Christmas Is A Season Of Gift-giving

Christmas day is fast approaching. As we all know, Christmas is usually associated with gifts. Christmas day is gift-giving day, but of course let us not wait for Christmas to be able to share what we have. Speaking of gifts, I wanted to buy a gift for myself. It is somewhat a reward for all the hardships that I encountered these past few months. While I was searching online for the perfect gift, I came across the gardening gift set from a reliable website. I totally love the gardening gift set because all the basic essentials for gardening is there already. Although I personally have my own gardening tools but they are very bulky and I wanted a handy one, which I could use anytime especially indoors.

The gardening gift set includes, trowels, scoops, a pair of gloves and all other garden accessories. Gardening has a great impact on our life. Not only that it helps us improve on our health and wellness, but it helped us on our budget too. Since we have our home grown fruits, vegetables and herbs, it is automatically deducted from our weekly budget. Plus the fact that our home grown products are free from chemicals, we are very sure that we eat healthy foods and not poisonous.

Collecting any kind of gardening sets or tools would probably be my next hobby. Although it might sound a bit expensive but it would help us in maintaining our garden.

Decorate Your Windows With Beautiful Window Boxes

Are you tired of that old looking window? Well, there are actually many ways in which you can re-design or totally change the look of your windows. Do not be afraid to take the big step to change the old stuff, as long as you know that everything is for the better. And also, I can provide some tips in this blog of mine for a more practical yet expensive-looking windows. I have done it at home and I wanted to share it with everyone too. First of all, try to think what you really wanted for your windows to look like because your personality will definitely reflect on it. Remember that windows are like our eyes, they are our easiest access to the outside world. We can see from inside our houses what is going on outside without leaving our comfort zone.

Next try to look for designs that would match or go along with the kind and size of your window. At home, I have added a plant beside my window it is placed in a windowsill self watering planter. I don't have to worry about my indoor plant anymore since it has everything it needs from the sunlight, to air and water. Maintaining a plant is very easy with the help of the self watering planter. I just have to check it once or twice a week to make sure that the water supply is enough for the next days. Also, you can add some lights on your windows since Christmas is already fast approaching. You can match the design to the monthly occasions too. You could also hang a nice curtain to cover up a bit.

You can also add a window box outside and plant it with your favorite flowers or herbs if it is near your kitchen. So that, it would be easier for you to get fresh herbs while you are cooking. You can never go wrong in decorating your own windows or your own home for that matter. Go with your instinct always, but remember to make things simple. Simplicity is beauty!

The Essence Of True Friendship

There are many things that we have to go through in life. We all would pass a roller coaster ride. Meaning, in our life there are a lot of ups and downs. It is up to us how we should handle things for us to be able to go through every obstacle. Sometimes, there will be help coming from your family or relatives when you least expect it. You are truly lucky when you have a strong bond with your family and relatives, because they will definitely stand by your side whatever happens. Remember the saying that, "no man is an island". We all do need to have someone to connect with to fully give meaning to our lives. I was thankful that I was able to meet not just friends, but true friends. We can have as many friends as we can, but there are just few who will stay true to you.

Having a clique or group of true friends, I realized that it's actually healthy because you get to grow and learn things together. Just like when we are younger, we get to love our favorite sport which is volleyball, we all trained to be better players everyday and that is how our friendship started. Now, that we have become mature individuals, we get to share ideas on family matters, especially on motherhood, as well as, tips on how to keep the house clean and well decorated. Once a month, we have decided to have our reunion. We would go visit each others house one at a time. One of our friend just recently bought a new home, so we visited her place to help her sort things out. Friends are also ready to give a helping hand without expecting anything in return. We help her clean and decorate her new home and also made a mini garden in front of her house because there is no space backyard. We also ordered flower box holders because she does have window box planters.

These flower box holder was actually suggested by one of our friends, since she has also bought it from a reliable online manufacturer and seller. It is totally tested and proven to instantly create a decorative flair especially to those simple planters and window boxes. They are hand crafted from steel and powder-coated for rust protection. It is actually a good buy and you get to select different designs too. The time passed by so quickly, we didn't realize that it's already getting late. So we all decided to go home and be back the following day to finish things up with our friends new home.

