Author: Timelesslady

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

Phrightening and Prompt – Trick or Treat

On By TimelessladyIn phrightening, Prompt/The Daily Prompt at Wordpress3 Comments

DAILY PROMPT – TRICK OR TREAT

It’s Halloween, and you just ran out of candy. If the neighborhood kids (or anyone else, really) were to truly scare you, what trick would they have to subject you to?

There are several ways the little ghouls in the neighborhood could scare me, in fact there are three themes that would work, not just at Halloween, but all through the year. All of these scary moments became ingrained in me through frightening scenes in movies and television.

I’m not so much a fan of “phrightening” movies as an adult in mid-life. (I think I swore off of them when I dreamt vividly of collapsing haunted houses after watching the first installment of Stephen King’s “Rose Red” mini-series.) As a child, teen-ager and young adult one of my greatest joys was being scared by a well-made horror movie. I began to turn away from the horror genre when it became filled with gore rather than good old-fashioned scares. Laying all these explanations aside, here are three horror scenes that scared me, courtesy of YouTube.

Theme One – A SCARY Doll
Maybe you are thinking, “Of course, Child’s Play.” No my dears, I am thinking of a real oldie, “Trilogy of Terror” and the Zuni Fetish Doll. Here’s a little clip.

Theme Two – A SCARY Animal

There are a lot of scary animal movies that would make good choices for this theme. My all-time scary animal is the man-eating shark in Jaws, but in this short clip you won’t see the great white shark that still, almost forty years later, keeps me hearing the same scary music any time I’m in the ocean. The first time my eyes were assaulted by this scene, in a Vineland, New Jersey movie theater, I jumped harder than I’ve ever jumped since in a scary movie.

Theme Three – Someone SCARY looking through your window.

This one is more my husband’s horror than mine. As a child he saw the Twilight Zone in which William Shatner, before his Star Trek fame, is horrified by a horribly scary (at least at the time of limited media special effects) monster on the wing of an airplane. My husband says this scared him for years as a child. Guess What? Whenever we fly I always find a moment to whisper in a frightened tone in my husband’s ear, “Shatner.” We always laugh, and he knows exactly what I mean. Seriously, he still tends to look out the airplane window at the wing when I say Shatner’s name. Funny…and true!

So there you have it…a few of the things the little darlings could do to scare me…or my husband. SMILE!!! Happy Halloween!

Phrightening – Spider Mites

On By TimelessladyIn QuirkinessLeave a comment

Halloween! A perfect day to re-post a “how-to” on identifying and eradicating those horrifying SPIDER MITES from our plants. It’s also a timely post considering many of us bring outdoor plants inside at this time of year. Unfortunately, there are often some unwelcome “stowaways” hiding amid the leaves and foliage.

Spider Mites, they are a pest I hate to see indoors or out. They are microscopic in size, and usually, they have caused quite a bit of damage before you are even aware they are on your house or garden plants. Here is some good information on what a spider mite can do to your foliage. Spider Mites

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This week I noticed some yellowing leaves on my Mandevilla Vine. Because I have had problems with spider mites in this area of the basement in the past, they were tops on my list of possible pests. Instead of peering at each stem individually, I used my quick and easy solution. I sprayed the entire plant with a mister. Sure enough, the webbing the spider mites leave behind on the leaves caught the droplets of water and glowed in the sunlight. Since I want to keep all my pest control organic, I have found that the best approach to controlling spider mites is to spray the plant with water every day. This keeps the spider mites under control until it is warm enough for me to take the plant outside and really douse it with a hard spray of the hose. Daily sprays of the hose for a week or two will obliterate the spider mite colony. This technique also works on aphids. The only other solution is to spray with dangerous chemicals or toss the plant in the garbage heap.

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Spraying the infected plant with water will allow you to see how badly infested your plant has become. It is a good idea to spray all your houseplants to see if there are any errant mites on surrounding greenery.

Phavorites – Coupon.com/Money-saving Tip

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coupons

I recently began using the Coupons.Com site. I needed to download their program, but my virus scan indicated it was a safe site, and I have had no problems using it thus far. One additional money-saving tip, before you print out your coupons, set your printer default to black and white. If you are unsure of how to do this search for tips through a search engine.

Projects & Quick Tip – Making Martha/Halloween Sunglasses

On By TimelessladyIn Projects, Quick Tip5 Comments

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What a clever idea! Why haven’t I ever thought of it?

