Plants – Wordless Wednesday/Clivia
Author: Timelesslady
Married with children and grandchildren. Reader, writer, painter - maybe a bit of an artist. Gardener... Led by the Spirit.
People, Plant & Quotes – St. Patrick
“Christ beside me, Christ before me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me.”
~ St. Patrick
“If I have any worth, it is to live my life for God so as to teach these peoples; even though some of them still look down on me.” ~ St. Patrick
I am quite fond of my Wood Sorrel Oxalis/Shamrock plant. I purchased it last Spring as a “Proven Winner.” I planted the oxalis in a medium-sized pot and grew it beneath the shady branches of a crab apple tree. The dappled sunlight it received allowed the plant to thrive. In the Autumn, I brought the oxalis into the house and placed it in a shady basement window. The plant thrived all winter with minimal attention. In a few weeks I will place it outside beneath the crab apple tree once more. A terrific plant, but might not be easy to find. It is available online.
“This is a sweet plant with lots of delicate small white flowers. Its leaves resemble shamrocks so it is a perfect St. Patrick’s Day gift. It will grow happily in a window of your home in a cold climate, as did my first plants. It also grew happily outside in my garden in the Caribbean isle of Montserrat. That’s not bad for flexibility which automatically makes it one of my favorites.” ~Green Garden Online Plant Source
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Produce – Charentais Melon
“A Charentais melon is a type of cantaloupe melon, Cucumis melo var. cantalupensis. It is a small variety of melon, similar in flesh to cantaloupes, but with a more fragrant smell. It was developed in western France around 1920 as a more refined cantaloupe. Most are now produced in North Africa, with some limited production in the United States.” ~ Wikipedia
Cantaloupes are not a new type of produce for me, they have been a staple on my table for as long as I can remember, but The Charentais Melon is a new taste experience. The melon I recently bought might have been a tad under-ripe, but the flavor was wonderful. The color of the flesh was tantalizing, a deeper apricot color than the cantaloupes I often buy at this time of year. I really admire the appearance of this cantaloupe, and enjoyed cutting slices using the green stripes as a guide. Would I buy this cantaloupe variety again? You betcha’.
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Quote – Isaiah 11:9
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Photograph – Shadowland Selfie
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Wall.”
I love shadows on the walls. This week I wandered into an upstairs room and found my geraniums, backlit, and casting amazing shadows on the wall. Of course I had to enter into the Shadowland.
Adieu for today my friends!
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Painting – Floral Parade Challenge – Magnolias
The WetCanvas Plant Parade Challenge for March 2015 is the Magnolia.
These are a few of the reference photographs available for the challenge. You are also free to use one of your own. Any media can be used for the challenge. Please visit WetCanvas and the Floral and Botanical forum for the rules and more information. WetCanvas Plant Parade March 2015
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Perspective – Betwixt & Between
Betwixt and Between – “Undecided, midway between two alternatives, neither here nor there.” The Free Dictionary
Winter is waning, but still trying to hold us in the grip of its icy fingers. Spring is attempting to become a reality and turn Winter into nothing but a bad memory. Who is winning? I hope it is Spring, but this past week has been a dilly of an example of living in the “Betwixt and Between.”
The sun has begun to shine as if it means business.
The volleyball court at the local park resembles a pond,
The sidewalk resembles a stream.
The skunk cabbages, regardless of the snowy surroundings, are thrusting their folded leaves toward the sky.
Yesterday, after the snow finally disappeared, the crocus opened their golden blooms and the birds began singing “The Hallelujah Chorus.” I am joining in with a few “Hallelujahs” of my own. Welcome Spring, you can’t arrive soon enough for me.
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Prayer & Pressed Flowers – The Prayer Flag Project
“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” James 5:16
I recently participated in “The Prayer Flag Project” by creating a prayer flag.
“In June of 2011, Vivika Hansen DeNegre started The Prayer Flag Project. She invited people from around the world to to join her in making Prayer Flags. Each flag is created in the artists own style, then hung outside for a while, its words and sentiment dissolving into the wind and being spread to all whom the wind touches. They are a living, breathing, kinetic journal of our hopes, dreams and concerns. The Prayer Flag Project… Join us if you’d like.”
