Author: Timelesslady

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

Philm – “The Bible” on the History Channel

On By TimelessladyIn PhilmLeave a comment
3/8/2013 – I posted this before I actually viewed “The Bible.” I was a bit disappointed in the first episode. I found the tiny bits of fact-changing irritating in the extreme. It would have been very easy to make every fact accurate. I also found the production very dry, and know I won’t have the same enthusiasm to view the remaining episodes.
One example: We have had many fine adaptations of Moses and Pharoah in films, but very few of Isaac and Jacob, and how the tribes of Israel became twelve in number. I would have much rather they portrayed these stories in some way and cut down on the length of time spent on Abraham and Moses.

I love so many of the old Bible films, “The Greatest Story Ever Told,” “Barrabas,” “The Robe,” “The Ten Commandments.” Even “Ben Hur,” while not taken directly from the Bible, tells the story of JESUS, and can keep me spellbound for its 212 minutes.

I was thrilled when I heard that The History Channel was going to present a mini-series based on the Bible. Starting this evening, it will be presented on Sunday evenings at 8 o’clock over the course of five weeks. I will be watching.

Here are a few clips from the mini-series: Clips from “The Bible.”

Product – Natural Reader

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NATURAL READER

Sometimes listening to your written words read aloud allows you to hear mistakes that proof-reading by sight alone does not reveal. I can’t even begin to number the times I have read, and re-read my blog posts, only to find a grammatical, spacing or spelling mistake at a later date. It is hard, sometimes next to impossible, to edit your own work. The Natural Reader website helps alleviate some of these problems. Yes, the free voice is a bit stilted and robotic, but it gives a sense of flow to what you have written, revealing grammar mistakes, or errors of omission in your text. Give it a try!

Here are two links for Natural Reader:

Natural Reader Instruction Page
Natural Reader Home Page and Free Download

auto crit

Another good tool is Auto-Crit. You can try this program for free, and if you are a daily writer, you might want to purchase the program. It will reveal grammatical errors, word count, excessive word usage, etc.

Click here to try Auto-Crit: Auto-Crit

Phavorite & Product – Mickey or Donald?

On By TimelessladyIn PhavoritesLeave a comment

Donald Duck, created with a Cricut Machine. 

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A week or two ago someone dear to me emailed me this question, “Who is your favorite, Mickey or Donald?”

I think you can see by the picture above what my response was to her.

What a surprise to have a package arrive yesterday with this beautiful Donald Duck inside. Thanks Kelly. You do beautiful work! I love him!

I have attempted only a few scrapbook pages in my time. I know that since I am into so many other crafts, along with gardening and spending time with grandchildren, the time involved would put me over the top of hours available. It’s an art and form of expression I truly admire. 

Who do you like best, Donald or Mickey?

Problem-Solving and Project – Removing Labels and Discovery Bottles

On By TimelessladyIn Problem-Solving, Projects1 Comment

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Most of us at one time or another have crafted a project that uses an up-cycled bottle or jar. We all know how difficult the labels and glue can be to remove without marring the surface. Recently, I wanted to create a Discovery bottle with my grandsons. Since the project needed a clean plastic bottle, I began to remove the label ahead of time. The glue and paper were very stubborn. I cut and peeled away the label, soaked the bottle in water, but was still left with unsightly glue and scraps of paper on the surface.

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I searched the Internet for a solution and found the tip of using ordinary mayonnaise to remove labels. I gently scraped away anything I could with the top of a butter knife, applied the mayo and then scraped again in about an hour. There was still residue. I reapplied and waited another hour. I removed a bit more label, reapplied again and tried once more. Hooray! The mayonnaise worked. If you use this tip for removing labels you will be pleased that it is chemical free and very gentle. The downside is it takes a few hours. Use this tip only on surfaces that are hard as you will need to wash afterwards with warm soapy water to remove the oily residue of the mayo.

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A wintry afternoon was the perfect time to begin making “Discovery Bottles.”