Growing Orchids Indoors

Having my own garden at home, makes me reminisce the past. I could still recall how my grandmother used to sing to her favorite flowers, they are the roses and orchids. These two flowering plants usually are the main attraction or the head turner plants in our garden. Roses are woody perennial, while the orchids are diverse and widespread family of flowering plants with blooms that are often colorful and fragrant. Growing up, I always though that these orchids are hard to maintain and care for. But, now that I am also an enthusiast for orchids, I find it very interesting and fascinating how these orchids grow and bloom as a beautiful flower. They are actually not that hard to maintain, as long as you choose the right orchid to suit the particular environment of your home or location.

There are actually things that you need to check first before you choose an orchid to grow. You should always check if the orchid will have enough space when fully grown, because there are species of orchids that can be massive when fully grown and usually are best placed in a green house. Next is the temperature requirements that the orchid needs. Cool, intermediate, and warm are the three types of temperature that they need. It only means that they require a certain amount of minimum night temperatures in order to grow successfully. We have a yellow phalanopsis orchid in our living room, the good thing about phalanopsis is that they are elegant orchids which is meant for indoor use and their long sprays of colorful flowers stay fresh for months. I don't have to buy costly air fresheners anymore, just to make sure that our house is clean and smells fresh.

Always remember that orchids typically grows on trees and their roots are water-gathering organs that needs loads of fresh air flow to be healthy. Orchids are a lot like us and can survive in any habitat..

The Benefits Of Peat Moss To Plants

 

We recently planted camellias on one of our window boxes and I noticed that they do not grow as healthy as our other plants. I didn't know what the problem is, so I consulted some of my friends and neighbors on what to do with the plant. Everything our camellia plant needs, like water, sunlight, fertilizer are already given, but still the plant does not blossom as it should be. While browsing the internet, to check for solutions, I came across an article about peat moss. We haven't use any peat moss for our plants since, we have the organic fertilizers, but it was suggested on that specific article that peat moss is a better choice for camellia plants. The main reason is because camellias are acid-loving plants and since it doesn't compact or break down readily, one application of peat moss could last up to several years.

Peat moss is an important component of most potting soils and seed starting mediums. They do not contain any harmful microorganisms or weed seeds that we may find in poorly processed compost. Peat moss can be used in several ways. It is not just a soil amendment or an ingredient in potting soils and planting mixes, but it can also be used as a bulking agent and carbon source in composting. Having read all of these, I immediately went to a nearby gardening shop to buy peat moss for our camellia plant. After purchasing, I look around the store for other pots or window box liners. Luckily, I saw these preserved moss roll which would perfectly fit as a window box liner for our window boxes at home, especially the one with camellia plant on it.

Growing and maintaining a plant is just like caring for your family too. These plants also need your time and effort for them to be able to grow healthily and blossom beautifully. Life is a give and take process. I believe in the saying that, "You receive from the world, what you give to the world.

The Healthier Way To A Better Life

 

Organic gardening has already gained popularity and are mostly used method of gardeners today. Not only it is healthier compared to those foods that we serve with high content of pesticides, but also it is safer for the whole family, it is also a way that we can protect the environment with overloading chemicals. Gathering all information and details about organic gardening is the first step to be successful and able to produce healthy products. There are now many articles and blogs, as well as, tips and tricks that you could read online on how organic gardening works. It really takes time and an extra effort for things to be smooth sailing when you start your own organic garden.

You can actually start from 2 or 3 plants, it doesn't necessarily have to be many plants. Don't worry if things aren't perfect right away. You could have your error and trial first. Organic gardening means you won't be using synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, but that doesn't mean your plants are left to fend for themselves. There are actually an array of tools that we could choose from to bolster plant health and ward off pest. I can say that every plant in my garden is already chemical or pesticide free. I started from a pot of plant a few years ago. It was a tomato plant, since we widely used tomatoes in almost all of our meals. I decided to use organics instead of chemicals. I bought a natural coconut coir fiber through a trusted online seller, it is an Eco-friendly alternative to peat moss. These natural coconut coir fiber helped my tomato plant free of any disease, fungal spores, weeds and seeds and most of all bacteria and pathogens.

