Gardening, A Gratifying Hobby

Gardening has been my mom's favorite past times. She would wake up early in the morning so she could water her plants. She does this every day in spite of her busy schedule. She has a great garden with different types of flowering plants, shrubs, and other green and ornamental plants. She also takes care of herbs and spices such as ginger, garlic, oregano and onion springs.

You can say that our home looks like a jungle. We have two huge trees on the front yard. Bougainvilleas of different varieties which adorn and provide privacy to our home are planted near the gate. Several planter boxes planted with Chinese tea trees were also lined up in a row to add more green to our yard. While her garden of flowers, herbs, bushes are located in our backyard. She also takes care of several wild orchids such as the spider orchids, tiger orchids, yellow dancing ladies and several more orchids which names I am not familiar with. She bought some of these plants online while the rest are given by her colleagues, friends, students, neighbors and relatives who share her passion in gardening.

Unfortunately, I do not share her talent in gardening. I did try though. I used to have my collection of cacti. I also tried planting trees. However, they will either wilt or wither so after several tries, I gave up and leave gardening to the experts and those who are gifted with a green thumb. It is kind of ironic though since both my parents and my grandparents on both sides have green thumbs. But in spite of being a failure in gardening, I still love plants. I appreciate their importance to our lives especially the values they teach us. And just like a great quote from Linda Solegato goes, "Plants give us oxygen for the lungs, and for the soul."

Dream Vacation

 

A few weeks ago, my dream vacation had finally came true. It is nothing like the luxurious trip to the Bahamas or a European tour. We are not cruising as well. We will be visiting my aunt, my father's younger sister who lives in the country. I have been there countless of times in the past especially during spring breaks. It is like my second home. However, since I started working and my mom adopted the plants which our former neighbors left behind we do not have a chance of going away to visit my aunt. She is worried that her plants will die without her caring touch. I was excited that my mom had finally accepted my aunt's invitation to stay with them for at least a week. I miss my aunt, her cooking, and the fresh air of the country side. And the only reason why she agreed to it was because my brother accepted to house-sit, dog sit and plant sit. She also realize the convenience of the Planter Well self watering reservoirs. 

I bought the self watering reservoir so I could convince her that she does not have to water the plants everyday. She was not thrilled about it complaining that she can water the plants herself and ask me to return the item with finality. Thankfully she listened to my explanation that the planter will do wonders to her plants but that is with the assistance of my brother. We also reached a compromise that the self watering planter stays if it is really working otherwise we will return the item. I was crossing my fingers that the planter is functional. I sighed in relief when it did. My mom was unhappy but accepted her defeat. 

The seven day vacation in the country side is perfect. It is so much better than cruising the Caribbean. I just love the relaxing effect of fresh air and the smell of green grass. It is so peaceful that I want to stay there forever. And in spite of my mom's complaints, I know she loves the country side too.

Your Dream House

What is your dream house? Would you prefer to have a big one or small one? Have you already thought of the design that you want? I know everyone has its own dream house. A house that you can live, spend and enjoy life with your family. As for me, I am not really dreaming of a grandiose and luxurious house but a simple house is already good for me as long I'm with my loved ones.

Whether you have a big or small house, home decorating is a great way to improve your home and give a more appealing look. Mostly, in western countries they are not really after the exterior design of the house, rather they check the interior design of it. This includes the paint color, the design of the rooms, the kitchen and even the space inside. However, for some people who are really concerned about the outside look of their house, they make sure that it is pleasing to the eye. A friend of mine once said that no matter how cheap or expensive of your design or decor as long as it gives a positive and beautiful outcome, it is still acceptable.

I've been to a lot of places and I have visited a lot of houses too and I was really amazed how these designers and architects create such a great architectural design. House designs may differ from country to country. For example in western countries, many people choose house designs with exterior shutters to protect their windows against different weather conditions. While some countries prefer bigger houses to give enough space for children to play and for visitors. 

Building a house is a dream but finishing it is a nightmare because this isn't a joke. This would require more time, effort and of course money. To make your dream house become a reality, be realistic.

