Problem-solving – Time to Cut the Snowflakes

On By TimelessladyIn Problem-Solving15 Comments

It’s time…time to cut the snowflakes. I started even earlier than normal this year; I want to have 100 ready to place on my windowpanes by December 1st. My problem is one of my fingers has become a trigger finger. According to the Mayo clinic…”Trigger finger is a condition in which one of your fingers gets stuck in a bent position. Your finger may bend or straighten with a snap — like a trigger being pulled and released.”

I have found the description to be true of my finger. I can still use my hand, but the finger will become stuck in a bent position without warning. Just like every other physical limitation in life you learn to adapt to what ails you. I’ve found that I need to pace myself where repetitive hand movement is concerned, so instead of cutting several snowflakes each day, I will cut one or two. It’s working for me so far.

Stretching the finger in the opposite direction seems to help me out. For some people the condition can be severe and surgical intervention might be needed.

Exercises for stretching a trigger finger. I have found the finger extensor stretch has worked well for me.

Here’s a Youtube video with easy to follow instructions for cutting paper snowflakes.

Perspective – Bittersweet

On By TimelessladyIn Perspective2 Comments

“Autumn is a second spring when every leaf is a flower.” ~ Albert Camus

Bittersweet vines grow in hedges and up the trunks of trees in our area. There is a native species of the plant, but it is being taken over by an invasive type that was brought into the country as an ornamental.

Bittersweet is also a perfect description of my emotions in October. Sweet are the birthdays and anniversaries of those I love, sweet are the painted faces of children when they ring my doorbell for goodies, sweet are the colorful leaves falling and gathering in heaps beneath my feet; Autumn is filled with so many joyful occasions and sights. Still, I sigh a bit and know the bitter too, for I dislike coats, hats, scarves and gloves, preferring instead to run into the garden on a whim without stopping to armor myself against the elements.

I think I need to have an Autumn motto, and will look to this terrific quote by Nathaniel Hawthorne for my inspiration.

“I cannot endure to waste anything as precious as autumn sunshine by staying in the house.
So I spend almost all the daylight hours in the open air.” ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne

Psalm & Peculiarities – Sky Surprises

On By TimelessladyIn Peculiarities11 Comments

“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.” ~ Psalm 19:1

The sky was full of God’s glory this morning; the moon visible against the brilliant blue of the heavens.

The geese noisily serenaded the morning as they flew toward the local lake.

The birds perched on the pines and added their songs.

An odd sound whooshed into the morning chorus. A hot air balloon moved across the sky, probably on its way to programs at Rowan University, only a mile or two from my home.

The balloon flew close enough to zoom in on the people in the basket.

God bless you on this Sabbath Day.

This post is part of Skywatch Friday.

Programs – Poldark and The Durrells of Corfu

On By TimelessladyIn Programs6 Comments

Two of my favorite programs have their season première on Masterpiece Theater Sunday night, September 30th. The ‘Durrells in Corfu’ at 8:00 and ‘Poldark’ following at 9:00.

I’ve also been reading the Corfu Trilogy by Gerald Durrell. The books are full of animals, anecdotes and just plain fun. I’ve finished the first book and am moving on to the second.

The Poldark series of novels are listed here with descriptions and in order: Poldark Novels by Winston Graham.

People – Happy Birthday

On By TimelessladyIn People18 Comments

Happy Birthday to someone dear to me. How did the years go by so quick? Who would have thought this silly song would ever literally apply to us?

How can you be sixty-four?

You still look like the boy I married forty+ years ago.

Pheathers – Delaware Bay Eagle

On By TimelessladyIn Phriday Pheathers6 Comments

It’s been a week of beautiful raptors.

We spotted him in the salt marsh as we drove down Fortescue Road toward the Delaware Bay.

The morning was still breaking, the clouds were tinged with pink. We stopped and admired his beauty against the sky.

His wingspan was breathtaking as he flew above the marsh. It was only when he had disappeared from view that we noticed the amazing nest.

This is a perfect spot for raptors, whether they be eagle, osprey or hawk.  There are many species of birds thriving in the salt marshes along the Delaware Bay in New Jersey.

