Author: Timelesslady

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

Plant – Cucumber

On By TimelessladyIn Plants2 Comments

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“Cucumber (Cucumis sativus) is a widely cultivated plant in the gourd family Cucurbitaceae. It is a creeping vine that bears cylindrical fruits that are used as culinary vegetables. There are three main varieties of cucumber: slicing, pickling, and burpless.” Wikipedia

The humble cucumber is available throughout the year at most grocery stores or fruit stands. Inexpensive, they are a perfect addition to a salad, or can stand on their own with only a sprinkling of salt and pepper. My favorites are the pickling variety.

A few facts I recently ran across regarding cucumbers suprised me. I knew they would remove puffiness around the eyes and were low in calories, but I did not know that they have many health benefits. A few of these are: good for the kidneys, regular consumption can dissolve kidney stones over time. Cucumbers are one of the best sources of potassium. Cucumbers help the pancreas create insulin. Cucumbers reduce the risk of certain types of cancers.

There are many other benefits of cucumbers. I’ve included a link to a great article that lists many of advantages of eating or using cucumbers for skin, hair and oral health. Cucumber Benefits

Cucumbers are easy to grow in the garden. I have started them in two ways, in pots a few weeks before the last frost date, and right in the ground. Some varieties grow on bushes, others are vines and need trellis support. In my Square Foot Garden I grow two to a square.

As always, the Pinterest site is loaded with hundreds of terrific pins concerning cucumbers. Take a look: Cucumbers on Pinterest

Philm – Twelve Years a Slave

On By TimelessladyIn PhilmLeave a comment

Twelve Years a Slave won this year’s Oscar for best picture. I recently viewed the movie “On Demand.” I found it to be a good representation of this time in the history of the United States. What struck me most was the paragraphs of explanation at the end of the movie: most free people of color who were kidnapped and sold into slavery never escaped from that bondage, Solomon Northrup was an exception to those percentages. The movie is rated “R” due to extreme violence, brief nudity and some brief sexual situations.

I have seen very few movies in the recent years, but chose to see this one because of it’s historical content. I am glad I did. It opened up my eyes to a whole new horrific facet of life as a person of color in that period of history, the possibility of being kidnapped and sold into slavery.

It’s easy to shake our head and go about our days aware of the past, but also relieved it is just that, the past. Unfortunately, slavery still exists around the globe in different forms, people are used as “property” all over the world.

Slavery in the Modern Day World

I don’t know what is to be done about modern-day slavery, but as in all things, the first step in solving a problem is to bring a sense of awareness of the issue to more people.

Purpose – Unexpected Gestures

On By TimelessladyIn Purpose2 Comments

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Years ago, this unexpected note, a gesture of support from a co-worker uplifted my spirits. This young woman knew of the adversity I faced in a place of employment where a few wore two faces. What others said to me, was not what was spoken behind my back. We’ve all been there. Most of us leave it behind in high school. Unfortunately, as adults, many are also victims of ill will in the workplace or other social situations. Barely out of high school herself, this sweet girl took the time to leave a note of encouragement on the counter where I would be sure to see it. I don’t think she realized how much it meant to me. She couldn’t have known that I would keep it tucked away in a satin bag filled with letters sent from those dear to me. I keep it still, to remind me of her sweet spirit and thoughtfulness, and to help me remember that sometimes an unexpected gesture of kindness is also the Grace of God extended to us through another.

What gesture of kindness can I extend to someone today in the name of Jesus?

Painting – WetCanvas March 2014 Plant Parade

On By TimelessladyIn Painting2 Comments

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Primroses are a favorite of mine at this time of the year. When the Wetcanvas Floral and Botanical forum chose primroses as their Plant Parade subject for March, it was an easy decision to dig out an old reference photograph and join in the creating of some floral art.

You can see the many interpretations of primroses here: WetCanvas March 2014 Plant Parade

The Plant Parade allows any type of art medium in the creation of the month’s flower. So all you artists at heart, whether you draw daily or haven’t picked up a sketchbook for decades, break out your pencils, paints, collage fabrics, etc. Whatever your medium, April is a perfect month to create a few flowers.

WetCanvas is a terrific site for every type of art under the sun. Take a few moments and browse their many subject areas.

