Author: Timelesslady
Married with children and grandchildren. Reader, writer, painter - maybe a bit of an artist. Gardener... Led by the Spirit.
Perspective and Projects – Sawdust Memories
Our majestic oak tree was taken down while we were on vacation. I had resigned myself to its removal, but it was still a blow to see the empty space where it once stood. As we walked amid the fallen pieces, despite our untrained eyes, we noticed areas of danger due to splits in the main trunk. At some point the tree or large branches would have fallen. We did the right thing in having it removed before a problem or tragedy occurred.
We have decided to keep a piece of the stump for our grandchildren to build a fairy house on. I also gathered bins of sawdust to use for stuffing some fabric birds I intend to make. I will save a few acorns, plant them in a pot, freeze them for several months, and attempt to grow some progeny of my beautiful oak tree.
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Photographs – Jamaica, Treasure Beach Hotel
This week’s Photo Challenge at WordPress is as follows:
“Happy Place…This week, we want you to show us where you go to get your groove back.”
I returned late last evening from a lovely week spent in Treasure Beach, Jamaica. Here are a few of my favorite photographs from the week. Treasure Beach is definitely a perfect place to “Get Your Groove Back!”
A terrific way to reclaim your “groove” is to watch dolphins swim alongside your boat.
We get such a kick out of the lizards in the area. They are terrific “bug” predators and are always on the hunt for a good meal and warm place to bask in the sunshine.
Cactus, Palm Trees and Tropical Flowers all blend to create a stunning natural garden.
Can’t resist one more cute little lizard photograph before I go.
Treasure Beach Hotel, Treasure Beach Jamaica.
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Plant – My Bougainvillea – Blooming in Autumn
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Perspective – The Blessing of the Picky Eater
“Corn is a very fine food,
For animals and man.
You can find it on a cob,
You can eat it in a can.”
My husband is a picky eater. He has always been a picky eater. He tells a story of the hiding place he found on his mother’s kitchen table, a small ledge on the underside, where as a child, he would hide the peas he didn’t want to eat. He has no liking for all the good green veggies: green beans, lettuce, lima beans, cabbage, kale, garlic, onions, etc., etc., etc. He loves corn though. The little poem is from a third grade play he was in. He recites this to me when I grumble about eating corn again, and again, and again.
Have you ever cooked for a picky eater? It is not easy, but here is the blessing in the scenario, learning how to bring out the good flavors in just a few items has created in me an ability to cook almost anything fairly well. I’m happy to say, little bites by little bites, my husband has learned to eat some new things. He likes broccoli now…can you believe that, but he still won’t eat peas!
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Photograph – Treasure Beach, Jamaica
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Projects & Phun – Zentangles
Coloring books for adults, I see them everywhere I go: craft stores, magazine stores, book stores, grocery store check-out lines, and online too. The art form, promoted as a way to relax and unwind, has created a booming new industry. If you have tried this old/new activity, perhaps you are ready to go one step further and create your own lines for coloring in. In that case, you might like Zentangles. Take a look at this amazing and informative video. I love the classical music soundtrack, and find watching the artist completely mesmerizing.
Give Zentangle/doodling a try and have some fun!
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Perspective – Follow your Dreams in Stone
“Your personal sculptor is carving a person, thing or event from the last year of your life. What’s the statue of and what makes it so significant?” Daily Post @ WordPress “Immortalized in Stone.”
For years my husband and I have watched the fishermen along the Delaware Bay at Fortescue, often remarking to each other, “We should try fishing.”
This year we finally bought fishing rods. What a great time we have had standing on the sand, beneath the sky, with the sound of gentle waves as our music. I wish we had begun fishing years earlier.
My husband, with fishing rod in hand, would be my choice for the person I would immortalize in stone. My best advice: follow every one of your dreams…large, small and in between. You never know where they might take you.
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Project – Autumn Tablecloth
If you are having a large crowd for a meal during the Autumn, consider making a one-of-a-kind tablecloth. Years ago, several members of my family helped me turn real leaves into stamps to create beautiful coverings for our tables. You will need: acrylic paints, an off-white tablecloth or flat bed sheets, surface protection, and some sort of paint applicator. (paint brushes or foam brushes)
Prepare the tablecloth or sheet: launder them if they are new to remove fabric sizing. If you need a smaller size, cut to size and hem the edges by hand or with a sewing machine.