 

Photo Challenge – Weather Vane Wednesday/Come Sail With Me

On By TimelessladyIn photo challenges5 Comments
We went fishing last weekend in Fortescue, New Jersey. I found this sailboat weathervane near one of the beaches.
Right around the corner I found another sailboat weather vane, a little worse for wear, the front sail had blown away in the winds off of the bay.
I had several good surprises on our fishing adventure. My husband had called ahead to Higbee’s Bait and Tackle and asked them to hold onto a surf fishing rod I had once admired there. The rod is an early birthday present.
It’s almost twice my size and WONDERFUL! I caught three fish with it. They were small, but one day I hope to post a BIG fish story here. I will share the second surprise later in the week…I’ll give you a hint, it has wings! Thanks to those who took part in last week’s #Weathervaneweds Challenge: ‘This Made Me Smile Today’ for the Buffalo Weather Vane. Also to ‘The 59 Club’ for Flight Training I also have The 59 Club’s permission to include their Weather Vane Video here:
Thanks so much to everyone who takes part in the Weather Vane Wednesday Challenge.

Pheathers – Backyard Hawk

On By TimelessladyIn Pheathers, Quirkiness24 Comments

It’s always a thrill to look out the window and see a hawk in one of our trees. The songbirds aren’t happy and scatter for hours when the hawk visits, but the beauty of the bird thrills me, especially when he poses for me so prettily. 

“A skilled hawk hides his talons.” 

                                                ~ Japanese Proverb

Phlowers – Dahlia Show

On By TimelessladyIn Phlowers, Quirkiness11 Comments

Longwood Gardens and The Greater Philadelphia Dahlia Society hosted The American Dahlia Society’s 2018 National Show this past weekend. I was able to attend and admire the many varieties. My husband and I are inspired to grow a few named varieties of dahlias in next year’s garden. We both had our favorites. I loved the large dinner plate dahlias. My favorite was the pink and yellow bloom.  These dahlias are part of Cee’s Flower of the Day. 

My husband likes the simpler daisy-like blossom. I’m sure there is room for both our favorites in our 2019 gardens. It will be fun to research and plan ahead throughout the winter months. 

I love this view of the display. The spectators blend right into the blooms and seem to be part of the beautiful indoor garden. 

Dahlia love: A garden of dahlias and admirers. 

Longwood Gardens has a very informative article on growing dahlias: Growing Dahlias at Home

There are several sources for dahlia tubers in the US, I’ve included a sampling:

Swan Islands Dahlias 

Corralito’s Gardens

Another good source for dahlia information can be found at the Dahlia Addict site.

Quote – Bridge of Grace

On By TimelessladyIn Quotes1 Comment

“The bridge of grace will bear your weight, brother. Thousands of big sinners have gone across that bridge, yea, tens of thousands have gone over it. Some have been the chief of sinners and some have come at the very last of their days but the arch has never yielded beneath their weight. I will go with them trusting to the same support. It will bear me over as it has for them.”
                                               ~ C.H. Spurgeon

This photograph, taken amid the glorious trees of Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is part of Sunday Trees. 

Projects – Hydrangeas in Autumn

On By TimelessladyIn Projects8 Comments

Autumn arrives today in New Jersey at 9:54 P.M.

Yesterday, I searched my gardens for a perfect botanical representative of the fall season. I chose this beautiful hydrangea blossom, still bluish in color, but changing over to maroons and greens.

If left on the bush, winter winds, rain and snow will knock some flower bunches to the ground. The flesh of the petals will wear away and leave in its place a gorgeous lace-like everlasting. I enjoy finding these skeletonized flowers in odd places when winter ends. They make good pressed flowers and can be used in bouquets too.

If you don’t trust nature to do the work for you, cut a few of the flower bunches and place them beneath the bush, held in place within the spines of the lowest-lying stems. Come Springtime, you just might find a few perfect skeletonized flowers to use in your crafts and art.

