Phloral Arrangement – Holy Week

On By TimelessladyIn Phloral Arrangements15 Comments

I love receiving palms at the end of the Palm Sunday service. I added mine to my IAVOM (In a Vase on Monday) arrangement. The only other plant material is crabapple buds draped gracefully from slender branches. They are lovely, about to bloom, and seem to have the slightest of sweet scents. A small handmade cross, received at Hart’s Sunrise Easter service in Northeast Maryland two years ago, adds a touch of gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice for us.

The vase is a blown glass pitcher of Jamestown Glass. Thank you to Rambling in the Garden for hosting the weekly challenge, and to the Ragtag Daily Prompt challenge host.

I hope the days leading up to Easter Sunday will be a blessed week for all my blogging friends.

Philm – Weekend Matinee/Favorites for a Rainy Day

On By TimelessladyIn Philm5 Comments

I am sitting beside a window covered in a drenching bout of raindrops. The wind is blowing, and it is cold for April. Tomorrow is forecast to be mainly in the mid-40s. Our local weather forecaster reported eleven days out of the past fourteen have been overcast or rainy. Bah! It is a good weekend to watch a few movies.

Two oldies are musicals. There is something about the musical genre that always can cheer me up. The first is, of course, Singin’ in the Rain. Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds, who I loved in everything she starred in.

The second musical is also a favorite: Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. I can sing most of the songs from both musicals. Although I don’t know all of the words, I’m a ringer on the first verses and choruses.

Third, I’ve chosen Green Card. There are so many reasons to watch this movie: the lovely and talented Andie MacDowall, the surprisingly endearing Gerard Depardieu, the breathtaking setting of an indoor apartment garden and rooftop, and a good story with a surprise ending. This movie is one of my favorites from the late 80’s/90’s era of sweet romantic comedies.

Enjoy this trio of oldies.

Praise – A Beautiful Hymn/Oliver Holden

On By TimelessladyIn Praise6 Comments

GOD IS PRESENT EVERYWHERE 

by 

Oliver Holden (1765 – 1844)

 They who seek the throne of grace

Find that throne in every place;

If we live a life of prayer,

God is present everywhere.

In our sickness and our health,

In our want, or in our wealth,

If we look to God in prayer,

God is present everywhere.

When our earthly comforts fail,

When the woes of life prevail,

‘Tis the time for earnest prayer;

God is present everywhere.

Then, my soul, in every strait

To thy Father come, and wait;

He will answer every prayer;

God is present everywhere.

Amen.

I found these lyrics by chance as I looked through a songbook with a signature and date of 1890 on the front piece. I loved the rhythm of the lyrics/poem and thought they were perfect for my April 6th Signpost.

I also enjoyed learning about Oliver Holden’s life. A carpenter by trade, he fought in the Revolutionary War.

I stumbled upon this amazing rendition of the song while searching for the tune on YouTube. I was astonished by the beauty and rendition of the lyrics, some added by the additional composer. The song touches my heart. I hope it touches yours as well. Because I am not sure about the copyright of this song, I am only posting a link to it. Thanks so much.

God is Present Everywhere – Matt Jackson

Photo Challenges – The #’s Game 66

On By TimelessladyIn photo challenges9 Comments

I haven’t participated in Judy Dykstra Brown’s Numbers Game for quite a while. I came upon the challenge today, and happily, I had three photos that were either 187, this week’s number, or had a sequential run that included 187.

The first is a photo of a beach on Block Island, Rhode Island. We spent many happy vacations there, and I am so glad I took dozens of photographs on each trip.

The two tulip photos were sequential, having 187 in their number. They are a perfect addition to the challenge for this time of year. 

I love tulips. The outdoor varieties are just now beginning to open up. They aren’t as long-lived as the daffodils and never seem to spread, but they are beloved when they appear. Tulips are also a favorite of mine to purchase as vased-cut flowers. They always are a cure for the winter blues in the middle of February.

People – St. Patrick’s Day

On By TimelessladyIn People12 Comments

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! In honor of my grandfather, half-Irish, on his mother’s side. She was born in Galway County, Ireland.

The clover isn’t out yet. A few more days of warmth and the shamrocks will begin to emerge. I always find a four-leaf clover or more in the yard.

Postcards – The Good News

On By TimelessladyIn Postcards8 Comments

In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. ~John 14:2-3 (NKJV)

Do you know Him? My Jesus…

He will receive you freely. Accept Him as your Lord and Savior, believe that only He can save you from your sins, and commit your life to Him.

