People – Mary Ercoli Walsh

On By TimelessladyIn People2 Comments

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“For over 20 years Mary Ercoli Walsh has been experimenting with color. Through quilting, mosaics, furniture rehabs, home decorating, jewelry design, polymer clay designs, photography, pottery, graphic design and fine arts she constantly looks to color, pattern and design for inspiration. Be Creative Mary 365 is a challenge and celebration of creativity.
For 365 days Mary will embark on the challenge of a lifetime. She will produce one creative work every day for one complete year.”

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I love Mary’s art, and I love checking out her blog. The colors are brilliant, the art sensational, and the themes bring me instant happiness. I think you will agree! Take a look at Mary’s blog and the post about her recent art show.

Be Creative Mary Blog

Creative Mary Art Show

I’m not sure how I was lucky enough to find Mary’s blog and art, but it could be our mutual love of Block Island, Rhode Island. Whatever the case, I’m glad I did. She is an inspiration to those of us who love to create.

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A big thank you to Mary for permission to use photographs of her stunning artwork on this blog. All artwork and blog excerpts in this post are the exclusive property of Mary Ercoli Walsh.

Phavorites – Phavorite Site/Budget 101

On By TimelessladyIn Phavorites11 Comments

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This site has it all when it comes to saving money and cooking from scratch. Check it out and browse, browse, browse. You will definitely find something of interest and possibly a “phavorite” new recipe or tip.

Check out: Budget101.com

Quote – Wisdom on Wednesday

On By TimelessladyIn Quotes4 Comments

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The voices that shape the direction of a nation are not necessarily those that ring out in legislative halls, but those that approach the throne room of God with bold faith.” ~ Charles Stanley – In Touch Devotional for July 23.

Charles Stanley’s “In Touch Daily Devotional” can be found here:
In Touch Daily Devotional

It is easy to feel helpless in the face of the turmoil in our world, but God’s Word tells us to be bold.

So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most. ~Hebrews 4:16

Plants & Potions – Plantain

On By TimelessladyIn Plants, Potions8 Comments

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This outstanding display of the “weed” plantain is clustered around the bird bath in my Square Foot Garden. I thought it especially appropriate that the plant grew in the garden beds. I have let several patches of plantain grow each year into large sized plants. I don’t consider it a weed at all. Plantain is an edible weed. It is also medicinal and can alleviate the itch of poison ivy or the pain of a bee sting. To use plantain for stings and rashes, chew it for a bit and apply to the sore or itchy spot.

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Plantain can also be eaten raw, in a salad, when the leaves are young and small. It can also be cooked. For more information check out this terrific site on “Eat the Weeds” blog by Green Deane: Eat the Weeds/Plantain

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I also make a salve for the skin using plantain. It is very easy. I lightly simmer water and heat olive oil and plantain leaves in a baby food jar. I don’t have a specific measurement, just a half inch of oil or so, and some chopped plantain leaves. I heat for about an hour or ninety minutes, and let the leaves sit in the oil for about 24 hours before straining out. This can also be stored in the fridge for a longer lasting salve. Even if it hardens, as soon as it touches your skin it melts right in.

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I recently read to get the best oil out of herbs and other plants pick them and let them set for about twenty-four hours. This gives you maximum essential oils on the surface of the leaves or flowers.

I have blogged about using plantain in the past, but a good tip is always worthwhile to bring to the “surface” of the blog again. Oftentimes the best ideas get buried in the archives.

Quotes – Billy Graham

On By TimelessladyIn QuotesLeave a comment

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“To get nations back on their feet, we must first get down on our knees.”
~ Billy Graham

World events are overwhelming. It’s easy to think our prayers are of no consequence in the grand scheme of things. Remember the words in James 5:16:

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”

Pleasures – Summer Tea in Pink

On By TimelessladyIn Pleasures2 Comments

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In an attempt to use more of my fresh spearmint and lemon balm, I concocted a brew that is beautiful to gaze upon and sensational to the taste. The delicious tea only takes a few minutes to mix up, and a few hours to brew. Place three to four good-sized sprigs of spearmint* and lemon balm** into a the jar, along with two herbal tea bags. I chose Pomegranate and Raspberry Green Tea by Stash. Add about four level teaspoons of sugar for a light sweet taste, or more or less according to your own preferences. Honey would work too. Pour the boiling water almost to the brim, put the lids on and set in the sun for several hours. I don’t know if the sunshine did much in the way of brewing, but the tea sure looked pretty catching the sunbeams within the pink liquid.

