Author: Timelesslady

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

Praise – I Know Whom I Have Believed

On By TimelessladyIn Praise4 Comments

I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws.” ~ Psalm 119:30

Living at peace in our modern-day world seems unlikely as we read/hear of current events. Every nation appears to be on the precipice of ruin and war due to the selfish and violent natures of a few. It’s easy to start contemplating the horrifying what-ifs, but I stop myself short and say aloud, “God is in control.” The words of this hymn came to mind today and gave me sustaining peace. We must stay aware of the times we are living in, but as we do, we must also continue to have constant faith in the coming triumph of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The hymn, “I Know Whom I Have Believed,” was written by Daniel Webster Whittle (1840 – 1901)

“I know not when my Lord may come,
at night or noonday fair,
nor if I walk the vale with him,
or meet him in the air.
Refrain:But I know whom I have believed,
and am persuaded that he is able
to keep that which I’ve committed
unto him against that day.”
~ Daniel Whittle Webster

Photo – Ordinary into Ornate

On By TimelessladyIn Photo Challenge at Wordpress, photograph, ProjectsLeave a comment

Ornate “Forget about subdued and restrained. This week, let’s embrace the breathtakingly extravagant.” ~Wordpress Photo Challenge

watch workings

Even though it’s functional and quite ordinary, the inside of a watch has an intriguing beauty. Take a photograph, crop, bump up the color, and it’s downright ornate.

PicMonkey has many free photo applications for editing photographs.

Plants & Plans – Seed Catalogs and Garden Journals

On By TimelessladyIn Plans, Plants11 Comments

pinetree garden seeds

Yesterday was the perfect day for a bit of sunshine in the way of garden catalogs. I found a copy of the Pinetree Garden Seeds Catalog in my mailbox, and in my virtual mailbox I received notification of the new edition of the Baker Creek Heirloom Seed Catalog. Both of these favorites were a high point in a rather cloudy day.

The arrival of these catalogs prompted me to pull out last year’s garden journal. I use a spiral notebook for my garden notes. I appreciate having the option of pulling out a page I’m disappointed with, and I also like the low price. (50 cents to $5.00) I’ve tried fancier, and more expensive journals, but prefer an inexpensive spiral with an interesting print as a cover, or as in the case of this year’s notebook, an intense garden green.

garden notebook

I tape plant tags, glue down used seed packets, and make notes to myself on these pages. Perhaps tonight I will read through each entry  and highlight the plants that were successful, or write a big, “NO!“ beside the disappointments I don’t want to repeat.

Even though gardening might be a low priority on your to-do list now that Autumn is waning, it is the perfect time begin dreaming and planning for the 2016 growing season.

Project & Plants – Creating a Houseplant Trellis

On By TimelessladyIn Plants, Projects4 Comments

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My indoor geraniums have grown very tall. The stems are not standing up beneath the extra weight the height adds; time to create some type of a stake or trellis for support.

I gathered up supplies: string and twigs. I also had some pipe cleaners on hand in case I needed something to hold the twigs in place while I tied the string.

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I laid out the basic shape and then began tying the twigs together using a double cross-over knot. I used a haphazard pattern instead of trying to perfectly space each stick.

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A quick trim of the excess twig length on the sides and the trellis was ready to use.

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The trellis cost me nothing; the twigs were gathered, and I had the string on hand. I think the green sticks make a prettier and more natural-appearing support than the cheap plastic varieties I see available in garden centers.

People – Green Light a Vet

On By TimelessladyIn QuirkinessLeave a comment

“Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who bravely bears his country’s cause. Honor, also, to the citizen who cares for his brother in the field and serves, as he best can, the same cause.”
― Abraham Lincoln

All over the world honor is due to those who serve to keep their country safe. In the US, on Veterans Day, November 11th, let’s green light a vet, a simple gesture to show we appreciate all they do.

Green Light a Vet

People – Rend Collective

On By TimelessladyIn PeopleLeave a comment

“‘We wanted to push boundaries because our God is not safe or small: He has a wild imagination.’

Rend Collective have never lacked imagination. From the bewildering array of children’s toys and whimsical, handmade oddities they call instruments, to the hare-brained and wonderfully impractical scheme of recording a live album on the beach around a campfire, to the safety-defying audacity of shooting a music video on a fully-operational fishing boat in the turbulent Irish Sea, this fascinating worship community have always pursued the colorful and unexpected.” ~ Rend Collective Website

I love the exuberant praise songs by Rend Colletive.

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Quick Tip – Soap Scum Removal Made Easy

On By TimelessladyIn Quick TipLeave a comment

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I prefer not to use chemical-laden spray cleaners to remove soap scum. After I spray these products, I “taste” or “smell” the chemicals for days. Breathing in harsh cleansers is hard on your lungs. I’ve found a good tip for cleaning shower scum. Mix together equal parts Dawn Dishwashing Liquid and hot white vinegar.

