Prompt – Without the Clouds of Nine

On By TimelessladyIn Prompt/The Daily Prompt at Wordpress2 Comments

Birdwatchers at Turkey Point On the Chesapeake

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Daily Post – Local Color/“Imagine we lived in a world that’s all of a sudden devoid of color, but where you’re given the option to have just one object keep its original hue. Which object (and which color) would that be?”

I can do without ever being on the clouds of nine. Why? Because the blue of the sky is one of my favorite colors and also a favored object. I am content gazing upward, focusing my thoughts on the Creator of this magnificent expanse. There is peace of heart and mind in the blue transparency of the sky.

“The heavens declare the glory of God…”

~ Psalm 19:1

  ********************
Here of a Sunday morning
My love and I would lie,
And see the coloured counties,
And hear the larks so high
About us in the sky.

Alfred Edward Housman, 1896

Photo Challenge – The Burning Bush

On By TimelessladyIn Photo Challenge at Wordpress3 Comments

Echoes From the Burning Bush

WordPress Photo Challenge – Cover Art

“For this week’s Photo Challenge, stimulate your creative process and imagine which of your images you would like to see gracing the cover of a book, an album, or a magazine.”

My photograph is a perfect accompaniment to the song “Echoes From the Burning Bush.” It is a gospel tune based on the Bible verses in Exodus Chapter 3, that tell of Moses seeing a burning bush on the mountain, investigating, and finding God.

My husband called me out just this morning to see the trees alight with the rising sun. I grabbed my camera and the photo challenge today was the perfect opportunity to use one of my images.

“One day as Moses was tending the flock of his father-in-law, Jethro, the priest of Midian, out at the edge of the desert near Horeb, the mountain of God, suddenly the Angel of Jehovah appeared to him as a flame of fire in a bush.” Exodus 3

Echoes From the Burning Bush was written by Bryon Foust & V. O. Summar in 1943

CBN TV – Moses and the Burning Bush: 'The Bible' Miniseries.

Pots and Pans – Plantains

On By TimelessladyIn Pots and Pans4 Comments

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I didn’t experience eating plantains until I visited Jamaica. I have since learned to cook them as a side dish/dessert for family and friends. Plantains have good fiber content. They have more vitamin C and A than bananas, are a richer source of B-complex vitamins, and provide minerals such as iron, magnesium and phosphorus. Plantains contain more potassium than bananas. Cooking Plantains is an easy and rewarding task. The only additional ingredients I use are two pats of butter and some brown sugar.

Step One

Slice plantain on the diagonal.

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Step Two

Melt two pats of butter in pan.

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Step Three

On medium heat begin to fry in the butter. Brown on each side and check tenderness with a fork.

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Step Four

Sprinkle brown sugar over plantains. Don’t be alarmed if the brown sugar falls between the slices and bubbles up on the pan. This gives the edges a crispy crunch of sweetness. Cook only until sugar is dissolved and begins to firm up a bit.

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Serve and eat warm…very delicious!


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Pleasures – Sunrise on Elk Neck River, Maryland

On By TimelessladyIn PleasuresLeave a comment

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Today I’m experiencing again, through photographs and a Youtube video, one of the best sunrises I ever gazed upon along the Elk Neck River, Maryland, in 2007. Why revisit the past? Because it reminds me of what to look for in my future. On the flip side, spending time reliving experiences that are negative will capture and bind me in a defeated, discouraged mindset. Live in the present, remember the moments filled with love, true joy and sweet contentment…banish the negative past from your thoughts.

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Painting & Quick Tip – Two on Tuesday/Tracing with Ease

On By TimelessladyIn Painting, Quick TipLeave a comment

I know “How to Grid a Photo”. I have used the technique many times to enlarge a photo to a larger-sized canvas or paper. The finished results are usually acceptable and contain a lot of detail. The drawback is this method is tedious and chews up a lot of time. I work in watercolors and often don’t need a lot of detail in the initial sketch. For me, a quicker way to get results is to enlarge a reference photograph in a photo editor, remove the color, and filter with a “find edges” application. After I print this out, it becomes easy to trace over the found edges by taping the print to a window allowing the light to reveal the outline for tracing. A lightbox also works, but they can be expensive, and become one more piece of equipment I must store.


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This method provides me with a basic sketch, saving hours of time, and allows me to add any detail or adjustment I need. This technique will work for journaling, poster making, lettering, any type of artwork that needs to be traced.

Project – Two on Tuesday/Autumn Rocks

On By TimelessladyIn Projects4 Comments


Here’s a way to use the pretty beach and river rocks you picked up on your summer outings this year. I sprayed the rocks with glossy clear acrylic and twisted a twelve to fifteen inch piece of copper wire around the bottom. Twirl the remaining wire around a pencil and squeeze together the final two swirls and lift this piece upwards. These wired rocks can be used to display photos, seasonal letters or cards. I’m thinking of using a few to display my antique holiday postcards too.

