Author: Timelesslady

Married with children and grandchildren. Reader, writer, painter - maybe a bit of an artist. Gardener... Led by the Spirit.

Purpose – Finding/Creating Sanctuary

On By TimelessladyIn Purpose3 Comments

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In previous posts I’ve stated that during my childhood I lived for two years in one of the cottages/homes built around the Pitman Methodist Camp in Pitman, New Jersey. Today I live in the town next door to Pitman, and on sunny days you can often find me riding my bike the mile or two to the center of the grove to walk within the shadow of the tabernacle.

The blue cottage above is one of the homes encircling the tabernacle. The cottages form a wheel, with twelve paths, as spokes, leading to the sanctuary. These walkways, according to the camp history, signify the twelve apostles.

I find walking on these paths conducive to inner peace and an attitude of prayer.  My spirit is uplifted as I dwell upon the fact that many souls were saved and lives committed to God upon these grounds.

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Here is another view of the home in the first photograph. You might wonder why I am posting a photo of the back of the cottage. I ask you to take notice of the white door. Behind this door is a set of stairs that lead to the basement of the home. When I was in third grade, a precious elderly lady started a club called the JOY (Jesus & Others & You) club. Children from the nearby elementary school would gather within that small space, sit on the stairs as if they were the finest pews, and sing songs of praise. Within that stairwell, this wonderful woman of God created a sanctuary of hope and joy for a handful of grade school children. I often think of her, and thank God that she did what she could, and used what she had, to bring to us a sense of our Father in Heaven.

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf…” Hebrews 6:19-20 (NIV)

“Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.” Hebrews 7:25 (NIV)

Quirkiness -Sprouts

On By TimelessladyIn Quirkiness2 Comments

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Which category should I blog sprouts under, I wondered, as I began this post. I finally settled on “Quirkiness” because of the nature of this food source. I love sprouts of all kinds. In 2011 I purchased several packets of seeds for sprouting. Stored in the refrigerator they are still almost 100% viable. Last week I sprouted a tablespoon of the lentil mix.

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The tablespoon yielded all these lovely sprouts. I used them on top of a pasta salad and they really brightened up the look and taste of the meal.

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Sprouting is easy. Many garden and retail stores sell the lids that easily attach to an ordinary mason/canning jar.

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SPROUTING SEEDS RECIPE:

1 Tbs of sprouting seeds

Cover with water for 24 hours

Drain

Let stand upside down at an angle out of direct sunlight.

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I find the silverware cup on my dish drainer holds the jar at the perfect angle. Also by keeping it near the sink I remember to add water and drain twice a day.

Refill with water and drain two to three times a day. Do not allow the seeds and sprouts to completely dry out.

You will notice growth in a matter of a day or two. Allow it grow for 2-3 days, continuing the refilling and draining. When the sprouts have grown to a good size place in direct sunlight. They will green right up and be ready to eat in a day. If you are not going to eat all the sprouts in one sitting, please remember to refrigerate the remainder. Enjoy!

Problem-Solving – Removing the Odor of Cat Urine

On By TimelessladyIn Problem-Solving7 Comments

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This is a photo of one very scared and confused kitty-cat hiding in my basement. Hans belongs to my grandsons, but he can’t live at their home anymore. One of the boys developed an allergic reaction to cat dander. They love their cat, and didn’t want to give him up completely, so now he lives at Nanny and Papa’s house.

Through all the confusion of the move, and after Hans hid under a guest room bed for over fourteen hours, the call of nature could not be denied and an accident happened on the good rug. Oh my! The smell of cat urine filled the room. Thankfully, I caught it right away and blotted it up. I immediately cleaned the carpet with rug shampoo, but the smell lingered.

I found a remedy on the Internet. Today I followed the directions. What an amazing solution. As soon as I poured on the peroxide and dish detergent over the baking soda, the smell completely disappeared. I also added a few drops of lavender essential oil I had in the house. Now the room smells fresh once more. This recipe really worked!

Click here for cat urine odor neutralizer: Recipe for removing the smell of cat urine from a carpet.

I am hoping that Hans will soon realize there is nothing to be afraid of at our house, and the next time you see a picture of him, he will be napping on a cushion or watching birds from inside the screened in porch.

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He’s coming around a bit. Here he is sitting on the top of the basement stairs. I think soon he will begin to feel at home. I hope so!