We are truly happy with the outcome of the tomato plant, and it is even tastier without the added chemicals. Coconut fiber coir is just one of the few growing media soil amendments that we could use for our plant. These natural coconut coir provides an excellent drainage and structural stability. It also promotes airflow to root system and will not decompose as quickly as peat moss and rock wool. Plants that have been grown without chemicals can be eaten directly after washing and you won't have to worry about any pesticides at all. It is much safer for everyone in the family.

The Health Benefits Of Walking For Expectant Mothers

 

Walking is the best form of exercise. It keeps your fit without jarring your knees and ankles. It's also easy to do almost anywhere, doesn't require any equipment beyond a good pair of supportive shoes, and is safe throughout all nine months of pregnancy. Walking is also thought to help ease labor for a faster delivery. Other benefits of walking during pregnancy include lessening the occurrence of side effects as well as the risk of gestational diabetes. It is high blood sugar during pregnancy and can cause the baby to be born too large or have jaundice. So, walking during pregnancy can result in positive health benefits for both mother and child. With all these information I have gathered over the internet, I see to it that I get at least 15-30 minutes of walking exercise everyday.

Yesterday, while walking my way to the office, I was prettily amazed by how our city has developed. Now, there are more street lights, buildings everywhere, and food establishments in every side of the street. More people are walking because of the road widening project of the city government. They feel more safe and secure because of the city lights and there is a pathway especially made for those who wants to walk or jog. I also saw fiberglass window boxes installed at the side railings of the bridge. I never though that these window boxes could be used in bridges too. But it actually looked good especially with the outdoor plants and flowers that they have planted on it. It was really an amazing walking session on my way to the office. And I plan to so it every other day as a form of exercise, especially now that I'm just counting days before I give birth.

Having a child is always a life-changing, momentous experience that can leave us, mothers, feeling simultaneously ecstatic, overwhelmed and anxious. Always remember to at least have time for yourself, especially have time to exercise because it can put you in better shape, lifts up your mood and spirit too.

A Kid's Passion For Birds

 

My 3-year old son has always been passionate with animals but his all time favorite are birds. While strolling at the mall the other day, he saw at a pet shop these cute little birds. He was looking for a blue macaw, just like in the movie "Rio". I just told him that these blue macaws are rare and is already in Africa together with their family. So he settled for a pair of canary birds. He was so happy walking around with those birds in their cage. children loves to have their own pets, It is also a way of teaching them how to be independent and  how to care for another living thing. Their happiness also becomes your happiness as a parent.

Before heading home, we went back to the pet shop to look for a decorative bird feeder, but none was available at the moment. The store owner advised us to check the home and garden store. So we went there immediately and found these cute decorative bird feeders which has attractive finishes that could also be a garden decor. I let him choose what he wants for his birds, and without hesitation he choose the fly-through round feeder. The store owner explained to us, that the bird feeder has a beautiful polished copper finish that arrives bright and shiny, but it will age and patina over time to a soft green color. He doesn't mind at all and still insisted on buying the round feeder. When we arrive home, his father is already waiting for us at the porch. He asked his father to make him a pole, where he could hang his copper bird feeder. Without a second thought and even though his Dad is tired from work, he immediately gather all the materials needed to put up a pole.

They were both planning to make a birds house this coming weekend. My son was very happy and looking forward for the weekends to come. Our child or children are our happiness, they are considered to be blessing from our Dear God. So we must know how to love, care and nurture them the right way because someday these kids will also be parents like us. With good manners and right conduct that they learned from us, parents, they will also hand it down to their own family someday.

Adding Window Screens For Extra Protection

 

Preparing the room for the coming of our second child is becoming an addiction. I wanted everything to be perfect, I wanted our child's room to be most comfortable and safe for her. The room is almost finish now, but, we are still making some changes to be sure that everything will fall to it's proper places. We know that she can't appreciate yet everything that we are doing for her. But, I know somehow that she will soon feel that she is very welcomed and very much loved by everyone, especially us, her parents and her older brother. We added some window screen to make sure that mosquitoes won't easily get in our house especially her room. My husband made the wooden window screens, good thing there is you tube, he watch the steps carefully and bought the materials needed in making one.

