Author: Timelesslady

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

Planting – Microgreens Part I

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Sowing seeds and indoor gardening seem to be dominating my January blog posts. I am starved right now for green, tired of the bare branches of trees silhouetted against the sky. I have been sowing seeds in hopes of harvesting Microgreens. Microgreens are harvested from seeds sprouted through the early leafing-out stage. I am using seeds from Pinetree Garden Seeds. This is my first attempt at this type of gardening.

I am growing the Microgreens on my windowsill in plastic throwaway containers from cookies and other snacks. To see how I went about the process, check out the photos below.

I gathered my supplies: antique pots to look pretty, throwaway plastic from cookie containers, corn holder for poking holes in the plastic.

I made sure the containers would fit inside my chosen pots before I added the dirt.

I poked holes for drainage in the plastic with the corn holder.

I filled the containers with organic soil.

I watered containers of soil and let them drain.

I spaced the pea seeds out in rows.

I sowed the Kitchen Sink Mix en masse.

I covered with one of my favorite kitchen tools, Glad’s Press ‘n Seal.

The seeds are already up…they sprouted in less than two days. I will post a Microgreens Part II later this week.

Planting – Winter Sowing Seeds

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Winter Sowing is the process of planting hardy and half-hardy seeds in clear or transluscent containers (milk cartons, 2 liter soda bottles, juice containers.) The containers are then sealed with duct tape and placed outdoors in the winter weather. This method of sowing seeds has been attributed to Trudi Davidoff.

The above photograph is a record of my first attempts at this process. Over the next week or two I hope to Winter Sow more of my perennial seeds, and later in the season some of my vegetables, annuals and herbs.

A good source of information and discussion about Winter Sowing can be found on the Gardenweb Winter Sowing Forum.

I’ll update my success with this method as the season progresses.

Planting – Coleus Part II

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The coleus seed plantings are emerging. At this point I am very glad I took the time to space them out rather than mass sowing. If one seedling develops any sign of damp-off or unexplained wilting I will be able to remove it before it contaminates its sister sprouts. The coleus seeds will continue to sprout for a few more weeks, maybe even another month. They now begin what I call “The Pouting Period.” The new plantlets seem to stand still. There is little growth and they usually take a few weeks to begin to leaf out. I am going to try and hasten the leafing out this year by applying bottom heat, but that is a whole other post.

Close-up view of a newly emerged sprout still holding onto it’s parent seed. The coleus plants below are two of last year’s crop. I really liked these coleus and actually named them and kept them going through the winter months by rooting cuttings taken in the Autumn. Some of the newly sprouted coleus could be their offspring.

Lemon-Lime Swizzle Stick

  Pink Lemonade with a Twist

Promise – John 14:3

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This message, written temporally in the sandy earth of a walking path, might wash away in the next rain, but the promises of Jesus, Our Lord and Savior will endure for all eternity.

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3 (NIV)

Pots and Pans – Pumpkin Cookies

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My Grandmother Broadwell always baked these amazing pumpkin cookies for family and friends. I can’t bite into one without thinking of her. Every year, especially around the holidays, I bake up a batch or two. They are scrumptious, and best of all pumpkin is loaded with vitamins.

Pumpkin Cookies

Sift together:

2 Cups flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon salt

Cream together:

1 Cup shortening (I use butter)

1 Cup sugar

1 Cup pumpkin (canned)

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

Optional:

1/2 Cup nuts, and/or 1/2 Cup raisins

Mix together. Add nuts or raisins if desired. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 10 – 12 minutes.

While the cookies are baking make up your frosting.

3 Tablespoons butter

4 Tablespoons milk (2% is okay)

1/2 Cup brown sugar

Heat this and bring to a boil. Stirring constantly, cook for 2 minutes taking care not to burn. Cool. Add 1 Cup powdered sugar (add more if needed, icing should not be thick, but rather runny) Add 3/4 teaspoon of vanilla and spoon over cookies.

