Author: Timelesslady

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

Project – Flower Pounding/Geranium Notecard

On By TimelessladyIn Projects10 Comments

Over the years I have often used vibrant flowers and leaves for flower pounding. Flower Pounding is the art of transferring the color of flowers and foliage by pounding with a hammer or other heavy object. How to Pound Flowers

geranium 1

Yesterday in my post I included a quick tip about the staining power of geranium petals. This fact reminded me of flower pounding, and it seemed the perfect opportunity to make use of the brilliant flowers and “pound” some blossoms.

Now pounding with a hammer is fine if you are using fabric. When my grandsons and I pounded flowers onto paper with a hammer, dents and dings from the blows marred the surface. I decided to try a gentler approach this time, and using steady pressure, rolled the flowers onto the paper with a small rolling pin. (The larger variety will work fine too)

geranium 3

I found using a rolling pin was a much better choice for transferring the flower color to paper.
(Warning: Please don’t use a rolling pin you use in cooking and baking. If you don’t have an extra for crafting, use a brayer, a glass, anything round that can be rolled over a surface. Some plants are poisonous and using a rolling pin that is used in food preparation could allow toxins to contaminate the wood.)

LIST OF POISONOUS FLOWERS

ROLLING FLOWERS
1. Place flowers in chosen design on paper face down, add foliage if desired, white or pastel paper works best.
2. Cover flowers with a thin piece of paper, taking care not to move flowers.
3. Applying steady pressure, roll the pin over the flowers, up and down, several times. Don’t be surprised if you see color bleeding through the top sheet.
4. Separate sheets of paper. Bits of flower will cling to both sides. Pick away what you can without marring the pattern. Allow anything stuck fast to dry, and then try to gently remove with a small soft brush.
(Sometimes bits of flowers or foliage will be stuck like glue, no worries, it adds a bit of texture and interest to the card)

geranium 2

I substituted asparagus fern for the geranium leaves.

Geranium 4

I added a few lines with a gold-tipped pen and threaded a wire-edged ribbon through the top.

geranium 5

“Voila'” A unique and inexpensive tag for a gift bag.

Perspective, Plants & Quick Tip – Delightful Dilemma/Geraniums

On By TimelessladyIn Perspective, PlantsLeave a comment

IMG_5499

I have a delightful dilemma for this coming gardening year. Do I keep my geraniums indoors or let them have a grand vacation outdoors? This would not be a question in past years. Previously, I have stored my geraniums in the winter with bare roots boxed and in a cool place. They often live in this dormant state, but they don’t thrive as they have done this year.

IMG_5498

In the summer of 2014 I grew all my geraniums in pots and decided against pulling them out of the soil for storing. I saved the plants by growing them over the winter in my sunniest window.

IMG_5497

One of the geraniums has reached amazing heights, and I don’t want to cut it back, but I know if placed outdoors the summer winds and storms will certainly knock it over. And there you have my delightful dilemma, do I take all of the plants outdoors, or do I keep the best ones inside and maintain their pristine condition? Hmmmmm….maybe I will split them up and take note of the results for next year. Updates will follow.

Quick Tip: When your geraniums bloom indoors they will eventually lose all their flower petals. Be very careful not to vacuum these with the vacuum flush to the floor. The geraniums will stain your carpet and the color is hard to remove. I know this from experience of course! 😦 Walking on one accidentally will have the same effect.

Quote & Perspective – Busy as a Bee

On By TimelessladyIn Perspective, Quote6 Comments

IMG_5456

The weather has turned warm in my area of New Jersey…perfect for an early Spring Walk. I took advantage of the warmth and strolled the paths of a local park. I love pussy willows, and as I gazed upward at the fuzzy catkins, awash in pollen, I made my first bumble bee sighting of 2015.

IMG_5456

He was “Busy as a Bee,” butting and bumbling amongst the golden strands of pollen. On arriving home I followed his example and busied myself making a list of Springtime garden chores. The list looks daunting, but contrary to other to-do lists, this one fills me with JOY! Sunshine, birdsong and muddy fingers await me when I put this list into practice. Yes, I will be busy as that bumblebee this week.

