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August 28, 2014
     
Out on a Limb
....the birds of the air can perch in its shade. Mark 4: 30-32 

The Mustard Seed


"Hello" and "Thank You" for Subscribing to Our E-Newsletter!
 
As I write this greeting, we rejoice that most of the road construction around our 101 store is done so you can finally get to us again without driving miles out of your way! Our move is also complete, and we are still hoping Westbrook Community Church will take over our 212 location sometime this fall. To celebrate, we are having a "Buy 2 Get 1 Free" sale now through September 30, 2014, on all trees and shrubs.  
We also have a great selection of fall décor coming such as mums, hay bales, 
corn shocks and more...so we hope to see you soon!!!

Whenever I write these greetings, I try to relate our recipe to our faith. The recipe below includes cucumbers, so I had to pray a little extra as I began writing. Originally, I planned to write about all the seeds cucumbers produce and how important it is for us to bear fruit by planting seeds of faith throughout our life...but then I read the one verse about cucumbers in the Bible. You can find it in Numbers 11:5, and it convicted me of some wayward thinking that has plagued me on occasion.

The context of the verse is that the Israelites have been freed from slavery and are making their way to the promised land...just like believers today! Ahead of them was the hope of a glorious future, possession of a land flowing with milk and honey (blessings galore and the opportunity to spread seeds of faith to the entire world), behind them was slavery, torture, hardship and hopelessness...just like in our journey today! During the journey, rather than focus on the blessings ahead of them, they began to look back and complain about what they no longer had rather than focusing on what they would someday certainly possess...just like I sometimes do today! Of all things to complain about, the Israelites complain that they no longer have the cucumbers, melons, leeks onions and garlic they once enjoyed as slaves.  They completely forget the fact that they have been set free from slavery, abuse and hopelessness...just like us today!

I am so convicted by this! In spite of all God has done for me, freeing me from my shame and guilt and assuring me of a glorious eternity by His side in heaven, I sometimes focus on the most trivial things I no longer have, living my life with a temporal and selfish viewpoint rather than an eternal outlook filled with the freedom to live and love as 
one wholly abandoned to God.

So, as for me, the next time I eat a cucumber, I intend to reflect on all that God has done for me in the past as encouragement to continue fighting hard to take possession of all He has before me in the future. He has a perfect plan for each of us, and it includes slaying some giants before us, but the reward is worth the effort. My prayer is that each of us keeps our eyes fixed upon the Lord, that we seek out what He is doing and join Him in it, and that our viewpoint is eternal rather than temporal, freeing us from the temptation to grumble and complain...even over such things as a cucumber.

Carpe Diem for Christ,
Mark Halla
Steward


 

Cucumbers 101

Even though long, dark green, smooth-skinned garden cucumbers are familiar vegetables in the produce sections of most groceries, cucumbers actually come in a wide variety of colors, sizes, shapes and textures. You'll find white, yellow, and even orange-colored cucumbers, and they may be short, slightly oval, or even round in shape. Their skins can be smooth and thin, or thick and rough. In a technical sense, cucumbers are actually fruits, not vegetables.

Cucumbers have not received as much press as other vegetables in terms of health benefits, but this widely cultivated food provides us with a unique combination of nutrients. Three types of helpful nutrients found in cucumbers provide us with valuable antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and 
anti-cancer benefits.

 

 

How To Grow Your Own:
Delicious Cucumbers

Either sow seeds or plant out young plants in early June. Any fertile garden soil in full sun is satisfactory.

Dig in up to two bucketfuls of rotted organic matter, such as garden compost, and rake in 100g. per square meter of general purpose fertilizer.

Pinch out the growing tip when the plants have developed seven leaves. The developing sideshoots can be left to trail over the ground or trained up stout netting. Pinch out the tips of flowerless sideshoots after seven leaves.

Keep the soil constantly moist by watering 

around the plants - not over them. 

 

www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/vegetables/cucumbers

 



Cucumber Salad,
so refreshing!
Ingredients:
  • 2 English cucumbers (2 pounds)
  • 1 small red onion
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons salt
  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon white wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 2 teaspoons dried dill or 2 tablespoons fresh
Process:
  1. Slice the cucumber lengthwise, remove the seeds, and slice thinly. Thinly slice the onion.
  2. In a colander, toss the cucumber and onion with the salt and let it sit and drain for 20 minutes.
  3. Press the liquid out of the vegetables and rinse well with cold water.
  4. In a medium bowl combine the vinegar and sugar and stir well.
  5. Add the cucumber mixture and toss to coat. 
  6. Stir in the dill.
 The Buzz 
The Mustard Seed is blessed to announce that we were selected by PLANET as the 
2014 PLANET Community Stewardship Award Winner.  
You can see the article here!
  
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 In celebration of our move, we are offering a Mix & Match Sale on Trees and Shrubs. When you buy 2 you get the 3rd one FREE!  We have a wide selection of flowering shrubs and cooling trees still available, but come soon for the best selection.
The sale ends Sept. 30, 2014.  

Please print the coupon at the bottom of this newsletter for redemption at our store at Pioneer Trail and Hwy 101.  

Even though most of the road construction is done, there is still a detour if you are coming over Hwy 101 from Shakopee, but at least it is a scenic drive! :)


 

The Crew 

Water features can be big or small, 
we customize them all. 
Chat with one of our Designers to learn 
what options fit your desires.
 

 

 

 

Do You Want to Order Your Plants Online?

We have partnered with Monrovia Nursery

and now you can order your plants online

and pick them up at The Mustard Seed!


Click here to see how it works.

 

 

Staff Profile
Name: Mums

Position With Company: 
Mostly seasonal but some of us are hardy enough to withstand a good MN winter.

Hobbies: 

We like hanging out with Black-eyed Susans and ornamental kale.

Food: 

Love a good sprinkling of Dr. Earth All Purpose fertilizer. 

Goal This Year: 

Freshen up someone's front porch, as I love to show my colorful blooms.

 

 

 

 

Special Savings for Newsletter Readers Only!
We appreciate that you've signed up for and read our e-newsletter. So, we want to thank you with this special offer for Newsletter Readers Only:
Click to Print
 


 The Mustard Seed Landscaping and Garden Center at Halla Nursery

10,000 Great Plains Blvd.
(Pioneer Trail & Hwy 101, Chanhassen)  
952-445-6555  
www.TheMustardSeedInc.com

Seasonal Hours:
M-F 9-8 p.m.
Sat. 8-5 p.m. 
Sun. 11-4 p.m.

 

  

 

 

__________"Rooted in integrity and Founded on Faith in Christ..."__________