I decided to make two jars at one time, and I am so glad I did, the tea is delicious! It has a very delicate taste, almost like a flavored water. If you want more flavor and heartier quality, add another teabag or two. An added bonus: the tea brews up to a gorgeous shade of clear pink. Try it, or try a concoction of your own choosing.

* Spearmint is filled with antioxidants, has anti-fungal properties, relieves digestive problems, can relieve headache, fatigue and stress.

**Lemon Balm is good for digestive problems, alleviates melancholia, calming, reduces sleep problems and restlessness. Might also reduce the growth of some viruses.

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Phlowers – Garden Phlowers in Orange & Gold

On By TimelessladyIn PhlowersLeave a comment

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This past week I looked out my back window in the early morning light and saw this amazing squash blossom. The flower was almost double the size of my hand. By afternoon it had withered, hopefully leaving behind a new squash. Even though its time to bloom is fleeting, I think it rivals hibiscus and other large, magnificent flowers in beauty.

I’ve included a few other garden phlowers that are blossoming in shades of orange and gold.

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Trumpet Vine – I grew this one from seed. It has taken several years to reach blooming size, but it was worth the wait. This vine is attractive to hummingbirds.

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Begonia

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Dahlia – The outer edge of the petals are pink, but the inside glows a beautiful coral-orange.

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Marigold

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Flowering Maple

Quick Tip – Scaring Skeeters

On By TimelessladyIn Quick Tip4 Comments

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We recently went camping with the family in Belleplain State Forest. There are quite a few cedar swamps in the area, and we knew we needed to be prepared for an attack of mosquitoes. I read on the Pinterest site that Listerine, because of the eucalyptus and thymol it contains, is a terrific mosquito repellent. The directions were to spray on the ground around you and the mosquitoes would stay away. It worked! We didn’t have any problem at all with the mosquitoes. Now if only we could find something to keep the ticks away. Several of us came home with a passenger aboard our skin. Yuck!

For ease in application I placed the Listerine (I used a generic brand) in an empty window cleaner bottle. My mistake: my first mouthwash purchase was blue mint. It looked exactly the same as the window cleaner. The second time I bought mouthwash as an insect repellent I bought the amber colored Listerine. It definitely did not smell as good, but it worked just the same. Hmmm…maybe next time I will try the green mint flavor. Smile!

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Please take a look at the comment section of this post…there are many additional “natural” remedies included in one of the comments. Thanks James!”

Planting – Cactus

On By TimelessladyIn Planting4 Comments

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Two weeks ago the grandsons and I sowed a few cactus seeds in plastic blueberry packages. The square plastic container is aerated with holes, top and bottom. All we needed to do was add some cactus soil, water, and sprinkle the seeds on the top. The cactus sprouted within a week and just fourteen days later are doing very well.

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Prose, People & Place – The Dirty Life/Kristin Kimball Blog/Essex Farm

On By TimelessladyIn People, Place, Prose2 Comments

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Okay, I’ll admit it, I am only on page 51 of The Dirty Life. Why am I already raving about this book in a blog post? Well…because…oh the joy of it…I found a blog written by Kristin Kimball and I wanted to share it here: Kristin Kimball Blog

I am enjoying the book, much as a person who is hungry devours a perfect meal. The book is leaving me with an uplifted spirit after each reading. As I read through the first chapters, it was easy to imagine myself, along with Mark and Kristin, on a hunt for the perfect farm. In the next section, titled “Winter,” I will be reading about the planning stages of the farm.

When I searched Google Images for photographs of the farm, oh happy day, I found the blog. I can’t wait to explore some of the posts. Visit the Essex farm today, either through the book, or the blog, or both. You won’t be disappointed.
 

Painting – July Challenges

On By TimelessladyIn PaintingLeave a comment

I’m posting three art challenges on my blog this month. Two are through WetCanvas, and one is through a site called Paint My Photo. To take part in the challenges you will need to sign up with the sites, but they are free, and it is very easy to begin and take part. Give them a try.

Watercolor Studio Challenge – Clematis

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Photo courtesy of WetCanvas/Yorky (Doug)

Here is what Yorky (Doug) says about the challenge for July 2014:

“I am posting a photograph of my Clematis for you to try. You can paint the whole thing or make it a macro where traditionally petals touch three sides of the painting.”

You can find more information on July’s Watercolor Challenge here: Watercolor Studio Challenge/Clematis

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Photo courtesy of WetCanvas/Karrie

The Plant Parade Challenge this month will be Iris. The photograph above is one of the reference photos provided. You can use a photograph from the challenge or an Iris photograph of your own.