Decorate a dollar store pair of sunglasses for Halloween.

I don’t dress up, but I decided it would be fun to try a few of the cute ideas in the October issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine. The Trick-or-Treaters might enjoy the look…or…maybe they will be SPOOKED!

It certainly wasn’t costly to create these glasses, and while they will probably only last a night; I sure had a good time creating them.

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You can find more ideas here: Martha Stewart’s Sunglasses for Trick or Treating

If I have time I might glue a silk flower or two to an extra pair of sunglasses I found lying in a drawer.

Place – Elk Neck State Forest and Turkey Point Lighthouse

On By TimelessladyIn Place2 Comments

My husband and I camped last weekend in the Elk Neck State Park in Maryland. It is a favorite of ours. The Elk Neck Forest lies between the Elk Neck River and the Chesapeake Bay. We were able to take in the changing colors of Autumn as we hiked along the trail to the Turkey Point Lighthouse.

All men are just boys at heart! My husband taking a swing on one of the thick vines along the trail.

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Here’s a quick minute slideshow of our hike to the Lighthouse.

When we reached the Turkey Point Lighthouse we came upon a group of bird watchers. It was fascinating to eavesdrop a bit on their conversation. They had spotted a blue-headed vireo in the trees. We tried to see the bird by looking in the direction they indicated, but without good binoculars it was impossible.

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Blue Headed Vireo Photograph Courtesy of Flickr and Andy Reago/Chrissy McClaren

The drop off the side of the bluff is a high and a bit dizzying. There are NO GUARDRAILS whatsoever, and only a very few warning signs. I don’t know if I would take children to this area without having them firmly attached to my hand at ALL times. For a stunning look at the area watch this amazing video filmed by a drone. Spectacular! You will realize when viewing why I say hold onto your children.

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The trail is surrounded by dense forest and undergrowth. The brambles provide shelter for hundreds and hundreds of birds. I said to my husband as we walked, “This place is atwitter with birds.” Hopefully due to the efforts of conservationists, banding and studying of the birds, their numbers will only increase over the coming years.

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Phavorites & Philm – The Sound of Music

On By TimelessladyIn Phavorites, Philm2 Comments

I have many favorite films, but the “Sound of Music,” is my “Go-To ” choice when I am ill, anxious, or feeling blue. I know it might sound odd, but in all truth, I am sure I have seen this favorite two dozen times plus some. What are your favorite “Pick-Me-Up ” films or books? With all the turmoil surrounding us, the chaos that seems to be erupting at a global scale, perhaps we need to take an hour or two, sit down, and immerse ourselves in what makes us sing or smile.

The Sound of Music

“When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.”

~ Maria, The Sound of Music

Prompt – Without the Clouds of Nine

On By TimelessladyIn Prompt/The Daily Prompt at Wordpress2 Comments

Birdwatchers at Turkey Point On the Chesapeake

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Daily Post – Local Color/“Imagine we lived in a world that’s all of a sudden devoid of color, but where you’re given the option to have just one object keep its original hue. Which object (and which color) would that be?”

I can do without ever being on the clouds of nine. Why? Because the blue of the sky is one of my favorite colors and also a favored object. I am content gazing upward, focusing my thoughts on the Creator of this magnificent expanse. There is peace of heart and mind in the blue transparency of the sky.

“The heavens declare the glory of God…”

~ Psalm 19:1

  ********************
Here of a Sunday morning
My love and I would lie,
And see the coloured counties,
And hear the larks so high
About us in the sky.

Alfred Edward Housman, 1896

Photo Challenge – The Burning Bush

On By TimelessladyIn Photo Challenge at Wordpress3 Comments

Echoes From the Burning Bush

WordPress Photo Challenge – Cover Art

“For this week’s Photo Challenge, stimulate your creative process and imagine which of your images you would like to see gracing the cover of a book, an album, or a magazine.”

My photograph is a perfect accompaniment to the song “Echoes From the Burning Bush.” It is a gospel tune based on the Bible verses in Exodus Chapter 3, that tell of Moses seeing a burning bush on the mountain, investigating, and finding God.

My husband called me out just this morning to see the trees alight with the rising sun. I grabbed my camera and the photo challenge today was the perfect opportunity to use one of my images.

“One day as Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, out at the edge of the desert near Horeb, the mountain of God, suddenly the Angel of Jehovah appeared to him as a flame of fire in a bush.” Exodus 3

Echoes From the Burning Bush was written by Bryon Foust & V. O. Summar in 1943

CBN TV – Moses and the Burning Bush: 'The Bible' Miniseries.

