Author: Timelesslady

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

Perspective – Throwback Thursday – For the Love of Daisies

On By TimelessladyIn Perspective11 Comments

Today, I bought a small pot of yellow daisies, which is, in reality, a daisy-like chrysanthemum, to place on my kitchen table for a few weeks. I love the shape of daisies, the colors, the variety. Other similar daisy-shaped flowers are gerberas, the common field daisy, aster daisies, echinaceas, and some dahlias. Horticulture Magazine has a list of 40 Daisy-Like Flowers with Growing Tips, I favorited the link.

The yellow daisy chrysanthemums are my choice for Cee’s Flower of the Day.

I’ve blogged several times about daisies. Here is a poster, or as the new tech age calls them, a meme using a daisy as a backdrop. For me, my first memory of daisies is this well-known rhyme. Did you know the rhyme originated in France and was originally a game? Wikipedia has a bit of its history.

Another Echinacea Daisy seemed a perfect backdrop for the word FAITH.

My family had two dogs named Daisy, and my grandmother had a goat of the same name. The little black poodle adding her blessing to my wedding party forty-seven years ago this month was named after the flower. I still miss her. What a sweetheart.

One Daisy I never met was Daisy McCormack. I found her watercolor either in a shop or at a yard sale. I’ve had it so long I can’t remember the origin. The painting is delicate and sweet, 4 ½ by 3 ½. It is beautifully framed. The writing on the back is neat and straight, describing the flowers and where they were found and ending with hand-painted by Daisy M. McCormack. Since I watercolor and have painted many flowers, I treasure her work even though I will never know her in this life. Judging by the color of the backing paper, the work is decades old.

The Daisy in the photograph, top row, third from the left, is someone I met only once. She was Aunt Daisy to my grandfather. When his mother passed away in the Spanish Flu epidemic, she left behind four children under nine. Aunt Daisy took my grandfather in during this terrible time. Once, when I was small, he took me to her home in the hills near Martinsville, Virginia. I am forever grateful to this kind aunt for nurturing my grandfather when he was only six. She lived to be 94, and I hope she was blessed her whole life for her kindness.  

P.S. My great-grandfather is the young gentleman on the lower left.

Lastly, I include a favorite oldie of mine. Somehow, I know a lot of the words. Perhaps from listening so often as a child to Bing Crosby and Mitch Miller Sing-A-Long Records. (Yes, I do mean vinyl records.) My mother loved the voice of Nat King Cole, so this is for her.

I usually write short posts, but this one kept growing, as I hope my love for daisies will grow throughout my lifetime.

Phlowers – Cardinal Climber Vine/FOTD

On By TimelessladyIn Phlowers8 Comments

Cardinal Climber Vine ((Ipomoea × multifida) is my post for Cee’s Flower of the Day. These vines and the beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers blooming on them are some of the best flowers for a hummingbird garden.

Most of my garden plants have blooms that are waning. I don’t obsess over the lack of bloom because I see few bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in October. The Cardinal Climber Vines bloomed late for me this year. I thought they were in a slump until a few weeks ago when they burst into dozens of blossoms. There is nothing timid about these flowers when they bloom; they are brilliant in color, and the stamen almost seems to glow like a spotlight beckoning hummingbirds to dive in for the nectar they contain.

Yesterday, I had an experience that I hope will stay a treasure in my spirit forever. I was bent down, turning off the hose nozzle, and when I stood, inches from me, a hummingbird was sipping nectar from the Cardinal Climber blooms. It seemed unaware of me, or perhaps in fueling up to return to warmer climates, was willing to risk my presence. I stood for several minutes, holding my breath, wanting to jump for joy as I listened to the buzz of the small bird’s wings and had the closest view ever of a hummingbird sipping nectar. I will never forget that magical moment in the garden.

The Spruce has information on how to grow Cardinal Climber Vines.

Pareidolia – Penguin

On By TimelessladyIn pareidolia10 Comments

Here’s a bit of fun. Do you see images in random objects. Do you see a penguin looking down at his feet? I do!