Photograph & Perspective – Skywatch Friday/Falling Leaves

On By TimelessladyIn Perspective, photograph24 Comments

What a wonderful time of the year! Autumn is near and bringing with it colorful falling leaves. They are so lovely, the greens of summer turning into gold, fluttering to the ground amid the swish of the breeze. Sounds pretty, doesn’t it? But it’s not true and a purposeful deception on my part.

“For the time will come when people will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.” ~ II Timothy 4:3-4

Look a little closer and see the trickery in the photograph.

The leaves aren’t falling at all. I collected several and arranged them on a large spider web to give the appearance of Autumn. In reality not many leaves are changing color yet in my area. The photograph certainly gives the impression of falling leaves. I am strictly an amateur when it comes to photography. Think what a professional could do to fool you into thinking the leaves are actually falling from a tree and not merely suspended on a spider web by someone with the aim to manipulate your thinking and attitudes.

“For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.”
~ Romans 16:18

We live in a time and age when media outlets of all types use lies, deceit, and purposeful manipulation of photographs, video, situations, testimony to depict or twist world events into crafty mind control. Be aware!

“But test everything; hold fast what is good.”
~ I Thessalonians 5:21

This post is part of Skywatch Friday – First Day of Fall 2018 Edition.

Plants & Problem-Solving – Yellow Mushrooms in Potting Soil

On By TimelessladyIn Plants, Problem-Solving4 Comments

One of my African Violets has been showing signs of blight. I transplanted it several months ago to a larger pot, but now realize I didn’t do enough to prepare its long neck of a stem for the move. According to The Bump/How to Transplant African Violets with Long Necks, I should have removed some of the outer brown tissue from the stem before burying it in the potting soil.

Added to the long neck syndrome and dying leaves was the growth of yellow mushrooms in the soil. Mushroom Appreciation has a very informative article on yellow mushrooms in potting soil. The problem is quite common and won’t hurt your plant, but the mushrooms are toxic and if you have pets or small children you should replace the soil or toss the plant.

“Leucocoprinus birnbaumii (also known as Lepiota lutea) is quite common in potted plants and greenhouses. This species is considered inedible, although the exact toxicity is unknown. So don’t eat them, no matter how candy-like they appear!” ~ Mushroom Appreciation

Since my plant was failing to thrive I opted to discard it. I will watch for mushrooms in my remaining houseplants and scrape the top layer of soil away if the problem recurs.

Photo Challenge – Weather Vane Wednesday/Labrador

On By TimelessladyIn photo challenges5 Comments

I’ve noticed most weather vanes tend to be in resort areas, or depict a beloved animal or hobby. This week’s weather vane seems to be a Labrador of some type.

Thanks to Priorhouse Blog for joining in the fun last week. You can see their post here:
Thursday Doors from Carytown, Virginia.

The Photo Challenge: Each Wednesday, I post a photograph of a Weather Vane with a short description of where it can be found and any history connected to it. The main focus of the challenge is the photo of the Weather Vane and the location. The challenge can be Wordless if that is what you choose. If you would like others to see your post leave a link to your blog in the comment box. You can also tag the post #weathervaneweds. If you place a link to my post in your post you will create a pingback that will appear in the comment section. The challenge is open all week for comments and posts. Thanks so much for taking part in my challenge.

Many thanks to Cee, of Cee’s Photography, for including this challenge in her listing of WordPress Challenges. If you love challenges take a look at this page and while you are there check out some of Cee’s terrific posts. Thanks Cee!

Project – Acrylic Pour Paintings

On By TimelessladyIn Projects16 Comments

Youtube can be addictive. There is so much information it is mind-boggling. Recently I became entranced by acrylic pouring videos and using an easy and budget-friendly method created amazing paintings with my grandsons on a Sunday afternoon. We used a votive candle cup to pour over, but I’ve included an even easier Youtube video that shows how to pour paint into and out of a measuring cup. I think I will try this technique next.

I bought inexpensive acrylics at 3 for $1.00 at A.C. Moore. I had Elmer’s glue on hand and plenty of leftover squirt bottles from a tie-dying project. The canvas size is 12 x 12,  purchased in bulk at 7 for $10.00 by using a 50% off coupon. Buying materials when they were on sale kept the cost of creating seven canvases under $20.00.

