Magic Roundabout Sunflower - Part 2

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Magic Roundabout Sunflower - Part 2

 I took so many photos of this sunflower variety that I split them into 3 different posts.  This post is part#2.  What I especially enjoy about this variety are the tiny yellow stars that appear around the edge of the middle (see the second picture below to see what I'm talking about) - because of these stars, the middle part resembles a galaxy.

I had a tough sunflower growing season this year.  The problems first started with an early rabbit attack - the rabbits treated themselves to a delicate treat when the seeds had just germinated and the plants just started to emerge from the ground.  I was able to save a few sunflower seedlings and put a fence around the surviving plants.  Then, in late July and early August the leaves of my sunflower plants were devoured by Japanese beetles.  I am thankful for the few that survived.

ENJOY the following pictures!

All photos were taken by me (Angie Ouellette-Tower) and the sunflowers were all grown in my garden.
© (2017)

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower



Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower

Bugs & the Magic Roundabout Sunflower

Magic Roundabout - Part 1

Florenza Sunflower

Peach Passion Sunflower

Sunflowers from 2016:

Sunflowers from 2017:

Vincent's Choice - Part 1

Vincent's Choice - Part 2

Tithonia Torch - a.k.a. Mexican Sunflower

Sunflowers from 2015:

Tiny "Giant Sungold"

Strawberry Blonde#2 - The Best

Strawberry Blonde#1 - Loved By Insects

Red Hedge

Jade Sunflower

Sunflowers from 2014:

Prado Sunflower

Sunflower Disaster

Sunflowers from 2013:

Giant Gray Stripe Sunflower - Part 1

Giant Gray Stripe Sunflower - Part 2

Giant Gray Strip Sunflower - Part 3

Soraya Sunflower

Italian White Sunflowers

Starburst Blaze Sunflowers

Sunflowers from 2012:

Mammoth Sunflowers

VanGogh Sunflowers

Floristan Sunflowers

Cherry Rose Sunflowers

Monet's Palette Mixture Sunflowers

Sunflowers from 2011:

Sunflowers, Black Velvet Queen

Sunflowers, Autumn Beauty

Sunflowers, Royal Flush

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(Checkout this month's wonderful Sponsor!) 

Cynthia from "ShorelineDesigned"
Handmade one-of-a-kind jewelry & beads made from beautiful beach stones from the Great Lakes Shoreline.
Travel along the shoreline with Cynthia

(Please click on the ad above to view her shop)

Feit Electric/Susan G Komen National Breast Cancer Month GIVEAWAY

Feit Electric/Susan G Komen National Breast Cancer Month GIVEAWAY!
Enter for your chances to win!

Part of the Falling into Autumn Gift Guide
but first - read this great post:
Good Things Happen While We Wait




click HERE to view the entire post

(the following post was written by Laura from Michigan Saving and More )
____________________________________

@FeitElectricInc @Giveaways4Mom #SMGurusNetwork
 

WELCOME TO THE Feit Electric/Susan G Komen National Breast Cancer Month Giveaway!

1 Lucky Winner will receive Feit Electric Gift Basket That Includes The Following Items:

Pink Susan G. Komen Light Bulb by Feit Electric

IntelliBulb

LED Original Vintage Glass Curved Filament Bulbs

Clear Glass, Color Filament Bulbs

This contest is hosted by the Social Media Gurus Network!

Below is a list of all the bloggers involved in the Falling into Autumn Gift Guide

Bargnhtress Deliciously Savvy Easter Babe's Theory Everyday Gizmos Sweeps & Views Giveaways 4 Mom Heartbeats ~ Soul Stains Here We Go Again Ready Jerri1962sBlog Lisa-Queen of Random Living Simply Michigan Saving and More

Missy's Views and Savings Clues

mom are we there yet My Silly Little Gang MyStyleSpot Peyton's Momma RedHeaded Patti SaraLee's Deals Steals & Giveaways Tales From A Southern Mom

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Now let’s get to the sponsor!

Feit Electric

  In support of Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October, Feit Electric has joined forces with Susan G. Komen to create the pink Susan G. Komen LED light bulb. It is now available at Home Depot through October and Feit will donate $50,000 to Komen to support the fight, despite sales. This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site. This Giveaway is valid in the United States Only and Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 9/28/2017 at 11:00 am EST. The winners will have 48 hours to email their information back or a new winner will be drawn. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contest is responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Victoria Heckstall at victoriah @ giveaways4mom.com If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.  

