Author: Timelesslady

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

Pots and Pans – Jam Breakfast Bars

On By TimelessladyIn Pots and PansLeave a comment

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I love the site Budget101.com, another terrific site is:

Grocery Budget 101

I recently tried one of their recipes: Jam Breakfast Bars. I followed the recipe as written, but left the walnuts out of my bars because of a grandchild’s peanut and tree nut allergy. The bars turned out fine without the nuts added. You can find the entire recipe, wonderful photographs, and descriptions here: Grocery Budget 101 Jam Breakfast Bars *

I am very impressed with the information provided by this terrific site. They not only give you the recipe but also great photo directions and break down the cost of making the recipe into dollars and cents. Check it out!

As I was mixing up the topping for the bars, I was a bit apprehensive about the lack of sugar. No problem! The sugar in the jam beneath the topping was plenty sweet.

Here are a few tips I am adding after baking the bars: I taste tested the bars right out of the oven, at room temperature, and cold from the fridge. Surprisingly, I liked them best out of fridge. The jam firms up again, and the bars have a nice texture. I usually prefer baked goods warm but not this time. I also used a 7 x 9 pan instead of the suggested 8 x8, and they bars came out perfect by following the same suggested baking time.

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Don’t be tempted to skip the parchment paper on the bottom of the pan!

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I had to chisel my way through the side of the bars after cooling with a paring knife. The baked jam really adheres to the baking pan. I was SO glad I had followed the directions and used the parchment on the bottom. (No need to grease this way) I am sure that to leave out the parchment would completely ruin the recipe. By the time you scraped the bars away from the bottom of the pan the whole recipe would be crumbled. Next time I bake them I will carefully run a paring knife around the sides while they are still warm.

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After the bars were cool I flipped them out onto a cutting sheet and cut through them upside down. This kept the top of the bars from falling apart during the cutting.

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The bars are sticky so I stored them in the fridge between layers of waxed paper.

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I had everything I needed to make these bars in the pantry except the jam. I used Smuckers Strawberry. In the future I will stock up on jam when it goes on sale and the recipe will be even more budget friendly. Why does costing only pennies per serving somehow make the bars taste even better? Happy Baking! 🙂

* If I don’t know the source of a recipe I use I will include the recipe in my post, if I do know the source I include the link to it in my post. If the link is broken or takes you to the wrong post let me know through the comments section and I will fix it! Thanks.

Pheathers – The Bird Whisperer or Small Miracles

On By TimelessladyIn Pheathers6 Comments

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A “teenager” Blue Jay, wild and reckless, made friends with the ones his Mama told him were the wrong crowd. What an amazing experience this was for all of us.

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We gave him some bird seed. He gobbled up a bit, but seemed to like the attention he was receiving more than the food.

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He first captured our attention by bathing in a muddy puddle the grandboys had created with the hose. The two year old baby was excited and bold, he went right up to him and petted him on the back. We were amazed. No worries for those of you who might wonder if the bird was sick…no…just very young…feisty, strong, and bright-eyed. We wondered if perhaps someone had hand-raised him…he was that tame.

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As I took photographs he pecked the camera.

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He also took a liking to my wedding ring.

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After a bit he flew to a perch in one of the pines bordering our back yard. Fly away home little bird…stay safe. Small miracles happen every day. Thank you God!

Plantings – Updated Posts

On By TimelessladyIn PlantingLeave a comment

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I thought I’d update a few past posts. The microgreen seeds I recently sowed, dated 2011, did great.

The seeds were purchased from Pinetree Garden Seeds. I recently ordered more seeds from the company and had them within a week. The sprouts are now a pretty decent size, and I’ve been “grazing” on them as I pass by. They are clean and ready to eat since they are in pots and elevated off the ground. A few cabbage butterflies have laid eggs, and the cruciferous vegetable sprouts have suffered a bit, but most of the plantings are tasty and still whole.

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The Black-Seeded Simpson lettuce that I allowed to go to seed has really surprised me. I didn’t know lettuce would grow so very high. Yikes! It is near three feet tall and still growing. It is beginning to set some yellow flowers so I think I’ll be able to gather quite a bit of seed from it in a few weeks. I enjoyed experimenting with the lettuce that bolted rather than pulling all of it out of the garden plots.

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I am absolutely “Over the Moon” in love with this gorgeous sage plant that unexpectedly showed up in my wildflower garden. Oh the color…amazing periwinkle blue…a hard shade to find in summer garden flowers. I will absolutely allow this to go to seed and gather it in the Fall. I will also press a few of the florets in hopes that they will hold onto the beautiful color. I have been so surprised by how lush my wildflower garden remained. It is August, granted a cooler one than usual, but still…wildflowers tightly sown still doing well in August??? Amazing!

