Author: Timelesslady

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

Photo Challenge – The Yellow Garage Antiques Shop

On By TimelessladyIn photo challenges8 Comments
This fish weather vane was my favorite.

A treasure trove of unique weather vanes awaited me in The Yellow Garage Antiques shop this week. Yes, the exterior is yellow, and yes, it was a garage/bus terminal built in 1922. It was renovated in 1995 and is home to 35 antique dealers. Is it amazing inside? Yes. Was it filled with unique merchandise? Yes. Were there antique weather vanes? Yes, not only weather vanes but whirlygigs and other wind dependent structures too.

If you are ever in southern New Jersey, The Yellow Garage is easy to find on Main Street in Mullica Hill.

Thanks to these bloggers for taking part in last week’s challenge.

Exploring Colour – Wind Vane: Bell Tea

Geriatri’x’ – A Cock Above a Crown

A Day in the Life – Weathervane Wednesday

The 59 Club – Sunday Walk in the Bavarian Countryside

The Photo Challenge: Each Wednesday, I post a photograph of a Weather Vane with a short description of where it can be found and any history connected to it. The main focus of the challenge is the photo of the Weather Vane and the location. The challenge can be Wordless if that is what you choose. If you would like others to see your post leave a link to your blog in the comment box. You can also tag the post #weathervaneweds. If you place a link to my post in your post you will create a pingback that will appear in the comment section. The challenge is open all week for comments and posts. Thanks so much for taking part in my challenge.

Many thanks to Cee, of Cee’s Photography, for including this challenge in her listing of WordPress Challenges. If you love challenges take a look at this page and while you are there check out some of Cee’s terrific posts. Thanks Cee!

Projects – Scrub Pine Valentine Update

On By TimelessladyIn Projects10 Comments

December’s Scrub Pine Christmas tree is still a resident plant in my home. Replanted in a bigger pot and placed in a sunny area, the pine, which was bristly and dried out when I first transplanted it is thriving in its improved conditions. The needles are not so sharp to the touch, and there is new growth on many of the tips.

The Christmas Tree Pine is now a Valentine’s Day Tree. I didn’t buy a thing to dress it up. Double-sided paper cut into heart shapes, hole-punched, and hung with Christmas ornament hooks were a perfect match for the tree’s sparse appearance.

The color combination is pink with touches of orange/coral, a perfect combination for Cee’s Fun Foto Challenge. Look closely and you can see I’ve used old beads and pearls as ornaments, cut away from necklaces I no longer wear. I hung these by threading them onto Christmas tree hooks. I’ve found these hooks have many uses in house and garden when I need a small piece of wire.

 

 

Pheathers – Monochrome Monday Mockingbird in Snow

On By TimelessladyIn Pheathers12 Comments

Mockingbirds are a favorite of mine. I captured this beauty outside my window today, perched on a branch of the Bald Cypress tree. The beautiful snow is reason enough to gaze out the window, making eye-contact with a mockingbird is an added bonus. Is it possible to develop friendship with birds, moments of real trust? Possibly this morning was an inroad to even better relationships with the backyard flock. I trudged out in the snow to throw a bit of seed on the ground, and into the feeder hoping to give them a few minutes of nourishment before the snow covered my breakfast offering over again.

This Monochrome Monday post is part of Skywatch.

Perspective and Praise – Casting Cares

On By TimelessladyIn Perspective, Praise13 Comments

“Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.”

~ Psalm 55:22 (KJVA)

The acacia passage is one of my favorite areas in the Longwood Garden Conservatory. This beautiful vignette is just one of the many plant displays that will pique your interest during the Orchid Extravaganza.

If I was the gardener in charge of the area, the care, placement and upkeep of all the plants would be daunting. To cope, and do the best job possible, I would remind myself of wise counsel a good friend once gave me, “Concentrate on one problem at a time.” This sage advice works for so many aspects of life. We get into trouble when we overextend ourselves and try to take care of too many problems at one time.

Aha, you say, all my problems must be taken care of now, I have no choice. Yes, sometimes choosing just one doesn’t work, but in that case, I remind myself of the verse I began the post with, and I cast the burden on the Lord. What a promise to cling to in the midst of our busy, problem-filled lives. He will sustain me, He will sustain thee. God bless you on this Sabbath Day.