IMG_5490

As I was composing this post my husband walked by the room and said, “There’s an orange sky behind you.”

IMG_5488

The sight of the brilliant morning sky reminded me that while I can choose to be as busy as a bee, I also need set aside time to cherish the splendor of the springtime and guard against being so completely immersed in the seasonal tasks that I fail to enjoy the glory surrounding me.

ORIGIN OF “BUSY AS A BEE.”

“Ey! Goddes mercy!” sayd our Hoste tho,
Now such a wyf I pray God keep me fro.
Lo, suche sleightes and subtilitees
In wommen be; for ay as busy as bees.”
~ Geoffrey Chaucer, Canterbury Tales, Squire’s Tale

Photograph – Afloat

On By TimelessladyIn Photo Challenge at Wordpress, Photographs2 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Afloat.”

IMG_5183

Boats afloat in Frenchman’s Bay, Jamaica

IMG_5335

That’s me afloat in Montego Bay.

IMG_5347

Rays of the sunset afloat on Montego Bay.

IMG_5198

The view from Treasure Beach Hotel…forever “afloat” in the recesses of my best memories.

Pheathers – Birds of the Caribbean Part II

On By TimelessladyIn PheathersLeave a comment

egret

One of the joys of our days at the Royal Decameron in Montego Bay, Jamaica, was this inquisitive Cattle Egret who visited the snack bar. He seemed to be a frequent visitor for the staff had a name for him. He was completely unafraid and had an appetite for people food. I’m so glad I had my camera with me when he visited our table. Cattle Egrets are very common in Jamaica, but that did not make the interaction with him any less divine.

People & Praise – Christafari

On By TimelessladyIn People, PraiseLeave a comment

I love Reggae music. This year I found a Christian Reggae group by the name of Christafari. I purchased their “Greatest Hits” CD from Amazon and absolutely love it.

“Christafari is more than a group of musical trailblazers. They consider themselves “Musicianaries” – using their unique blend of traditional roots and contemporary dancehall reggae to proclaim an uncompromising message of hope and salvation to this lost generation.” ~ Christafari

Pheathers – Birds of the Caribbean Part I

On By TimelessladyIn Pheathers4 Comments

I love birds, and was totally captivated by the birds of Jamaica. Now and again, you find yourself in a close encounter with an inquisitive bird. My family’s close encounter with a blue jay last year is a good example of this unexpected blessing.

Doctor Bird

Treasure Beach, on the southern coast of Jamaica, was the scene of my first interaction with a bird. In this case I met a  Red-Billed Streamer Tail, or as it is better known, the Doctor Bird.

Hummingbird Nest in Cactus

I was walking along the paths of the Treasure Beach Hotel and spotted a small bird nest in the spines of a cactus. I thought the nest, and another I had seen earlier, might be hummingbird nests, but on researching when I arrived home realized they were more likely the nests of one of the other small birds filling the air with birdsong.

Hummingbird Nest

The sight of the nest in the cactus filled me with such joy…an unexpected sight for someone who watches birds most often in southern New Jersey. I did what I often do when I am happy, I began to sing as I walked not caring if anyone heard me or not.

Suddenly, I had an audience. A hummingbird feeding on a flower nearby must have liked my song, he buzzed close by me, perched on a branch, and began giving me a thorough looking-over. I continued to sing, and as I sang, he seemed to listen. Lucky me that I can do two things at once. My camera, dangling on my wrist, didn’t scare him away, and I took several photos of him as I serenaded him with my chirpy hymn of praise. (In the Sweet By and By)

Dr. Bird in tree

Amazingly, I tired of singing before he tired of listening. As I walked away, I took one more photograph of him perched on his branch enjoying the view of the Caribbean sea.

Silhouette Dr. Bird

Plants – Morning Glory Blossom

On By TimelessladyIn Plants9 Comments
Morning Glory Flower
Morning Glory Flower

In January, I posted on “Sprouting Morning Glories.” Today the first flower burst into bloom.

MORNING GLORY BUDDING

The vines are covered with buds. The fact behind this surprising abundance is morning glories grow lush vines in good soil, and produce more blooms than foliage in poor soil. Since each pot has five plants crammed into it, root space is at a premium, consequently the plants feel their survival is in jeopardy and they bloom for seed production, rather than wasting their energy on leaves.

