9: Streaming Garden Project

No, we haven’t decided to place a stream in the church garden. I’m speaking in reference to the digital streaming that prevents us from receiving information as fast as we want. You all know how passionate I am about gardening and the assignment I have within the church. Well once again the progress was halted by congregational administration red tape. But you probably already figured that out by my lack of posts about the next step after we prepared the bed for flowers. I’ll give you the short version. Moreover I want to explain why this is an important event of my 2013.

The bed was cleared for us to prep the soil and plant the flowers as the introduction of the Herbert B. Robinson Sr. Memorial Garden project early summer. I even agreed to have the church landscaper to clear out the remaining portion of the bed because only three (3) members assisted me with the work. As I stood a little taller filled with pride over our forward movement with the endeavor, I was hit with an unforeseeable blow. They said “don’t plant yet until we get the building painted.” Okay! When are they planning to paint the building? It was so long ago, I can’t remember if they said this week or next week. Either way it went it was neither week. The summer was almost over before they painted that wall. The grass had filled the bed up again and once I again I felt defeat. A feeling I want to personalize because I find it hard to believe the church doesn’t want to have this garden prepared or functional for other events. I feel no true support for the vision I have for the space or the memory/tribute I feel is owed to the legacy of our but mainly my former pastor. There has been hurdle after hurdle and my frustration has yield a sour taste on my tongue for the non-profit. With all of these feelings I still have a desire to continue. The question is am I alone?

I’m currently, planning a schedule to present to the pastor which meets my needs and satisfies the work I want to begin. It’s been two (2) gardening seasons since this was initiated. At all times, I’m exploring other avenues to create a better life for my family. This was a portion of my talent & time offering to the church. Now that I am equipped with more information and a stubborn attitude to reject the failure I feel. It time to aggressively move in the direction I want to see on land rather than just in my dreams.

The reason this pitfall event made it to the countdown is because it displays the growth I’ve experienced over these years. The old me would have just threw her hands up and said just forget about it. The matured woman understands that sometimes you have to go about things a different way. Especially when those things will add value to your life and as much as I love making money – that’s not the value I speak of. 🙂

Trust in Small Steps

This is the latest update for the previously discussed Herbert B. Robinson Sr. Memorial Garden.. The music playing in the background is by The Pat Metheny Group and the title of the song is And Then I Knew absoultely love his music. 🙂  https://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=3792049079860&saved The flowers in the feature are Trillium which translates into True Love.  A flower which the former pastor wanted to incorporate into the church.  This will be a major component in the space.

The Eggs of Easter

These are the photos of the eggs my son & I dyed for the Easter Egg hunt at True Love Missionary Baptist Church.  I’ve been dying eggs this way since 2003.  That was the year Martha Stewart showed me this beautiful technique.  Yes, it requires a little more work than the traditional version but it’s totally worth it.

I’m not one of those people that need to have a holiday craft for every season. (I’m not running a preschool, lol) But the variations indesign, color combination and reaction to them, drive me to keep coloring my Easter eggs this way.  It’s a 2-step process that requires little expertise.

Eggs, Eggs....

First, follow your normal pattern for dying eggs.  Boil, dye & dry.  After this, make a 2nd batch of dyes for the eggs adding a couple tablespoons of olive oil to each color.  Stir the oil around in the dye creating a pattern.  Take the dyed egg and roll in the dye/oil mixture of your choice.  Make sure to make a full rotation of the egg surface to create a continuous pattern. When the desired effect has taken place.  Remove the egg and allow to dry on paper towel.  Once they are completely dry take a towel and wipe off any excess oil left behind.  Display for every one to see the beautiful results.

The ladies of the church absolutely loved them.  We wrapped them in plastic cling wrap for the hunt.  This allowed the children to see the designs on the eggs.  My sone always says they look like dinosaur eggs.  I tend to think they look natural.  Next year, I’m going to just keep the shells white/brown and do the technique.  That should be interesting.  I know the season is over for dying eggs but keep it in mind for the years to come.  Tell me you didn’t smile when you looked at those eggs.  Just wanted to show my artistic side…. 🙂

Green Thumb & Choir Girl

Last year I made mention that I would be starting a small business as a garden planter.  I was going to do business as The Green Thumb Girl.  Complete with business cards, t-shirts and gifts for my customers.  The mission behind the venture was to bring the beauty of flower filled beds to individuals who didn’t have the time or know how.  For a small fee I would come to your house and plant the annual flowers of your choice in your yard.  This would beautifully enhance the curb appeal of your home.

However, with the course of events and choices that I’ve made within the last year this never really took flight.  Just when I thought all hope was lost, someone answered my prayer & need to be one with the earth through gardening.  As I was helping the church with the Easter basket preparation for the children, someone mentioned a garden. (See pictures of the eggs my son & I dyed for the annual Easter Egg Hunt in the photos)  A garden I never knew existed on the church property.  You can only imagine the look on my face o_O; I’ve only been going to this church since I was in my mother’s womb.  I think I would’ve noticed a garden around here.  They directed me to the outside of the auxiliary building to the left.  Look what I found….

The Present Garden

When I returned to the congregation of women assembled, I made the comment “That’s a field, I know a garden.”  They asked what I knew about gardens and I expounded on the beauty and work of gardens.  Within minutes I was propositioned to be the cultivator of the Herbert B. Robinson Sr. Memorial Garden.  Some light church political red tape had to be completed before it was official.  If the government worked this fast, we’d probably have less complaints. Lol In one hour and 45 minutes, it was approved by the pastor and I was given the green light.  Now, all I had to do was make a plan and bring it to life…

This happened in the mist of my church choir, True Praise, preparing for our 1^st concert under the Pastoral governance of Dr. Herbert B. Robinson Jr.  Long rehearsals, sore throats and negative forces became hurdles that had to be cleared to make this performance memorable.  I discovered the sole purpose of my thermos.  The only reason I bought it was because it was cute.  That thing came in handy, especially to hold my ginger, lemon, honey sore throat remedy.  They all wondered what I was carrying in that thing but it was saving my life.   The concert was a major success April 22, 2012.  I fell flat once I got home but it was worth it.

As my loyal readers, I felt obligated to tell you where I’ve been and why you haven’t heard from me in a while.  I’m back to keep you informed on my progression toward HAPPINESS.  As always I need you to smile… Somebody might be looking for a reason to smile be that for them through your 🙂