Disney Character Topiaries

To clip the foliage and twigs of shrubs and trees in order to create a defined shape such as the Disney Characters takes time, skills and creativity. It does take a real talent to do all these art works. This spring season, Disney World's EPCOT theme park celebrates the International Flower and Garden Festival presented by HGTV. Now on it's 21st year, this yearly event has drawn millions of Disney guests all over the world. Throughout the EPCOT theme park, amazing floral displays of breath-taking blooms, colorful gardens and beautiful topiaries welcomes the guests.

Find this topiary in Future World.

Find this wonderful topiary at the entrance.

You will find the topiary of goofy in the Future World.

You will find this topiary near the Electric Umbrella in Future World.

You will see this topiary in Future World.

You will see this right at the entrance.

Find this topiary at the Future World.

located at the Future World

at the entrance

Nearby the Electric Umbrella

The International Flower and Garden Festival is a special event scheduled from March to May. These are just few of more than a 100 topiaries in Disney. Most of the amazing topiaries are located in the World showcase and that's where we will be going anytime next week. Anyway, thanks for stopping by. See you all tomorrow.

The Bare Tree

For my nature trip Thursday post, here's the big tree at the front yard with leaves on hiatus. I love looking at it when it's bare and that would mean one thing too, nothing to clean up which truly gives me a lot of time for myself and do other things. Have a great day you all and please, stay positive! Be productive today.

Red-Bellied Woodpecker by the Bird Bath

Today is a rainy Thursday down here in the Space Coast. It is a bit muggy and as I checked out, look what I found hanging on the bird bath, a red-bellied woodpecker. Actually, this woodpecker is a frequent visitor in the yard. Mostly, it stayed on the electrical post at the back yard. It is very noisy and many times, it has the ability to wake me up in the morning by using its bill and drilling loudly into the post foraging in the hope of finding insects.

I still don't know the name of this tree but, when winter comes, it will look like this and pretty soon, it will become bare completely. I can't keep up mulching the leaves that is why; I don't like this tree at all. It gives too much of a  hassle. In summer time, it provides the shed so; pretty much the reason why; we keep it.
Anyway, I have been trying to capture a video of the birds swimming in the bird bath. Yes, they are really swimming right after I filled it with water. They look cute and they don't fight. They take turns considering they are different species. Aside from woodpeckers, there are cardinals and doves too.
We don't feed the birds because the squirrels  are watching on the tree. Despite of that, the birds love to hang out in our yard. In the afternoon, they are noisy by the fence and on the electrical wires nearby. What animals that hang out in your area? I hope not a snake LOL.

My Citrus Plants

This is the month of the year that I love to hang out in the garden. It is breezy and it is cooler so; scorching heat is over. I embrace the awesome Fall ... well, I am not really a big fan of the leaves falling but, I am loving the weather. Now, let me share to you the awesome flowers of my citrus plants.

Benefits of Citrus:
-calm tension and anxiety
-fight against cancer
-reduce wrinkles
-helps with asthma
- fights the flu and cold
-natural antihistamine
-elevates the mood
-body cleanser
- digestive aid and more

The citrus juice has medical uses like the lemon juice which is use to relieve the pain of bee stings. If you need vitamin C, eat oranges. The extract of citrus fruits is also used in medicine such as the Tylenol, that's according to wiki.

More Benefits of Citrus:
- reduce cholesterol
-control blood pressure
-skin brightener
- neutralizes free radicals

According to what I read in Wiki, "Citrus fruit juices are also useful for lowering the risk factors for specific types of kidney stones. The Grapefruit can also lower blood pressure because it interferes with the metabolism of calcium channel blockers". Now, if you want to know more, go and find some good resource readings on the Web. Information like this is truly helpful to know that is why; I appreciate my plants even more.

I have lime, lemon, sour orange, kumquats and calamondin. What's yours?

Splurging the Patio with Solar Lanterns

When you own a big space either front or back yard, all you could think about is splurging it into a functional area right? How would you like to have a backyard oasis? I bet you dreamed about it! To have a beautiful lawn that has the curb appeal in the neighborhood is what we always wanted to have. Like you, I wanted to have a manicured lawn too with booming flowers. A good size garden space and a gazebo in the backyard where I can enjoy my garden oasis would be nice. To have a beautiful garden needs time, planning and love of gardening. It should be well taken care off and it needs someone who has the passion to make it an awesome yard. If you have that passion then, start splurging your patio project now.