*I always include an inchworm in my floral paintings…can you find it?

Product – Starbuck’s Blonde Veranda Blend

On By TimelessladyIn ProductLeave a comment

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Only one word is needed to describe this coffee: Sensational! Starbuck’s Blonde Veranda Blend Coffee lives up to all the good things said about it in the television commercial. I love milder coffee, and the flavor is divine. My husband, who likes a darker brew, agreed it was delicious. Even though we enjoyed it mid-afternoon, it didn’t seem to keep us from sleeping, or cause our slumber to be restless. The coffee blend is expensive, but sometimes the taste of the sublime is worth an extra dollar or two.

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*Save the bag the coffee is packaged in if it is specially marked with a free offer. If you return the bag when you visit a Starbuck’s you will receive a tall brewed coffee. Wow! You can’t beat this product or the offer of a good cup of coffee.

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Psalms and Proverbs – Finding Peace

On By TimelessladyIn Psalms and Proverbs8 Comments

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We all have days when we are mentally worn out and physically tired. Today is that day for me. Perhaps it is yours as well. I take to heart the many verses in the New Testament that speak of Jesus withdrawing to “lonely” places to pray. At times we all need to draw the curtains, shut off the phone, hide the car keys or walking shoes, and take the time to truly rest. A blessed Sabbath Day to you.

And when day came, He departed to a lonely place; and the multitudes were searching for Him, and came to Him, and tried to keep Him from going away from them. (Luke 4:42)

But He Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray. (Luke 5:16)

And it was at this time that He went off to the mountain to pray, and He spent the whole night in prayer to God. (Luke 6:12)

Pleasure & Prose – Sea-Beans from the Tropics

On By TimelessladyIn Pleasures, Prose6 Comments

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    A few years ago I first heard the term “Sea-Beans.” Of course, since I love to beachcomb, I was entranced by the thought of something new to search for on my beach walks.

    The definition of Sea Beans, according to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary is as follows: “Any of various beans or showy seeds of tropical origin that are frequently carried by ocean currents to remote shores and often used as ornaments.”

    The hunt was on. Happily, for the bibliophile within me, I found a terrific book on the topic: Sea-Beans from the Tropics. I have found a few “sea-beans” on my beach walks, but most have been the throwaways of beach picnics, fruit pits, etc. That does not mean I have given up the hunt. One of my best days of finding “beach drift” was on the shore of the Chesapeake bay. I don’t think what I found that day could be considered sea-beans, instead perhaps I should call my finds on that occasion “Bay-Beans.” 🙂

    My dream is to find some tropical sea-beans and somehow sprout them. It has been done, and there is a whole chapter in the book on the how’s and why’s of growing sea-beans.

    Another happy find was re-connecting with a link I had lost, a community page for sea-beans with a link to other forums. You can check out the sea-bean community page here: Sea-Bean Community

    If you are an avid beachcomber, you will love this book. I checked Amazon.com today to see if the book is still available. It is, but oh my, along with the book I found several others listed that look interesting and appear to also be full of great information. It’s going to be hard to keep them out of my "Shopping Cart."

    Listings of sea-bean books can be found here: Sea Beans from the Tropics and Others

    I searched some WordPress bloggers to see what they thought or wrote of sea-beans. I found some terrific posts. Take a look: Sea-Beans on the Keys / Sea Beans and Beachcomber’s Festival / Danielle’s Dives – Sea-Beans

    Happy Hunting!

Plant – Sea Grapes

On By TimelessladyIn Quirkiness2 Comments

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Jamaica is one of my favorite destinations. I am in love with the tropical foliage and trees that grow in the warm climate. My favorite plant is the gorgeous sea grape bush. When we visit we stay in a resort with beautiful gardens. The walkways are lined with Sea Grape bushes. The brilliant lime green leaves are large and leather-like, bisected by a brilliant magenta vein. I wanted to take one home with me, or some seeds, but it is illegal to do so.

I thought I had found a solution and purchased some seeds from Florida, where sea grapes also grow. To buy a plant is rather pricey.

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I wish I had not bothered. In this informative article, Sea Grapes, I read that the seeds of sea grapes cannot withstand storage. I will plant them anyway, but I feel a bit disheartened before I even try. I think I am going to have to go the more expensive route and buy a sea grape plant if I want to grow this beautiful shrub as a houseplant.