Pots & Pans with a Quick Tip – Martha Stewart’s Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie (With Detours)

On By TimelessladyIn Pots and Pans, Quick Tip8 Comments

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Last week I received my November issue of Martha Stewart Living Magazine. The cover photograph immediately intrigued me, and I promised myself I was going to attempt to make each one of the pies featured.

Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie with Gingersnap Crust

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Detour Number One – I didn’t count out the 23 required gingersnaps, choosing instead to process them in my small food processor, measuring out about a cup and a half to two cups as the cookies crumbled. Since I have made many cookie crusts I know this is a good ratio for a medium thickness. I also cut back the sugar to one tablespoon; gingersnaps are sweet enough on their own. I followed the rest of the recipe instructions as written.

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Detour Number Two – I own a very small food processor. I realized the impossibility of processing all the filling ingredients at one time, so I opted to use my mixer instead. I had no problems substituting the mixer for the processor. I followed the filling instructions as written. The Pumpkin Cheesecake baked perfectly!

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Detour Number Three – No one in my family likes meringue topping on a pie. Although it looks pretty, the ingredients and the time involved in whipping it up would be a total waste. Instead of the meringue I used large marshmallows masquerading as an elegant topping.

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Quick Tip – To give the marshmallows a prettier appearance I cut them in half and notched the edges.

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I placed them, cut side down, on a piece of parchment and toasted them in the toaster oven. Ah, lovely…they began to brown and give off the aroma of campfire marshmallows. I took them out when they deepened in color to golden brown.

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I placed the whole tray in the freezer and let them harden. Believe me when I warn you touching them right out of the oven will firmly attach them to your finger or the knife you are using. When they were fairly frozen, I flipped them and let the sticky underside harden in the freezer.

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The marshmallows turned out to be a pretty good stand-in for the meringue.


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I also left a portion of the cheesecake edge bare.

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The marshmallows are cute, but I prefer whipped cream on almost all the pie I eat.
Whoops! Almost forgot to mention the taste of the pumpkin cheesecake is fabulous! Definitely a recipe to keep. The recipe is on the Martha Stewart Living Website – Pumpkin Cheesecake Pie with Gingersnap Crust

Praise & Pleasures – Singing Stones

On By TimelessladyIn Pleasures, Praise2 Comments

singing stones

“For you shall go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and the hills before you shall break forth into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands.” Isaiah 55:12

I love the sounds of nature. On this Sabbath Day I am remembering the joyful singing of the rocks on Block Island, Rhode Island. The pound of the surf across the sand is followed by the gentler roar of the waves receding. The stones seem to sing as the water flows back into the sea. I might be inland, but in my heart I am hearing the briny symphony of those New England waters.

Try to take some time today to hear the clapping of the trees, the singing of the rocks, the chirping of the birds. Take a walk and listen to the Lord’s gentle symphony. A blessed Sabbath to you.

Phamily – Piled High in the Front Seat

On By TimelessladyIn Phamily6 Comments

Easton, MD

REVERSE SHOT

What’s your earliest memory involving another person? Recreate the scene — from the other person’s perspective.

Whoops! Took a detour from the directions…always a constant problem of mine. (Wink) The perspective is mine. 🙂 *

The caption on the photograph says “Easton, Maryland.” In my earliest memories I am with my parents and Susan, my sister. Although I am much older in the photograph, my earliest memory takes place in late March/early April of 1960. My family lived at that time in New Castle, Pennsylvania. My father was a pastor in the Pilgrim Holiness Church. How times have changed! Most cars didn’t have seatbelts. Children didn’t sit on boosters, babies weren’t strapped into car seats. In my fleeting remembrance I stood (gasp!) between my parents on the front seat of the car so I could look down on the baby sleeping in my mother’s arms. I remember my mother’s gray tweed coat and the baby swathed in layers of blankets. I wore a heavy coat and some kind of furry bonnet-type hat. I think I had a little muff to keep my hands warm. (It stays very cold in western Pennsylvania in early Spring.)That’s about all there is of that memory, but it is a good one. I remember feeling happiness piled tightly in the front seat of that car with the people who made up the whole world for me.

* “I’m of a mind that if I think deviating from the directions will make anything better…well then GO FOR IT!

Philm – Million Dollar Arm

On By TimelessladyIn Philm2 Comments

My husband and I absolutely loved this wonderful movie from Disney. I didn’t know it was based on a true story until the very end. Amazing! You won’t regret watching this one.

Phavorites & Quotes – Autocrit & Stephen King

On By TimelessladyIn Phavorites, QuotesLeave a comment

“Proofread carefully to see if you any words out.”
~ Author Unknown

AUTOCRIT

Did you notice the “intentional” goof in the quote by Author Unknown? If not, “proofread” one more time. I cannot even begin to count how many times I have gone back to an old post and found an error so obvious even a third grader would spot the mistake. Why does this happen to me? I’m not alone, it happens to all of us. I caught an old blog post error yesterday and edited it out. My grammatical faux pas: A Autumn-” instead of “An Autumn-.”

