Problem-Solving – Removing the Odor of Cat Urine

On March 27, 2013March 25, 2013 By TimelessladyIn Problem-Solving7 Comments

This is a photo of one very scared and confused kitty-cat hiding in my basement. Hans belongs to my grandsons, but he can’t live at their home anymore. One of the boys developed an allergic reaction to cat dander. They love their cat, and didn’t want to give him up completely, so now he lives at Nanny and Papa’s house.

Through all the confusion of the move, and after Hans hid under a guest room bed for over fourteen hours, the call of nature could not be denied and an accident happened on the good rug. Oh my! The smell of cat urine filled the room. Thankfully, I caught it right away and blotted it up. I immediately cleaned the carpet with rug shampoo, but the smell lingered.

I found a remedy on the Internet. Today I followed the directions. What an amazing solution. As soon as I poured on the peroxide and dish detergent over the baking soda, the smell completely disappeared. I also added a few drops of lavender essential oil I had in the house. Now the room smells fresh once more. This recipe really worked!

Click here for cat urine odor neutralizer: Recipe for removing the smell of cat urine from a carpet.

I am hoping that Hans will soon realize there is nothing to be afraid of at our house, and the next time you see a picture of him, he will be napping on a cushion or watching birds from inside the screened in porch.

He’s coming around a bit. Here he is sitting on the top of the basement stairs. I think soon he will begin to feel at home. I hope so!

Plant and Planting – Primroses

On March 26, 2013March 25, 2013 By TimelessladyIn Planting, PlantsLeave a comment

Each time I gaze upon this lovely primrose, peaking right now with three stalks of bloom, something in my heart goes “Zing!” Perhaps it is the soft pink of the petals, or the glowing of the green leaves within the rays of the sun. I’m so smitten by the primrose I have decided I must attempt to grow a few from seed to blooming size.

I’ve been having good luck with seeds purchased from a company called Swallowtail Garden seeds. Without fail, all of the seeds I have purchased from this source have quickly sprouted and are growing now beneath lights.

Here is a link to Swallowtail Garden Seeds. I live on the other side of the country, and the seeds reached me very quickly. I was able to keep track of their progress because of the great communication and tracking number they sent me. The seeds were well-packed in a bubble envelope. I recommend this company for quality and amazing selection of seeds.

Click below to visit Swallowtail Website:

Swallowtail Garden Seeds

Project – Natural (well almost) Garden Archway

On March 25, 2013March 24, 2013 By TimelessladyIn ProjectsLeave a comment

I thought this a clever use of two unwanted trees. The rope around the trees is actually a rope of lights. A really cute way to create an archway.

Peace – Isaiah 45:22

On March 24, 2013March 23, 2013 By TimelessladyIn PromiseLeave a comment

“Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.” Isaiah 45:22

Project – Kid’s Easter Project/Bunny Grass

On March 23, 2013March 17, 2013 By TimelessladyIn ProjectsLeave a comment

This is a quick, easy and inexpensive Easter Project for younger children. All you need is a piece of green construction paper, a pair of scissors, scotch tape and Easter stickers. Start by dividing construction paper into thirds. Leave one edge straight, cut the other edge in uneven, rolling curves. On the curved side cut straight snips an inch or two down from the top with the scissors. Uneven spacing is best…every now and then nip a piece off low. According to my grandson who created the grass above, “Those pieces of grass are the ones that bunnies bit off.”

When you have finished snipping, butt the pieces of grass together and tape the back sides together. Accordion fold the grass about every six inches. This helps it to stand. Add the Easter stickers to the front side. Voila! Festive bunny grass for only pennies. Heavier cardstock works too, but is not as easy to cut. Happy crafting!

Plants – Geraniums Reborn

On March 22, 2013March 17, 2013 By TimelessladyIn Plants3 Comments

These geraniums might look like something headed for the compost heap, but take a second look. Do you see the green leaves? This is new growth sprouting from what seemed dead and gone. In the Fall of the year I pulled my geraniums from the ground, shook of excess dirt from the roots, and placed them inside this basin. I put them in a corner of my garage and pretty much forgot about them. This week I noticed they were sending out new growth so I brought them inside and potted them up. I’ll update their progress in a few weeks. More information on saving geraniums in this way can be found here: Over-wintering geranium plants.

Quirkiness – Upcycled sidewalk/Rock Garden

On March 21, 2013March 29, 2013 By TimelessladyIn Quirkiness1 Comment

On a recent bike ride I came upon this amazing rock garden just waiting to burst into bloom once again. When I took a closer look I saw that it was made up of recycled sidewalk pieces. I love the beautiful light yellow the creator of the garden chose to paint the tops. I also appreciate the wide-eyed frog guarding his sunny turf.