Here’s a little more information on Sea Grapes: Sea Grapes

Place, Perspective & Peace – If Rocks Could Speak

On By TimelessladyIn Peace, Perspective, Place6 Comments

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In my opinion, if these rocks could speak, they would admonish all who listened to their words to strive for peace.

The title I originally chose and typed for this post was, “Place – Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.” Those who live in the US will realize that the rock in the photograph lies in the area where a Civil War battle was fought. A battle where young boys and men, over 50,000, died or were horribly wounded. The rock lies on the grounds of the Gettysburg Visitor Center and Museum. History of the Battle of Gettysburg can be found here: Battle of Gettysburg

The rocks are haunting to me, creating a heaviness of heart as I gaze at them. It is not a hard stretch of mind to imagine a young man, mortally wounded, lying behind or atop this rock.  According to the National Park Service, this type of rock is very resistant to weathering and probably looks very much the same as it did 150 years ago in July of 1863. A description of the rocks and boulders of Gettysburg can be found here: Geologic Formations of Gettysburg

I also felt a deep sadness as I viewed a wall of solemn faces within the museum. One thousand men, five hundred from each side; all killed, seriously wounded or imprisoned during the Battle of Gettysburg. I’m the mother of two sons, I could only imagine the consuming grief of the thousands of parents, wives and children who lost their dear ones in this terrible war. The wall of 1000 faces, along with more photographs from the museum, can be found here: 1000 Faces

Peace is my theme word for March. Each month, through my daily Bible devotions, I choose a word of character that I hope will become an unshakeable facet of my spirit and life. I also use this theme word in my choice of verses and quotes for the right hand sidebar of this blog.

Those in power around the world do not seem to take heed of the lessons of the past. In fact, rather than seeking peace, it seems there are more wars and rumors of wars just about everywhere. What can we do? The best response is always to pray and have peace within. “Let There Be Peace on Earth,” is a beautiful song by Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller. The first line says, “Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me.” That is my hope for my life; I hope it is your hope too.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” Matthew 5:9

Pleasures – Two on Tuesdays/Impulse Buys

On By TimelessladyIn PleasuresLeave a comment

I was on a daytrip this past Saturday and browsed a bit in a well-known chain store. Oh my! Off in one corner of the store were pallets of perennials and houseplants that appeared to be delivered, if not that day, within a day or two prior. Some still had the protective plastic netting stretched around the pallet. The houseplants were a good price, and one, a begonia, was unique to what I usually see in these stores. Into my shopping cart they went.

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The begonia and asparagus fern placed in an antique planter make a beautiful centerpiece on my dining room table. Combined, they cost about the same as a bouquet of cut flowers. They will last much longer, and in the long-run be more economical than buying fresh flowers weekly. Well, it sounds like good logic anyway! 🙂

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I also bought three packages of spring perennials. They were reasonably priced and the packets seemed very fresh. My three choices netted me eight plants: 1 clematis, 2 bleeding hearts, 5 columbines.

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I hadn’t intended planting a clematis this year, but I fell in love with the way this one was determined to grow and thrust its way right through the plastic of the packaging. That’s my kind of plant!

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Instead of waiting to plant them outside when the soil warms up to 50 degrees, I planted them in pots and placed them under lights in the cool of the basement. Since they had already put out green shoots within the confines of bag, I knew they’d be better off in the soil. Happy gardening!

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Problem-solving – Two on Tuesday/Tulip Bulb Forcing-The Crash and Burn

On By TimelessladyIn Problem-Solving2 Comments

Today is a “Two on Tuesday” post. First post-the bad news, my tulip bulb forcing project has crashed and burned.

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I would much rather have left this admission out of the blog posts, BUT, on my “Hello” page I promised to post about the projects that “crash and burn” for me. I am not sure what went wrong with the bulbs. Should I have been more careful about the water level? Would forcing each bulb in a separate container be a better choice? In hindsight, I should have misted the foliage every day, maybe twice. Was the sunny window too hot and bright for the foliage? I didn’t take into account that the sun’s rays would be magnified through not only the windowpanes, but through the glass of the vase also. To be honest the last explanation seems the most feasible to me. I will try again next year…for sure!