A good site that points out grammatical mistakes along with overused words and phrases is AUTOCRIT. Take a look at this terrific site if you enjoy writing, but sometimes miss your own mistakes.

“I have spent a good many years since―too many, I think―being ashamed about what I write. I think I was forty before I realized that almost every writer of fiction or poetry who has ever published a line has been accused by someone of wasting his or her God-given talent. If you write (or paint or dance or sculpt or sing, I suppose), someone will try to make you feel lousy about it, that’s all.”
~ Stephen King, On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft

My all-time favorite book on writing is Stephen King’s “On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft.” Beyond the often hilarious and touching biographical chapters you will find a goldmine of good advice on writing.

I’ll end with this great quote in hopes that even though I sometimes miss my mistakes, I usually am able to make a point of something in each blog post.

“Many writers profess great exactness in punctuation who never yet made a point.”
~ George Dennison Prentice (1802 – 1870)

Phun – Jacks & Jills

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I searched my own archives yesterday for some Halloween ideas. I found three interesting posts full of ideas for Jacks and Jills. Enjoy!


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These sweet Jack-O-Lantern ornaments are created from common oyster shells picked up from local beaches.

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Today, my grandson decorated our “Holiday Tree” with these “Jacks & Jills.” Oyster Jacks Part I and Oyster Jacks Part II contain detailed directions with step-by-step photos.

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If you are blessed with pumpkins galore and enjoy carving, you can create a replica of this set of bleachers loaded down with a crowd of grinning Jacks & Jills.

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Last in our trio of ideas for “Jacks & Jills” is this baby-eating Jack. Spooky! My Jack’s eyebrows might be a little large and wonky…they appear to be extra eyes to me…but even now, just looking at the photo makes me smile. 🙂 The source of this idea can be found on Pinterest.

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Quick Tip – Covering a Pie

On By TimelessladyIn Quick Tip2 Comments

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This post is one to pull back to the top of the blog—a timely tip for the holiday and transporting pies.

To keep a pudding, pumpkin, or any other pie without a top crust fresh, cover first with an overturned paper plate.

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The paper plate protects the top of the pie from damage when covered with foil or plastic wrap. The plate has enough substance to protect the pie, but not enough weight to break the fragile crust.

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Phlowers – Wildflower Garden – Marigolds

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The beautiful marigolds in the vase were picked yesterday from my wildflower garden. What a joy this little patch of flowers has provided me this summer. The early poppies, bachelor buttons and black-eyed Susans have been replaced by late season marigolds. Their Autumn colors are perfect for enjoying both outdoors and in.

Philm – Belle

On By TimelessladyIn QuirkinessLeave a comment

“Belle” starring Gugu Mbatha-Raw

If you enjoy Jane Austen era films, rent the movie “Belle,” which is out now on DVD. I loved it. The movie is based on the true story of Dido Elizabeth Belle. She was the bi-racial daughter of an English aristocrat and a slave. A ruling on slavery by her uncle, Lord Mansfield, is credited with helping to bring about the eventual abolition of slavery in England. You can read an extensive and interesting history of Dido, and the time in which she lived, in Wikipedia.

Below is a painting of the real “Belle” and her cousin Elizabeth.

Dido_Elizabeth_Belle

Perspective – He Abides

On By TimelessladyIn PerspectiveLeave a comment

Yesterday, as I was beginning to work on a project that has no promise of success, I was besieged by doubts and fears, the perfect breeding ground for inaction. The treasured goal my efforts might bring forth will have no chance of being reaped, if ever, for months, maybe years, perhaps even decades in the future. My inner turmoil was worsened by the fact that I started the project five and a half hours later than I had planned. Why? What happened to the determination filling my spirit as I went to bed last night? It’s the question I asked myself as I began, as always, by chronicling the time and what I was doing in my “Art” diary.

“October 8, 2014 – 2:30 – Well, I’m about 5.5 hours late to get in here. There is no good reason other than I am not feeling quite right since I fell yesterday, and I am struggling with a bit of downheartedness, and everything seems futile due to the threat of Ebola, terrorism and the economy tanking. I am grateful though that God abides.”

You can surmise from the diary entry the thought of spending time on anything pertaining to a future hope seemed useless to me. All the problems I wrote of…along with constant government mismanagement, natural disasters…in short complete global chaos, crowded into my thinking like evil specters in a haunted house and shouted, “Why bother?”

I’ll tell you why I’ll continue trying, my friend, I’ll keep on keeping on because of the last sentence in my diary entry.

“I am grateful though that God abides.”

As soon as I wrote those words a sense of peace filled me and the song “He Abides,” flashed through my mind. I went to Youtube and found a beautiful acapella version of the song, along with many other hymns by the same group on the sidebar. Peace filled my heart, and I decided to share both the song and how my thinking turned around. I hope you enjoy the words and this version of, “He Abides.”

Hymn written by Herbert Buffum. Full lyrics can be found on the Timeless Truths website.