Pre-mixing your liquids/paints is key for a successful painting. I pre-mixed 16 ounces of 1/2 glue and 1/2 water in a leftover ricotta container and stirred well until combined. I poured my acrylic paints into the squirt bottles, added an equal amount of the glue/water mixture, and shook well. Another helpful tip is to elevate the canvas by pushpins on the bottom. This allows the paint to flow off the edges. Cover all surfaces and wear old clothes, or do as we did and cover yourself with a large trash bag. Protective gloves are a MUST…unless, of course, you want rainbow colors under your fingernails for weeks.

Before we started we covered the blank canvas with a layer of the glue/water mix and squeegeed it around with a piece of cardboard until the surface was covered. Begin to pour your acrylics onto the canvas. We poured over a votive candle cup. It worked great. Grooves on the outer surface are key to creating the interesting design.

Pour the paint on top color by color. Keep adding color in varying amounts.

Add paint until the design is about an inch or two from the edges. Remove the votive cup (THIS CAN BE SLIPPERY) and let the paint run into the center before you begin to tilt.

This is me, Nanny, watching my grandsons have FUN!

The younger grandsons, ages 9 and 6, have smaller hands and so we worked as partners to tilt the canvas and allow the paint to run to the edges. Tip: It’s difficult for smaller hands to keep thumbs out of the way.

The twelve-year-old grandson has bigger hands than I do and was able to tilt his canvas on his own.

The thickness of the paint creates a 2 – 3 day drying time. I can’t wait until later in the week when I will have fun again creating a pour in PINKS with my grand-daughters. Happy Painting!

(There are so many techniques and products you can use for creating acrylic pours. I had a great time researching techniques and watching instructional videos on Youtube.)

Phlowers – Wildflower Walk

On By TimelessladyIn Phlowers6 Comments

“May your life be like a wildflower, growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day.” ~ Native American Proverb

Jewelweed – Autumn Wildflower

I haven’t taken part in a WetCanvas Plant Parade Challenge for quite a while. For the month of September, the host has chosen wildflowers. I thought it a great opportunity to grab my camera and take a walk to look for Autumn wildflowers. The jewelweed, in the photo above, might seem fragile, but the plant has some mighty powers; jewelweed is a natural remedy for poison ivy.

“If you take a flower in your hand and really look at it, it’s your world for a moment.” ~ Georgia O’Keefe

Other wildflowers I found were goldenrod, autumn clematis, late-season honeysuckle, and evening primrose.

My wildflower walk is part of Cee’s Flower of the Day.

Perspective – Heaven

On By TimelessladyIn Perspective2 Comments

Yesterday, before the start of my grandson’s first soccer game of the season, I walked around the perimeter of the fields and took a few photographs of the horses in the adjoining pastures. When I downloaded the photos today I noticed I had captured four horses in one of the shots. Their contrasting colors immediately reminded me of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. I went to Revelation and found the verses describing these horses, and was tempted to write about them, but to be honest, although I’ve been reading Revelation daily in the last few months, I know I am not an expert in interpreting it. Instead of focusing on things I don’t understand I am posting the beautiful descriptions of Heaven written in Revelation 21. I know that through believing on Jesus I will one day see and dwell eternally with Him.

Revelation 21:10-27

“And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.

It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.

It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel.

There were three gates on the east, three on the north, three on the south and three on the west.

The wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.

The angel who talked with me had a measuring rod of gold to measure the city, its gates and its walls.

The city was laid out like a square, as long as it was wide. He measured the city with the rod and found it to be 12,000 stadia [or 1,400 miles!] in length, and as wide and high as it is long [1,400 miles wide and tall!].

The angel measured the wall using human measurement, and it was 144 cubits [that is 200 feet!] thick.

The wall was made of jasper, and the city of pure gold, as pure as glass.

The foundations of the city walls were decorated with every kind of precious stone. The first foundation was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth ruby, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth turquoise, the eleventh jacinth, and the twelfth amethyst [these last two stones are unknown or only exist in heaven today].