These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” ~John 16:33 (NKJV)

Pheathers and Philm – Weekend Matinee/The Birds

On By TimelessladyIn Pheathers, Philm5 Comments

I have a few favorite Alfred Hitchcock movies, and one of the top three is The Birds. The film was released in March 1963. It’s hard to believe it was created so long ago. Even though I have seen it multiple times, I still find it engrossing. Writing this review is beginning to beguile me to watch it again. The film is available in many venues and is often available to rent in DVD form in public libraries.

A real-life story about birds behaving badly takes place in Ocean City, New Jersey. We are regular beachgoers in the summer, and Ocean City is one of our favorite spots to visit. Unfortunately, they have a problem with ornery seagulls. The birds have become masters at stealing food from those walking on the boardwalk or sunning on the beach.

Seagulls have victimized my family; although it is funny, it leaves you hungry to have most of your hoagie or french fries stolen right out of your hand or lap. The birds have even learned how to get into beach bags and will drag a bag of potato chips across the sand until it bursts and the contents spill out.

The town has found a way to combat the problem naturally by using predatory birds. The hawks and falcons don’t need to attack any of the gulls or smaller birds; all they need to do is be visible and fly along the boardwalk and beach a few times, and all the seagulls leave for a friendlier boardwalk and beach.

Although having my snacks or lunch stolen by a seagull is extremely aggravating, I still love seabirds. Hearing that distinctive cry of a gull passing overhead always gives me a bit of a thrill. The ocean and seaside are one of my favorite spots in the world.

Phloral Arrangement – IAVOM/Forced Tulips

On By TimelessladyIn Phloral Arrangements20 Comments

A few weeks ago, I brought some tulip bulbs into the house from the cold confines of the garage and placed them on a bed of rock and water. They began to grow almost immediately, and this week they bloomed. They are a short variety of tulip called Antoinette. As they mature, they will lose their vibrant yellow color and become creamy. They are delightful to see as we gather at the kitchen table. A burst of Springtime for the winter-weary; they bring high hopes for warmer weather in March.

This is the first time I’ve posted on IAVOM (In A Vase on Monday) in quite a while. There hasn’t been much in the garden to pick and display. Thanks to the host, Rambling in the Garden. I’ve enjoyed being able to take part this week.

Philm – Weekend Matinee/Two Romances to Close out February

On By TimelessladyIn Philm4 Comments

A Walk in the Clouds is a movie I can watch repeatedly and always come away from feeling happy. A beautiful setting, after World War II, in California Wine country creates a perfect backdrop. A Walk in the Clouds can be found free (with ads) on YouTube. Take a peek at the Movie Trailer I’ve included to see if it might be a weekend romance you’d enjoy. It is rated PG-13, but a few scenes might be inappropriate for younger children.

I recently rewatched Return to Me on Amazon Prime. I had forgotten what a sweet movie it is, graced with a stellar cast of characters. I won’t give away the plot other than to say it is a wonderful romance. Return to Me is also free on YouTube with ads.

Full YouTube Movie Links (With ads)

A Walk in the Clouds

Return to Me

Perspective – Throwback Thursday/Grandpa and the SS United States

On By TimelessladyIn Perspective7 Comments

For years, as we have crossed the Delaware River into Philadelphia, the Walt Whitman Bridge has given us a view of the SS United States in dock since the 1990s.

Photos Courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

I have always felt a kinship with the ocean liner. My grandfather worked as a painter for most of his life in the Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Company, or as our family called it, the Shipyard. Yesterday, when it began its final voyage down the Delaware River towards its resting place in the Gulf near Destin,Florida or Mobile, Alabama, I became a bit teary watching the live YouTube video of its progress.

We often eat at the restaurant, Riverwinds, shown in the aerial view of the Delaware as the ship moves down the river.

I’m delighted the ship was not scrapped for parts. Instead, it will be sunk and become a reef, preventing erosion. It will likely become an interesting destination for divers. I like to think of colorful fish and coral ‘painting’ the ship with the help of God’s hand.

Pages & Perspective – The Millennium Kingdom

On By TimelessladyIn Pages, Perspective5 Comments

I am reading a book by Dr. David Jeremiah titled The Coming Golden Age. If you need a boost of hope in this current age we are living in, Dr. Jeremiah’s book will certainly be a blessing to you.

I’ve known of the Millennium reign of our Lord and Savior, but I didn’t know or understand all the facts surrounding it. After listening to Dr. Jeremiah in the YouTube interview I’ve included at the end of the post, and purchasing the book, I’ve had a sense of great joy within me. I’ve also understood a bit more why the song, Joy to the World, will sometimes burst out of me all through the year. Perhaps my subconscious has somehow known it is more a song of The Millennium reign of Jesus Christ, than it is a Christmas Carol. (Page 34 in the book)

Joy to the world; the Lord is come;
Let Earth receive her King;
Let ev’ry heart prepare him room,
And heav’n and nature sing.

