My 2019 garden has produced some beautiful onions. I haven't braided onions for years. I have such wonderful memories of onions drying in the sun and watching my dad braid them into these beautiful ropes. He always had a huge garden and my mom would do canners full of all of it. I was so blessed to be a part of all that and learn these things. Granted, when I had to break beans and my friends were at the pool, I didn't think so.
Onion braids are so easy to do and it's the best way to keep them longer. First, you have to plant some...tehee. Let the onions dry in the sun, right on top of the dirt. Or, if the weather is looking wet, pull them and let them dry inside. However, don't let them lay in a pile, put them up on a screen so that the air can circulate around them.
Pick 3 of the biggest ones to start your braid. I tied on a piece of jute to each in a triple knot. Then you just braid, one side over the middle, make sure each group has the jute. Then when you cross over, add another onion to that group. If it gets too crowded, just keep braiding the onion tops until there is room to add more onions.
Once braided, hang them up to continue drying. I can't wait to see these hanging downstairs next to my other provisions from our farm's bounty. I love it....complete from seed to jar...in this case...braid.
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
It is my hope, that this Motivational Monday Post, will give you some food for thought.
Gardeners believe that their seeds will grow into plants.
Baker's believe that yeast will make their bread rise.
We believe that flipping a switch will turn a light on or off.
We know these things to be true, because we've tested them.
Same can be said of FAITH. I'm going to use the word faith as a verb: the complete trust in something or someone; for this post.
As children we had faith that our needs would be supplied by our parents. As youth we had faith to know if we studied for a test we would get a good grade. As adults we have faith that our employer will pay us for our work. We don't need to worry about it, because we have an understanding of the experience - because we've tested them.
"Oh, have faith in the process," or "have faith, it will all be o.k." Truthfully, when you are the one in the situation, those types of phrases are just empty words. You might think, "how can I walk in faith when I'm afraid this or that is going to happen?"
As babies, we didn't start out running, we crawled first. Walking in faith is just like that. Taking each lesson, experience, trial or triumph and keep it in our hearts and minds. So, that when the next thing comes up, we can think back and have faith that we can do this or that too.
You might say, "well, I had faith and it didn't end up the way I wanted it to." That's not faith, sorry that's being a baby. Faith isn't what you want, it's the lesson, experience you gained in whatever "test" life threw your way.
Now, walking in faith is this: my opinion was asked about something this past week and I told this person, "all you need do today, is put one foot in front of the other and keep walking one step at a time in the right direction, God will handle the rest." "Dont' worry about the end result yet, you're not there yet." "Worring about it isn't going to help." Now....people, I couldn't have said....and believed it....if I hadn't been tested....and trust me I have been.
Worrying doesn't help. I know, I fight my anxiety. The older I am, the more at peace my walking in faith has become. I wake each day, taking one step at a time, in the right direction....stumble or fall I may....that's O.K....I just brush myself off and keep taking my steps. Walking in Faith, you betcha! One step at a time.
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin
We all know that Jello starts out as a liquid. Once poured into a mold, Jello will take on that shape. It becomes "conformed" to the mold.
Clay on the other hand, takes on it's shape, once it has been worked on by the artist. It starts pliable, like the jello, however it stays "workable" until it is fired and then it becomes "transformed."
"And be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2
"But now, O Lord, thou art our father; we are the clay, and thou our potter; and we all are the work of thy hand." Isaiah 64:8
I have a sweet friend, Pam, who owns Falcon Valley Pottery. She teaches pottery classes. A few of us "vintage pop up vendors" took her class yesterday. Here I am working on a big bowl.
When Pam gave me my chunk of clay, she handed me a rolling pin too. I had to beat the clay, flip it over, beat it again, roll it, flip it and roll it some more. I had to keep working with it until the clay was thin enough to work with. I flipped the clay on to the bowl, I had to lightly "hug" the clay and trim off the edges. While the clay is at this stage, you are able to add handles or feet to the bowl, decorate with shapes or designs you push into the clay. It is workable.
This had my thinking about our stages of life. I know, I talk about this a lot, however, it is a wise person who can accept the changes of each stage and not only adapt, but thrive.
You know, as a mother, I may have started as a bowl. As a bowl, I knew my purpose. However, after the potter looked at me, he may decide to add a spout, now I'm a base to a tea pot. I think you can see where I am going with this.