The orchids are part of Cee’s Flower of the Day.

Pages & Philm – Vanity Fair

On By TimelessladyIn Pages, Philm4 Comments

I’ve been watching, and enjoying, an Amazon Prime Original of William Makepeace Thackeray’s Vanity Fair.

I have also found a free Librivox  recording of Vanity Fair. I’m about to start Chapter One today. I can listen on my tablet as I work at completing odds and ends around the house. Librivox is a wonderful site filled with free audiobooks of public domain works. There are many classics available for your listening pleasure on Librivox. Since I’ve never read Vanity Fair, I’m looking forward to meeting Becky Sharp through the audiobook as well as Amazon’s well-done series.

Photo Challenge – Kennett Square/Weather Vane Wednesday

On By TimelessladyIn photo challenges14 Comments

I spotted this cat weather vane across the street from the Encore Consignment Shop in Kennett Square, Pa. The vane appropriately sits atop a veterinary office. I didn’t go into the vet’s office, but I did browse a bit in the Encore Consignment shop.

The shop is a few miles away from Longwood Gardens and the Brandywine River Museum.

There are many Wyeth family paintings displayed in the Museum, and we even saw a signed print of one of Andrew Wyeth’s Helga paintings in the Encore shop.

I suppose in reality, the shop is just an upscale thrift store. It certainly has a charm missing in most Goodwill or Salvation Army centers I’ve visited, but then the bargains aren’t as good either. All proceeds from the shop benefit Chester County Hospital.

Thanks to these bloggers for taking part in last week’s challenge.
Exploring Color – Anglican Wind Vane
Geriatri’x’photo gallery – Weather Vanes in the Snow
The 59 Club – Called to Duty in 1894
A Day in the Life/Daily Musings – Weathervane Wednesday
Exploring Colour – Which Way Oamaru

The Photo Challenge: Each Wednesday, I post a photograph of a Weather Vane with a short description of where it can be found and any history connected to it. The main focus of the challenge is the photo of the Weather Vane and the location. The challenge can be Wordless if that is what you choose. If you would like others to see your post leave a link to your blog in the comment box. You can also tag the post #weathervaneweds. If you place a link to my post in your post you will create a pingback that will appear in the comment section. The challenge is open all week for comments and posts. Thanks so much for taking part in my challenge.

Many thanks to Cee, of Cee’s Photography, for including this challenge in her listing of WordPress Challenges. If you love challenges take a look at this page and while you are there check out some of Cee’s terrific posts. Thanks Cee!

Pages – Crafty Books

On By TimelessladyIn Pages9 Comments

On a recent trip to Longwood Gardens we admired this arch created with books folded into interesting shapes and flowers. The base appears to be created with gnarly branches and moss.

As a lifelong lover of books, I have mixed feelings about using books for crafts, although I have done so on numerous occasions. I enjoy cutting phrases out of books to use on greeting cards. You can see a sample and how-to on using these cut out phrases on The Flower Ark/Tulip Greeting Card.

I might try to make a few of these book page flowers for a Valentine’s Day Centerpiece.

Place – Walking the Flip Side

On By TimelessladyIn Place18 Comments

I have to laugh at the sign stating “Lifeguard Not On Duty.” I feel sympathy enough for lifeguards sitting in their stands in the blazing sun of summer. Could you imagine an eight-hour shift on this Cape May Beach in the winter? Brrrrrr. No problem, I will find a way to walk on the beach and search for treasure even when the sand is covered with snow. My heart is anchored for life to the seashore towns and the ocean waves, and I can’t imagine living in a land-locked area.

February is living up to its reputation of being unpredictable. It was fun to walk the beach for a few minutes, but soon the cold wind penetrated our tightly-buttoned outerwear and we skedaddled back to the shelter of our car.

Pheathers – Did You Know?

On By TimelessladyIn Pheathers4 Comments

Did you know February is National Bird Feeding Month? These were birds at my feeder yesterday in the small snow squall that came through New Jersey.