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Pots and Pans – The Perfect Bite, Rollo Pretzel Bites

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Rollo Pretzel Bites are a great recipe for the absolute perfect bite. There are only three ingredients involved: Square waffle type pretzels called “Snaps.”

Rollo candies, a bag or a roll. A bonus with the roll type is you do not have to unwrap each piece of candy.

The third ingredient is pecan halves.

I used my toaster oven set on a very low temperature, around 275. I arranged the pretzels on the pan.

A Rollo candy is placed on top of each pretzel…

Then I put the pan in the toaster oven and watched until the bottom of the Rollo began to spread out and melt. It only took a few minutes.

To finish them off I laid one pecan half on the top, smooshed it down gently, and there I had it…in just a few minutes…the perfect bite. Yum!

They are a bit pricey to make since pecans are so expensive right now, but definitely worth it.

Potions – Tub and Shower Magic

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I am re-blogging this terrific household hint because it WORKS! I had always been wary of the way shower scum remover made my lungs feel. This homemade solution works and does not cause terrible fumes. (Unless of course you dislike the smell of vinegar.)

I have found another great potion from the Pinterest site. It led me to this blog entry: Tub and Shower Magic by Bobbin.

Gather together the articles in the picture: Dawn Dishwashing Detergent (original formula), Distilled White Vinegar, Measuring Cup or Cups, Spray Bottle & Funnel.

Heat Vinegar in Microwave or Stovetop.

Mix 12 ounces of Dawn  and 12 ounces of hot white vinegar.

One tip I will add to the directions is to use a funnel if you have one. I am not good at pouring into a small opening and instantly spilled about an ounce of the Dawn down the side of the recycled spray bottle.

Shake until combined. They separate much like oil and vinegar. Spray on shower stall or anywhere with soap scum. The blue color makes it easy to coat every inch. Let sit for about five minutes. Wipe down with rag or sponge and rinse. Voila!  Sparkling tile or doors.

The pluses of this potion:

No harsh chemical smell in my lungs, it is not expensive to make, and all the items used in this project were easily obtained.

Pots and Pans – Salt and Vinegar Roasted Potatoes

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Oh my goodness! This was one of those recipes where you take a taste, and say, “Not bad,” and then suddenly…you become ravenous for more, More, MORE! These are scrumptious…a perfect side dish to just about anything. And…so very easy to make. Hooray!

I found the recipe in Martha Stewart’s Everyday Food Magazine.

It can be adapted to larger red potatoes, just cut the potatoes in quarters before smashing.

Salt and Vinegar Roasted Potatoes:

1 1/2 lbs small red skin potatoes (fingerling size) unpeeled and scrubbed

coarse salt

2 tbs extra-virgin olive oil

1/4 cup malt vinegar or apple cider vinegar (I used the apple cider variety)

Boil whole potatoes in gently rolling water until you can easily pierce them through with fork or barbecue skewer. (20 minutes)

Cool long enough to handle. For larger potatoes this is the time to cut them into quarters. The smaller potatoes are left whole. Place potatoes between a clean, non-fuzzy towel, or use a zip-lock bag (this was my choice) Only do a few at a time.

Next is the Fun part. Using the flat of your hand, or side of fist, punch the potato flat to about a 1/2 inch thickness. Don’t smash so hard that the potato separates, you want it to stay whole and intact, but flattened out. Do this with all the potatoes.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Brush rimmed cookie sheet with 1 tbs olive oil. Place potatoes on sheet and brush tops with remaining oil. Bake until crisp and golden. Halfway through baking time take out of oven and turn. When finished baking, toss with the vinegar and season lightly with the salt.

Perspective – Finding the Good

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“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

I’ve always been fascinated with the larger moth species. I have read about them to the point where I can recognize certain species. Problem is they are night flyers, so I have seen one only if it has become trapped in a screened in porch or is no longer alive.

I have found perfectly dried specimens in the woods and fields near my home. On a hike I almost stepped on a perfectly preserved Polyphemus Moth, and on another occasion an Imperial Moth.