Phavorites and Plants – St. Patrick’s Day Greens /Philodendrons & Pothos

On By TimelessladyIn PlantsLeave a comment

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! A terrific day to celebrate, even more so because there is little responsibility connected to it. No presents to buy, no major re-decorating plans are needed, a person can even skip the wearing of the green and not be considered a social pariah.

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My home is filled with green plants. Philodendrons & Pothos are tops of my lists of “phavorites.” They are not fussy, they come in brilliant lime through dark green. The plants are also widely available in many beautiful variegated shades.

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I recently visited Longwood Gardens and took a photo of this large specimen of a philodendron in the tropicals room.

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Another astounding characteristic of philodendrons is their ability to root and actually live and thrive in plain tap water. I will admit my home is filled with pots of philodendron planted after rooting in water. It may seem like a contradiction, but after I pot up the rooted philodendrons, I keep their soil on the drier side. I often plant them in antique pots that have no drainage. If I water sparingly to avoid soggy “feet” in the bottom of the pot, the philodendrons will live for years and produce many more stems for cutting and rooting.

If you have small children and pets be aware that philodendrons are poisonous. A good article and chart on houseplant toxicity can be found here: Toxic Plants It’s best to keep all plants out of reach of small children and pets.

A benefit of philodendrons is their terrific ability to filter toxins out of your indoor air. Air Filtering Plants

I have encountered two problems in growing philodendron plants. The first is browning edges. This could be caused by lack of humidity in the house during the winter, misting will help in this case. The crisp edges can also be caused by too much fertilizer.

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I will usually cut away the unsightly brown edges with a pair of scissors. This works for a time, but I have found that once a leaf begins to brown, it usually will continue to die back whether I trim the damaged section or not. It’s the way it is in the plant world, new leaves will grow, old leaves will eventually shrivel and die.

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A housekeeping issue also needs to be addressed where houseplants are concerned…the coating of dust that eventually accumulates.

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For pots with drainage, I usually wait until warmer temperatures prevail and take them outdoors to hose off. I can’t do that for the philodendrons. The water I use to rinse them would end up accumulating in the bottom of the pot and drown their roots. Instead I tilt them on an angle, and quickly wash the dust away with tepid water under the kitchen faucet. A bit of potting soil will sometimes spill into the sink, but it is easy to replace.

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Perspective – Why I Keep My Posts Shorter Rather Than Longer?

On By TimelessladyIn Perspective6 Comments

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Why do I keep the majority of my posts shorter rather than longer? The answer in a nutshell* can be found in the verse below:

“The more the words, the less the meaning, and how does that profit anyone?” Ecclesiastes 6:11

We are all better off when we follow this wise advice!

*The expression “in a nutshell” generally refers to a concise explanation of something. When speakers want to cram just the essential points into as few words as possible, they are making their point in a nutshell. Something that’s said in a nutshell is succinct and to the point. While a speaker may use only a few words or sentences, he includes every necessary piece of information when speaking of something in a nutshell. (definition courtesy of wisegeek.com)

Pots and Pans – Cabbage & Kale Casserole

On By TimelessladyIn Pots and PansLeave a comment

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Grocery stores are full of cabbage and kale this week. The gorgeous green colors of both these superfoods enticed me to purchase them. I wanted to find a recipe that would combine them. I found a good choice in the Fix-It and Forget-It Cookbook,  contributed by Edwina Stolzfus of Narvon, PA. I was sure I could tweak the recipe a bit to include kale. This casserole is created for cooking in a crockpot. The ingredients could easily be adapted to bake in a 350 degree oven for about 45- 60 minutes.

Here is my version of the recipe. I added kale and mustard and a touch less cheese than the original. This recipe is a perfect choice for St. Patrick’s Day.

CABBAGE CASSEROLE
1 medium head cabbage, chopped
1/2 bunch of kale, torn away
from stem in bite-sized pieces

Boil cabbage and kale in salted water
for about five minutes.
The pan will be full,
but as the cabbage and kale cook and
soften they will reduce in size. Drain.