It’s also groundhog day, but because of my problems with those pesky groundhogs, it’s definitely not on my list of celebration days. I didn’t know there was a site dedicated to informing those unaware of what national day you can commemorate, but there is and you can find it here: National Today.

Phlowers – Late to the Show/Flower of the Day

On By TimelessladyIn Quirkiness18 Comments

On the coldest day of the year my Christmas Amaryllis is finally in full bloom. She’s late to the show, but sometimes a glamorous entrance is better than being on time. In these cold days of mid-winter, the blossom is a welcome addition to the house.

This post is part of Cee’s Flower of the Day.

Photo Challenge – Orchid Extravaganza Part II & Weather Vane Wednesday

On By TimelessladyIn Photo Challenge at Wordpress26 Comments

This week’s weather vane is atop the Longwood Gardens Conservatory. The Orchid Extravanganza featured orchids in a variety of unique settings.

These orchids were in a planter in a long walkway filled with blooming acacia.

A waterfall complete with orchids.

A bright cascade of orchids alongside two walkways, one behind and one in front. This display was really lovely.

Thank you to these bloggers who took part in last week’s challenge. Take a look at their great weather vanes.
Daily Musings – Weather Vane Wednesday
Geriatri’x’fotogallery – Weather Vane Wednesday
The 59 Club – Lawton Stables – South Carolina
Exploring Color – Wind Vane Windfall

The Photo Challenge: Each Wednesday, I post a photograph of a Weather Vane with a short description of where it can be found and any history connected to it. The main focus of the challenge is the photo of the Weather Vane and the location. The challenge can be Wordless if that is what you choose. If you would like others to see your post leave a link to your blog in the comment box. You can also tag the post #weathervaneweds. If you place a link to my post in your post you will create a pingback that will appear in the comment section. The challenge is open all week for comments and posts. Thanks so much for taking part in my challenge.

Many thanks to Cee, of Cee’s Photography, for including this challenge in her listing of WordPress Challenges. If you love challenges take a look at this page and while you are there check out some of Cee’s terrific posts. Thanks Cee!

Pleasure – Orchid Extravaganza Part I

On By TimelessladyIn Pleasures15 Comments

Each year I visit Longwood Gardens when the Orchid Extravaganza is on display in the conservatory. The Longwood gardeners create a masterpiece of color and form with the orchids grown in their greenhouses.

The conservatory built in 1921, elicits admiration as you turn the bend of the paved path and view it in the distance.

An inviting multitude of paphiopedilum, one of my favorite orchids, greeted us as we entered the side door. Those who plan the displays do a great job creating a balance between flowers, foliage and trees.

The rainbow colors sometimes hold a surprise too…these orchids, in reality are a deep purple, but appear to be a true black on first glance.

If orchids aren’t your flower of choice there are hundreds of additional plants on display. One of my favorites were the African Violets in garden boxes bordering one of the exhibition halls.

We also admired the lilies, filling many of the nooks and crannies of the conservatory in a rainbow of colors. Part II of our recent trip will be posted tomorrow.

Perspective – The Holocaust

On By TimelessladyIn Perspective15 Comments

We all need to remember the faces of those lost, the promise they held, and the evil behind the atrocities committed against them.
The Faces of Auschwitz

Quote – Spurgeon on Praise

On By TimelessladyIn Quote4 Comments

“Praise is the rehearsal of our eternal song. By grace we learn to sing, and in glory we continue to sing. What will some of you do when you get to heaven, if you go on grumbling all the way? Do not hope to get to heaven in that style. But now begin to bless the name of the Lord.” ~ C.H. Spurgeon

Quote – A Chance of Rainbows

On By TimelessladyIn Quote10 Comments

Forecast: A Chance of Rainbows

Be a rainbow in someone else’s cloud. ~ Maya Angelou

Skywatch Friday: Combine sun and rain and you will have A Chance of Rainbows! A photo of the rainbow over my neighborhood yesterday after the rain.

Plants – Pussy Willow Catkins

On By TimelessladyIn Quirkiness6 Comments

It’s that time of year! Pussy Willow branches are available in the supermarket. This year the catkins were fully emerged when I bought them. Hooray! In past years they have been tightly covered and I’ve had to help the furry little catkins emerge by hand.