Yes, during each stage of life's production, we need to be clay, moldable, pliable and ready to accept whatever the potter has intended for our use. I don't want to be so dry that the potter can't work or use me at each stage, to become my "good and acceptable will of God."
I don't want to be the Jello, poured into a mold and stuck in that shape. If that were the case, I'd remain a "bowl" and never be able to accept the handles or spout of the tea pot. If we remain the same, we can't be used for our next purpose.
As our Motivational Monday post, I wanted to challenge us to be clay, pliable and flexible. With each addition or subtraction of clay, we can still be transformed into our next purpose. Don't let yourself become dry, stuck missing a stage of life so much that you don't allow yourself to move forward. Not only move forward, but bring along the lessons that stage taught us, to use to fulfill our next purpose. It could be the addition of a handle or the subtraction of a cut out that makes you that perfect piece of art that potter desired.
I can't help but share with you something a friend told Al. He and his wife are our age and entered the mission field in their 50's. They were empty nesters, he had a good job and was making like 6 figures. They always had a heart for missions, but family came first. Almost 2 years ago, they sold everything and moved to Iraq. Iraq! He told Al something so wise..."you know missions are wasted on the youth...really. Young people often enter the mission field inexperienced. I feel that I use each lesson I have lived thus far to become the missionary God intended me to be. I know how to use the talents He gave me for His intended purpose." Wow that was amazing! May God bless them!
So, if you feel stuck, maybe a bit like dry clay, add some tears to your walk, make yourself pliable again and ask the potter to use you. While you still have breath, you're not His desired design yet.
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
Sometimes I catch myself in thought or words and say "that would preach." I do come from a line of preachers.....often times my blog posts turn into Bible studies.
I regularly watch several YouTube channels. Just as I was about to press "skip" this ad, something made me stop and listen. The ad was for Vrbo Vacations. This is part of the ad:
"We count LIKES, calories, hours, minutes, points and scores. We measure our weight and tally our steps. Everyday we stare at screens, press buttons and count, but we don't count what really counts. We don't know how many times we can gather by the ocean or make the best of a rainy day. How many chances to dance, forgive or break a silence. Opportunities to pack our bags and embark on an adventure. Sometimes we might keep counting, but we will always turn back to what matters...."
I know I spend way too much time focused on things that really don't count. Our society is so social media driven. Images and an accounting of things, places, food, vacations and it all, "that", can be disheartening. Comparing, competing....I hope it's not just me here.....
This silly little ad, had my thinking about, counting what really counts.
You know, God cares for us:
"You know I am very upset, you know how much I have cried, surely you have kept an account of all my tears." Psalm 56:8 ERV
He will fight for us:
"Don't fear....because the Lord God will fight for you." Deuteronomy 3:22 ERV
He has a plan for us:
"I say this because I know the plans that I have for you" "I have good plans for you. I don't plan to hurt you. I plan to give you hope and a good future." Jeremiah 29:11 ERV
Yes, we each have our own: path, stage of life, opportunity, heritage and culture - a wide variety of reasons why we are different. However, I would gather that, what really counts: life, love, family, health, our relationships are the same.
Let's challenge ourselves to focus on what really counts...our blessings! "Count your many blessings, name them one by one" "When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged, thinking all is lost, Count your many blessings name them one by one and it will surprise you what the Lord hath done." "When you look at others with their lands and gold, think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold; count your many blessings, money cannot buy, your reward is in heaven, nor your home on high."
I didn't even remember that verse to that old hymn....how it applies...."count your many blessings...."
"Whoever is wise will remember these things and begin to understand the Lord's faithful in Love." Psalm 1o7:43 ERV
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
Motivational Monday, what do I write about? I guess if I had to sum up my last 3-4 weeks, it would be "one foot in front of the other." One step at a time.
Hot! Wet and stormy! Power outages and cut phone lines! Just to name a few set backs. But, one foot in front of the other and here we go.....
4H Junior Camp - 4 days, 3 nights and 90 degrees....I am the craft facilitator and kitchen helper....the picture is of my own 4H club members that were campers and counselors.
My 35th, yes....35th High School Class Reunion. I haven't been to one since the 1oth. Here I am with my grade school besties.
Hay time....the latest we've cut and baled in 25 years...
700 bales...
Fair time...
Pie Basket Class at an Amish farm with my friends....
Sunflower field we found on our way home...
So, if I were to speak some words of wisdom, something to motivate us it would be just that. One day at a time, one foot in front of the other and just keep going. In spite of .... set backs.
Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.