1/3 cup butter
1/4 cup flour
1/2 – 1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 1/3 cups milk
1/2  8 oz. block of cheddar cheese,
shredded, about one cup
1/2 to 1 tbsp gourmet mustard
(I used champagne dill mustard, it is a
very delicate mustard, if your mustard
choice is strong in flavor use a bit less)

In a saucepan, gently melt the butter, do not
allow to burn. Stir in flour, salt and pepper.
Whisk until they thicken a bit. Add milk,
stirring constantly. Cook until the mixture
thickens. Remove from heat. Stir in cheese and
mustard. Pour sauce over cabbage and kale.
Place in crockpot. Cook on low 4-5 hours.

Delicious! Even my seven year old grandson loved it!

Prose and Pressed Flowers – A Passion For Flowers by Penny Black

On By TimelessladyIn Pressed Flowers, ProseLeave a comment

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In 1992 a classic floral arranging book was published. It has always been one of my favorites on the subject of pressed & dried flowers. Written by Penny Black, this terrific how-to book is a timeless account of how to use flowers for your home and giving to others.

The book is filled with gorgeous pictures, perfect directions and recipes. I also found a list of additional books authored by Penny Black. The list can be found on Goodreads: Books by Penny Black

A Passion for Flowers can be ordered through Amazon: A Passion For Flowers by Penny Black

Planting – Garden Goings-On/Seeds and Sprouts

On By TimelessladyIn PlantingLeave a comment

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Poppy Seeds are sprouting in my winter sown containers. (gallon milk cartons) Poppies are always one of the first seeds to sprout when winter sown. This is absolutely, at least for me, the best way to sow and grow poppies.

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Here is a picture of me, probably two summers ago, beside my near five foot bread seed poppies. If you look to the right of my shoulder you can see the big poppy buds ready to burst into bloom. These poppies were sown with the winter sowing method and grew in my Square Foot Gardens, one plant to a square. Here’s a link to the blog of Mel Bartholomew, the creator of the Square Foot Garden Method. Square Foot Gardening

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My winter sown crop of seeds are sown now. I have found that for a few the soil has begun to dry out a bit. I have needed to place them in a pan of water to enable them to wick up a bit of moisture. You can find a post on winter sowing here: Winter-sown seeds.

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The coleus seeds I sowed with my small seed sowing method have sprouted and because they are well-spaced out have not developed any fungal or damping-off disease. They are a bit leggy, but when I repot them separately in a few weeks, I will cover some of the leggy stem with soil. They should begin to develop color within a week or two.

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The Martha Washington Geranium I over-wintered with bare roots is leafing out nicely.

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The green onions I rerooted and potted up are growing terrific stems. I just used a few cut up into beautiful green rings in a Cheesy Potato recipe. The original post on how I regrow the bottoms of the onions can be found here: Regrowing Green Onion Stems

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Most of my seeds, except for larger varieties such as zinnias and four o’clocks, have been sown into plastic containers. I use recycled grocery containers for most of my seed sowing.

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Parsley, always rather slow-growing for me in the house, has been repotted into separate pots. It will be moved into the garden very soon. Parsley is cold tolerant and after hardening off for a few nights, will probably grow fine in the herb or square foot gardens.

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Spider babies, rooting in water, are doing well and will soon be combined in a hanging basket for the patio. The new spider plants will join the mother and sister plants rooted up in previous years. My collection keeps expanding. Spider plants are one of the best houseplants for filtering toxins and impurities out of the air. Happy Gardening!

Perspective – Looking Up

On By TimelessladyIn PerspectiveLeave a comment

“Lift up your eyes and look to the heavens: Who created all these? He who brings out the starry host one by one and calls forth each of them by name. Because of his great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing.” Isaiah 40:26

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I enjoy looking up. This week the moon glowed faintly in the sky even while the sun shone bright. The moon in the sky during daylight hours? What’s up with that? We’ve all seen it from time to time. Here’s a good explanation: Why Can I See the Moon in the Daytime? I tried to take a picture of that daytime moonglow, but it didn’t show up in the downloaded photo. Around the edges of my photograph there is a little surprise. Do you see it? If you click on the image it will enlarge the photo.

Sometimes our goals lead us to blessings around the edges. Don’t forget in the pursuit of your goals to glance now and then around the edges of your life too. You might be missing something wonderful.