The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass.

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.

The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp.

The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their splendor into it.

On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no night there.

The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it.

Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”

Is your name written in the Book of Life? Are you part of the Whosoever?


John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Pots & Pans – Slow-Cooker Cuban Sandwiches

On By TimelessladyIn Pots and Pans2 Comments

I’ve been going through recipes I’ve pulled from magazines and stored in folders. Jeff Mauro, of Food Network’s ‘The Kitchen,’ shared this recipe in the September 2016 Food Network Magazine. You can find the recipe here: Jeff Mauro’s Slow-Cooker Cuban Sandwich.

The reason I can’t share a photograph of the sandwich is it was quickly consumed within minutes of being put on the table. The recipe is easy and only takes a bit of final preparation to serve. The sandwich is hearty and perfect for this time of year. My sons and daughter-in-law tailgate for the Eagle’s games in Philadelphia, and they are going to take it with them for one of the games.

Here are the changes I made to the recipe. Instead of a pork shoulder, I used three pork tenderloins. I substituted 2 tsp. garlic powder for the minced garlic. I only needed one small red onion and served that and the pickle on the side since some of the family dislike them. I put condiments on the table with the sandwich, but it was so juicy I don’t think anyone used them. I used three 12 inch torpedo rolls instead of two and still had a bit of pork left over for the next day. I used thinly sliced swiss cheese since some of the children aren’t that fond of the flavor. I buttered the sliced torpedo rolls and put them in a hot oven for a few minutes before assembling. The inner portion was moist and the edges had a nice crispiness to them. This is a fabulous recipe. Give it a try.

Phlowers & Photograph – Rose of Sharon

On By TimelessladyIn Phlowers, Photographs14 Comments

My Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) photograph is part of Cee’s Flower of the Day Challenge.

Today is an overcast day in southern New Jersey…again. We’ve had a very wet summer and it looks like the upcoming Autumn season might bring the same. When I take a walk a little later in the morning, I will be sure and grab my camera to take along. I have found grey days create an amazing background for skyline photographs. The moisture in the air forms a screen of sorts, and shadows magically appear within the mistiness surrounding the plant. You can see this effect in the unretouched photo above.

A few years ago a generous friend sent me seeds from her Rose of Sharon bush. This sweet little tree is the result. I grew it in the house for quite a while, and then, when I felt it was hardy enough, planted it outdoors. It has thrived this summer and grown to about three feet tall. Plants given to me by friends always bring me great joy.

The leaves of the Rose of Sharon are glossy and green and don’t appear to be tempting to many garden pests. Hooray. Thanks again to the kind lady who sent me these seeds. You can find excellent growing and pruning tips for Rose of Sharon at The Spruce.

These photographs are part of Skywatch Friday. Thanks for stopping by today.

Quick Tip – Bubble Wrap Upcycle

On By TimelessladyIn Quick Tip8 Comments

In the Autumn of the year, I hang this sweet welcome sign on my front door. The scarecrow and greeting are painted with acrylics on a heavy piece of slate making the piece very durable. My problem over the years has been the racket the plaque makes by banging to and fro when the door is opened or shut. At some point, after years of bouncing around, I’m concerned the slate will crack and be ruined.

Bubble wrap to the rescue! In this age of massive online purchases and mailings, bubble wrap envelopes are abundant. A good way to recycle a few of these is to cut out cushioning strips and put them on the back of items that might be broken by movement. To safeguard the plaque, I cut a few bubble wrap envelope strips and glued them onto the back with my glue gun. The whole process took about five minutes, and the strips work great. The racket is diminished and the plaque is protected.

Inspired by my success, I googled recycling bubble wrap. Two of my favorite ideas were found on The Secret Yumiverse: 9 Poppin’ Uses for Bubble Wrap. One was practical: put bubble wrap inside empty handbags/purses to help them keep their shape. The second just made me laugh: make a primitive burglar alarm by putting bubble wrap under the doormat/rugs near your front door. Funny, but hey, it just might work!