My husband had to remove the window box before he could successfully install the window screen. After the installation, he immediately placed the window box just below the window screen and he also added some elegant standard faux bracket to our window box. He saw these faux bracket while shopping for the materials of our window screen. It is ready made and just needs to be painted with the same color of our window box and just glue them to the bottom of our window box. We were very happy with the outcome of the window screen. Now, our minds will be at peace knowing that even we open the windows at night, the mosquitoes won't get in to our little girl's room.

Life is simple, but we are the ones who actually make things more complicated. We find satisfaction after overcoming many complicated situations in life, maybe that's the reason that we choose the path that is more complicated. Just like in decorating a room, we can choose to have less decor or furniture, but we choose to add more because we feel that we will be needing it all.  At the end of the day, we should be thankful to God that He never left our side even in the most complicated situation.

Caring For Your Plants At Home

 

The flowering plants on my garden are already in full bloom even before the rainy season started. Now, I am afraid that these beautiful plants would loose all of it's flowers due to heavy rain. So, I decided to move or transfer these flowering plants to a much safer place. Some of them I placed inside a nursery at the back of our garden, while the others I placed them in our porch to make sure that I can still see their beauty when I leave and go back home. I had spared most of my free time last weekend together with my husband and son to make sure that these plants are safe. We have moved them from the garden beds to pots and planters as well as hanging baskets, so that they can be moved easily and more freely to any part of the house or the nursery.

Although it's a bit tiresome, but we really are satisfied with the results. Most especially, when we saw the cottage weave self-watering hanging basket that we placed as a visual statement on our deck. We are now assured that our flowering plants would continue to bloom naturally, without having to loose it's petals or flowers due to heavy rain. We are also very pleased by how our deck looked like, due to the flowers that we placed in a hanging basket. Now, we don't have to worry about making sure that our plants are watered everyday. It's all thanks to the cottage weave self-watering hanging basket, because it gets to do the job for us. Not only that, the hanging basket is also weather resistant, it simply means that it can adapt to any weather conditions.

Flowering plants are meant to beautify our homes and gardens. Even in public places like parks, hotels, restaurants and resorts, these flowering plants gives color and adds up to the aesthetic of any location.  So in return, we must learn to protect them in any way that we can.

Ways To Use Your Window Boxes At Home

 

Window boxes around the house has been prominent, since we have a lot of windows. I made sure that every windows has it's own window box with flowering plants to compliment them. Making sure that the flowering plants are trimmed and well-watered are just some maintenance that I do from day to day. Although having all these plants inside and outside the house might be too exhausting to take care of but, the good thing is that I get to exercise everyday without leaving the house and paying extra in going to fitness gyms. These plants also also have very good effect not only on physical aspect but also on our mental outlook on life.

Every house in our neighborhood also have their own way of using window boxes. Some puts it in their patio, while others, hangs it in their veranda. It really depends where you want to place or display them. I remember, one of our neighbors invited us on their housewarming party. When I used their washroom, there I saw a beautiful window box with mixed bougainvillea vine arrangement. At first glance, I really though that flowers were real. I can't resist but to take a much closer look and feel the flowers to check. I was really amazed to find out that, it is an artificial mixed flowers and vines. I was fooled by my own eyes and laughed silently at myself. There are really numbers of ways in which we could use these window boxes as decoration at home. We can even use either live or faux plants to go with our window boxes. There is actually no limitations in creating your own style and design at home. It's up to you and your imagination, what place you want to present your guests with when they come by and visit.

Our life is also like a house full of windows. people can take a peek into our lives with these windows, but they would never know ho we really are until they enter our house.

Designing Your Own Living Wall Indoors

 

Time and effort are the two components on having a great project on our home. Designing a green wall which is diverse, eye catching, intriguing and simply a pleasure to look at is a complex task. Not everyone has skills to design and create their own masterpiece, that is the reason why others would hire people to do the work for them. Who wouldn't like to see plants as their paints and walls as their canvases. If you want your wall at home to be unique and simply a beauty to look at, you would need a strong eye for design and a whole lot of creativity. It also requires a strategic planning and an in-depth knowledge of countless plants species. You have to make sure that the plants you add to your living wall is appropriate for indoors, as well as their growing conditions should matter too.

