Monday, March 21, 2011

Ashes to Ashes / Dust to Dust / Bananas to Lettuce / Compost I Must!

Everyone who visits our home sees the things I am passionate about: God, family, home, America, ambiance, gardening, good health, and now...making better dirt!

Back in my early days in Tucson, some 35 years ago, I was attending the U of A, studying creative writing.  At that time I had a pink adobe duplex with a huge backyard where I started my first vegetable garden. Looking back, all I remember is that I made raised "rows," like they do in parts of the country where there is more rainfall than sun. Needless to say, it was not very successful in the desert.

Later, Jim and I bought our little plot in the suburbs where we raised our children while we developed our landscaping interests -- which led to our business. 


Over the years my garden has been expanded and made more compact;  framed with wood, edged with grass, framed with flagstone, split by step stones, lined with vines, lined with shrubs, lined with trees, filled with flowers, filled with vegetables, filled with both, depending upon my latest vision.  The garden was the site for a wedding. It even became a place to bury our beloved Schnauzer, Abby.  It has always been the first thing I see when I open our bedroom curtains.

My newest passions are growing things to eat, raising chickens, and making compost. Here is a collage of my new enterprises: 
Left to Right:  Now drinking water from a wineglass; growing Orchids given to us by a customer; chickens LOVE grapes! using a chicken carcass to make stock, freezing in ice cube tray and freezer bag stuffed into a box to make a big, rectangular cube, reusing a spinach box to collect compost; a bowl to gather treats for chickens.
Here is a collage of what we used to throw away or send down the sewer:

Left to Right: breakfast, lunch, dinner waiting to move to its next home.





My new compost tumbler, purchased with birthday money from my mom.  She didn't want me to attract rats.

Compost recipe: Kitchen scraps, straw and chicken manure, leaves and grass (whatever the chickens haven't eaten) some fresh dirt to add organisms, air and water. Wa La !


Some actors in my new production:

Dinah ('cause she looks like a dinosaur) and Coconut enjoying a day on the lawn.

Isabel and Banana Chip - both contributors to the heap.

The chickens LOVE Cilantro
Linette jumps to be the first to get some!

Whenever Jim sees me feed the chickens real food, he says, "Save some for us!"

When he sees my pile of scraps for the bin he says,
" Save some for us!"

Just wait until he sees what I am making with all the good stuff we used to throw away! And when I ask him to get me some more pots to grow more veggies to feed to him for dinner...then what will he say?

I know what I will say...My new mantra:   Ashes to ashes, dust to dust; bananas to lettuce, compost I must! 

Thanks for joining me.  I will keep you posted

-Becky
Pin It!

4 comments:

  1. I'm so glad Rach and I learned how to tame our frizz! I mean really!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awwwwww. I like it!!! U know, I am becoming more like u everyday. I can't wait to grow veggies and flowers, I started drinking water out if a wine glass (mostly b/c all my dishes were dirty, but it was still fun!!!

    ReplyDelete
  3. So this posts an excellent canidatfor the best blog post ever! Super fun!

    ReplyDelete

Please share your thoughts.

To Subscribe by Email :

Enter your email address:

Precious Readers

My Father's Words

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud, it is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices in the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Love never fails

Father's Love Letter

An Intimate Message from God to You:

My Child,

You may not know me, but I know everything about you. Psalm 139:1

I know when you sit down and when you rise up. Psalm 139:2

I am familiar with all your ways. Psalm 139:3

Even the very hairs on your head are numbered. Matthew 10:29-31

For you were made in my image. Genesis 1:27

In me you live and move and have your being. Acts 17:28

For you are my offspring. Acts 17:28

I knew you even before you were conceived. Jeremiah 1:4-5

I chose you when I planned creation. Ephesians 1:11-12

You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book. Psalm 139:15-16

I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live. Acts 17:26

You are fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14

I knit you together in your mother's womb. Psalm 139:13

And brought you forth on the day you were born. Psalm 71:6

I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me. John 8:41-44

I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love. 1 John 4:16

And it is my desire to lavish my love on you. 1 John 3:1

Simply because you are my child and I am your Father. 1 John 3:1

I offer you more than your earthly father ever could. Matthew 7:11

For I am the perfect father. Matthew 5:48

Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand. James 1:17

For I am your provider and I meet all your needs. Matthew 6:31-33

My plan for your future has always been filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Because I love you with an everlasting love. Jeremiah 31:3

My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore. Psalms 139:17-18

And I rejoice over you with singing. Zephaniah 3:17

I will never stop doing good to you. Jeremiah 32:40

For you are my treasured possession. Exodus 19:5

I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul. Jeremiah 32:41

And I want to show you great and marvelous things. Jeremiah 33:3

If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me. Deuteronomy 4:29

Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart. Psalm 37:4

For it is I who gave you those desires. Philippians 2:13

I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine. Ephesians 3:20

For I am your greatest encourager. 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17

I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

When you are brokenhearted, I am close to you. Psalm 34:18

As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart. Isaiah 40:11

One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes. Revelation 21:3-4

And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth. Revelation 21:3-4

I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus. John 17:23

For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed. John 17:26

He is the exact representation of my being. Hebrews 1:3

He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you. Romans 8:31

And to tell you that I am not counting your sins. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled. 2 Corinthians 5:18-19

His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you. 1 John 4:10

I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love. Romans 8:31-32

If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me. 1 John 2:23

And nothing will ever separate you from my love again. Romans 8:38-39

Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen. Luke 15:7

I have always been Father, and will always be Father. Ephesians 3:14-15

My question is…Will you be my child? John 1:12-13

I am waiting for you. Luke 15:11-32

Love, Your Dad.... ...Almighty God

PERMISSION TO COPY:The printed version of Father's Love Letter can be copied and used for free distribution providing the following copyright information is displayed... 'Father's Love Letter used by permission Father Heart Communications Copyright 1999-2008 http://www.fathersloveletter.com/

If you would like to look up the verses...copy and paste to the search bar on this site: Bible Gateway