The theme: Create a flag that incorporates “Images of leaping humans (think leap of faith), and of course maps and lettering.” My flag, and the flags of others, can be viewed by clicking on the button at the top of this post.
My initial flag was created with pressed flowers on Mulberry paper. It turned out lovely, but I realized it was too fragile to send through the mail, and most likely would not hold up being sewn to binding along the top. Here’s a peek at the finished flag.
Pressed Flower Tip: Hydrangeas are a good pressed flower candidate. The hard round center must be removed before pressing. Press without heat in between non-shiny pages.Lichens can be pressed flat in books. Seaweed can be dried and pressed between pages. Wildflower and tree foliage presses beautifully.
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Perspective – Gratitude
“Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world.” ~ John Milton
I recently, quite by accident, stumbled upon a blog post where the author decried the many people who “followed” his blog. How sad—other than the spam he mentioned, and even after reading what he called a “humorous” explanation, I can’t understand why any blogger would not want his or her blog read or followed.
Please know, I feel quite the opposite…I DELIGHT in the comments fellow bloggers and others leave on my blog. I cherish the “Likes” you are kind enough to give me. To all who visit these pages and follow my blog; I thank you with all of my heart. Blessings on your day!
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe.” (Philippians 2:14-15).
“Gratitude is the fairest blossom which springs from the soul.” ~Henry Ward Beecher
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Prose & People – A Woman’s Prayers to God
“My letters to God came about by my need to communicate with him on a regular basis. I need—as a Christian, a wife, and a mother notwithstanding—to pray every day.”
This beautiful book is filled with words from the author’s heart to God. Corrine Davis is a Pastor’s Wife, a mother of five, a grandmother, a wonderful cook, an amazing seamstress, a pianist; she can take anything old and make it look new again. She is an inspiration to many, and I am proud to call her my Aunt.
Here are a few quotes from, “My Letters to God.”
“Lord, I see that so many are struggling with the ‘daily stuff’ of life. And, it’s really so true for everyone. That little stuff—the nitty, gritty junk we all deal with—is sometimes what can make us or break us. All the time we are looking at the ‘big’ stuff that threatens to hit us and take us out, when in reality, I find that the junk drawer that refuses to shut is often what can wreck my relationship with you.”
“My desire is to be like Jesus. To do this, I will reevaluate my goals, my dreams, my hopes, therein finding the sweet will of God. Hold me close, Lord. Please don’t let me slip out of your grip.”
You can find “My Letters to God” from these sources:
My Letters to God by S. Corrine Davis
“My Letters to God – Kindle Edition
You can read more of S. Corrine Davis’s Prayers to God at: My Letters to God Blogspot
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Phlowers & Pholklore – Daffodils II
“The daffodil is a symbol of rebirth – a sign of the new beginnings that come with spring. Daffodils are often found connected with Easter and Easter religious services because of their new birth significance. In Wales finding the first daffodil of spring is expected to bring more gold than silver to your life and home during the following 12 months. The word “Daffodil” didn’t come into the English language until the 1500s. The old name for daffodil was “Affodyle,” believed to originate with the Old English “Affo dyle,” meaning “that which cometh early.” It ultimately derived from Dutch de affodil meaning “the asphodel”(of Greek mythology).” ~oocities.org
Daffodils are considered by many to be the best Spring bulb. Tulips are gorgeous too, but do not have the reliability of the daffodil. The sad truth is tulips eventually decline in their blooming ability. Most of us take daffodils for granted. Their abundance, created by the ability to quickly reproduce and create naturalized fields of flowers, cause many to consider them common.
This year, I almost lost a large clump of my daffodils through neglect. Accidentally uprooted when I transplanted favorite flowers to overwinter in the house, they were left exposed on the ground for months. When the ground became too frozen to replant the bulbs, I brought them into the garage.