Viven says: “The Topic for July is;

“The Iris”

The Iris – is only second to the Rose as the world’s most popular flower. Irises are a favourite subject for artists to paint, because of their stately form and beautiful, frilled petals.

There are a few rules……….

Crop, enlarge, distort, play, manipulate a reference in any way you wish. You can paint/draw in any size and any medium. “Reveal Day” is the 25thJuly,so please do not post your painting before that day. It is much more fun, and more interesting, if we all post more or less about the same time.”

The link for this challenge can be found here: July 2014 Plant Parade Challenge

I am including the “Paint My Photo monthly challenge. Take a look at this amazing artist resource and take the time to join in. You can find the information here: Paint My Photo July Challenge

Suzanne says of the challenge:

“This challenge is all about the creatures that live in the seas of the world…whether they are fish, sea-turtles, whales, seahorses, or coral …..anything that is supposed to live, swim, or exist in the watery world below the surface of the ocean.”

I’m not sure if I will be able to take part in all the challenges, but I am certainly going to try my best to do one and all!

Before I sign off here is a photo collage posted to WetCanvas of many of June 2014’s paintings of Peonies. Enjoy!

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Quote – Henry Nouwen

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Henri Jozef Machiel Nouwen, (1932 – 1996) was a Dutch-born Catholic priest, professor and writer. His interests were rooted primarily in psychology, pastoral ministry, spirituality, social justice and community.  Wikipedia

Phavorites and Products – Good Buys at the Dollar Store

On By TimelessladyIn QuirkinessLeave a comment

PicMonkey Collage Dollar Store save

Photo Collage Created with: Pic Monkey Photo Editor

Over the last few days I had a good time scouring my house for all the products I use from the local dollar store. How did we ever live without these fabulous centers of bargains galore? Oh sure, I know it is easy to go in for one thing and come out twenty dollars poorer, but there are also terrific buys and deals if you are careful to visit at least once a week and keep your eye open for name brand overstocks.

Here is my list of favorites, although I am sure I have forgotten to include a few.

1. Dental Pic Brushes – Small portable packs of ten. They have a nice case you can keep for other things.
2. Gift bags – Almost half price compared to other stores.
3. Stickers – Great assortments
4. Notebooks – Great varieties and half the price.
5. Hydrogen Peroxide – Super-sized bottle
6. Eyeglasses – Best deal in the stores
7. Scrubbing Buffs – They last forever
8. Digital Timer – My latest “amazing” find/works great/perfect to remind me the dryer is about to stop.
9. Microfiber cleaning cloths – Really pick up the dust. Pretty colors!
10. Toys, Toys, Toys – They aren’t well-made, but they are PERFECT for the back yard.
11. Coffee Filters
12. Foot Sponge – Another of my new favorites. A rough and tough HARD gritty sponge. I’ve never found anything that removes dirt and dead skin as well off of the back and bottom of my heels.
13. Toothbrushes
14. Notecards – Beautiful overstocks of gift shops
15. Boxed Matches – I like to keep a lot of these on hand.
16. Hand soap – Another item I like to keep stocked up.
17. Pens – Years ago I merchandised school supplies so I can recognize the better grade pens that are sent to dollar stores because of back-to-school specials and other sales. Take a close look…don’t get packs of ten, purchase the packs with one or two pens. These are great deals because they are smooth writers and will last fairly long.
18. Diaper bags – Another new find. 75 plastic bags, scented nicely ( I usually detest the smell of scented plastic, but this is rather nice) They are PERFECT to dispose diapers and other “untouchables.”
19. Laundry bags – Three in a package…Love, Love, Love these. They last a long time and really do protect delicate garments in the wash.
20. Game books – You can save two to three dollars each by buying these in the dollar store.
21. Foil sheets – Oh my! Can’t do without these. Love them.
22. Holiday baking – decorative containers and wrappings.
23. Gift wrapping accessories.

This list doesn’t even begin to touch all the seasonal buys you can find, the candy bargains, the storage containers, the kitchen gadgets, the terrific scissors I’ve found that actually cut fabric. I couldn’t believe it. I remember the day a pair of scissors that cut fabric were very expensive. If you are having a party you can stock up on party decorations and balloons.

A few things I avoid.
Bath items – Bad fragrances most of the time.
Paper plates & Napkins – Too flimsy and the smell of the dye can be overpowering, even headache producing.
Children’s dyed craft supplies such as foam sheets. The smell is oftentimes HORRIBLE and actually can smell poisonous. I’m careful about what I buy for children. Also dollar store Play-doh clay knock-offs are horrible, as are the paint sets and paints. Cheap crayons just plain don’t work as well.
Disposable Razors – OUCH Need I say more
Makeup, unless it is an overstock of a good name brand
I buy nothing for a baby or infant
Larger tapes such as strapping, duct, masking. It’s terrible quality and hard to get off the roll. Scotch tape is fine.