Maybe this will help…

The first thing I do when beachcombing is flip the shells over and see if they have a hidden picture. So much fun. I was reminded of this phenomenon recently when reading a blog post by Mehrling Muse. Thanks Anne for the inspiration.

Phloral Arrangement – IAVOM/Dried Hydrangeas

On By TimelessladyIn Phloral Arrangements24 Comments

The hydrangeas I displayed as my IAVOM two weeks ago, have dried beautifully. The colors have deepened into a beautiful purple and sage green. They rustle when I lightly brush them, and the sound reminds me of old book pages. I was so happy with the shade of their flowers that I used them as the inspiration for the Autumn mantel and strayed away from my usual golds, burgundy, and rust.

The hydrangeas are in a vase that, while a bit minty, can almost pass for sage green. I frequently use this McCoy Swan vase for arrangements. Surrounding the vase are gourds we bought in farm markets and garden centers this past weekend. A wise owl looks on the display; his heart-shaped face expresses fond approval of my choices. A wooden mushroom, last year’s birthday present from a sister, seems to fit in with the theme. I love to strew beads and garlands of bells over the mantel in a haphazard way. It adds a bit of interest.

What you can’t see are the old books and other Autumn decorations to the left, all in the same shades. Thanks for visiting and thank you to Rambling in the Garden, the host of IAVOM.

Phlowers & Photo Challenges – Skywatch Friday/Fairy Wishes

On By TimelessladyIn Phlowers, photo challenges15 Comments

Are these fairy wishes as much a part of your childhood remembrances as mine? Some of my earliest memories of being outdoors involved chasing after these wishes.

I captured only a portion of this wish as it floated against the blue sky, but I am entranced by the way the feathery tendrils become a prism and reflect a bit of rainbow color. 

Many of the wishes floating in my yard are now emerging from these Butterfly Weed (Asclepias tuberosa) pods, a type of milkweed. I also have common milkweed pods opening and letting their seeds fly free on an aerial bit of fluff. 

Pollinators love Butterfly Weed.

Butterflies, such as this Black Swallowtail, also sip the nectar from the blossoms.

I couldn’t resist cropping out a close-up of this beautiful butterfly face.

This post is part of Friday Skywatch. Thank you to the Host of this challenge.

Pots & Pans – Food Network/Creamy Kale and Eggs

On By TimelessladyIn Pots and Pans6 Comments

I subscribe to Food Network’s The Kitchen and hope to watch all the shows over the next few months. The goal is daunting. The show has aired since 2014. I started with Season 1, Episode 1, and had to immediately pause and try out the very first recipe, Creamed Kale and Eggs.

The recipe turned out well, no, it was excellent.

What I did right: I used shallots instead of leeks. Shallots are inexpensive and easier to clean. I also was able to easily cut the recipe in half for one person.

What I did wrong: I should have bought a bunch of kale instead of pre-cut pieces in a bag. Although the pieces were organic, cutting away the tough stem in each without losing my mind was impossible. I could have easily cut the center stems away if I had bought a bunch of large, uncut leaves.

Would I recommend this recipe: Oh Yes!

Here is a link to the recipe on Food Network: Creamy Kale and Eggs / There is a video link on the page for step-by-step instructions.

Phloral Arrangement – Drying Hydrangeas in a Vase.

On By TimelessladyIn Phloral Arrangements20 Comments

This week’s IAVOM arrangement is of hydrangeas in a utility vase for drying.

At this time of year, outdoors, my hydrangeas all appear to be a burnt-out rose color.

Flip that flower right side up again and witness a stunning transformation as the most beautiful watercolor tones appear.

To dry my hydrangeas, I cut them in late summer, when most of the moisture in the petals is gone, and place them in a vase of water. Half of these are already dried. They are ready to remove from the water in a week or two.

Thanks to Rambling in the Garden for hosting.

Phlutters – Whatsoever is Lovely/Monarch Chrysalis

On By TimelessladyIn Phlutters6 Comments

I am taking part in XingfuMama’s Whatsoever is Lovely Challenge this week. I was able to raise six Monarch Caterpillars from the egg stage on a Milkweed leaf to full-size caterpillars. They are developing in their chrysalis now. I genuinely find their chrysalis stage beautiful. The amazing and luminescent green is adorned with gold that looks like metal.