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Whisk the two ingredients together, very gently so you don’t create suds, and place in a dish scrubber. To use, take a hot shower and before you turn off the water, quickly wipe down the walls. Let the shower run a bit longer to rinse the solution off the walls. I experimented with this technique and the whole process only took a minute or two and was SO easy. Give it a try!

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I’ve blogged this technique in the past and used a spray bottle to apply the solution. The dish scrubber makes the whole technique so much easier and convenient. I also think the steamy, hot shower stall facilitates the removal of the soap scum.

Quick Tip & Plants – Over-wintering Geraniums

On By TimelessladyIn Plants, Quick Tip8 Comments

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I am overwintering my geraniums in cardboard boxes this year. If you have room in your garage or basement, consider saving your geranium plants too. I lift my plants from the ground with a spading fork and brush away as much soil as possible. After they are stored in boxes, I will check the plants each week to remove dead leaves. It’s also a good idea to inspect the geraniums every few weeks for the development of mold or mildew.

“Susan’s in the Garden,”video tutorial demonstrates two techniques for over-wintering your geraniums.

Pheathers – The Junco

On By TimelessladyIn Pheathers2 Comments
Photograph courtesy of Acrylic Artist on Morgue File
Photograph courtesy of Acrylic Artist on Morgue File

I know winter is approaching when the Juncos arrive at my bird feeder.

Dark-eyed Juncos are neat, even flashy little sparrows that flit about forest floors of the western mountains and Canada, then flood the rest of North America for winter. They’re easy to recognize by their crisp (though extremely variable) markings and the bright white tail feathers they habitually flash in flight. One of the most abundant forest birds of North America, you’ll see juncos on woodland walks as well as in flocks at your feeders or on the ground beneath them.
~ Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Phavorites – November Reruns

On By TimelessladyIn PhavoritesLeave a comment

This is my fifth year creating content for “Minding My P’s with Q.” Some good ideas and posts from past years are buried deep in the archives. I’ve unearthed a few November “phavorites” from 2011 to the present to share once again.

Sweet Potato Vine

Growing a Sweet Potato Vine is easy and a fun way to continue gardening indoors.

the stowaway

When you bring in your houseplants from the porch and yard be sure to check for Stowaways.

pumpkin cookies

Pumpkin Cookies, nutritious and delicious, are a perfect November snack.

pressed flower house

You can use Pressed Autumn Leaves to create structures within pressed flower cards.

milk carton cloche

A Milk Carton Cloche is an easy way to extend your growing season.

Amaryllis

Amaryllis are available now as bulbs or potted plants for Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday cheer.

Paper Snowflakes on my windows are one of my favorite Christmas decorations. To have enough by December 1st, I will begin cutting at least five every day.

Last, but certainly not least, enjoy the beautiful “A Song of Thanksgiving” by U2.

Painting – WetCanvas November Painting Challenges

On By TimelessladyIn Painting4 Comments

It’s been awhile since I’ve included a painting challenge in a blog post. These two challenges are posted on the WetCanvas Website. If you love art of any type, take a look at the many forums on this site.

1046-Baddesley_ClintonNov15

The first challenge I might attempt is in the Watercolor Studio. The reference photograph, posted by Yorky, is of Baddesly Clinton Manor, in Warwickshire, UK. This challenge is limited to the medium of watercolor. If you have a set of watercolors gathering dust, break them out and attempt this challenge. Follow along, or comment in the forum. The Wetcanvas website is free. Register to post art or comment in the threads. When you finish your painting, post it in the forum for others to see. There is not a set date for posting or a deadline for this challenge.

Lily by Stalksthedawn
Lily by Stalksthedawn

The second challenge is offered through the Floral/Botanicals forum on Wetcanvas. This month’s WetCanvas Plant Parade/November 2015 Challenge is the beautiful Lily. There are many reference photographs included, or you can use a reference of your own. All art mediums are permitted. This challenge has a posting/reveal date of November 25th.

Hopefully, I will get my brushes busy and be able to show a step-by-step example of how I attempt these challenges.

Projects – Apple Gourds

On By TimelessladyIn Projects, Quirkiness13 Comments

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I recently bought an apple gourd at a farm stand. In the Spring, I hope to make a new bird house out of it for smaller songbirds. The penny in the photograph will give you a sense of scale as to how large an apple gourd grows.