MORNING GLORY BUDS

The vines are using my venetian blinds as support and are happily climbing and twining up the slats, strings, and closure fixture.

MORNING GLORY VINE

I was surprised when the “Heavenly Blue” variety of morning glory bloomed pink. This could be due to growing indoors, or it might be the blossom of the one “sport” seed that grew different shaped leaves.

Photograph – Blurred Times/Sunrise, Montego Bay, Jamaica

On By TimelessladyIn Photo Challenge at Wordpress, Photographs7 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Blur.”

Fishing Boat, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Fishing Boat, Montego Bay, Jamaica

I am returned home after ten days spent in one of my favorite vacation destinations: Jamaica. I’ll be blogging more about my stay and some of the unique sights, sounds and activities I took part in, but for today I’m using one of the photographs I captured as an entry in the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. This week the challenge title is “Blur.”

“A throwaway shot, or purposefully unfocused? This week, find beauty in a blur.”

Sunrise in Montego Bay, Jamaica. A fisherman soundlessly glides past the sleeping Royal Decameron Resort.

This photograph was taken in the ‘blurred time’ between the dark and the dawn. As the fisherman rowed past me, I captured the photograph never realizing until just a few moments ago, that his boat was named, “God Bless.” A good reminder to me that so often in the busyness of the day, GOD BLESSES ME, and I am sometimes unaware of his hand of blessing upon my life. Thank you Lord for all your many blessings. GOD BLESS you all on this Easter Monday.

God Bless

Peace – Silent Sunday/A Blessed Palm Sunday to You

On By TimelessladyIn Peace6 Comments

“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27

A blessed HOLY WEEK to you…Minding My P’s with Q will be on a short break throughout this week.

 

Photograph – Treasure Beach/Silent Saturday

On By TimelessladyIn Photo Challenge at Wordpress, Photographs4 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Ephemeral.”

Footprints on Treasure Beach, Jamaica
Footprints on Treasure Beach, Jamaica
Ephemeral
Ephemeral

Postcards – Easter

On By TimelessladyIn Postcards2 Comments

I enjoy sharing a few of my vintage seasonal postcards from time to time. A Blessed Easter and Spring to you!

Easter Postcard Forget Me Not

“Dear Friend, I guess you think I’m a mighty long time answering your postal received several weeks ago but will try and answer it now. Hoping to see or hear from you soon. Ever your friend. E.” Postmark reads: April 17, 1908

The postcard has to be flipped upside down to read all the message.

Message on Easter Postcard
Message on Easter Postcard

Pheathers – Nesting Part II

On By TimelessladyIn Pheathers2 Comments

Now is the time to check the hanging apparatus of your birdhouses and clean out those with removable bottoms. This winter, the wire loop hanging my birdhouse from a tree limb, rusted through, and allowed the birdhouse to fall to the ground. Thankfully, it didn’t have any occupants. This Spring I’ll be sure to use a wire that will not rust.

Broken wire
Broken wire

If you paint your own wooden birdhouses be sure to choose one that is made of durable wood and is screwed together rather than glued.

IMG_5124

I’ve mentioned this before, but it’s a good tip, and after my birdhouse has hung outside for two seasons, I know it works. To keep gnawing rodents, such as chipmunks and squirrels from breaking into your birdhouse, surround the hole with tacks, staples, or anything else indestructible that can be fastened tightly to the wood.

Staples surrounding birdhouse entrance.
Staples surrounding birdhouse entrance.

The staples keep the pesky rodents from chewing through the wood.

Pheathers – Nesting Part I

On By TimelessladyIn Pheathers11 Comments

The birds are all a-twitter. Time to lay out some string and others soft materials for their nests. This is a great project for children to participate in.

Nesting material, cut short and scattered over twigs.
Nesting material, cut short and scattered over twigs.