Now you’re ready for the fun…gather leaves that are still soft and pliable. Brown, brittle leaves will crack when you apply paint and pressure to them. Make sure to have protection for your working surface under the sheet, the paint will definitely seep through to the back side. Spread acrylic paint, in Autumn colors, in splotches over the leaves, press down firmly, remove. You have just created a beautiful impression of the leaf that will last for decades. After twenty-four hours your tablecloths can be safely laundered in cool water. They should retain their color for many years. Mine are probably over fifteen years old.
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People – Max Lucado
“Max Lucado (born January 11, 1955) is a best-selling Christian author and writer and preacher at Oak Hills Church (formerly the Oak Hills Church of Christ) in San Antonio, Texas.” ~ Wikipedia
Upwords with Max Lucado is an online daily devotional that I enjoy reading. God speaks to me through these devotions, and the books Max Lucado has authored are outstanding. Max Lucado Book List
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Plants – Coleus – The Secret of Vibrant Colors
My favorite coleus is one I grew from seed several years ago. I call it Raspberry Twizzle. A progeny of several years of cross-breeding coleus in my garden, Twizzle is vibrantly hued, rippled, and boasting scalloped edges. The beautiful color is not guaranteed. The plants in the photograph above are all from the same mother plant. The reason for the lackluster color of the middle coleus: the wrong light conditions. Coleus grown indoors must have very bright morning and early afternoon light. If they are grown in too much shade their colors will fade, even though they retain their fancy frills and ripples. Strong afternoon light will have the opposite effect, and make for faded color.
Coleus root in plain tap water. This cutting is only a few weeks old and is ready for planting. If you have coleus growing outdoors, bring a few sprigs in and keep your plants alive for planting out next Spring.
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Photograph – Boundaries/Delaware Bay
Photo Challenge @ WordPress “This week, let’s explore the creative potential of limits, borders, and dividers of all types.”
I love this simplistic view of the Delaware Bay. Each ebb and flow of the tide carves new designs into the boundary of sand.
The photograph was taken in July of this year. Those of us who live near ocean waters return to them with a bit of trepidation each Spring and Summer, almost afraid to lay eyes upon what the N’or Easters and other storms have wrought upon the shoreline. Early October has already brought us a strong hurricane, thankfully, passing by out to sea. The boundaries are in place, but at some point, all shoreline boundaries are broken and changed.
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Perspective – Become Like Children
We recently celebrated two birthdays in our family with a picnic. While we sang “Happy Birthday,” I took photographs of everyone as they enjoyed the fellowship of our time together. After I downloaded the photos, I noticed in the background of a photo, what for me has become one of the best moments of the day: my youngest grandson beaming with pure happiness as he watched his grandfather blow out the birthday candles. Although the distance causes his image to be a bit blurred, his JOY in the day is contagious, and fills me with happiness when I gaze upon his sweet face.
My grandson’s expression is exactly how I want my Father in Heaven to see me as I gaze toward him. Eyebrows raised in anticipation, my hands outstretched, my face beaming with happiness. You know folks, if I do nothing else on this earth I want to SHINE for Jesus. A blessed Sunday to you. Amen.
“And He called a child to Himself and set him before them, and said, “Truly I say to you, unless you are converted and become like children, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever then humbles himself as this child, he is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.…” ~ Matthew 18:2-4
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Projects & Phavorites & Phlipping – Flea Market Flip/Vintage Formica Table
I love the how-to show Flea Market Flip. Recently, while walking through a local town, my husband and I passed a small red formica table. I loved it, and knew I had to have it; the price was right, only fifteen dollars. The table is about the size of a TV tray. It is perfect for crafting, a computer table, eating, etc. Another advantage is the table is lightweight. I can carry it up and down flights of stairs, outside, and all over the house. Wherever it is needed the table goes.
I liked the aged look of the wood on the table, but the edges were a bit jagged and rough. Since I use the table for crafts, I decided yard sticks would be a quick and easy cover, useful, as well as decorative.
I measured the table, sawed, sanded and attached the yardsticks with Aleene’s Tacky Glue.
I’m real pleased with the finished table.
Check out Flea Market Flip!
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Pots & Pans – Quick and Easy Pumpkin Bundt Cake with Drizzle Icing
This quick and easy bundt cake can be created with a box cake mix. Pillsbury Perfectly Pumpkin is available August through January in most larger grocery stores.