Click here for more information on Discovery Bottles: Discovery Bottles

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We decided to make a rain bottle first. Fill the bottle with toothpicks, add some dried rice, when you turn the bottle upside down the toothpicks and grains of rice sliding down the plastic sounds like rain on a roof. The boys really enjoyed filling the bottle, and after I glued the cap on with hot glue, they had fun turning it up and down to hear the soothing sound of the “rain.”

If you are creating Discovery Bottles for toddlers please take care to use a plastic bottle with a very wide cap/lid. A small water bottle cap is not appropriate because of choking issues. Gatorade bottles and other juice containers often have a wide lid. Remember the elbow rule, nothing smaller for a baby or toddler than your elbow.

Always use a permanent glue when closing the bottles. I used hot glue for the rain bottle, but if I was using liquid in the bottle I would use a double dose of glue: a waterproof sealant and then a layer of hot glue for extra strength.

 

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Plant – Bird of Paradise

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About this time of year I really need the sunshine, and this Bird of Paradise flower, and the many other blooms in the Longwood Gardens Conservatory, brought a bit of brightness into the cold winter days.

Plant – White Lily

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Today the song “Jesus Paid it All,” has been on my mind and on my lips. What amazing truth that beautiful old hymn holds. If I could tell all the world just one thing today it would be those words…Jesus Paid it All…for you, for me. And to that I must say, “Amen.”

“Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe;
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.”

Elvina M. Hall, 1865

Copyright: Public Domain

Plants & Projects – Terrarium Lids and Chairs

On By TimelessladyIn Plants, Projects2 Comments

Terrarium with crystal lid

I’ve been experimenting with lichen covered branches and bark in an attempt to create a fairy chair that will actually be alive and growing inside a terrarium. I think I succeeded with the mossy concept when I crafted the chair shown above, but I am not happy at all with the appearance of the miniature replica. It has no fey appeal or magical delicacy. To my mind, it calls to mind a gnarly resting place for the local gnome or troll instead.

I do like the papery thin, empty insect pod I used as a fairy basket. It is filled with several pieces of milkweed fluff, which when tossed into the air become floating fairy wishes. I can just imagine a sweet woodland lady sitting down and spinning the soft strands into gossamer yarn.

Aesthetics aside, a good tip for covering a terrarium is to use a shallow glass bowl  or dish for a lid. This crystal lid fits nicely on top of my odd-shaped garden. I’ll keep trying to come up with a way to create the fragile, yet strong, fairy furniture I desire. Until then, “Calling all gnomes!”

Phavorites and People – Trumpet Lamp and Fountain

On By TimelessladyIn People, Phavorites2 Comments

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Today I sent a friend a link to a terrific trumpet fountain I saw on Pinterest. She sent me back this amazing picture of a lamp she made out of a trumpet. I love it!

Here are some of the components she used to create the lamp: Hardware store supplies: tube for wiring, screw locks, base-for a clock. Craft store supplies: Lamp shade. She also used parts from an old lamp and locking tie downs to secure. The pocket trumpet was bought from EBay for a good price.

Anita, creator of the lamp, is a retired teacher and band instructor. We’ve known each other since we were in High School. She plays beautiful trumpet solos in our church during Offertory and also plays with the Atlantic Brass Band. Here are a few links for the Atlantic Brass Band:

Atlantic Brass Band
Atlantic Brass Band on Twitter
Atlantic Brass Band Facebook Page
Atlantic Youth Brass Band

Items that are re-purposed into art or something functional always fascinate me.

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Pleasures – Sea Glass Bottles

On By TimelessladyIn Pleasures5 Comments

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Several years ago, on a beach bordering the Atlantic Ocean, I found the lovely Coca-Cola bottle on the left. Captured by the surf, and bounced across the sand for dozens of years by ocean currents, one Autumn day the bottle rode a wave and came ashore right at our feet. Beautifully sanded to a translucent gem-like glow, the bottle from the sea is now a treasured item in my home.