Pots and Pans – Plantains

On By TimelessladyIn Pots and Pans4 Comments

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I didn’t experience eating plantains until I visited Jamaica. I have since learned to cook them as a side dish/dessert for family and friends. Plantains have good fiber content. They have more vitamin C and A than bananas, are a richer source of B-complex vitamins, and provide minerals such as iron, magnesium and phosphorus. Plantains contain more potassium than bananas. Cooking Plantains is an easy and rewarding task. The only additional ingredients I use are two pats of butter and some brown sugar.

Step One

Slice plantain on the diagonal.

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Step Two

Melt two pats of butter in pan.

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Step Three

On medium heat begin to fry in the butter. Brown on each side and check tenderness with a fork.

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Step Four

Sprinkle brown sugar over plantains. Don’t be alarmed if the brown sugar falls between the slices and bubbles up on the pan. This gives the edges a crispy crunch of sweetness. Cook only until sugar is dissolved and begins to firm up a bit.

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Serve and eat warm…very delicious!


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Pleasures – Sunrise on Elk Neck River, Maryland

On By TimelessladyIn PleasuresLeave a comment

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Today I’m experiencing again, through photographs and a Youtube video, one of the best sunrises I ever gazed upon along the Elk Neck River, Maryland, in 2007. Why revisit the past? Because it reminds me of what to look for in my future. On the flip side, spending time reliving experiences that are negative will capture and bind me in a defeated, discouraged mindset. Live in the present, remember the moments filled with love, true joy and sweet contentment…banish the negative past from your thoughts.

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Painting & Quick Tip – Two on Tuesday/Tracing with Ease

On By TimelessladyIn Painting, Quick TipLeave a comment

I know “How to Grid a Photo”. I have used the technique many times to enlarge a photo to a larger-sized canvas or paper. The finished results are usually acceptable and contain a lot of detail. The drawback is this method is tedious and chews up a lot of time. I work in watercolors and often don’t need a lot of detail in the initial sketch. For me, a quicker way to get results is to enlarge a reference photograph in a photo editor, remove the color, and filter with a “find edges” application. After I print this out, it becomes easy to trace over the found edges by taping the print to a window allowing the light to reveal the outline for tracing. A lightbox also works, but they can be expensive, and become one more piece of equipment I must store.


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This method provides me with a basic sketch, saving hours of time, and allows me to add any detail or adjustment I need. This technique will work for journaling, poster making, lettering, any type of artwork that needs to be traced.

Project – Two on Tuesday/Autumn Rocks

On By TimelessladyIn Projects4 Comments


Here’s a way to use the pretty beach and river rocks you picked up on your summer outings this year. I sprayed the rocks with glossy clear acrylic and twisted a twelve to fifteen inch piece of copper wire around the bottom. Twirl the remaining wire around a pencil and squeeze together the final two swirls and lift this piece upwards. These wired rocks can be used to display photos, seasonal letters or cards. I’m thinking of using a few to display my antique holiday postcards too.

Pots & Pans with a Quick Tip – Martha Stewart’s Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie (With Detours)

On By TimelessladyIn Pots and Pans, Quick Tip8 Comments

martha steward

Last week I received my November issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. The cover photograph immediately intrigued me, and I promised myself I was going to attempt to make each one of the pies featured.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie with Gingersnap Crust

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Detour Number One – I didn’t count out the 23 required gingersnaps, choosing instead to process them in my small food processor, measuring out about a cup and a half to two cups as the cookies crumbled. Since I have made many cookie crusts I know this is a good ratio for a medium thickness. I also cut back the sugar to one tablespoon; gingersnaps are sweet enough on their own. I followed the rest of the recipe instructions as written.

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Detour Number Two – I own a very small food processor. I realized the impossibility of processing all the filling ingredients at one time, so I opted to use my mixer instead. I had no problems substituting the mixer for the processor. I followed the filling instructions as written. The Pumpkin Cheesecake baked perfectly!

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Detour Number Three – No one in my family likes meringue topping on a pie. Although it looks pretty, the ingredients and the time involved in whipping it up would be a total waste. Instead of the meringue I used large marshmallows masquerading as an elegant topping.

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Quick Tip – To give the marshmallows a prettier appearance I cut them in half and notched the edges.