New Adventure at Valloire

France is located in Western Europe with several overseas regions and territories. It is known as the largest country in Western Europe and third largest in the whole Europe. It is a developed country and considered as the Europe's wealthiest country. Valloire is a commune in the Savoei department in the Rhone-Alps region of southeastern France. It is the home of the famous ski areas: Sétaz and the Crey du Quart. Many people come and visit the place every year and experience the thrill and excitement of skiing.

Last year, I was invited by my friend to spend a weekend to their place. Since I never been there, I was very excited that I answered yes immediately. When I arrived in their house I was welcomed by her family. We had a great dinner and after that we stayed at the living room since we have lots of catch up to do. The next day, I woke up early to prepare to go to the ski resort to try skiing. Of course, since it was my first time, I need to practice. I stayed there for a while I watched my friend showed her expert moves. She's been doing for quite sometime now since she lived there. After I was able to get my balance, I was able to make a few distance. It really feels great to experience skiing firsthand. 

After a breath-taking adventure, my friend tour me around. We pass by the Avenue De La Vallee D'or. From the point where I am standing, I can see the tall mountain with snowcaps. It looks awesome. As we continue our walked, I saw a hotel that very extraordinary. The architectural design is very unique. Not only that, my friend told me that during spring the flowers blooms in the window boxes that gives a very alluring look from afar.

Famous Gardens Around the World

Gardening is one great hobby. Planting trees herbs, trees and flowering plants and watching them grow healthy is very rewarding. Although there are some constraints in getting that beautiful garden such as weather, stray animals and insects, many people still love gardening. Some gardens become a tourists destination. There are many famous gardens around the world. I will list down the top 10 gardens according to National Geographic.

1. Chateau de Versailles

Versailles, France

The famous French landscape designer André Le Nôtre laid out these gardens southwest of Paris in the 17th century at the behest of Louis XIV. The 250 acres (101 hectares) are riddled with paths that lead to flower beds, quiet corners decorated with classical statuary, ornamental lakes, and a canal that King Louis used for gondola rides.

2. Royal Botanic Garden at Kew

Kew, Richmond, Surrey, England

Set amid 132 hectares (326 acres) of landscaped grounds, greenhouses are a popular feature of the gardens. Underneath their domes, botanical science and conservation come together in an elegant setting 16 kilometers (10 miles) from London. The Temperate House is the world’s largest Victorian greenhouse; the Bonsai House has trees more than 150 years old.

3. Powerscourt Garden

Enniskerry, County Wicklow, Ireland

The gardens and grand Palladian villa at Powerscourt, south of Dublin, were designed in the 18th century and punctuate 19 hectares (47 acres) of formal walled gardens and shaded ponds. The grounds, waterfalls, parks, garden pavilions, and fine tree-lined arbors were suggested by the Italian Renaissance and the great estates and gardens of France and Germany. The beautiful garden planters completes the scenic view of the garden.

4. Buchart Gardens

Vancouver Island, British Columbia

The Butchart Gardens are a dazzling example of a successful reclamation project. The land, used for years by Portland Cement, by 1904 had exhausted its value as a quarry. That's when Jennie Butchart, the wife of Portland Cement's owner, filled the space with soil from nearby farms. Her vision expanded into a 55-acre (22-hectare) tract filled with 700 varieties of plants that bloom from March to October. 

5. Villa de'Este

Tivoli, Italy

A Renaissance cardinal decided to make life in Tivoli bearable by turning a dilapidated Benedictine monastery into a lovely villa, the Villa d'Este. This was embellished by one of the most fascinating garden and fountain complexes in the world, recently listed by UNESCO as one of Italy's 31 major historical/artistic sites.

6. Dumbarton Oaks

Washington D.C.

You might feel as though you've stepped into a Merchant-Ivory set in any of the gardens that make up this estate at the north end of Georgetown, one of Washington's poshest neighborhoods. Vines tumble down stone walls enclosing the Fountain Terrace.