There are actually many designs that we could copy from the web, or you could infuse your own ideas with the existing designs that you see on the web. While we were buying a gift for my mother in-law last time at a flower and gift shop, I saw a nice wall decor that they hang just behind the counter area. It is tuscan dragonfly wall plant. I got so interested by how it was cleverly design and made. It also has a removable glass wall hurricane at its top. I wanted to buy it as well, but the receptionist said that it was not for sale. And it was bought online by the store owner. The tuscan dragonfly wall planter is lightweight which makes it compatible to any wall types. I ask for the website where they bought it, and got surprised that we were buying from the same manufacturer. Because I have been busy these past few weeks, I was not able to check their website. But now, I am just waiting for the shipment to arrive. I am so excited to see the product and I already cleaned that area where we will hang the planter.

There are many benefits that we could receive in having a great living wall system or just by having plants indoors. Let us not take for granted the beauty they give and the healthy benefits that we get from them. Always remember, that indoor environments may be as much as ten times more polluted than the outdoor environment. So we must make our move, to clean the air inside our houses too.

The Beauty And Benefit Of A Window Box To Our Home

 

Window boxes are not always part of every house. Others say that having these window boxes might be too grandiose or extravagant. But what we really didn't know is that, window boxes have their benefits aside from being aesthetically beautiful. These window boxes bring life to an otherwise flat and boring facade of your house. They add depth  and dimensions, as well as, color texture and seasonal change too. Let us also not limit the use of window boxes t under windows, just because their name says so. A window box can also give dimension and interest to a fence, an expanse barren wall or even to a lifeless deck railings of your home.

Designers and architects in the past do not consider window boxes as part of the landscaping grounds or neither they are under the category of planting. But as years passed, these window boxes seemed to tie the house to the lawn and gardens, and thus help to produce the immediate effect of a harmonious space. They are particularly valuable in conveying a cozy and lived-in atmosphere to a new house. There are also many things to consider when adding a window box to your home. Just like, what type of plant could be best placed in a window box, as well as the type of soil let us not forget how we could water these window boxes. Because of our modern time, designers and manufacturers were able to make a self watering window box. These self watering window boxes are very helpful especially to homeowners because they won't have to worry about their plants, the self watering window boxes will definitely keep plants watered for up to three weeks outdoors.

Window boxes really do add a level of detail we don't normally see in a landscape. It also take a bit of your effort in terms of finding the right window box for your home and mounting it properly, as well as, tending it to the plantings and arrangements.

Junior Gardener In The Making

 

Gardening has given us a lot of benefits, not only physically but also mentally. Another good thing that I and my family was able to gain, is the fact that our son has also been participating and planting his own plants. It was really a good form of exercise for him, as well as a good form of bonding moments for us. It is much cheaper because, we do not have to go out of the house and spend money. Instead, staying at home and maintaining our own plants made our family closer to nature and understand the importance of these plants to our lives and environment. My son has a couple of flowering plants and fruits and vegetables planted on pots, he visits them everyday and checks to see any improvement. He also keeps tracks and draws the changes he sees in those plants.

A few days ago, my husband bought a fork and spade pot holder set for our son. Since, he has a passion for gardening and plants, we might as well support his hobbies. The fork and spade pot holder set holds a tiny terra cotta pot which is perfect for houseplants, as well as herbs for cooking. It was very rewarding to see, that as a family, we all share the same hobby and interest. Most children all around the world today are fond of computer games, cellphones, tablets and all other high-tech gadgets, I am just thankful that our son is different from them. Yes, he plays those high-tech gadgets too but, he sets limitation for himself and prefers to be with us while doing our household chores or taking care of our beloved plants.

Having plants to love and nurture gives us something to take care of which can enrich our lives. Knowing that we provide a happy environment for plants and flowers, it also helps us to feel fulfilled and needed.