Plant and Planting – Primroses

On By TimelessladyIn Planting, PlantsLeave a comment

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Each time I gaze upon this lovely primrose, peaking right now with three stalks of bloom, something in my heart goes “Zing!” Perhaps it is the soft pink of the petals, or the glowing of the green leaves within the rays of the sun. I’m so smitten by the primrose I have decided I must attempt to grow a few from seed to blooming size.

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I’ve been having good luck with seeds purchased from a company called Swallowtail Garden seeds. Without fail, all of the seeds I have purchased from this source have quickly sprouted and are growing now beneath lights.

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Here is a link to Swallowtail Garden Seeds. I live on the other side of the country, and the seeds reached me very quickly. I was able to keep track of their progress because of the great communication and tracking number they sent me. The seeds were well-packed in a bubble envelope. I recommend this company for quality and amazing selection of seeds.

Click below to visit Swallowtail Website:

Swallowtail Garden Seeds

Project – Natural (well almost) Garden Archway

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I thought this a clever use of two unwanted trees. The rope around the trees is actually a rope of lights. A really cute way to create an archway.

Project – Kid’s Easter Project/Bunny Grass

On By TimelessladyIn ProjectsLeave a comment

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This is a quick, easy and inexpensive Easter Project for younger children. All you need is a piece of green construction paper, a pair of scissors, scotch tape and Easter stickers. Start by dividing construction paper into thirds. Leave one edge straight, cut the other edge in uneven, rolling curves. On the curved side cut straight snips an inch or two down from the top with the scissors. Uneven spacing is best…every now and then nip a piece off low. According to my grandson who created the grass above, “Those pieces of grass are the ones that bunnies bit off.”

When you have finished snipping, butt the pieces of grass together and tape the back sides together. Accordion fold the grass about every six inches. This helps it to stand. Add the Easter stickers to the front side. Voila! Festive bunny grass for only pennies. Heavier cardstock works too, but is not as easy to cut. Happy crafting!

Plants – Geraniums Reborn

On By TimelessladyIn Plants3 Comments

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These geraniums might look like something headed for the compost heap, but take a second look. Do you see the green leaves? This is new growth sprouting from what seemed dead and gone. In the Fall of the year I pulled my geraniums from the ground, shook of excess dirt from the roots, and placed them inside this basin. I put them in a corner of my garage and pretty much forgot about them. This week I noticed they were sending out new growth so I brought them inside and potted them up. I’ll update their progress in a few weeks. More information on saving geraniums in this way can be found here: Over-wintering geranium plants.

Quirkiness – Upcycled sidewalk/Rock Garden

On By TimelessladyIn Quirkiness1 Comment

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On a recent bike ride I came upon this amazing rock garden just waiting to burst into bloom once again. When I took a closer look I saw that it was made up of recycled sidewalk pieces. I love the beautiful light yellow the creator of the garden chose to paint the tops. I also appreciate the wide-eyed frog guarding his sunny turf.

Perspective – Hello Spring

On By TimelessladyIn PerspectiveLeave a comment

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Many robins have seemed to overwinter here in Southern New Jersey, but still…the sight of this perky bird sitting in a tree loaded with leaf buds seems to shout out, “Hello Spring…Welcome!”

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Perspective – Saying Good-bye to Winter

On By TimelessladyIn PerspectiveLeave a comment


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The cold winds of winter are still blowing, but there is a brightness in the air. Birds are singing their courting songs. The calendar cannot be denied. Winter is ending…tomorrow Spring arrives.

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The trees are beginning to flush out in buds of red. Good-bye Winter…

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“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

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Photographs taken in the Pitman Grove Camp.

For more information on the Pitman Grove: Pitman Grove Camp Meeting

Product and Planting – Glad Press’n Seal and Seedling Progress

On By TimelessladyIn Planting, ProductLeave a comment

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Glad Press’n Seal is one of my favorite Garden Accessories. When I sow seedlings nothing works better for sealing in the moisture and creating a mini-greenhouse effect.

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The photo above shows one of my hanging planters with Glad Press’n Seal

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Within a week my tomatoes were up and beginning to grow. Time to take off the Press’n Seal and watch their progress. When the plants are at this stage I must check each pot daily to make sure they are not drying out.

Psalm and Plants – Ranunculus Flowers

On By TimelessladyIn Plants, Psalms and Proverbs1 Comment

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“Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing the praises of your name.”

Psalm 66:1-4

Postcards – Spring and Easter

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I’ve been looking through my postcard selection and setting aside some Easter and Springtime postals to place into tri-folded paper once again. Check out my Valentine’s Post on how to make these simple display pieces.