Perspective – Hello Spring

On March 20, 2013March 17, 2013 By TimelessladyIn PerspectiveLeave a comment

Many robins have seemed to overwinter here in Southern New Jersey, but still…the sight of this perky bird sitting in a tree loaded with leaf buds seems to shout out, “Hello Spring…Welcome!”

Perspective – Saying Good-bye to Winter

On March 19, 2013March 17, 2013 By TimelessladyIn PerspectiveLeave a comment

The cold winds of winter are still blowing, but there is a brightness in the air. Birds are singing their courting songs. The calendar cannot be denied. Winter is ending…tomorrow Spring arrives.

The trees are beginning to flush out in buds of red. Good-bye Winter…

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven.”

Ecclesiastes 3:1

Photographs taken in the Pitman Grove Camp.

For more information on the Pitman Grove: Pitman Grove Camp Meeting

Product and Planting – Glad Press’n Seal and Seedling Progress

On March 18, 2013March 17, 2013 By TimelessladyIn Planting, ProductLeave a comment

Glad Press’n Seal is one of my favorite Garden Accessories. When I sow seedlings nothing works better for sealing in the moisture and creating a mini-greenhouse effect.

The photo above shows one of my hanging planters with Glad Press’n Seal

Within a week my tomatoes were up and beginning to grow. Time to take off the Press’n Seal and watch their progress. When the plants are at this stage I must check each pot daily to make sure they are not drying out.

Psalm and Plants – Ranunculus Flowers

On March 17, 2013March 17, 2013 By TimelessladyIn Plants, Psalms and Proverbs1 Comment

“Shout for joy to God, all the earth!
Sing the glory of his name;
make his praise glorious.
Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds!
So great is your power
that your enemies cringe before you.
All the earth bows down to you;
they sing praise to you,
they sing the praises of your name.”

Psalm 66:1-4

Postcards – Spring and Easter

On March 16, 2013March 16, 2013 By TimelessladyIn PostcardsLeave a comment

I’ve been looking through my postcard selection and setting aside some Easter and Springtime postals to place into tri-folded paper once again. Check out my Valentine’s Post on how to make these simple display pieces.

Displaying your Postcards

I’ve also included a close-up look at a few of the postcards with a translation of their endearing messages. Happy Spring!

“We got home after a fashion. Fred was car sick but lays it to your beans. We were dead tired all three kids slept all the way. We were scattered all over the car. Robert is nearly well. I shall look for all of you a week from Sunday. Good by, Ida”

(Postcard does not have a date but according the appearance and the stamp I would guess it was sent between 1909 and 1914.)

The postcard above was sent in 1912. It reads as follows:

(? ?) “Dear Mabel, This is a beautiful day but cold yet and we have plenty of snow yet they say it is ten feet deep on the side of the road between here and Madrid now. I had a letter from Maud and (?) yesterday and one from your mama this is all I will write this week. Danah Anne has not got so she can sew any yet. Grandma”

This Easter Postcard was sent in 1908. I love to read the words, enjoy the lack of grammar, and take delight in the phrasing which is so different than the way we speak now. Enjoy the Easter message:

“How do you like your new home by this time? We don’t have no school for a few days not until they fumigate the measles all out. We are all well and hoping you’s are all the same. Stella (?)”

On March 15, 2013March 15, 2013 By TimelessladyIn QuirkinessLeave a comment

A note from Minding My P’s with Q: I enjoyed and agreed with this post by Shelley Wilson. I asked her permission to reblog it to my own blog. She graciously agreed, “Thanks so much Shelley.”

Shelley Wilson

It’s kind of like exercise – if you miss a few visits to the gym it gets hard to go back. Once you’re going there regularly, it’s easy to keep going. Oh, in the past few months I’ve done a little colored pencil, some sketching, and a bit of watercolor (a TINY bit). Yesterday, though, I got out the tubes of oil paint and squeezed a little bit onto the palette. I didn’t want to waste it if I lost my nerve and gave up. I ended up going through two more dollops of each color. Granted – the areas I painted are still very rough, but I’m able to see where it’s going.

The best part was how it felt to paint. This time something I read in a book kept sounding in my mind. The book is called Finding Divine Inspiration: Working with the Holy Spirit in Your…

View original post 400 more words

Plant – Pansies Mean Spring!

On March 15, 2013March 15, 2013 By TimelessladyIn Plants1 Comment

Buying a flat of pansies in the waning days of winter always fills my heart with joy. The yellow and lavender color combination found in the Morpheus variety is beautiful. I also love the whiskery lines on the petals, they give the flower a cat-like look. As I planted these flowers in pots and baskets I almost heard them shouting out, “Hello Spring!”