Plants & Pleasure – Wonderful Wednesday/Gourds

On By TimelessladyIn Plants, Pleasures2 Comments

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I’ve tried to grow birdhouse gourds many times over the years. Unfortunately, my efforts usually produce small or mid-sized fruit. Often the developing gourds have rotted on the vine. This year I was determined to try again. I sowed the seeds indoors for an earlier start, and instead of planting them in the ground, I placed the plantlets in pots of very rich soil.

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The pots rest beneath the trumpet vine outside my kitchen window. The sturdy trunk of the trumpet vine provides natural support for the upward climb of the gourd plants. The vine has reached the top of my garage roof now. I am hoping that the heat of the roof will help the gourds grow big, bigger, biggest. Even if my strategy doesn’t work…it does my spirit good when I see the small fruits adorning the vine. I’ll update their progress, or hopefully not…their demise. 🙂 Happy Gardening!

People & Perspective – Steve Harvey

On By TimelessladyIn Quirkiness6 Comments


Steve Harvey

What is your testimony? As I watched this Youtube video I instantly was reminded of the multitudes that will be in heaven, cheering for the Lord Jesus Christ. I look forward with joy at being a part of that multitude one day. I don’t want anyone to miss being in that crowd! I also want to spread the Good News while I am here on earth. This video is a good example of using the gift God has bestowed on us to share the Good News. Steve Harvey’s gift is not my gift. I enjoy blogging and sharing my love for God through written words. I might not reach thousands of people in my lifetime, but even if I reach just one…it is important to that one. How can you spread the Good News? If a desire to do so is truly in our heart, God WILL show you the way! Blessings on your day.

Painting – “An Iris with Words” / July’s WetCanvas Plant Parade Challenge

On By TimelessladyIn Painting6 Comments

Iris / Plant Parade Challenge July

I am delighted when I find the time to take part in the WetCanvas Challenges. In July I painted an Iris in watercolor in the Plant Parade Challenge. I went outside my comfort zone and added a bit of word collage to the watercolor. The purist within screamed, “NO! The brave soul in me won and shouted, “Onward!”

The painting, 5 x 7, Winsor & Newton watercolors,  is not my best floral, nor is it my worst. It is a watercolor floral I will remember always though…why…because I DID step out of my comfort zone. Hallelujah!

Iris with Words

You can follow the whole thread here:
July WetCanvas Plant Parade July 2014 Thread

The August Plant Parade Challenge/Daisies/Hosted by Just Jean
You  can find the link here:
August Plant Parade Challenge
 

 

 

 

Perspective – Soon and Very Soon

On By TimelessladyIn Perspective2 Comments

“And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.” John 14:3

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In yesterday’s post I spoke of a day on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The boardwalk can be a place of fun and laughter, but also a place of desolation and homelessness. In an attempt to make a living modern-day “troubadours” sometimes set up their instruments on a portion of the boardwalk and play to the crowds of people passing by.

While we were “strolling the boards” we walked by a woman sitting on a bench. I thought at first she was one of these “troubadours,” but soon realized she was more a prophet. Clapping her hands in a steady rhythm, she was purposefully singing a tune I know well, Andrae Crouch’s beautiful song, “Soon and Very Soon.” I am sure others heard the words as they passed by. I hope they understood the message of the song. God bless the messenger in her effort to spread the Good News.

The message of “Soon and  Very Soon” is the coming of the Kingdom of God. Let’s all spread the “Good News” of the Lord Jesus Christ and his saving grace for all mankind.

To read daily reports of current events and  Biblical prophecies being fulfilled check out this site: Rapture Ready

Atlantic City Boardwalk photograph courtesy of Morguefile.

Places – Steel Pier, Atlantic City, NJ

On By TimelessladyIn Place5 Comments

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Yesterday my husband and I, after living in southern New Jersey for most of our lives, did something for the first time…took the train into Atlantic City. In the past, anytime we’ve been to this famous beach town the trip has been taken in a car. Yesterday we had a great time doing something old and familiar in a totally new way. It was good to walk on the crowded boardwalk, have lunch at “Hard Rock Cafe,” and people watch as we ate at an outside table. Before we left for home we walked out on the New Steel Pier.