Pruning Trees Helps Prevent Future Injuries And Damages

 

There are many benefits that we get from the trees. We plant trees primarily for their beauty and to provide shade but if we dig deeper, trees provide more than just aesthetic. They can help cool our homes and the whole neighborhood as well as combat the greenhouse effect. They absorb odors and pollutant gases, which means cleaner air and provides more oxygen for humans. These trees also provides food not only to humans but also for birds and wildlife. They can also block or mask unsightly views from your house or other commercial or business space. Trees absorb dust and wind and reduce glare, as well as, creates an eye-soothing canopy of green.

There are so many things that we should be thankful for because of these trees. That is why, we take care and maintain them in the best way that we can. Trimming and pruning trees at an early stage or younger age affects their later productivity and longevity. The trees in our garden is usually maintained by my husband. He makes sure that they are properly pruned with the use of razor sharp anvil loppers. The anvil loppers is a heavy duty garden shears but still a very user-friendly tool. We bought it online because it was highly recommended by our neighbors and friends who also has one of these as their gardening tool. Good pruning can reduce the risk of branch and the whole-tree failure, better clearance for vehicles and pedestrians, and improved appearance.

Maintaining and training trees can be very tedious but in the end, it is still us who would receive greater benefits from it. Also, always make sure to properly trim and prune trees to prevent later injury or property damaged from weak crotches or other falling tree parts.

Inspiring Others Through Home Gardening

 

Maintaining the garden everyday is a bit wearisome. Yes, it is indeed very rewarding because of the beauty and the fresh fruits and vegetables you get from your garden but you will also feel that your hands and feet are about to give up. Every time I feel tired of this everyday routine, I would take a break, sit down and relax at our cottage garden bench while sipping a cup of coffee. It feels really good to have a garden of your own because of the many benefits you get from them, but you must also do your share of taking care of these plants for them to be able to grow healthily. In return, those garden owners becomes more healthy because of the physical activity that you do everyday and the healthy diet you get from eating your home grown vegetables and fruits.

Home gardening is great hobby that anyone can enjoy and enables you to get some free exercise and of course, better nutrition. Studies also shows that gardening can help your mental health through relaxation and satisfaction. Just by looking at the blooming flowers and smelling that garden fresh air would definitely help you get more relaxed while sitting at your cottage garden bench. Satisfaction can be obtain through reaping the rewards of your own hard work. Gardening is also a good stress reliever, the activity takes your mind off of work and other stress in your life. It can also be a family activity that even your husband and kids could enjoy. This could be a great and inexpensive way to bond with your family members.

Always remember that gardening can be very helpful to us not only physically and mentally but also in providing food for the family and savings on food purchases as well. Growing your own fruits and vegetables is the most organic you can get. You will be helping the environment and saving money at the same time. Flowers and tress can beautify your home while cleaning the air that you and your family is breathing.

Decorative Wndow Boxes For A Home Upgrade

 

When we say shopping, it has always been a woman's favorite past time or hobby. There would always be that day when you feel nothing is working out or everything is not going your way. Then, as a stress reliever most women goes for a shopping and after buying some items that would make them feel better, visiting a salon or spa would be next on the list. While everyone is busy looking for the newest bag or shoes to buy, I became very busy checking online for new window boxes or decorative planters. I don't want any fancy bags, shoes or make up, all I ever wanted is to make sure that our home becomes a perfect place for our family. Making sure that every part of the house has the best quality of materials that could withstand time and climate changes.

Instead of going to malls and stores to buy your favorite items and wait on the line, I would rather visit online sites and have my favorite items delivered at home. It saves time as well as my effort too. But, also make sure that the website you are visiting are secured and the items you buy are guaranteed original and not bogus. It was a week ago when I last bought some items online. It was a medallion vinyl window box/liner. As we all know, liners extend the life and upgrade the look of our window boxes. The Medallion PVC window box liner is perfect for our windows and even to a wall or deck rails. We can place them anywhere we want and can become replacements for some of our iron window box cages that was first installed in our windows. The new window box liner even comes with a removable drainage tray which works perfectly for us.

Your family and home always comes first or becomes your main priority when you enter marriage life and motherhood. Looking after your family's welfare and keeping your home safe and clean all the time becomes your obligation to them.