I am heading to midnight Black Friday shopping in an hour to buy home accessories and garden decors. I am done checking and comparing prices of solar lanterns online and I found a favorite solar lantern. All I hope is to find it in store. I wanted to buy a solar lantern because it is very cost effective and safe to leave in the garden.

My husband and I spent time in the patio especially when the weather is nice and cool. The scented wax candles add the ambiance but, when it is too breezy, the flame will be off before we could cover it good. To avoid the hassle, a friend told me that I should check on flameless candles. The product is battery operated and I think it is a perfect garden accessory.

I found a Website that has all these gorgeous and elegant outdoor accessories. You should check out batteryoperatedcandles.net to see their battery operated candles and lanterns. The picture above is an elegant hanging lantern which I really like to have in the patio. If you are looking for home and garden accessories, Christmas decors as well as ornaments, this company has it all. Go and check it out. I am sure you will love their products as much as I did.

Blooming with Flowers

I went out to check my plants and my gardenia is blooming perfectly despite the scorching heat. Some leaves of my other plants withered but, my grapes are looking good.  Grapes starting to get bigger and i hope I can eat them before insects harvest them. So far, I am happy with my gardenia. Looking pretty in the summer.

Here are some of the buds and I can't wait to see the white fragrant flower in bloom.

Yard Work and Gardening

We were so glad that the lawn guy cut the grass the other day. The grass grows so fast these past few days because of the rain. I like it though. The only down side is we can't keep up. Hubby told the guy not to include the backyard because we will do it ourselves. We were so busy so; gardening and yard work will be scheduled on the weekend. It will be a fun day for us. You can relate if you love yard work. Thanks for stopping by.

Pretty Orchid in Bloom

I thought this orchid is dying but, look at the flowers. Right now, it is showing up buds so; the yellowish leaf in there didn't matter. This orchid will survive this heat! I added the orchid potting mix about two weeks ago, it did help for it bounced back to life.

 
Planning of adding two more orchids this year. I hope orchids will like me (wink).

Using Miracle Gro Orchid Potting Mix

In my gardening activity, I always rely on the products that I trust and proven to be great. I have 3 orchid plants and I just started having orchids about a year ago when a friend gave me an orchid plant as a birthday present. Actually, the orchid below is the orchid she gave me. This bloom is on its 3rd batch already, pretty awesome don't you think?

The Gro Project with Miracle-Gro: Grow Your Own Bar

This post brought to you by Miracle-Gro. All opinions are 100% mine.

If you are my frequent visitor in all my  blogs, you already have known that I love gardening; that I am a camera bug and a foodie. For these reasons, I mixed all my activities around these hobbies in fact; yesterday I was about to make an arbor for my grapes. I am excited for the fun garden projects this year and I will be sharing the photos soon. For the meantime, let me show you the produce of my gardening last year. I am not a pro but, I sure have a green thumb with the help of Miracle-Gro.

Just this week, I was looking for an inspiration for my gardening hobby and I saw this video:

What can you say? Are you in? Well, I was inspired by the The Gro Project by Miracle-Gro and one of the projects that they featured is called G.Y.O.B. What these letters stand for? It means Grow Your Own Bar! How exciting right? Would you like to try it too? It is very easy.

You need the following:
1.  Wine and liqour crates and you can buy them from your local wine store.
2. Miracle-Gro Moisture Control Potting Mix
3. Basil, mint or rosemary seeds
4. Wine corks
5. Skewers
6. A watering can

Here are the steps:
1. Fill it- Fill the crates with potting mix.
2. Plant it- Plant your seeds and imagine it is a happy hour. (wink)
3. Take it Easy- Keep track of each plant with a wine cork skewer. Give them plenty of sun, water and plant food.
4. Green Thumbs Up- Garnish your drinks and say cheers! Wallah!

For more amazing and unique Gro Project's, please follow the Miracle-Grow Pinterest Page. They have a forum and everyone has awesome gardening stories to share. You will find it interesting.