Joy to the Earth, the Savior reigns;
Our mortal songs employ,
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains,
Repeat the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make his blessings flow
Far as the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of his righteousness,
And wonders of his love.

Isaac Watts

I also had little idea of the amount of Bible verses that mention the ‘Golden Age’.

…I’ve been digging them up-hundreds of verses about the coming Golden Age, the impending thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ on this planet. Some commentators say it is the single most mentioned subject in all of God’s Word. ~Dr. David Jeremiah

Photographs – Six on Saturday

On By TimelessladyIn Photographs4 Comments

Visiting the Orchid House at Longwood Gardens is the perfect remedy for the winter weary. #SixonSaturday The large Paphiopedilum Orchids seem to almost float atop their slender stems.

Program, Pages, and Philm – A Mystery and Romance

On By TimelessladyIn Pages, Philm, Programs5 Comments

Photograph of Agatha Christie courtesy of Wikipedia Commons

I love mysteries, and Agatha Christie’s And Then There Were None is very good. I recently watched the story for the first time through an Acorn Subscription on Prime Video. The television broadcast was divided into three parts and was very suspenseful. I didn’t figure it out, and that is a very good thing. There were some actors well-known to me and a few new faces.

Miss Christie’s mystery and older versions of the movie have been around for decades. The book was first published in 1939, and a movie, which is free on YouTube now, was released in 1945. Miss Christie was a talented individual, and I am listening to an audiobook biography of her life, titled Duchess of Death by Richard Hack.

The classic Somewhere In Time, starring Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour, is a romance movie for the first weekend of February. I can watch it over and over again and never tire of it. Christopher Plummer, a favorite hero of mine in The Sound of Music, plays a very believable villain.

All of these are fairly easy to find through video subscriptions, prime video, youtube, public libraries, and Hoopla, a free service through public libraries.

Planting – Forcing Spring Bulbs

On By TimelessladyIn Planting2 Comments

I love to force spring bulbs at this time of year. I gathered these ‘Antoinette’ tulips from the cold shelves of the garage and brought them into the house, planning to grow them in water.

I’ve grown this variety outdoors in previous years. It is low in height, compact in spread, and, hopefully, a perfect bulb to force. So far, everything is moving forward perfectly. The bulbs began to push up green stems in a matter of days.

To begin with, I filled the bottom of the goblet with a layer of stones. This addition is threefold: it gives the bulbs a foundation to sit upon, the rocks keep the bulbs out of the water, and the appearance is aesthetically pleasing. I place the bulbs on the stones, barely touching the water.

Every time I have forced bulbs, they have developed a bit of bluish-grey mold. The bulb company calls this mold transportation mold. To remove this, I dip a paintbrush in rubbing alcohol and swipe it over the ugly fluff. Hydrogen peroxide works as well. After I treat the mold, I change out the water.

I keep the potted bulbs in the basement under lights. A sunny but cold window would also work well.

Program and Philms – Weekend Matinee/January 24th

On By TimelessladyIn Philm8 Comments

I am one of those people who fall asleep while watching television. I am careful of what I end the day with: no horror, violence, or trash. A way to fill that time is to watch Meerkat Manor. Oh, the joy of watching the victories and the problems of the Meerkats. Flower is the matriarch and a perfect ‘queen’ of the meerkats. I didn’t know much about meerkats before I watched this sweet show. This program is perfect for older children and is available through several cable networks. (Prime Video and YouTube, etc.)

  • As in all true-to-life animal programs, mating, injury, and death are sometimes filmed.

Sabrina, the movie classic starring Humphrey Bogart and Audrey Hepburn, is one of my favorites. Sabrina, the remake starring Harrison Ford and Julia Ormond, is also one of my favorites. Both are wonderful, and I watch each at least once or twice a year. Do you have a favorite Sabrina? I would love for you to leave a comment as to which one, and why.

  • The modern-themed Sabrina has a few romantic situations that might not be suitable for younger children.

Photo Challenges – One-to-Three Photo Processing/January

On By TimelessladyIn photo challenges12 Comments

I call my photograph Snow Shadows with Prints. I like how the table casts a highly cut shadow onto the snow. You can also see that the squirrels have ventured out of their nests in the pines to search for the birdseed and peanuts I put out for them. I chose this photo for Xingfu Mama’s One-to-Three Photo Processing Challenge/January. It is a good depiction of the weather we are having, and since we are also in the deep freeze here in southern New Jersey, playing with photo filters is a fun way to pass the time.

Filter one, gritty, accentuates the silhouette appearance of the snow shadows even more. (Filter available through Ribbet.com)

Filter two, heat map, accentuates the snow’s glow and the table’s hardness.

Filter three, neon, highlights the lines and curves of the objects and shadows.

Thanks to Xingfu Mama for hosting this blog challenge.