Tag: autumn

Phloral Arrangement – IAVOM/Dried Hydrangeas

On By TimelessladyIn Phloral Arrangements24 Comments

The hydrangeas I displayed as my IAVOM two weeks ago, have dried beautifully. The colors have deepened into a beautiful purple and sage green. They rustle when I lightly brush them, and the sound reminds me of old book pages. I was so happy with the shade of their flowers that I used them as the inspiration for the Autumn mantel and strayed away from my usual golds, burgundy, and rust.

The hydrangeas are in a vase that, while a bit minty, can almost pass for sage green. I frequently use this McCoy Swan vase for arrangements. Surrounding the vase are gourds we bought in farm markets and garden centers this past weekend. A wise owl looks on the display; his heart-shaped face expresses fond approval of my choices. A wooden mushroom, last year’s birthday present from a sister, seems to fit in with the theme. I love to strew beads and garlands of bells over the mantel in a haphazard way. It adds a bit of interest.

What you can’t see are the old books and other Autumn decorations to the left, all in the same shades. Thanks for visiting and thank you to Rambling in the Garden, the host of IAVOM.

People & Quote – John Henry Newman

On By TimelessladyIn People, Quote2 Comments

John Henry Newman – (1801 – 1890) “John Henry Newman was a Roman Catholic priest and cardinal who converted to Roman Catholicism from Anglicanism in October 1845.” ~ Christian Quotes.

I took this quote to heart. It is a failing of so many of us that we don’t continue to pursue our dreams because someone, or even ourselves, has found fault with what we do. I needed this today since I am working on a project I had set aside for years. It is a bit draining, but it has also made me laugh, and even enjoy, the words I had put to paper. It helped me realize I had created something not bound to the time I’m living in now. 

What is meaningful to me is the background of this quote. It is a macro photograph of a piece of watercolor I was not happy with and tore up. I have a whole basket of these scraps, collected for over twenty years. I tweaked the photo a bit in LunaPic and was pleased with the Autumnal appearance of the result. 

Don’t be absent from the classroom of your dreams, learn their lessons, take charge and make them count! Do everything feasible to succeed.

Photographs & Perspective – Autumn Bound

On By TimelessladyIn Perspective, Photographs20 Comments

My family often gathers together for Thursday evening dinner. The conversation last night turned toward summer’s end, and the finish of fun activities, picnics, and warm weather. The swimming season at lake and pool is over, school is starting next week, and coatless weather will soon be replaced with jackets and hats. Since my sons have been working in high heat and humidity outdoors, they aren’t sorry to see temperatures in the 90’s disappear, but we all wish the freedom and fun of summer would never vanish. The calendar might proclaim summer not ending for twenty-two days, but Labor Day weekend in the U.S. always seems to announce Autumn.

Although they bloom all summer, sunflowers are commonly associated with Autumn. I recently found these beauties growing in the front of a neighbor’s home. The day was overcast, the sun still rising, and the grey of the sky created an unearthly backdrop for these beauties. I think they will be perfect to use as the September header image for the blog. Good-bye August…Hello September.

This post is part of Skywatch Friday and Fandango One Word Challenge (FOWC) – Bound

Quote & Psalm – The Timely Glow and Shine of Autumn

On By TimelessladyIn Psalms and Proverbs, Quote9 Comments

I find this C.S. Lewis quote very timely:

“Now is our chance to choose the right side. God is holding back to give us that chance. It won’t last forever. We must take it or leave it.” ~ C.S. Lewis

Here are a few timely photographs of the foliage transformation to Autumn colors in my Mid-Atlantic state of New Jersey. These photos were taken at Alcyon Lake Park in Pitman, New Jersey. The accompanying verses are found in Psalm 144:12-15. (The Living Bible Translation) The words of the Psalm, written by King David, 1000 BC, are another timely reminder of what to hope for in our country and in countries all around the world. Let the glow and shine of Autumn warm your heart.

Psalm 144:12-15(TLB) A Psalm of David:
“Here is my description of a truly happy land where Jehovah is God:
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Sons vigorous and tall as growing plants.
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Daughters of graceful beauty like the pillars of a palace wall.
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Barns full to the brim with crops of every kind.
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Sheep by the thousands out in our fields.
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Oxen loaded down with produce.
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No enemy attacking the walls, but peace everywhere.
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No crime in our streets.
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Yes, happy are those whose God is Jehovah.

And to that I add my own, “Amen.”

Photograph – Welcome Autumn

On By TimelessladyIn Quirkiness10 Comments

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Autumn arrives here in the Mid-Atlantic at 10:21 A.M.

I’ve been collecting acorns for some projects…it is 10:20, just about time to hit the publish button!

WELCOME AUTUMN!

Project – Autumn Tablecloth

On By TimelessladyIn Projects10 Comments

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If you are having a large crowd for a meal during the Autumn, consider making a one-of-a-kind tablecloth. Years ago, several members of my family helped me turn real leaves into stamps to create beautiful coverings for our tables. You will need: acrylic paints, an off-white tablecloth or flat bed sheets, surface protection, and some sort of paint applicator. (paint brushes or foam brushes)

Prepare the tablecloth or sheet: launder them if they are new to remove fabric sizing. If you need a smaller size, cut to size and hem the edges by hand or with a sewing machine.

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Now you’re ready for the fun…gather leaves that are still soft and pliable. Brown, brittle leaves will crack when you apply paint and pressure to them. Make sure to have protection for your working surface under the sheet, the paint will definitely seep through to the back side. Spread acrylic paint, in Autumn colors, in splotches over the leaves, press down firmly, remove. You have just created a beautiful impression of the leaf that will last for decades. After twenty-four hours your tablecloths can be safely laundered in cool water. They should retain their color for many years. Mine are probably over fifteen years old.

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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.

Photograph & Poetry – End of Autumn Days

On By TimelessladyIn Photographs, Poetry2 Comments

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A chill in the air,

Skies are leaden gray,

Winter waits in the wings,

   Autumn wanes away…

~

Projects – Pressed Leaves

On By TimelessladyIn ProjectsLeave a comment

Blog Leaves

It’s not too late to press a few Autumn leaves for crafts and Thanksgiving table scatter. They look lovely hung from mantels or chandeliers. They make great place cards. Write the names of your guests on them with metallic felt-tipped markers. Encase within pieces of glass, seal edges with copper tape or decorative duct tape and use as trivets for your holiday table. Have fun!

Perspective – Raking Leaves

On By TimelessladyIn PerspectiveLeave a comment

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My oak tree is dropping its leaves. This adds up to a huge amount of raking…hours upon hours. My state of mind can become overwhelmed even thinking about the leaf removal job ahead. For me, body and spirit do better if I break the job up into small increments. Each day I try to rake up three to four loads of leaves. It sounds silly, and possibly ineffectual, but it works for me. Little by little those piles of leaves I rake clear the yard and gardens of Autumn’s debris. For those of you facing mountains of leaves…happy raking.

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