Cake
Pillsbury Perfectly Pumpkin Cake Mix
4 eggs
1/2 Cup oil
1 Cup Water
1 pkg Instant vanilla pudding
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla
Combine ingredients well. Mix until blended, 2-3 minutes.
Topping
4 tsp sugar
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/8 tsp ground cloves
1/8 tsp ginger
1/8 tsp nutmeg
1 cup chopped nuts, (walnuts or pecans are good choices)
( I leave the nuts out as we have a grandchild with an allergy to tree nuts. The cake is just as delicious without any nuts in the topping)
Grease and flour (I used Pam instead) sides of bundt pan and sprinkle 1/3 of topping in bottom of pan. Add 1/2 of cake batter. Sprinkle on rest of topping and the rest of the batter. Bake 50-60 minutes at 350 degrees. The cake is delicious without any added icing. Freezes well.
I used this Pumpkin Bundt Cake as a birthday cake and wanted to dress it up a bit, but was very short on time and energy. I used a can of Duncan Hines Creamy Vanilla Icing as a drizzle by heating it in a glass bowl in the microwave for 5-8 seconds, stirring, and then heating for 5 seconds more. I added a bit of food coloring and the icing was ready to drizzle over the cake. This can be done by allowing the icing to drip from a spoon, or you can do as I did and place the icing in a small zip top baggie, clip a very small hole at one corner and squeeze the icing out through the opening. This technique is much more controlled than just letting the icing run off the spoon.
The cake was pretty and festive, and best of all, becomes even better tasting a day or two after it is made. Here’s a clip about a bundt cake from “My Big Fat Greek Wedding.” The funny thing is I look very much like the poor woman trying to explain the “bundt” cake. Funny!
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Projects – Welcome October
I’ve posted several projects over the past four years while blogging on WordPress. Today is a rerun of several of my favorites. Most are easily duplicated without instructions. I’ve included links back to the original posts for the project ideas that are a bit more involved. Happy October to All!
I love Jack O’ Lanterns. They are a favorite of mine in the Autumn.
Several years ago after seeing an idea on how to make Oyster Jack O’ Lantern ornaments on Pinterest, I created several. They have held up for years and today I will be decorating my Norfolk Island Pine tree with these adorable pumpkins.
You can find full directions here:
Jack O’ Lantern Tree Part I
Jack O Lantern Tree Part II
These playful glasses were certainly a hit with my grandchildren and trick-or-treaters who came to our door.
My experience and the link to Martha Stewart’s directions for the glasses can be found at Martha’s Halloween Glasses
Finally, although I didn’t make this snarky sign based on the Wizard of Oz, I love the quote. I only wish I could keep a straight face long enough to use it when someone “bugs” me, but I know I would dissolve into laughter before I could get out two words. Enjoy the season, and remember, “I have flying monkeys, don’t make me use them.” Teeheehee!
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Photograph – The Bone Yard
Autumn has brought out the beauty in the “Bone Yard” of my garden as my blossoms turn into seeds.
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Change.”“This week, show us a change in progress. This can be done in one or multiple photos — we’ll let you decide!”
Pic-Monkey is a terrific site for adding special effects to photographs.
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Pots & Pans – Applesauce
Apples are plentiful at this time. I thought I would try to create a bit of applesauce with a few that were becoming a bit mealy. I peeled and sliced the apples. Instead of sugar, I added about five strawberries I had on hand for flavor and sweetness. I added a bit of water, about a 1/4 cup, and a squeeze of some type of citrus. I brought this to a boil and simmered lightly until the fruits were soft and on the verge of falling apart. A hard stir, and just like that I had my applesauce. It is absolutely delicious. The applesauce will keep for about three days in the fridge. A sprinkle of cinnamon is also nice.
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Perspective – A Grateful Heart
Today I don’t want to take for granted any good thing from my Father in Heaven. I have been saying thank you to God out loud throughout this morning for his love to me and the many blessings he has bestowed upon my life. Take a moment today to dwell upon all the blessings in your life. Thank God for everything large and smile. (I meant to type, and small, but liked the way large and smile sounded, so it stands as is.)
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People and Praise – Tasha Cobbs
For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against persons without bodies—the evil rulers of the unseen world, those mighty satanic beings and great evil princes of darkness who rule this world; and against huge numbers of wicked spirits in the spirit world.”
~ Ephesians 6:12
Are you in a battle? There is a great message in this song. A reminder to rely upon THE ONE can break every chain. Hallelujah!
There is power in the name of Jesus! Amen.
“You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” ~ I John 4:4