“HOW TO OFFER NEST MATERIAL

•Place nesting materials, such as twigs and leaves, in piles on the ground—other materials, too, if they won’t blow away.
•Put fluffy materials, hair, and fur in clean wire-mesh suet cages, or in string or plastic mesh bags. Attach them to tree trunks, fence posts, or deck railings. The birds will pull out the material through the mesh holes.
•Push material into tree crevices or drape it over vegetation.
•Put material into an open-topped, plastic berry basket (such as strawberries are sold in).
•Some manufacturers sell spiral wire hangers especially for putting out nest material. (One type looks like an oversized honey-dipper.)
~ The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Don’t be too quick to clean all of winter’s debris from your yard.


Gather up some of these items in your yard into small concentrated piles:
•Dead twigs
•Dead leaves
•Dry grass (make sure the grass hadn’t been treated with pesticides)
•Human or animal hair (especially horse hair) (use short lengths—no longer than 4-6 inches long)
•Pet fur (Never use fur from pets that received flea or tick treatments)
•Sheep’s wool
•Feathers
•Plant fluff or down (e.g. cattail fluff, cottonwood down)
•Kapok, cotton batting, or other stuffing material
•Moss
•Bark strips
•Pine needles
~ The Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Planting – Dahlia Tubers

On By TimelessladyIn Planting10 Comments
Dinnerplate Dahlia Tubers
Dinnerplate Dahlia Tubers

I often grow common dahlias from seed. They reach a height of twenty-four inches and bloom in August when grown in this manner. Dahlias are great for late-season color in pots and borders.

The larger dahlias, often called the dinner-plate variety, are best grown from tubers. These are available for purchase in almost all of the larger warehouse stores and garden centers. The tubers are placed in the ground, and bloom late in the season. The best luck I ever had with the larger dahlias was the year I bought a pre-planted tuber from a local nursery. This year I decided to start a few dahlias in pots to get a jumpstart on their blooming time.

Dahlia tuber with sprout
Dahlia tuber with sprout

Before I purchase a package of dahlia tubers I check to see that at least a few sprouts are visible. If there is no sign of life, I don’t buy the package.

Dahlia tubers with buds
Dahlia tubers with buds

When I open the package I check to see that all the tubers are firm. Each should have a few purple buds showing, and hopefully some green shoots.

Dahlia tubers potted up.
Dahlia tubers potted up.

I found six good tubers in my package. Instead of planting each in a separate six-inch pot, I planted all the tubers in one ten inch pot. When the tubers begin to thrive and grow steadily, I will replant each in a separate pot. When all danger of frost is gone I will plant them outdoors. Hopefully, the early start will mean early blooming. I will update their progress in a few weeks.

Project – Faux Wooden Easter Eggs

On By TimelessladyIn Projects4 Comments

I love the appearance of wooden Easter eggs, but they can cost a pretty penny when hand-painted and strung for hanging. I found an alternative, but I must also include a warning: these faux eggs might magically disappear before you can use them for Easter decorating.

Malted Easter Eggs
Malted Easter Eggs

I recently purchased a package of  malted Easter eggs in my local drugstore. I chose them for their eye-appeal; covered in pastel candy, speckled in darker pastels, the malted eggs were small, delicate and irresistible.. While I was pondering all the ways I could rig them for hanging, I ate one…then another, and so on…and you know the end of my tale, by the time I had a plan in place half my eggs had disappeared.

Skewering an Egg
Skewering an Egg

To create a hole for threading, place the malted egg on a wash cloth or other thick cloth, pointy end up. Place a barbecue skewer, ice pick, heavy-duty toothpick, etc., on the top and slowly twist until it penetrates the outer shell. Continue twisting and applying pressure until the skewer reaches the bottom of the egg and exits through the bottom.

Malted Easter Eggs with Ribbons
Malted Easter Eggs with Ribbons

A thin looped ribbon was easily pushed through with a toothpick, and knotted on the larger end. Easy faux wooden eggs for a fraction of the cost. They won’t last more than one season, but if they did I would miss the fun of making (and eating) them again next year.

Pleasures – Fresh Donuts!

On By TimelessladyIn Pleasures13 Comments

In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Fresh.”
“For this week’s photo challenge, share with us a photo that expresses something fresh.”

Block Island Donuts
Block Island Donuts

When I think of fresh I think of Payne’s Killer Donuts on Block Island in Rhode Island. They truly are FRESH and capture that “Melt-in-your-mouth” goodness we all crave.