ALSO WE ALL “LOVE IT IF YOU LIKE US” ON FACEBOOK!

IF YOU LIKE OUR BLOGS ON SOCIAL MEDIA IT HELPS US BRING YOU ONLY THE BEST GIVEAWAYS AND MORE OF THEM!

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Weekly Thankfulness & Growth Report #84

#84 - Weekly Thankfulness & Growth Report

If you were following this blog in 2015 then you will be familiar with my "365 Days of Being Thankful" challenge.  I have missed reporting on my thankfulness since I finished my challenge 2 years ago, so I decided to at least give a weekly Thankfulness Report & include a Growth Report also.  Growth in our Christian walk, growth in the garden & growth on this blog.  Finally, I am also including a "Posts From the Past" feature - ENJOY!


This week I have been thankful that a medical disaster was avoided.  I am so thankful for my clever and funny husband.  I am most thankful that my Lord and Savior guides and protects me everyday.





“Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults:  whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.  Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;  rebuke the wise and they will love you.  Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;  teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.  The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.  For through wisdom your days will be many, and years will be added to your life.  If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;  if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer." 
Proverbs 9: 7 - 12
We have to be careful that when we are trying to be light hearted and funny that that does not turn into something that is mocking and insulting.

Read: Wisdom is Rewarding & Mocking is Destructive


We are at the end of the 90 degree string of weather so hopefully my garden will get back to Autumn normal for this area.  I plan on digging the potatoes soon.

- Here are my Follower stats:

GFC (Google Friends Connect) - 2,265
Bloglovin - 4,392
Twitter - 6,842

Pinterest - 6,088
Google+ - 2,280
Facebook - 4,467
Instagram - 292
Linky Followers - 108
Networked Blog - 1,242
Activate - 574
That's a grand total of 28,550 followers in some form or another (which is up 80 from last week).

(click on the title to view the entire post)
About 4 years ago I grew this beautiful sunflower:
Italian White Sunflower Variety

Photo by Angie Ouellette-Tower







This week is EXTRA feature week - click HERE to LINK UP & you might just be featured next month!


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Take Up The THANKFULNESS Challenge!

I challenge you to thank God for something everyday for one year!  Either write it down in a diary OR share with us on a blog.  If you have a blog & would like to share your THANKFULNESS posts with us, then please fill out this form: 365 Days of Being THANKFUL form - click HERE and you will be added to the THANKFULNESS page.

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PIN Genie Smart Lock GIVEAWAY

PIN Genie Smart Lock GIVEAWAY!
Enter for your chances to win!

Part of the Falling into Autumn Gift Guide
but first - read this great post:
Pear Cashew Crisp RECIPE




click HERE to view the entire post

(the following post was written by Laura from Michigan Saving and More )
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This post contains affiliate links if clicked on Laura may receive a small commission to support her blog.

@SMGurusNetwork

Welcome to the PIN Genie Smart Lock Giveaway!

1 winner

This giveaway is part of our Falling Into Autumn Gift Guide - Stop by to see all the giveaways and great products.

This contest is hosted by the Social Media Gurus Network!

Below is a list of all the bloggers involved in the gift guide.

Bargnhtress Deliciously Savvy Easter Babe's Theory Everyday Gizmos Sweeps & Views Giveaways 4 Mom Heartbeats ~ Soul Stains Here We Go Again Ready Jerri1962sBlog Lisa-Queen of Random Living Simply Michigan Saving and More

Missy's Views and Savings Clues

mom are we there yet My Silly Little Gang MyStyleSpot Peyton's Momma RedHeaded Patti SaraLee's Deals Steals & Giveaways Tales From A Southern Mom

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Now let’s get to the sponsor!

Pin Genie

WEBSITE ~ FACEBOOK ~ YOU TUBE 

PIN Genie Smart Lock Pro (PGD 728)

$199.99 RV

Also available on Amazon.

See the review HERE.