The photo collage picture at the top of this post was so much fun to create. I have just run across the site of “PicMonkey” and like a few of the other photo editing sites it has a lot of offer. The collage application is the best I’ve ever used. Super-easy to learn and use. I can’t wait to try it again. Thanks so much for stopping by…feel free to list a few of your favorite dollar store or discount store bargains.

Problem-Solving – Gone to Seed Part II

On By TimelessladyIn Problem-SolvingLeave a comment

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My Black-seeded Simpson recently went to seed due to the heat. Instead of pulling all of it out for the compost heap, I am leaving a few squares to grow on and form seeds. This will allow me to use the lettuce seeds they produce as microgreens and also give me plenty to sow in next year’s garden. A square of Cimmaron lettuce and some Arugula are now in the process of setting seed too.

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On my potting bench I have set up a seed farm to make the most of the last of my microgreen seeds.

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Most of these seeds are dated 2011, but still sprouted for me within a week. I am especially fond of the sprouting peas on top of my salads. I will let a few grow on and set some seed to harvest.

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If you’ve never heard of microgreens check out this post: Minding My P’s with Q – Microgreens

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Another good article on the nutritional aspects of microgreens can be found here: WEBMD report on Microgreens

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Problem-Solving – Gone to Seed Part One

On By TimelessladyIn Problem-Solving18 Comments

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Such a sweet and delicate pink flower…lovely to look at, but irritating if you are trying to grow a root crop from the plant. This blossom was not supposed to show up in my garden. It is atop a radish plant. Instead of a flower the stem was supposed to yield a large and juicy radish buried beneath the ground. This year, I only harvested a piddling few radishes and they were small, very small.

I don’t feel so bad, my neighbor, who I’ve mentioned before is a terrific gardener, told me he never harvests the large-sized radishes the grocer offers. Perhaps it was the cool Spring that jumped past warm into hot weather. Anyway, long story short, my radishes have gone to seed.

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Most gardeners would pull up the plants and resow another late summer crop. I will probably do that at some point, but until then I am nurturing the seedpods…why? Well that is tomorrow’s tale. Until then…

Pheathers – Catbird Antics

On By TimelessladyIn QuirkinessLeave a comment

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I’m partial to catbirds and mockingbirds. I love the way they can sing the song of many other birds. Mockingbirds tend to sit on the highest of trees in my neighborhood. From the top of their world they serenade me with amazing tunes. The catbird has quite a melodic voice too, but what I love best about a certain catbird who visits my yard is his/her ingenuity.

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My catbird has discovered the suet cage I have hanging on a shepherd’s hook in my herb garden. The suet feeder is made for smaller birds, or woodpecker/flicker types that can cling to the bottom and peck out suet from that vantage point. The cage will not allow larger birds or squirrels to get to the treat. The catbird is able to glean a few nibbles from what falls to the ground, but it does not satisfy him, instead it incites him to want, “more, More, MORE!”

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“What’s a catbird to do?” Why learn to hover like a hummingbird of course. This past week I stood at my back window and watched in amazement as this brilliant birdie beat his wings so fast he managed to hover beneath the feeder long enough to grab snippets of suet.

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I had to laugh when he peeked around the side and glared at me as if to say, “Humph, I guess I showed you.” I love my catbirds!

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The Catbird’s Song

Public Video Courtesy of: YouTube – Donna L. Watkins

Posies – Garden Bouquet

On By TimelessladyIn PosiesLeave a comment

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I’ve added a new widget to my blog sidebar – “Garden Bouquet.” I thought it would be fun to display an ever-changing bouquet of what is blooming at any given time. Right now, daisies are having their “hey-day” in my flower beds. This bouquet features Echinacea, a Gerbera, and a few Black-eyed Susans. I’ve also added a stem of Four O’Clock, Violet leaves, Vinca vines, and some sprigs of Lavender and Verbena bonariensis.

By the way, after I succumbed to the big writing “no-no” of using a cliche , I wondered where the phrase “hey-day” originated. According to English Language and Usage “hey-day” has its origins here:

Hey·day [hey-dey] noun
1. The stage or period of greatest vigor, strength, success, etc.; prime: the heyday of the vaudeville stars.
2. Archaic . high spirits.