Project – Upcycled Frames

On March 14, 2013March 13, 2013 By TimelessladyIn Projects1 Comment

A few years ago I found four small wooden frames at a yard sale for only a few pennies each. Of course I bought them, and stuck them away until inspiration struck. That time is now! I have four grandchildren and a multitude of adorable pictures of them to display on my fridge. What better way to do that than in frames specially crafted to match the kitchen and highlight their cuteness all at the same time.

I coated the frames with Folk Art’s Hauser Green shade. Oh the loveliness of that apple green! I let the paint sit for a minute or two, and then before it dried too much, I gently wiped away a bit of the paint from the gold trim with a napkin. Voila! I was left with amazing gold highlights shining through the green.

I added some heavy duty magnets on the back, inserted the pictures and hung them on my fridge. I smile every time I see the sweet faces framed in green and gold.

Plant – Wordless Wednesday/Pots of Tulips

On March 13, 2013March 11, 2013 By TimelessladyIn Plants2 Comments

Planting – Heat and Light

On March 12, 2013March 10, 2013 By TimelessladyIn PlantingLeave a comment

This year I have begun planting my seeds for indoor growing a bit later than usual. In hopes of jump-starting the growth process with extra heat and light I have enclosed my light table with a mylar blanket. These can be found in the camping sections of retail and sporting stores. I found mine at Kmart and I have purchased them in the past at Walmart. They are also great to have in your glove compartment in the event of an emergency situation. Since my light table is in the basement, I also brought a brooder lamp for extra warmth. The soil in my seedling containers warms up quickly when the bulb is plugged in, and the light of the table as a whole is a bit brighter with the reflective blanket in place. I must be very diligent in checking the soil for drying out. If you go this route be sure to check your seedlings a minimum of twice a day. If you are going to be away for longer than eight hours it is best to unplug the heat lamp.

Phavorites & Philm – Enchanted April

On March 11, 2013March 10, 2013 By TimelessladyIn Phavorites, PhilmLeave a comment

This is one of the movies I put in the DVD/Video player when I am feeling ill or blue. The first time I saw this gentle story I did not care much for the slow pace, but I am so glad I gave it a second chance. I have viewed the movie many times since that first glimpse into the story, and I never tire of it’s timeless appeal.

Favorite scene: Mellersh standing in hallway wearing only a towel after bathroom blows up around him. Funny.

Peace – Snowdrops and New Life

On March 10, 2013March 9, 2013 By TimelessladyIn PeaceLeave a comment

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

Projects – Stained Glass Easter Eggs

On March 9, 2013March 8, 2013 By TimelessladyIn Projects1 Comment

This week my grandsons and I created stained glass Easter eggs from waxed paper and crayons. The process must involve the participation of an adult.

SUPPLIES

To start, I tore away the crayon paper and chopped them into bits with a large knife, much as if I was chopping nuts. The crayons chop easily, but also fly about a bit. Children can create their own crayon bits by tearing away the paper and sharpening the crayon into fragments. This method takes quite a bit of time. Since I planned on creating three dozen eggs it was easier for me to prepare in advance.

Egg cartons are the perfect container for the chips.

I used a cookie cutter as a pattern, several egg patterns can be found at this link: Egg Patterns. Our eggs are about six inches in length. This was an easy size to handle and large enough to display the colors and patterns.

In retrospect, I wish I had traced with something other than a marker, but can’t think of what might withstand the heat of the iron and still show up for cutting. The process causing a bit of steaming and light smoke to fill the room. It’s a good idea to have some sort of ventilation when you begin (kitchen fan or a slightly open window) If anyone has a good idea for tracing please let me know via the comment sections below and I will edit the post to include your ideas. Thanks!

The boys scattered chips of crayon into the pattern with small measuring spoons. It’s best to limit each eggs choice of color to three, any more than that and you get a muddy look.

An adult needs to complete the next step. Fold over the waxed paper or cover with another sheet. If you are using a good iron cover with newspaper. Since I used a craft iron that is specifically used for messy crafts, I ironed directly on the waxed paper so I could see the progression of the melting. Here’s a step by step look at the bits melting into the finished design.

At this point lay the egg aside to completely dry. This only takes a minute or two. When it is cool and the wax hardened, cut the egg out with scissors.

I hang my eggs by using glue stick on the back and placing them directly on the windows. The glue dries clear, and upon removal is easy to wipe away with a wet washcloth before cleaning your windows with Windex.

We found using a large amount of chips equaled a vibrant, colorful egg. To create a more pastel appearance, such as the last egg featured below, use less chips.

Here a few samples of our Easter eggs. I hope you will give this beautiful craft a try.