Many moths use the leaves of trees as part of their cocoons. They are much easier to spot in the winter months when the branches are bare. In the past I have found many empty cocoons scattered upon the ground, but yesterday I found a cocoon that was still intact and housing an occupant.

I am re-inspired, and maybe this spring I will brave the other night insects, mosquitoes, slugs and other “icky” bugs, and sit outdoors in the dark with a white sheet and flashlight.  Perhaps I’ll get lucky and find a Luna Moth, a large green moth with feather-like antennae.

Yesterday I found the cocoon because I knew what I was looking for. It is the same with the good things in life…if you know what you are looking for, and search diligently, you will find it.

“But if from there you seek the LORD your God, you will find him if you look for him with all your heart and with all your soul.” Deuteronomy 4:29

Promise – Compost

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How to Compost-Click Here

The composter in the above picture sat in my back yard for years…empty. I was concerned the rotting vegetation would cause a bad odor and offend the neighbors. This year, after once again reading about the benefits of compost, I decided to give it a try. Oh my! After a week or two of tweaking the additions I made, I finally had something that had only a smell of the humus beneath the trees in the woods.

I am surprised at my diligence where the compost is concerned. Rain, shine, cold or heat, I turn it every day or two. I have found it easy to read the condition of the compost. When it is slimy, I add black and white newspaper pages. When it seems dry, I wet it down a bit. I daily try to add a mix of vegetation from my garden, grass clippings, dried leaves and leftover kitchen scraps. I am so caught up in making “black gold,” I have begun a second composter in a Rubbermaid trash can. In April, I should be able to reap the rewards of my first container. Onward with the composting.

Peculiarities and Plants – Romaine Lettuce

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Romaine Lettuce is a favorite of mine in salads. I’ve also read it makes an Incredible and Delicious Smoothie.

The best and most amazing thing about lettuce, besides eating the tender green leaves, is the amazing fact that if the bottom of the stump is saved and placed in water, regeneration and new growth will occur. Above is a photograph of three romaine ‘stumps’ in various levels of regrowth. All I did to achieve this miracle was place each piece in a half inch of water, check the water level daily, and marvel as the stump began to grow anew.

I am growing romaine in a basement window well, which explains the VERY dirty window in the photo as it is below ground level. The setting for the lettuce doesn’t look nice, but it creates the perfect environment for regrowing leafy greens…cool and bright all day. Experiment with this method the next time you have a head of lettuce with the stem still intact. You have nothing to lose and a free harvest of lettuce to grow.

Important Tip: Romaine Lettuce is one type of produce easy to find in organic form. Often packaged as three hearts of romaine, spend a dollar or two more and you have salad free from any unnecessary pesticides.

Plants and Plans – Bargain Bulbs

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This has been my week for bargains. I stopped in a local box store Friday and found bins of bulbs that had not sold. They were almost giving them away at 75 percent off. I bought several packs to force in the Spring.

FORCING THE BULBS is not difficult. There are several ways to do this. The bulbs can be shallowly planted and kept outdoors in a cold frame. Another way is to plant and keep the bulbs in the back of the fridge. I have had success with this in the past. This year I am hoping to force some of the tulips in this way.

FORCING BULBS IN WATER is another way to bring them into bloom. I have success with this technique using hyacinth bulbs. I have never tried with tulips, but this year will give it a go. I’ll update this post in the Spring.

My bulbs in brown lunch bags getting a shot of cold air in the crisper bin of my refridgerator.

Peace – The Nativity

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Years ago a friend gave us this gorgeous gift, a beautiful nativity scene carved from wood. Yesterday, after I had placed it upon the windowsill, the sun shone through the windows and backlit the scene with a glorious light.

A favorite Christmas Movie of mine:

Praise – A Duet With Jesus

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Creek at Hickory Run

I try to walk daily. Often as I walk I will softly sing songs of praise. A few days ago, as I happily strolled and sang, I heard another singer down the road a stretch. He was a jogger, with earphones, singing along to the tune. Suddenly, he let out a happy whoohoo in the midst of the song, and I smiled with happiness at the joy in his voice. The thought of his unabashed singing has uplifted me many times throughout the week.