Forcing Pussy Willows

I must have come upon the branches soon after they were delivered to the store. When I cut the ends I saw that further up the branch there was still a touch of green, a good sign that the branches might root and continue to grow for weeks.

Pussy Willows in January make me smile and banish the winter blues! They help nurture me through the long winter days. This post is part of Nurturing Thursday.

Photo Challenge & People – My Own Backyard

On By TimelessladyIn photo challenges14 Comments

First we had rain, heavy rain, then we had cold, bitter cold; it hasn’t been a week conducive to driving around looking for new weather vanes. I’m glad to say in all this bad weather I was able to stand in my own backyard and take a photo of a weather vane. My neighbor’s vane is common to our development. Many of the houses have this same vane and I’ve used similar vanes in past challenges. Sometimes exactly what you need is right outside your door.

“If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again, I won’t look any further than my own back yard. Because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with.” ~ L. Frank Baum

Do you recognize the name of the author of the quote? L. Frank Baum wrote The Wizard of Oz. Here are a few facts you might not know about Mr. Baum:
The L. stand for Lyman.
He loved the theater and wanted to be an actor.
He started writing children’s books in his 40’s.
He named Oz after a file cabinet drawer marked O – Z.
Dorothy Gale was named after a niece who died.

Thank you to these bloggers for taking part in last week’s Weather Vane Wednesday Challenge:
Pics by Kaz – Trinity House Weathervane
The 59 Club – Watch Dog
Daily Musings/A Day in the Life – Weather Vane Wednesday

The Photo Challenge: Each Wednesday, I post a photograph of a Weather Vane with a short description of where it can be found and any history connected to it. The main focus of the challenge is the photo of the Weather Vane and the location. The challenge can be Wordless if that is what you choose. If you would like others to see your post leave a link to your blog in the comment box. You can also tag the post #weathervaneweds. If you place a link to my post in your post you will create a pingback that will appear in the comment section. The challenge is open all week for comments and posts. Thanks so much for taking part in my challenge.

Many thanks to Cee, of Cee’s Photography, for including this challenge in her listing of WordPress Challenges. If you love challenges take a look at this page and while you are there check out some of Cee’s terrific posts. Thanks Cee!

People & Perspective – Things That Matter

On By TimelessladyIn People, Perspective11 Comments


Sunday Night Supermoon Rising

When beautiful events take place in the sky I look up and take notice. When a person changes many lives for the better by standing up for what he knows is truth, I take notice of his words. I wonder what Martin Luther King, Jr’s dream would be if he lived in our present world.

Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter. ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

What am I silent about even when I know something is very wrong? Do I keep opinions to myself because I don’t want to come across as condemning instead of loving? What might my silence let happen that should, at the very least, be spoken against? Today I am stating my opinion on abortion. My belief is that at conception life begins. I don’t usually contact government leaders, but this weekend I sent a thank you email to Rand Paul for reintroducing the Life at Conception Bill.

“Each year, the March for Life calls on the powerful to protect life at its most helpless. What we say about the value of human life fundamentally impacts who and what we will be as a nation. In recognition of this, I have reintroduced the Life at Conception Act to ensure the unborn receive equal protection under the law, along with legislation to end forced taxpayer support of Planned Parenthood. May the message heard today and the marchers’ passionate dedication inspire change to reaffirm this most basic of rights-” ~ Rand Paul


Monday Morning Supermoon Setting

Praise – Gratitude

On By TimelessladyIn Praise6 Comments

“Gratitude is an offering precious in the sight of God, and it is one that the poorest of us can make and be not poorer but richer for having made it.”     ~ A. W. Tozer


In the winter, I’m grateful for the barrenness of the tree branches, for they give me wonderful views of the neighborhood birds. Even a humble grackle is a glorious representative of feathered beauty as he suns himself in the sunshine of a January morning.

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” —Robert Brault


A nuthatch having breakfast on a pine cone thrills me, and my heart is filled with gratitude as I witness God’s providence for the birds of the air. God bless you on this Sabbath Day

“Enjoy the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.” —Robert Brault

This post is part of this week’s Skywatch.