This winter, about five years after our first find, I came across another sea glass bottle. This time we were beachcombing on the shores of the Delaware Bay. The darker green bottle is not quite as polished as the first, the bay currents are not quite as strong, but it is still a striking example of sea glass. It even has an extra bonus of a barnacle or two. I love my beautiful bottles from the sea.

Projects – The Worm Farm/Update #2

On By TimelessladyIn Projects3 Comments

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I promised when I started this blog to be truthful when a project fails or has a problem.

Vermicomposting (Worm Farming)

Problem #1 – My worm farm is going strong and thriving, but in the time I’ve been “farming” the worms I’ve run up against two very “stinky” problems. Most of the time my worm farm smells fresh, a bit like the fragrance that wafts upward when you rustle your feet along a woodland path. A sure proof way to foul that nice smell is to feed the worms leftover broccoli. OH MY!!! The smell was absolutely horrendous for days. Thankfully the worm farm is in my basement, and the smell didn’t escape too far into main house, but it was definitely noticeable at the top of the basement stairs and in the hallway. Happily, the worms seemed to really like the mushy, stinky broccoli, and ate it quickly. Hooray! But…I will never, ever, ever feed them a cruciferous vegetable scrap again. Only apples and other sweet-smelling leftovers from now on.

Problem # 2 – Do not feed your houseplants the worm tea as fertilizer. The worm tea had very little odor when harvested, but seemed to develop an off odor after applied to the soil of houseplants, even though it was very watered down. Lesson learned – Save the worm tea for outdoor plants.

Problem #3 – I have had two escapees. I think they slipped out the holes in the side. The unlucky fellows didn’t even make it a yard past the worm farm. Since I keep the bin in the basement the concrete floor acted exactly as a sidewalk does…think dried and shriveled worms in the summer sun…the escapees seemed to have instantly dried up and died on the basement floor.

To read about the start of my worm farming click on these links:

The Worm Farm
Worm Farm Update

Phavorites – Victoria Magazine

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I must have over a hundred old Victoria magazines in my upstairs closet. I know, I know, it sounds a bit like hoarding, but I just can’t seem to make myself recycle or sell them. In the last few weeks I’ve been paging through the old issues, and tearing out articles and pictures I can’t seem to do without. Alas, (A very Victorian expression) even while I am weeding out old ephemera, I’m also in the process of creating a new collection. Big Sigh! At least it won’t take up quite so much room. Smile!

People – Dr. Benjamin Carson

On By TimelessladyIn People2 Comments

Now and then someone comes along who speaks with wisdom and foresight. I applaud Dr. Benjamin Carson and include him here on my blog as a person of character and very good vision for our country.

The Benjamin Carson story has been made into a feature film starring Cuba Gooding, Jr.

 

Psalms & Proverbs and Perspective – A Name

On By TimelessladyIn Perspective, Psalms and Proverbs1 Comment

A few of my many names:

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“But now thus says the Lord, he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” Isaiah 43:1

This past week I was talking to my four year old grandson about my name. I told him, “My name is Kathy.”

“Yes,” he agreed, “But now your name is Nanny.”

His response delighted me. He said it with such affirmation and faith. I am his “NANNY.”

His words sent my thoughts about my name into a quick reverse, touching on all the names I’ve been known by, and then into my future.  I suddenly found my heart captivated by the thought that God has a special name just for me, and immediately, I felt a surge of certainty that the name he has given me is written in His Book of Life.

Is your name written in his Book?

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”

I love this old hymn by C. Austin Miles. Click on the link below and you will feel as if you are in an old-time camp-meeting:

A NEW NAME IN GLORY

A NEW NAME IN GLORY

I was once a sinner, but I came
Pardon to receive from my Lord:
This was freely given, and I found
That He always kept His word.

Refrain

There’s a new name written down in glory,
And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine!
And the white robed angels sing the story,
“A sinner has come home.”
For there’s a new name written down in glory,
And it’s mine, O yes, it’s mine!
With my sins forgiven I am bound for Heaven,
Never more to roam.

I was humbly kneeling at the cross,
Fearing naught but God’s angry frown;
When the heavens opened and I saw
That my name was written down.