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THE GIVEAWAY

This giveaway is in no way endorsed, affiliated, or associated with Facebook, Twitter or any other Social Media Networking Site.You are not eligible if you have won a prize from the sponsor in the last 12 month. This Giveaway is valid in the United States Only and Entrants must be 18+ years of age to enter. This giveaway event will end at 11:59 PM (EST) 10/25/17. The winners will have 48 hours to email their information back to las93063 at gmail dot com or a new winner will be drawn, you may want to put this email address as safe as it could go to spam. The sponsors are each responsible for shipping of the above prizes. No blog associated with this contests are responsible for prize fulfillment. If you would like to be a sponsor in a giveaway like this please email Laura Smith at las930 (at)gmail (dot) com. If you take an entry you must stay following for the entire contest or you will be disqualified.

Also we all “love it if you like us” on Facebook! If you like our blogs on social media it helps us bring you only the best giveaways and more of them!

Enter below and Good Luck!

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Mixed Nutty Mocha Ice Cream RECIPE

Mixed Nutty Mocha Ice Cream RECIPE

Usually by this time of the year I am talking about "soup season", however this year is totally different.  We have had a long string of 90 degree weather (this is very unusual for Michigan).  So, instead I am sharing with you another one of my ice cream creations.

I had a few mixed nuts left and decided to incorporate them into my mocha ice cream and the result is scrumptious!

 

Printable Recipe

2 cups whole milk
2 cups heavy whipping cream
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup corn starch
1/4 cup cocoa powder (I used dark cocoa)
1 teaspoon instant coffee granules
3 egg yolks
dash of sea salt
1/2 cup salted mixed nuts

Begin by chopping the nuts and then set aside until later.  In a large mixing bowl combine the egg yolks & half of the sugar (1/2 cup sugar) - whisk together until the sugar is combined & the yolks are a little frothy - set aside until later. 

In a saucepan combine the other half of the sugar (1/2 cup sugar), the cocoa powder, coffee granules and the corn starch.  Stir until mixed.  Now add the milk, whipping cream & dash of salt.  Stir gently with a whisk making sure that there are no sugar/starch clumps.   Place this full saucepan on medium heat and stir gently all the time while cooking.  Continue cooking until this mixture starts to thicken.  Once it starts to thicken - remove from heat.
It is time to temper the egg yolk mixture.  Pour about 1/3 of the hot milk/cream mixture into the egg yolk/sugar mixture and whisk when adding the hot mixture. 
Your eggs have now been tempered.  Now add the tempered egg mixture into the remaining hot milk/cream mixture (stirring all the time).  Place back on medium/low heat and cook (stirring all the time) for about 2 to 3 minutes.  Remove the pan from the heat.
Allow the hot custard to rest for about 5 minutes.  Then strain the custard (this will get rid of any clumps that might not have been whisked smooth) (see pictures above).
Chill the mocha custard in the fridge for about 2 to 3 hours.  Remove from the fridge & add to your ice cream maker (see picture below) (follow the manufacturers instructions).

Add the chopped mixed nuts during the last 5 minutes of processing (or follow your ice cream manufacturer's instructions).

Serve, ENJOY & freeze the remaining ice cream for later!
(I like to have an upside down ice cream cone - I break up the cone and eat it like a cookie with the ice cream)

Other Ice Cream RECIPES on this blog
(click on each title to view entire post with recipe):

Seedless Raspberry Ice Cream

"Coffee Crisp" Ice Cream

Chocolate Orange Ice Cream

Blueberry Ice Cream with Blueberry Syrup

Cookies'n Mint Ice Cream

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Linked to:
Oh My Heartsie Girls Wonderful Wednesday
Friday Feature Linky Party
Pretty Pintastic Party
Happiness is Homemade
Over the Moon Party
Lou Lou Girls
Tuesdays with a Twist
Wonderful Wednesday Blog Hop
Pin Junkie Pin Party
Home Matters Linky Party #158

____________________________________________________________________

Take Up The THANKFULNESS Challenge!

I challenge you to thank God for something everyday for one year!  Either write it down in a diary OR share with us on a blog.  If you have a blog & would like to share your THANKFULNESS posts with us, then please fill out this form: 365 Days of Being THANKFUL form - click HERE and you will be added to the THANKFULNESS page.

<a href="http://www.godsgrowinggarden.com/p/thankfulness-challenge-365-days-of.html" rel="”nofollow”" target="_blank"><img alt="THANKFULNESS Challenge" src="http://i1145.photobucket.com/albums/o501/AngieOuelletteTower/Title%20Pages%20or%20Buttons/THANKFULNESSchallengeButton_zpsievqkttd.jpg" /></a>