I love this Bible verse: “For he (Jesus) says in the book of Psalms, ‘I will talk to my brothers about God my Father, and together we will sing his praises.’ ” Hebrews 12:2 (The Living Bible)  I like to think that when I sing songs of praise I am singing a duet with Jesus. Singing songs of Praise and Thanksgiving often ignites the presence of God within my life. It doesn’t matter if I harrumph along like a frog or trill melodious as a bird. The Lord God will inhabit the songs of his people.

I wonder how the world would change if people all around the world would stop throughout the day, lift up their voices in songs of praise, and sing a duet with Jesus.

Pleasures, Peculiarities and Perspective – Aurora Borealis

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“And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good.” Genesis 1:3-4 (NIV)

I enjoy placing glass near windows. The beautiful swathe of color above was created quite by chance, the result of God’s sun shining through a glass shelf and reflecting up onto the expanse of my ceiling. I always feel a bit blessed to sit beneath a shimmer of sun-painted colors. When I see a sunset, sunrise, rainbow or even a momentary blaze of color through common glass, I am reminded of one of the wonders of the world, the Aurora Borealis. Below I have embedded a gorgeous two minute video of the Aurora Borealis, beautifully highlighted with the Soundtrack of one of my favorite movies, “Gladiator.” Enjoy!

Youtube video by: TESOPHOTOGRAPHY

Somehow all anxiety slips away when you dwell for a moment on who holds the future in his hand.

” ‘I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give drink without cost from the spring of the water of life. He who overcomes will inherit all this, and I will be his God and he will be my son.’ ”  Revelation 21:6-7 (NIV)

Plants – Fittonia “Red Anne”

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Today I bought our Christmas Tree for this year, a Norfolk Island Pine. Only about three feet tall, with an extra foot of height provided by the pot, this is the third year we have done without a large tree and decorated a small, live tree instead. The last pine was growing strong on the patio until a mischevious cat got into it, decided it made a great litter box, and that was the end of that tree. This year, I will keep the surface covered and also sprinkle with a bit of pepper for extra precaution. Achoo.

While I was picking out the tree, I also noticed this very pretty fittonia called Fittonia Red Anna. The colors looked Christmas-like so I put that in the cart too.

Pleasures – Scamping

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This is the Scamp. We love our Scamp. It is one of our pleasures to camp several times a year. Our favorite spots are: Belleplain State Forest in NJ, Frontier Campground near Ocean City, NJ, Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware  (only a few miles from Rehobeth Beach) and Elk Neck Campground in Maryland.

Proverbs – The Path of Peace

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April’s Trail

 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 (NIV)

There are many potential threats hanging over us all: the collapse of world-wide economies, dangerous cataclysms beneath the earth’s crust, the crescendo of bad weather, poisons in the water, air and sky, epidemics, illness, famines…the list could go on and on.

Yet, I have a source, you have a source, we all have a source of peace. That peace can be found in the Lord Jesus Christ.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. John 14:27 (NIV)

God’s presence and his word are always my abiding peace.

To find the Bible references for this post I used Bible Gateway. Bible Gateway is an excellent way to locate a verse in the Bible in a multitude of translations.

Places – Strathmere & Cape May, New Jersey

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One of my favorite destinations is Strathmere, New Jersey. Only a few miles from Ocean City, Strathmere is a non-commercial beach town. A few years ago the beach was replenished and all the pilings were under the sand. After last winter’s N’or Easters, the pilings have emerged once again to see the light of day. I like the look of the pilings, but I can understand the frustration of those who live near the beach too.

 

 

I’ve always called this group of pilings “X marks the spot.” They criss cross each other like a giant X.

 

 

This old bunker is on Cape May Point. It is a leftover from World War II.  You can find information pertaining to its history here: Cape May Bunker