Refrain

In the Book ’tis written, “Saved by Grace,”
O the joy that came to my soul!
Now I am forgiven, and I know
By the blood I am made whole.

Painting – Hibiscus/WetCanvas February Challenge

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hibiscus wet canvas february 2013

I had a great time taking part in the WetCanvas February Watercolor Challenge. I love watercolor flowers and enjoyed painting my rendition of the reference photograph. Thanks to Yorky for the photograph and the opportunity. Take a look here at the challenge: WetCanvas February Challenge. There is still plenty of time to break out the watercolors and take part. A link to the WetCanvas website is at the top right hand corner of this blog. Happy Painting!

WetCanvas February Challenge – Hibiscus

8 x 10

Winsor and Newton Watercolors

Arches 300 lb Cold Press Paper

Product – Rooibos Tea

On By TimelessladyIn Product1 Comment

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I absolutely have come to love Rooibos Tea. I must say that at the first, I was a bit taken aback by it’s very different flavor. However, the more rooibos I drank, the more I loved it, and now am of the opinion the tea tastes as if I am drinking sunshine and flowers.

Some of the benefits in drinking Rooibos Tea are listed below:

  • Acts as an antioxidant and increases SOD levels
  • Prevents DNA damage
  • Cardiovascular protection through ACE inhibition
  • Suppresses fasting glucose levels
  • Improves glucose uptake and insulin secretion after a meal
  • Aids in liver tissue regeneration
  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Acts as a bronchodilator and antispasmodic
  • Inhibits lipid peroxidation and brain aging
  • Rooibos extract improves immune defects such as HIV

A good article about Rooibos Teas can be found here: Rooibos Tea

I am very glad that my local grocery store carries this tea. Not only is it delicious, but it has multiple health benefits.

Project – Kid’s Project/Homemade Kool-Aid Playdoh

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Homemade Playdoh

We had a very good time making homemade playdoh yesterday. The project is a perfect winter’s day craft. The total time was about 30 – 45 minutes. The children sifted the ingredients together into a medium sized plastic bowl. (flour, salt and packet of unsweetened Kool-Aid, recipe below) The next step was the addition of a tablespoon of oil and boiling water. (Must be done by an adult)

Oh my goodness does the playdoh smell good!

After all the ingredients were stirred together we set the dough outside in the cold garage for 5 – 10 minutes to rest and cool down. An adult transferred the dough into ziplock bags and the children pounded away for 5 – 10 minutes. Oh what FUN! The recipe makes about 2 cups of playdoh. The color is very vibrant.

We didn’t have good luck with yellow (lemonade) Kool-Aid. The addition of the packet did not produce much color in the dough so we added a packet of orange.

One drawback, the oil does transfer to the hands and working surface a bit. My grandson put the playdoh on top of his head to mimic a brain and the oil from the dough got into his hair. Make sure you protect all surfaces the children work and play on.

All in all, this project was a big success and quite a lot of FUN!

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Kool-Aid Playdoh Recipe

1 cup flour

1/2 cup salt

1 packet unsweetened Kool-Aid

1 tbs oil

1 cup boiling water (must be poured and stirred in by adult)

Sift first three ingredients together into a medium sized bowl. Add water and oil and stir. Let rest in a cool place for 10 minutes or so. Place inside a ziplock bag, knead and pound until it is smooth and soft. Have fun with your Kool-Aid Playdoh

Peculiarities – Strange Centerpiece

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I’ll be the first to admit this is quite a strange centerpiece on my dining room table. If you look closely you can see the bettas that live inside the vases. The bettas thrive in these conditions, no matter what you might read to the contrary. In their natural environment wild bettas live in clogged rice paddies, and do not have long, trailing fins. The bettas above have been bred for captivity. My bettas do well, and are long-lived. One is nearing two years old. Their vases are on the large side and set close together so that each fish can see the others. Occasionally they will puff up their fins and display a bit of aggression, but in my opinion this keeps them interested and more active, which means a healthier fish.

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