Raise 'em Up

 What's that green stuff in my cup? Oh, you know, just some spinach, pear, celery, and other veggies and such. I was inspired and challenged by my youngest daughter to try some healthy habits. So, I accepted the challenge. I bought a Ninja blending system and Hope, Casey and I have had lots of delicious smoothies and juices. Raise your glasses to health!

 What's that in my window sill? Oh, just some mangoes along with some vegetables waiting to be planted. Not so sure about this for a girl raised in the country with absolutely no gardening skills. How does this happen? I have little confidence in myself. I did think this cute little mushroom farm in a box would be a quick, easy, sure fire success. However, I was wrong. Not a single mushroom sprouted forth from the cardboard garden. In this case, I did not raise 'em up. I threw them out. (Sigh)

Thanks to Pinterest, we have a pallet garden bed. Thanks to my lack of gardening skills, record amounts of rain in May, trees from neighboring lots blocking the needed sunshine, and snails that love to eat tender, organic produce, only a few tomatoes have been harvested from this plot of land. I am holding out hope for the lettuces. 

 Let's move on to rocks and crystals. Those both grow well here in the Arkansas soil. Look at these beauties!

 This little gem of a shop was near Lockesburg, Arkansas. We stopped and looked around on Memorial Day. Hope bought a few crystals to make necklaces. The owners were kind and friendly.                     
                             

                                                                      Which brings me back to this, raising this one that challenges us all. She has dedicated herself to eating and living vegan. Strong-willed and assertive, she speaks her mind and risks the back-lash that comes with it. Asked by my nephew what I thought of her eating habits, I said, it's her choice. When I was a younger mother, I would have fretted and over-analyzed her diet. Plant-based diets are proven healthy and she has been experimenting with being vegetarian or vegan since she was three years old, so, this isn't a surprise. She is healthy and has made good choices. She researches everything and does her own cooking. And some of it is pretty darn good!  Raise 'em up, Mama's and Papa's. Raise 'em to be independent and strong. Raise 'em with good morals and strong faith. Raise 'em up on a strong foundation, then listen to them. They just might teach you a thing or two.