The last time I was on the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey, I was in sixth grade participating in “Safety Day.” Not safety as in staying safe, but as a member of the School Safety Patrol. Remember the yellow bands worn across the chest? I am dating myself I think. That was close to forty-five years ago. I can remember the day perfectly, Gary Puckett and the Union Gap were the performers. I am pretty sure they sang the song “Young Girl.” Uh-oh, I’m dating myself again. 🙂

Although the original Steel Pier burned in 1982, the new pier is full of old-fashioned rides such as the ferris wheel and carousel.

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The Carousel is a Double-Decker. The history of it can be found here: Double Decker Carousel

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A staircase leads up to the second level. I can remember riding on horses just like these as a child, and also in the large canopied sleigh too.

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Carnival games line the entrance and border the pier. New-fangled daredevil rides are present too for those not too faint of heart. There are helicopter tours available on the pier that will carry you along the beachfront or over the city.

The casinos loom large on the other side of the boardwalk…

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…but even in the midst of the most modern of settings, Steel Pier still has an old-fashioned charm.

Plants, Problem-Solving and Pleasure – Tomato

On By TimelessladyIn Plants, Pleasures, Problem-Solving2 Comments

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My tomato plants have thrived this year. I have been diligent in removing suckers on the indeterminate plants, and now I am reaping the rewards of the time spent caring for them. I am pleased with the heirloom varieties and also the varieties I planted that are said to contain high amounts of the antioxidant anthocyanin. Indigo Apple, along with Gypsy (another dark tomato) have been welcome additions to the garden.

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I’ve had a few problems, this stem at one point in time had several leaves, now it is bare. I never found the culprit, but I am pretty sure it was a tomato hornworm. I am crossing my fingers that he fell victim to a predatory wasp. Hopefully, he is the only one of his kind to visit my plants this summer, and I won’t feel compelled to whip up an organic spray. I’d much rather hand-pick the pests away or let nature’s predators help me out.

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This is the largest tomato I have ever grown. To protect if from squirrels eager to sample its lushness I surrounded it with hair from my cats. I know it looks ugly, but it worked. Here is the harvested tomato, finishing its ripening process in my kitchen. Success!

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If you don’t have cats or dogs, I’ve read that human hair will also repel critters. Happy Gardening!

Photographs & Perspective – Throwback Thursday & Immigration

On By TimelessladyIn Perspective, Photographs4 Comments

Family

In the photograph above I am the child standing before the elderly woman. She is my great-grandmother, one of the two women whose name I bear. I did not know her well, but do remember that she was tiny but strong. She emigrated legally to the United States from Germany through Ellis Island. She passed through the rigorous inspections that were in place to screen out disease and criminal activity. I am so thankful she came to this blessed land of America.

I believe in immigration, and everyone in the United States should also since a large percentage of us descend from immigrants somewhere down our line. What I do not believe in though is indiscriminately opening our borders to those who would ignore the protocol for entry. I am concerned that our pity for the young children trying to escape poverty and crime is allowing these same children to become a Trojan horse that could carry into our country an extra burden on our struggling economy, disease, pandemics, over-crowding, crime, gang violence and even elevate the threat of terrorism.

What can we do? I’m afraid not much about the current crisis. We can’t change yesterday, but we can do things right today and in the future. Most of all we need to have our eyes wide open concerning those we elect to govern this country. Experience and Constitutional integrity and adherence does matter! We are witnessing the lack of it now in our country…enough said.

Plantings – Wildflower Garden

On By TimelessladyIn Planting2 Comments

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In the late months of Spring, I sowed several packets of wildflowers in empty areas of my garden beds. I’ve been thrilled with the results. The flowers are not showy, but the colors are vibrant and the variety of bloom quite interesting. I also added a few leftover zinnias, marigolds and cosmos from old seed packets I had saved over the years. They are also growing, and when the first wildflowers are spent, I am hoping they will begin to blossom.

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Plant – Coriander/Cilantro

On By TimelessladyIn PlantsLeave a comment

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I am growing coriander, also known as cilantro, in my herb garden this year. Coriander leaves can be used in the place of parsley, in fact, one of the names for this plant is Chinese parsley. I would love to include a beautiful photograph of the plant, but alas, it has already bolted to seed. No worries though, the seed is also a valuable aid to cooking. The seeds are crushed when used in cooking and give a light lemony flavor to the food they season. The seeds lose their flavor when ground, so store them whole until ready to use. They can be roasted to enhance their taste. It is also possible to grow coriander on a windowsill.

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I’m drying my coriander seeds, along with some radish seed pods, for a few days before I store them. I want to make sure they are completely dry to ensure they do not develop any sort of spoilage.