My good intentions were soon forgotten, and the daffodil bulbs languished in an old sweet potato box for several weeks. A few days ago, I noticed them, and was overjoyed they had begun to sprout. The garage stayed cold enough through this brutal winter to give them the “chilling” time they needed. I soon had them planted in some potting soil in a terracotta pot.
The terracotta pot fit perfectly inside a beautiful urn, I eagerly await the blooms. Wishing you a daffodilly of a day! 😀
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Praise, Poetry & Phlowers – Daffodils Part I
“So let us know, let us press on to know the LORD His going forth is as certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring rain watering the earth.” ~ Hosea 6:3
“It was one of those March days when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold: when it is summer in the light, and winter in the shade.” ~ Charles Dickens, Great Expectations
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.”
~ William Wordsworth, I Wander’d Lonely as a Cloud
“Symbolizing rebirth and new beginnings, the daffodil is virtually synonymous with spring. Though their botanic name is narcissus, daffodils are sometimes called jonquils, and in England, because of their long association with Lent, they’re known as the ‘Lent Lily.'” ~ Teleflora
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Phun – Saturday Silliness
Some days you just need a good laugh!
”A merry heart doeth good like a medicine…” ~ Proverbs 17:22
I’d be “Whoopin’ and A-hollerin'” and running after the perpetrator with my purse too! So funny!
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Phun – Orange You Glad???
It’s Friday, and I’m so glad the snow has stopped falling! Here are a few reminders of warmth for the Photo Challenge at WordPress:
In response to The Daily Post’s writing prompt: “Orange you glad it’s photo challenge time?”
“What’s not to love about orange? It’s vibrant. It’s cheerful. It makes a statement. It’s the perfect punctuation for a punchy photo. This week, share a group of photos where orange is either the dominant color, or provides a bold highlight. Shoot for at least three photos, and look for different shades — bright neons, deep rusts, delicate peaches.”
Here are a few more of my “orangey” photographs to warm up a winter day.
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Produce – Asian Pear
Asian Pears are inexpensive and come wrapped in a lacy jacket. To me, they appear to be more like an odd apple than a pear. The taste, a mild pear flavor with the crispy, juicy texture of an apple, made for an enjoyable snack. The hardest part of eating the fruit was knowing for sure it was ripe. It never softened up like a Bartlett pear, nor put out a tantalizing scent. I finally searched for some information and found this little blurb: “Check the pear for a springy texture.” This advice proved to be reliable and the pear I chose to eat was indeed ripe. More information on Asian Pears can be found on: EHow – How to tell if an Asian Pear is ripe.
My husband and I wondered if Asian Pears are the type used in fruit cocktail; the cubed pears in the canned fruit mix are usually very firm. Will I buy one again? Probably not. The flavor was not as nice as a perfectly ripe Bartlett, and the taste of an apple is also much better. I’ll stick to those two favorites and leave the Asian Pears in the grocer’s bin.
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Preparedness & Pheathers – Self-Reliance and Feeding the Birds
Every household needs to have a book on how to live off the land, either by choice, or in an emergency situation. Country Wisdom & Know-How is just such a guidebook. There are many other fine publications that also give terrific tips, numerous how-to blogs, and other resources easily available through a search on any search engine.
Country Wisdom & Know-How is an oversized, no-frills guide on ANIMALS of all kinds through HEALTH AND WELL-BEING and the HOME. In between these headings are: Cooking, Crafts and Gardening, with dozens of sub-topics in each one.
On page ten, under the topic of “Seasonal Feeding of Birds,” a tip is given on how to build up calcium in songbirds for better reproduction capability in the Spring. Starting right about now add some crushed eggshells to your birdseed to provide additional calcium. This little boost for your “pheathered” friends is very easy to do. Save your broken eggshells, wash in hot water, let dry, grind up in a food processor or shatter in a plastic bag with a rolling pin. Mix these small pieces of eggshell into your birdseed and feed regularly through the Springtime months.