7. Gardens of the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

St.-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France

In the early 1900s, Béatrice Éphrussi, a Rothschild baroness, built a pink-confection, Venice-style villa surrounded by breathtaking gardens, with the sparkling sea beyond. Pathways meander through the seven themed gardens, the focal point being the French gardens, with a lily-pad-dotted pool, dancing fountains, and a Temple of Love replicating the Trianon at Versailles. There are also a Provençal garden, filled with olive trees and lavender; a lapidary garden, with sculptures too large to be displayed in the villa; and Spanish, Japanese, Florentine, and exotic gardens.

8. Stourhead

Warminster, England

To the English gentry of the 18th century, the more classical something could be, the better. Stourhead is a grand example of genteel fascination with the past. Henry Hoare II punctuated the gardens of his Wilshire estate with re-created ruins and classical buildings such as the Pantheon and Temple of Apollo.

9. The Master-of-Nets Gardens

Suzhou, China

This residential garden in southeast China, called Wangshiyuan in Chinese, was designed during the Song dynasty (A.D. 960-1270). The arrangement of pavilions, halls, music rooms, winsome bamboo groves, and waterside perches is an exercise in natural harmony.

10. Sans Souci

Potsdam, Germany

Frederick the Great of Prussia built the splendid rococo palace as his summer place, where he could live without a care, sans souci. Busts of Roman emperors, decorative statues, and a Chinese teahouse dot the lavish grounds.

Wall Arts Using Toilet Paper Rolls

 

Decorating you home using the things and the wastes around is very easy and affordable. It doesn't mean that if you are using your wastes or garbage, it won't look great. It is only a matter of artistry and resourcefulness. I will share with you some Do-it-at home tips that you can try. Do-it-at home is like doing it your own. It's fun and exciting. Creating your own design and masterpiece. Hanging your own artwork is an easy and affordable way in making a dull wall interesting and impressive.

When I was cleaning the house and busy collecting all the garbage, I saw the empty toilet paper rolls which my children played earlier. I notice that it is quite plenty of them so I think of an idea on how to use it and to minimize the garbage that I need to throw away. I previously read at the website about it. I will have my own version of it.

Here are the things that you need:

empty toilet paper rolls

glue or glue sticks

glue gun

scissors

colored spray paint or acrylic paint

gloves

canvass or an old picture frame 

1. Cut the toilet paper rolls using the scissors into a half and cut the half again in order to make 4 pieces.

2. Using your glue gun, put the little pieces together. Glue it as close as possible like no gaps in the middle.

3. You can make many of these and and spray paint it. You can use gloves to avoid paint getting into your hand or nails. Decide if how many coats and color you want. 4. Once the toilet paper rolls has dried out, lay down your canvass and decide if what design you like before gluing it together.

The steps are very easy. You can also have your children try it and they can make their own designs which they can play with.

A Pleasant Surpise

A wall is one of the best area for decorating. A blank or dull wall can be transformed into something more interesting. Choosing a wall decor that is appropriate to your home's design is sometimes hard. Many said that a wall is said to be a medium of personal expression. Wall decorating includes putting a mirror, pictures, murals, canvas, paintings, decors, wallpapers and painting it. These decorations live and brighten our walls. We can use our walls to express our creativity and artistry. 

I was visiting a sick friend of mine in the block when I bumped into my college bestfriend, Sheila. I was surprised to see her near our place. And at the same time I was so glad to finally see her after 10 years. We had a small talk and she gave me her number. She invited me to go to her housewarming party the day after tomorrow. She gave me her address and we bid goodbye to each other. I went straight to my friend's house and checked her. Good thing that she's feeling okay now. I brought her some fruits and biscuits. She have a flu for almost a week now. The doctor advised her to have some rest and stay at home. .

Two days later, I went to Sheila's house. She bought a house two blocks away from us. She married a Canadian who works as a engineer of a cell phone company. They have a two-storey house with four bedrooms. They have a Mediterranean style of house. She actually designed the whole interior of the house. The walls are painted in purple. She hanged the paintings that she bought from other countries. At the living room have a big metallic tree that almost occupy the wide wall. It actually gives a unique touch of nature. She also let me see her kids bedroom and the guestrooms. Each room have a distinct designs. After we have completed our tour, we went to the patio and meet some her friends and family. 

It was a wonderful night, indeed. I got to see familiar faces and friends (that I haven't seen for years). What a small world it is.