More information on coriander/cilantro can be found here:
Coriander/Cilantro

Pleasures – The Dragonfly Whisperer Returns

On By TimelessladyIn Pleasures4 Comments

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The Dragonflies are back. Two years ago I blogged about my close encounter with a dragonfly here: July 2012 Dragonfly Whisperer

Yesterday I once again put a little of my dragonfly knowledge to the test…they will usually land on the highest stems. I gently nudged the fellow/gal off of the garden carrier and sure enough when the dragonfly found rest again it was on my index finger. Drat! Why wasn’t my camera in my pocket when I needed it? I jostled the dragonfly off, ran in the house to get my camera, disturbed his rest on the carrier again and “O Happy Day” he once more chose to land on my index finger. I was able to get a pretty good photograph.

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Here are some interesting dragonfly sites to check out:

Ten Fascinating Facts About Dragonflies

The Dragonfly Woman

Photograph – Poppy Bud

On By TimelessladyIn PhotographsLeave a comment

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“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

People – Mary Ercoli Walsh

On By TimelessladyIn People2 Comments

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“For over 20 years Mary Ercoli Walsh has been experimenting with color. Through quilting, mosaics, furniture rehabs, home decorating, jewelry design, polymer clay designs, photography, pottery, graphic design and fine arts she constantly looks to color, pattern and design for inspiration. Be Creative Mary 365 is a challenge and celebration of creativity.
For 365 days Mary will embark on the challenge of a lifetime. She will produce one creative work every day for one complete year.”

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I love Mary’s art, and I love checking out her blog. The colors are brilliant, the art sensational, and the themes bring me instant happiness. I think you will agree! Take a look at Mary’s blog and the post about her recent art show.

Be Creative Mary Blog

Creative Mary Art Show

I’m not sure how I was lucky enough to find Mary’s blog and art, but it could be our mutual love of Block Island, Rhode Island. Whatever the case, I’m glad I did. She is an inspiration to those of us who love to create.

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A big thank you to Mary for permission to use photographs of her stunning artwork on this blog. All artwork and blog excerpts in this post are the exclusive property of Mary Ercoli Walsh.

Phavorites – Phavorite Site/Budget 101

On By TimelessladyIn Phavorites11 Comments

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This site has it all when it comes to saving money and cooking from scratch. Check it out and browse, browse, browse. You will definitely find something of interest and possibly a “phavorite” new recipe or tip.

Check out: Budget101.com

Quote – Wisdom on Wednesday

On By TimelessladyIn Quotes4 Comments

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The voices that shape the direction of a nation are not necessarily those that ring out in legislative halls, but those that approach the throne room of God with bold faith.” ~ Charles Stanley – In Touch Devotional for July 23.

Charles Stanley’s “In Touch Daily Devotional” can be found here:
In Touch Daily Devotional

It is easy to feel helpless in the face of the turmoil in our world, but God’s Word tells us to be bold.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. ~Hebrews 4:16

Plants & Potions – Plantain

On By TimelessladyIn Plants, Potions8 Comments

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This outstanding display of the “weed” plantain is clustered around the bird bath in my Square Foot Garden. I thought it especially appropriate that the plant grew in the garden beds. I have let several patches of plantain grow each year into large sized plants. I don’t consider it a weed at all. Plantain is an edible weed. It is also medicinal and can alleviate the itch of poison ivy or the pain of a bee sting. To use plantain for stings and rashes, chew it for a bit and apply to the sore or itchy spot.

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Plantain can also be eaten raw, in a salad, when the leaves are young and small. It can also be cooked. For more information check out this terrific site on “Eat the Weeds” blog by Green Deane: Eat the Weeds/Plantain

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I also make a salve for the skin using plantain. It is very easy. I lightly simmer water and heat olive oil and plantain leaves in a baby food jar. I don’t have a specific measurement, just a half inch of oil or so, and some chopped plantain leaves. I heat for about an hour or ninety minutes, and let the leaves sit in the oil for about 24 hours before straining out. This can also be stored in the fridge for a longer lasting salve. Even if it hardens, as soon as it touches your skin it melts right in.

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I recently read to get the best oil out of herbs and other plants pick them and let them set for about twenty-four hours. This gives you maximum essential oils on the surface of the leaves or flowers.

I have blogged about using plantain in the past, but a good tip is always worthwhile to bring to the “surface” of the blog again. Oftentimes the best ideas get buried in the archives.

Quotes – Billy Graham

On By TimelessladyIn QuotesLeave a comment

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“To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees.”
~ Billy Graham

World events are overwhelming. It’s easy to think our prayers are of no consequence in the grand scheme of things. Remember the words in James 5:16:

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”