Gracies First Garden

Little by little, good things grow! Come play in the garden with Gracie! Join the garden tea party with her sister Sarah, taste tomatoes right off the vine with her crunchy munchy brother Joshua, and plant seeds! Some seeds, though, don't grow fast enough for Joshua. He wants to munch on tomatoes NOW. What will he do while he waits on those tiny tomato seeds to grow? Step into the garden to find out! Author and business owner Lara Casey has learned many rich lessons from the garden, including how to celebrate that God grows good things little by little. In her first children's book, she heads back to the tomato vines to share her joy and wisdom with little gardeners. Includes a free Garden Giggles poster!

When Gracie's babysitter gives her a mysterious red pouch with brown strings, Gracie has no idea it will turn into her very first garden.

This volume presents a detailed description of more than thirty-five wildflower species of the Northeast, describing their colors, habitats, range, pollination, history, cultural lore, medicinal uses, and literary and artistic references. The spring-blooming wildflowers looked at range from old favorites to lesser-known species. Featuring more than 500 full-color photos in large-sized format, the book delves deep into the life histories, lore, and cultural uses of more than 35 plant species. The narrative covers topics such as the naming of wildflowers; the reasons for taxonomic changes; pollination of flowers and dispersal of seeds; uses by Native Americans; related species in other parts of the world; herbivores, plant pathogens, and pests; medicinal uses; and wildflower references in history, literature, and art. The photos capture the beauty of these plants and also illustrate the concepts discussed in the text.

From the acclaimed author of Spring Wildflowers of the Northeast, a beautifully illustrated follow-up introduction to the summer-blooming wildflowers of the northeastern United States and Canada This exquisitely illustrated volume provides an accessible, in-depth introduction to summer-blooming wildflowers of the northeastern United States and Canada. Featuring more than 700 detailed color photos and a large, beautifully designed format, the book delves into the life histories of more than thirty-five wildflowers and their relatives, from common roadside favorites, such as asters and milkweeds, to interesting, lesser-known species, including Indian pipe and ginseng. Drawing on a wealth of personal experience and the latest scientific research, and presenting it all in terms anyone can understand, acclaimed naturalist and photographer Carol Gracie invites readers to enhance their appreciation of the beauty of these wildflowers by learning not just their names or how many petals they have, but what pollinates them, how their seeds are dispersed, how they interact with other plants and animals, how Native Americans and other people have used them, and other interesting facts. Each species is illustrated with a range of detailed color photos that not only capture its beauty but illustrate the features discussed in the text and show the plant in its environment alongside the pollinators, herbivores, or seed dispersers with which, in many cases, the wildflower has evolved. Other topics covered include the naming of wildflowers; pathogens and pests; related species in other parts of the world; and wildflowers in history, literature, and art. Presenting authoritative information in an inviting style, Summer Wildflowers of the Northeast is an ideal volume for wildflower lovers, outdoor enthusiasts, naturalists, students, and more. Showcases the most spectacular summer-blooming wildflowers of the northeastern United States and Canada Features more than 700 stunning full-color photos Covers the life histories, lore, and uses of more than 35 species and their relatives Combines the latest scientific research with an easy-to-read style Features species accounts for these wildflowers: Alpine Wildflowers ● American Cranberry ● American Ginseng ● American Lotus ● Asters ● Beechdrops ● Blackberry-lily ● Bog Orchids ● Broad-leaved Helleborine ● Buckbean ● Bunchberry ● Cardinal Flower ● Chicory ● Common Milkweed ● Common Mullein ● Evening-Primrose ● Fringed Gentian ● Fringed Orchids ● Goldenrods ● Grass-of-Parnassus ● Indian Pipe ● Jewelweed ● Jimsonweed ● Lilies ● Patridge-berry ● Passion-flowers ● Pipsissewa ● Prickly Pear ● Purple Pitcher Plant ● Queen Anne’s Lace ● Showy Lady-slipper ● Swamp Rose-mallow ● Wild Leek ● Wild Lupine ● Yellow Pond-lily

A delightful illustrated treasury of botanical facts and fancy Florapedia is an eclectic A–Z compendium of botanical lore. With more than 100 enticing entries—on topics ranging from achlorophyllous plants that use a fungus as an intermediary to obtain nutrients from other plants to zygomorphic flowers that admit only the most select pollinators—this collection is a captivating journey into the realm of botany. Writing in her incomparably engaging style, Carol Gracie discusses remarkable plants from around the globe, botanical art and artists, early botanical explorers, ethnobotanical uses of plants, botanical classification and terminology, the role of plants in history, and more. She shares illuminating facts about van Gogh's sunflowers and reveals how a hallucinogenic weed left its enduring mark on the early history of the Jamestown colony. Gracie describes the travels of John and William Bartram—father and son botanists and explorers who roamed widely in early America in search of plants—and delves into the miniature ecosystems entangled in Spanish moss. The book's convenient size allows for it to be tucked into a pocket or bag, making it the perfect companion on your own travels. With charming drawings by Amy Jean Porter, Florapedia is the ideal gift book for the plant enthusiast in your life and a rare pleasure for anyone interested in botanical art, history, medicine, or exploration. Features a real cloth cover with an elaborate foil-stamped design