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I placed them, cut side down, on a piece of parchment and toasted them in the toaster oven. Ah, lovely…they began to brown and give off the aroma of campfire marshmallows. I took them out when they deepened in color to golden brown.

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I placed the whole tray in the freezer and let them harden. Believe me when I warn you touching them right out of the oven will firmly attach them to your finger or the knife you are using. When they were fairly frozen, I flipped them and let the sticky underside harden in the freezer.

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The marshmallows turned out to be a pretty good stand-in for the meringue.


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I also left a portion of the cheesecake edge bare.

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The marshmallows are cute, but I prefer whipped cream on almost all the pie I eat.
Whoops! Almost forgot to mention the taste of the pumpkin cheesecake is fabulous! Definitely a recipe to keep. The recipe is on the Martha Stewart Living Website – Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie with Gingersnap Crust

Praise & Pleasures – Singing Stones

On By TimelessladyIn Pleasures, Praise2 Comments

singing stones

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12

I love the sounds of nature. On this Sabbath Day I am remembering the joyful singing of the rocks on Block Island, Rhode Island. The pound of the surf across the sand is followed by the gentler roar of the waves receding. The stones seem to sing as the water flows back into the sea. I might be inland, but in my heart I am hearing the briny symphony of those New England waters.

Try to take some time today to hear the clapping of the trees, the singing of the rocks, the chirping of the birds. Take a walk and listen to the Lord’s gentle symphony. A blessed Sabbath to you.

Phamily – Piled High in the Front Seat

On By TimelessladyIn Phamily6 Comments

Easton, MD

REVERSE SHOT

What’s your earliest memory involving another person? Recreate the scene — from the other person’s perspective.

Whoops! Took a detour from the directions…always a constant problem of mine. (Wink) The perspective is mine. 🙂 *

The caption on the photograph says “Easton, Maryland.” In my earliest memories I am with my parents and Susan, my sister. Although I am much older in the photograph, my earliest memory takes place in late March/early April of 1960. My family lived at that time in New Castle, Pennsylvania. My father was a pastor in the Pilgrim Holiness Church. How times have changed! Most cars didn’t have seatbelts. Children didn’t sit on boosters, babies weren’t strapped into car seats. In my fleeting remembrance I stood (gasp!) between my parents on the front seat of the car so I could look down on the baby sleeping in my mother’s arms. I remember my mother’s gray tweed coat and the baby swathed in layers of blankets. I wore a heavy coat and some kind of furry bonnet-type hat. I think I had a little muff to keep my hands warm. (It stays very cold in western Pennsylvania in early Spring.)That’s about all there is of that memory, but it is a good one. I remember feeling happiness piled tightly in the front seat of that car with the people who made up the whole world for me.

* “I’m of a mind that if I think deviating from the directions will make anything better…well then GO FOR IT!

Philm – Million Dollar Arm

On By TimelessladyIn Philm2 Comments

My husband and I absolutely loved this wonderful movie from Disney. I didn’t know it was based on a true story until the very end. Amazing! You won’t regret watching this one.

Phavorites & Quotes – Autocrit & Stephen King

On By TimelessladyIn Phavorites, QuotesLeave a comment

“Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.”
~ Author Unknown

AUTOCRIT

Did you notice the “intentional” goof in the quote by Author Unknown? If not, “proofread” one more time. I cannot even begin to count how many times I have gone back to an old post and found an error so obvious even a third grader would spot the mistake. Why does this happen to me? I’m not alone, it happens to all of us. I caught an old blog post error yesterday and edited it out. My grammatical faux pas: A Autumn-” instead of “An Autumn-.”

A good site that points out grammatical mistakes along with overused words and phrases is AUTOCRIT. Take a look at this terrific site if you enjoy writing, but sometimes miss your own mistakes.

“I have spent a good many years since―too many, I think―being ashamed about what I write. I think I was forty before I realized that almost every writer of fiction or poetry who has ever published a line has been accused by someone of wasting his or her God-given talent. If you write (or paint or dance or sculpt or sing, I suppose), someone will try to make you feel lousy about it, that’s all.”
~ Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

My all-time favorite book on writing is Stephen King’s “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.” Beyond the often hilarious and touching biographical chapters you will find a goldmine of good advice on writing.

I’ll end with this great quote in hopes that even though I sometimes miss my mistakes, I usually am able to make a point of something in each blog post.

“Many writers profess great exactness in punctuation who never yet made a point.”
~ George Dennison Prentice (1802 – 1870)