I love the songbirds that fill my yard with music throughout the year. Not only do they sing me a symphony, they also keep the bug situation in check. Going to a bit of trouble to provide them a little extra calcium is my pleasure. Happy Bird-watching!
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People & Place – Mark Hirsch and “That Tree,” An Update
In January of 2014 I wrote a post on Mark Hirsch and “That Tree.” Imagine my delight and surprise yesterday when the subject of my post, Mark Hirsch, commented on the post. He gave me a few updates about his project.
“I am tickled that your sister shared my project with you. Thank you for sharing it on your blog. My book That Tree was published in October of 2013 and can be found at independent book sellers throughout the midwest. It is also available through my website at “THAT TREE” Shop.
I am still finding time to document and experience life in and around my magical bur oak tree. You can see and follow my ongoing posts at That Tree on Facebook.“
Here is the original post and video:
My sister recently sent me a terrific link. I had mentioned to her that I was photographing a pathway into a nearby woods once a week. *** I thought it would be fun to post it in a blog page (The link to “The Path” can be found in the top left sidebar of this blog) I love the link she sent me in return of “That Tree,” the oak that Mark Hirsch photographed with a smart phone for 365 days in 2012.
*** I photographed my “pathway” for several weeks, and then due to a vacation and bad weather let the project end. This has re-inspired me, perhaps in April, when this terrible winter weather clears up a bit, I can once again find a path or special spot to photograph weekly. Why don’t you give it a try too?
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Phlowers & Phun – Tweaking The Tulips
The focus of yesterday’s post was a stand-alone photograph of yellow tulips. The flowers are beautiful on their own, but today I’m in a “tweaking” mood. I’m going to go to LunaPic and tweak the photograph a bit.
Tweaking – to change (something) slightly in order to improve it : to make small adjustments to (something) ~ Merriam-Webster Dictionary
To start: Upload your photograph to LunaPic. I have found if the upload in the center of the page does not work, it’s best to go to the “File” drop down box, click on “Upload Multiple Images,” and get your photo loaded with that command.
Here are a few samples of LunaPics Free Effects. Remember to “SAVE” your tweaked photograph before you exit the site. Anything not saved will be lost.
Yikes! The animated effects can make me a little dizzy. There are so many effects and combinations to have “phun” with on the LunaPic Site. I’ve only shown a few. Give LunaPic a try…Happy Tweaking!
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Phlowers – Tulips
March is going to come in like a lion here in the Northeast…let’s hope it goes out like a lamb. No matter what the weather might be, I know beneath the ground my tulips, grape hyacinths, crocus and daffodils are awakening from their slumber and beginning their push towards the sun. Oh the joy of it. Blessings my friends on this Sabbath Day.
“For behold, the winter is past; the rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land.” ~ Song of Solomon 2:11-12
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Pholklore, Phact & Phiction – Weather Lore
Photo courtesy of Wildlifeart89 in WetCanvas Reference Library
The month of March will arrive tomorrow all around the world. Perhaps it is already March 1st in your corner of the world. There is a popular saying…
“If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb.
If March comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion.”
Photo courtesy of Rhaynes on Morgue File
“Weather lore is the body of informal folklore related to the prediction of the weather. It has been a human desire for millennia to make accurate weather predictions. Oral and written history is full of rhymes, anecdotes, and adages meant to guide the uncertain in determining whether the next day will bring fair or foul weather.” ~ Wikipedia
Listed below are a few weather related bits of wisdom and folly. Do you know which are which? You can find out more here: Weather Lore
When Clouds Look Like Black Smoke, a Wise Man Will Put On His Cloak.
Red sky in the morning, sailors take warning. Red sky at night, sailor’s delight.
No weather is ill, if the wind be still.
When halo rings the moon or sun, rain’s approaching on the run.
When windows won’t open, and the salt clogs the shaker, the weather will favour the umbrella maker!
A summer fog for fair, A winter fog for rain. A fact most everywhere, In valley or on plain.
When sounds travel far and wide, A stormy day will betide.
A coming storm your shooting corns presage, And aches will throb, your hollow tooth will rage.