A flourishing, fulfilling life is possible—no perfection required! Too many of us think we have to have it all together in order to live a meaningful life. Instead of feeling put together, we end up feeling inadequate, overwhelmed, and exhausted as we try to figure out how to do it all. Author, business owner, and mom to three Lara Casey has been there, too. In Cultivate, she offers this grace-filled advice: we can't do it all and do it well, but we can choose to cultivate what matters Written as part encouragement anthem and part practical guide, Cultivate offers wisdom from God's Word alongside lessons Lara has learned in her own life--and in her garden--giving you the tools you need to: Discern what matters most to you Embrace the season of life that you're in Find the joy and freedom that comes with cultivating what matters Let Lara be your guide as you learn to cultivate what matters, little by little, with the help of God's transforming grace. Praise for Cultivate: "Cultivate is rich soil for the soul! Whether you are a new sprout, just beginning to brave life in the light; a tender shoot fighting for space among rocks and weeds; or a mature plant in need of nurture and pruning, this book will help you thrive. With her characteristic honesty, humility, and patience, Lara Casey uses her spiritual 'green thumb' to gently nudge us toward an intentional life of godliness and growth. If you are ready for a new season of spiritual growth, dig into Cultivate and get ready to bloom!" --Elizabeth Laing Thompson, author of When God Says "Wait"

There was nothing like wilderness living in Kentucky. Outhouse + cow + momma = frazzled momma Log raft + boy + river = danger Mountain Man + snow + slay = bad choice Bad Indians + momma + girl = kidnapping Momma + grandma + squirrel = biscuits & gravy Rain + boy + momma = loblolly Momma + gun + green eyes = chicken & dumplings Gracie’s family left Virginia for homesteading in Kentucky. They were naïve city slickers, but God sent angels to help them. The land had to be cleared and a log cabin built. Through their strong faith in God and a lot of prayer they staked out their homestead and helped to build a community. The angels worked overtime keeping Bobby Joe out of trouble but sometimes they just watched and laughed. The Mountain Men were the “bestest” angels God sent them. Gracie was a feisty little girl almost six when they came. She was an observer and wrote their experiences in her diary when she was nine. The places are real. The last names are people living in the community and the charter members of the church. The fi rst names are my children and grandchildren. The events are fi ctional except for the building of Pleasant Ridge Baptist Church which is still there today.

Sammy the Snail is Gracie's newest friend in the garden. Join him on a fantastic adventure as he searches for a new home in the garden.

Gracie awakens the morning of her birthday party excited and ready to celebrate! Her excitement quickly turns to frustration as she notices a "bow" sitting beside her beautiful party dress. Why must she always have these BOWS in her hair? Why does her mommy INSIST on them? As the story unfolds, Gracie's mother explains that you don't see presents wrapped without BOWS. Do you? Relating to her precious child as her own "gift"- She celebrates her blessing from God by placing a bow in the hair of her sweet child each day. As Gracie realizes that these special bows are not to annoy her, but to celebrate her mother's love & affection for her- she proudly wears them for all to see!!

When Lady Charlton is forced into becoming London's most reluctant matchmaker, sparks fly and romance ensues, from the national bestselling author of Marry in Scarlet. Alice, Lady Charlton, newly-widowed and eager to embrace a life free of her domineering husband is devastated when a scoundrel appears, brandishing letters that could ruin her. To prevent their publication he wants Alice to find a noble husband—a lord!—for his daughter, Lucy. Alice is forced to agree to his blackmail but when Lucy arrives, she has absolutely no interest in her father's scheme. A lord, she says, will only look down his nose at her—and she's having none of that! Desperate to retrieve the letters, Alice enlists the aid of her handsome young nephew, Gerald, who in turn seeks the help of his former commanding officer, James, Lord Tarrant. James is soon beguiled by the marriage-averse lady and sets out to teach her about love. Meanwhile, Gerald and Lucy strike sparks each time they meet. To combat the dastardly plot, Alice and Lucy must learn to trust each other. But can Alice put the past behind her and open her heart to love?