I found good information on How to Dry Large Gourds, but instead of drying for a week on newspapers, I am using a piece of bath scrunchy. (Bath scrunchies are made up of a tube of nylon netting.) I knotted the bottom of the tube, slipped the gourd inside, tied  a knotted loop at the top, and hung the gourd on a porch hook. The weather is supposed to be warm next week, suspending the gourd will give the entire skin a chance to dry out.

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When the first drying time is complete, I will bring the gourd indoors, wash in disinfectant, and hang it once again, this time in the dark basement. Hopefully, near Springtime, the gourd will be completely dry and ready to craft into a bird house. Large gourds of all types are widely available at this time of year in farmer’s markets and produce stands.

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Prompt – Throwback Thursday – I Should Be Dancing!

On By TimelessladyIn Prompt/The Daily Prompt at WordpressLeave a comment

I read today, that on this date in 1923, the Charleston Dance was widely introduced in a Broadway show called “Runnin’ Wild.” The dance had been around since 1903. The music that accompanies the dance is a form of syncopated ragtime jazz.

Childlike Daily Prompt
Childlike
Explain your biggest regret — as though to a small child.

I always wished I was a better dancer. When I was a child, poring over books laden with photographs of ballerinas, I was sure I would grow up to be wear their beribboned shoes and frilly costumes. I still tap my toes when I hear disco, but have forgotten all the fancy moves I once knew except the self-explanatory, “The Bump.”

I challenge everybody who still regrets they are not a better dancer to kick up your heels and cut a few “Charleston” moves today…if nothing else…the dance is great exercise! “You Should Be Dancing!”

Pots & Pans – Winter Squash Soup

On By TimelessladyIn Pots and Pans7 Comments

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I love cream soups. Creating them is definitely an exercise in self-nurturing. This week I was pleased to come upon a display of winter squash in a bin at the grocers. At only ninety-nine cents each, how could I go wrong in experimenting with a new variety? I chose a brightly-hued orange squash. The shape and size reminded me of a small pumpkin.

To prepare the squash for soup, I sliced it in half. Be very careful cutting through winter squash. It is extremely hard-skinned, and the knife could easily slip out and cause you harm. I usually pierce the squash with a paring knife and gently, but firmly wiggle my way around. An alternate method is to cut off the ends, and with a larger knife, cut the squash directly in half.

Place the squash in an ovenproof glass dish, mine has a matching lid. Add about a 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water in the bottom. Place your onion and other spices alongside the squash. Cook in a 350 degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes. The squash is ready to use when a skewer easily pierces the skin and interior. Take care when removing the lid, the steam can give you a nasty burn.

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Flip the squash over. I cool the squash, uncovered, for about an hour. Using a metal spoon with a hard, thin edge, I scoop out the interior close to the skin. Discard the outer shells.

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Place squash and onion in a blender or food processor. Add 2/3 – 1 cup of milk, cream or broth. I used 1/3 cup of buttermilk and 1/3 cup of milk. I also added a teaspoon of brown sugar for sweetness. You could use maple syrup, sugar, other natural sweeteners, or nothing at all. A squeeze of lemon and a dash of garlic powder were also added to the blender. Puree all the ingredients together. Pour into a saucepan and heat. Do not bring to a boil. Salt and pepper to taste. A dash of cinnamon adds even more appeal. Enjoy!

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Here are the ingredients I used. I recommend using an onion in place of the shallot. The shallot has a nice flavor, but did not blend easily and left little bits of purple skin in the finished soup.

Winter Squash Soup (makes 1 serving, ingredients easily doubled)
1 Small Winter Squash
fresh or dried herbs
1 small onion or shallot

Cut Squash in half, half or quarter an onion. Place in glass pan with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of water in bottom. Strew fresh or dried herbs over ingredients. (I used thyme and parsley with a dash of oregano.) Cover. Bake in 350 degree oven for 50 to 60 minutes. Cool completely.

Place ingredients in blender or food processor. Add additional spices. I used some garlic powder, salt and pepper. I also added a teaspoon of brown sugar and a squeeze of lemon.

Add 2/3 – 1 cup of liquid. (Milk, buttermilk, cream or broth) Broth will create a thinner soup. Heat in saucepan and serve. (Do not boil)

It’s easy to experiment with cream soups. They are good base for combining flavors you enjoy. Add little bits of herbs and spices as you blend. You never know what kind of heavenly concoction you might create.

Plants – Autumn Volunteers

On By TimelessladyIn Plants4 Comments

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While cleaning out garden beds today I noticed some volunteer dill seedlings. When I harvested the dill seed this summer some must have fallen to the ground and sprouted. I love volunteer plants.

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I placed a few of the sprouts in a pot, watered them, and in a day or two will bring them in to grow through the winter on my kitchen windowsill. Check your garden beds to see which of your plants might have a squadron of volunteers growing there.