I'm doing the 'British Bloggers in support of British Flowers'

I'm participating in Vanessa Kimbell's 'British Bloggers in spupport of British Flowers' challenge. It's sponsored by Thompson & Morgan, and if you are quick enough you can contact Vanessa and she'll email you some of their seeds. Click Vanessa's link above, or the picture, to find out more.

I'm hoping to grow the Sweat Pea 'Anniversary' as it's mine and Iain's anniversary in August, the Cosmos bipinnatus 'Double Click' because I love double blooms, and Zinnia elegans 'Lilliput mix' because Lilliput is a nickname for Elizabeth (my name).
Do take a look, it's definitely worth looking out for British grown flowers when buying cut flowers, and if British aren't available then buy Fairtrade roses.
Liz x

Up before Dawn?

When editing the labels of my posts, this one seemed to jump forward as a new post - it is actually from a year ago, and I certainly wasn't up at dawn today!


Today's Truly Good Woman focus is Proverbs 31 verse 15. 

In the traditional King James Version it says:
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.


And in the NIV version it is more helpfully translated as:
She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. 


I myself much prefer the Message version as a 21st century understanding of the text:
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.

by Steve-h

And all of that is even before discussing the text! I say I prefer it as if that is what I am doing, but as I checked the sunrise and sunset times I realised that I'm certainly not achieving that accolade (5am is a teensy bit early for me - and actually I'm quite glad. So well done to her, and I'm going to focus on the preparing breakfast (cup of tea and a bowl of cornflakes - sorted!) and organizing her day.
Now I realise that I'm still living in a rather luxurious existence with it just being myself and the Hubba - but I feel this ease actually makes me more lazy. I don't get up early because I don't have to, but in terms of organisation I do like to set the radio alarm to hear the news, I set the washing machine to have finished and the bread machine to have baked - so I may not be up but the house has been for a couple of hours. The joys of modern living hey?
What do people think of this? Do you have a routine? 
A friend of mine who already had two boys recently had twins, I expect she now has a military routine. I'd love to hear what yours is, please post a comment to share.


Liz xxx

Prepared for the Weather

She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear. Proverbs 31:21 The Message

No matter how little you prefer to accessorise, the winter wardrobe does demand more so than the other seasons. 


Here again, the proverbs woman gives a good example of another area of our lives. The verse doesn't talk of fashion but of a family provided for with their winter clothes.   

by Terrapin Flyer

We too can prepare our family now with their winter clothes for next year. This week I have swapped my wardrobe around to my summer selection. While doing so I have washed and stored our scarves, hats, gloves, boots and coats. In addition to this I have a bag of items in need of repair...just need to find the time to mend them now!


We can apply this to other areas of life too. We can prepare for big events in our lives. If we know something is approaching we can have some peace in knowing that we've readied our resources. For those of us with a Christian faith, we can walk with God through our event or situation knowing that he gives enough strength for whatever we're going through.


Our Proverbs woman must have felt a peace in knowing that the winter was approaching but all was ready from the year before. 

Open Arms

'She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.' Proverbs 31:20 NIV

Giving to the poor is an instruction in the Bible, but it is more than just writing a cheque. Financially giving is important, but relationships are more so. 

By Mr. Kris

In today's verse we see our proverbs woman extending herself to those in need whether they be poor, sick or old. This is about being a light to someone you know in your community. It may only be a short term need or a call of a longer duration. 


It doesn't need to be something that demands a new skill, it could be offering a skill or gift that you already have, such as gardening or giving a prepared meal. 


Most importantly listen. Very simply ask how you could be of help.