hills of the Desert of Ziph. Day after day Saul searched for him, but God did not give David into his hands.

Genesis 8:1     But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and the livestock that were with him in the ark, and he sent a wind over the earth, and the waters receded.
 
Ephesians 2:4-7     But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 2:19     But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: ‘The “Lord knows those who are his,’ and ‘Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity’.

2 Chronicles 20:15     And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Psalm 73:26     My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

Romans 5:8      But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

1 Corinthians 1:27      But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong.

Job 28:23      But God understands the way to wisdom, and he knows its location.

Psalm 66:19     But God did listen and answered my prayer.

Psalm 54:4      But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive!

1 Corinthians 10:13       No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Psalm 3:3      But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high.

Psalm 49:15      But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead; He will surely take me to Himself.

Psalm 86:15      But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness. 


This is just a few of the "....but God" moments in scripture.         there are many more there for the finding.        kinda like searching for pearls, and knowing the great  pearls are there.        treat these "but God" moments just like they are a treasure, because they are.         these are the times when you know you can trust Him.        He is always faithful.         He will always see us thru our darkest time.        I don't know what it will be like for you or me on the other side of your/our circumstances, I just know that if we know Him, we'll not ever be alone.

read and get familiar with these scriptures and there are many more pearls to search out.        as you look at each scripture, I challenge you to go to the bible and read about what the particular situation was that  brought about each particular "but God" moment.          it will help us to greatly understand the "why" behind each one.      when we can see the circumstance, then we can see that God is in every situation of our lives.

we couldn't even begin to count the "but God" moments in our own lives.       we just haven't been trained to look at those situations as circumstances that God showed up and brought with Him a "but God" moment for us.         I just know that I personally have had lot's of "but God" moments and it takes a step back from the situations to recognize them as such.           but I'll keep saying it, God if faithful!!!          and no matter our situation, He is ready to help us through it.         He probably won't remove the situation, but He'll be with us as we move through it.  

when you need help, look for the verses in scripture.          when we see a "but God", we can know that things are going to change, because God is on the scene.


These verses tell us that our circumstances DO NOT get the last word!!!!!

The enemy DOES NOT get the last word!!!!!

Death and disease DO NOT get the last word!!!!!

Because there is always, always, always a but God!!!!!

who is this for?       as usual, it's for me, and possibly you.         we all need God, we all just don't it yet.      regardless of what's going on in our lives, we all need God.        let's share these "but God" moments with people that we know who needs them.         we can be a blessing to those in need, even when they don't know what they need.        just be a blessing.   

I love you all and I pray that this can help someone in need of scriptures to help in troubled times.      blessings of love, joy and peace be upon you all.         hugs, patty