Displaying your Postcards

I’ve also included a close-up look at a few of the postcards with a translation of their endearing messages. Happy Spring!

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“We got home after a fashion. Fred was car sick but lays it to your beans. We were dead tired all three kids slept all the way. We were scattered all over the car. Robert is nearly well. I shall look for all of you a week from Sunday. Good by, Ida”
 

(Postcard does not have a date but according the appearance and the stamp I would guess it was sent between 1909 and 1914.)

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The postcard above was sent in 1912. It reads as follows:

(? ?) “Dear Mabel, This is a beautiful day but cold yet and we have plenty of snow yet they say it is ten feet deep on the side of the road between here and Madrid now. I had a letter from Maud and (?) yesterday and one from your mama this is all I will write this week. Danah Anne has not got so she can sew any yet. Grandma”
 

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This Easter Postcard was sent in 1908. I love to read the words, enjoy the lack of grammar, and take delight in the phrasing which is so different than the way we speak now. Enjoy the Easter message:

“How do you like your new home by this time? We don’t have no school for a few days not until they fumigate the measles all out. We are all well and hoping you’s are all the same. Stella (?)”
On By TimelessladyIn QuirkinessLeave a comment

A note from Minding My P’s with Q: I enjoyed and agreed with this post by Shelley Wilson. I asked her permission to reblog it to my own blog. She graciously agreed, “Thanks so much Shelley.”

Shelley Wilson Art's avatarShelley Wilson

It’s kind of like exercise – if you miss a few visits to the gym it gets hard to go back.  Once you’re going there regularly, it’s easy to keep going.  Oh, in the past few months I’ve done a little colored pencil, some sketching, and a bit of watercolor (a TINY bit).  Yesterday, though, I got out the tubes of oil paint and squeezed a little bit onto the palette.  I didn’t want to waste it if I lost my nerve and gave up.  I ended up going through two more dollops of each color.  Granted – the areas I painted are still very rough, but I’m able to see where it’s going.

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The best part was how it felt to paint.  This time something I read in a book kept sounding in my mind.  The book is called Finding Divine Inspiration: Working with the Holy Spirit in Your…

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Plant – Pansies Mean Spring!

On By TimelessladyIn Plants1 Comment

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Buying a flat of pansies in the waning days of winter always fills my heart with joy. The yellow and lavender color combination found in the Morpheus variety is beautiful. I also love the whiskery lines on the petals, they give the flower a cat-like look. As I planted these flowers in pots and baskets I almost heard them shouting out, “Hello Spring!”

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Project – Upcycled Frames

On By TimelessladyIn Projects1 Comment

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A few years ago I found four small wooden frames at a yard sale for only a few pennies each. Of course I bought them, and stuck them away until inspiration struck. That time is now! I have four grandchildren and a multitude of adorable pictures of them to display on my fridge. What better way to do that than in frames specially crafted to match the kitchen and highlight their cuteness all at the same time.

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I coated the frames with Folk Art’s Hauser Green shade. Oh the loveliness of that apple green! I let the paint sit for a minute or two, and then before it dried too much, I gently wiped away a bit of the paint from the gold trim with a napkin. Voila! I was left with amazing gold highlights shining through the green.

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I added some heavy duty magnets on the back, inserted the pictures and hung them on my fridge. I smile every time I see the sweet faces framed in green and gold.

Planting – Heat and Light

On By TimelessladyIn PlantingLeave a comment

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This year I have begun planting my seeds for indoor growing a bit later than usual. In hopes of jump-starting the growth process with extra heat and light I have enclosed my light table with a mylar blanket. These can be found in the camping sections of retail and sporting stores. I found mine at Kmart and I have purchased them in the past at Walmart. They are also great to have in your glove compartment in the event of an emergency situation. Since my light table is in the basement, I also brought a brooder lamp for extra warmth. The soil in my seedling containers warms up quickly when the bulb is plugged in, and the light of the table as a whole is a bit brighter with the reflective blanket in place. I must be very diligent in checking the soil for drying out. If you go this route be sure to check your seedlings a minimum of twice a day. If you are going to be away for longer than eight hours it is best to unplug the heat lamp.

Phavorites & Philm – Enchanted April

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This is one of the movies I put in the DVD/Video player when I am feeling ill or blue. The first time I saw this gentle story I did not care much for the slow pace, but I am so glad I gave it a second chance. I have viewed the movie many times since that first glimpse into the story, and I never tire of it’s timeless appeal.

Favorite scene: Mellersh standing in hallway wearing only a  towel after bathroom blows up around him. Funny.