In years past, during the hotter months of summer, I saw Monarch Butterflies almost daily. However, all butterflies and many insects seem scarce this year, which is worrisome. I’m hoping they rebound and are back in large numbers next year.

Photographs – Swampy Six on Saturday

On By TimelessladyIn Photographs2 Comments

Swampy Saturday along the bike trail that spans Glassboro and Williamstown, New Jersey.

  • Green Heron
  • Duck Weed covered swamp
  • Eastern Painted Turtles
  • Eastern Long-Necked Turtle
  • Bull-frog hiding in Duck Weed
  • Water-lilies

This post is part of Garden Ruminations Six on Saturday.

Pots & Pans – Three Ingredient Apple Crisp

On By TimelessladyIn Pots and Pans6 Comments

All I can say about this dessert/breakfast is, oh my.
Oh my, it is so easy!
Oh my, it is so scrumptious!
Oh my, it is gone in under five minutes!

You can easily make it too. I’ve included step-by-step photographs and a few quick words.

Ingredients: 1 pack of Instant Oatmeal, 2 Apples, 1 pat of butter

Peel (or if you love eating apple peel, try leaving it on) two apples. If they are on the small side, I sometimes use three. I chose Granny Smith apples. Green apples are firm, slightly sour, and bake up perfectly. Place evenly in a large, greased pie pan. A square pan would work too, but you might need more apples.

Mash one large pat of butter into the instant oatmeal until combined, don’t overmix.

It should look like the photo after mixing.

Sprinkle evenly on peeled apples. Cover with foil. Bake in a preheated 350-degree oven.

Oh, the joy of this apple crisp. The caramelized bits around the edges are the best, don’t leave them in the pan, sprinkle these bits on top. Enjoy!

A note: My sister suggested using organic instant oatmeal to make the dessert even healthier. Quaker Oatmeal comes in four flavor variety packs. I’ve tried all four flavors, and all are delicious in the apple crisp.

Quote – Placed Purposefully/Elisabeth Elliot

On By TimelessladyIn Quote5 Comments

Elisabeth Elliot (December 21, 1926 – June 15, 2015) was a Christian missionary, author, and speaker. 

Place – Meadow Walk/Longwood Gardens

On By TimelessladyIn Place6 Comments

We went to Longwood this week. The walk alongside the Meadow was golden and glorious. Spectacular wildflowers called Common Cup-Flowers lined the path. Goldfinches, butterflies, bumble and honeybees, gathered nectar and seeds.

Common cup-plant is a native wildflower in the Asteraceae (daisy) family. It may self-seed. It typically grows to around 6′, however, can grow to reach 9′ tall. ~North Carolina Extension Gardener.

The Common Cup-plant is my choice for Cee’s Flower of the Day.

The yellow daisy-like flowers were spectacular against the bluest of skies.

The child in me wanted to wade through the tall grasses and flowers and climb this perfect branching tree.

Even a photograph that went askew seemed pretty as it gave me a good glimpse of the underside of the flowers.

If you visit Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, take a trip to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square.

These photographs are part of Garden Ruminations/Six on Saturday.

Phlowers – What’s In My Garden?

On By TimelessladyIn Phlowers14 Comments

In spring, my garden is a blank slate as the daffodils push above the soil’s surface, where they have slept away in the summer, winter, and autumn. It’s never unexpected, but always still amazing when August displays a thick jungle of flowers in the place where blooming began sparsely in March.

I haven’t taken part in the Lens-Artist Challenge for quite a while. I was drawn in by the title of the challenge. I am a bit late, but still happy to take part in Challenge #311.

Today as I was photographing the flowers I was surrounded by Black Swallowtails sipping from the Butterfly Bush and other flowers in the yard. I decided, since they use my fennel as host plants, and I help them out by raising them in butterfly houses on the porch, they too are growing in my garden.