Just remember to use Miracle Gro Products for Planting and Feeding. Take note of the following:

1. For indoor/container- Shake n' Feed Moisture Control All Purpose Plant Food and Moisture Control Potting Mix.

2. For in-ground- LiquaFeed All Purpose Plant Food Advance Starter Kit.

For whatever gardening project you may have, feel free to share them on the Miracle-Gro Facebook Page and other social media platform such as Pinterest, Instagram, Google+ and use the hashtag #MiracleGroProject.

Don't forget to check out Miracle-Gro online for gardening tips, solution to common garden problems and suggestion to keep your garden healthy and beautiful. Have funwith your Gro Project.

Gardenia Bonsai from the Soothing Company

One of the household chores that I enjoyed doing is gardening. I love waking up in the morning and check if my flower plants are blooming with flowers. I don't mind touching the dirt with my bare hands and I just love hanging out in the backyard. While I was visiting few blogs, I read some positive reviews about Soothing Company products. I immediately email the company requesting for product review opportunity and they replied to send me either a water fountain or a bonsai and I choose the latter.

About The Soothing Company

From the name itself, one can already guess that this company is all about products that are soothing for everyone. If you are looking for water fountains either indoor or outdoor, Soothing Company has it. For whatever type it maybe such as wall, floor, and tabletop water fountains as well as large water walls, you will find it here. The Soothing Company has Wall fountains for the home and outdoor canvas art. They also have bean bag chairs, fireplace, massage chairs, and bonsai. All these products are contributing factors to create a relaxing, peaceful and soothing sanctuary in your home.

Gardenia Bonsai

Bonsai means little trees in pots. According to the Soothing Company, the art of bonsai is originated in China and later refined in Japan. Bonsai is recognized as an international art form and I was lucky that Soothing Company sent me a bonsai for free. I love that the bonsai they sent me is a Gardenia about 4 years old. It arrived in good condition. The package was neat, perfect and the plant is very healthy. You can visit the Soothing Company and purchase a 6" - 8" gardenia at $40. It is very pretty and I can assure you that it is worth buying for. Gardenia blooms from March to June. My gardenia bonsai is showing buds. I can't wait to see them in full bloom and smell its sweet fragrance.

UPDATE: AFTER ONE WEEK

I was truly amazed to see the buds in bloom and these Gardenia flowers are so fragrant. I suggest that you do not dehydrate the plant and keep it away from direct sunlight. Would I recommend this product? Yes, definitely! Go and check it out.

I received the Bonsai plant for free. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I used personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am not compensated with this post. All opinions are 100% my own.

Scallion in my Garden

Yap! My scallion is growing good. I can use this as garnish in my egg drop soup. We call this in our local dialect as "sibuyas dahonan". Scallions are also called as green onions, spring onions, green shallots,  gibbons, or syboes (sounds like subayas eh ). Scallions are the edible plants of various Allium species. I bought 2 packs of scallion bulbs at WalMart .. on sale at .50 cents. Worth it!

 

Eggplant in my Garden

In tropical climate, eggplant thrives in the garden. One gardener said that eggplant should not be planted in the areas previously planted with tomatoes. The pests and diseases from tomato plant may be harmful to eggplants but, look what I have, a healthy eggplant in my garden.

The other day, there are flea beetles and other tiny insects already occupying the eggplant. I sprayed water and soap to take them away. So far, it works.

Did you know that in North America, eggplant is called the nightshade? Eggplant is a flowering plant known as the aubergine in French and British English, brinjal eggplant, melongene, or guinea squash. A member of the Solanaceae family.

The eggplant or aubergine is widely used in cooking and notably one of the ingredients in ratatouille. Eggplant is related to tomato and the potato. So far, there are two big eggplants in this plant. Looking forward for harvest time.

5 Gardening Basics that You Should Remember

This post brought to you by Scotts Miracle-Gro. All opinions are 100% mine.

For the past days, I have been prepping my backyard to create a relaxing outdoor ambiance. I was also in-and-out to a garden store buying stepping stones for DIY garden project that I have in mind. I bought gardening supplies such as top soil, flowering plants and pavers for one area that I plan to make a flower garden. I love gardening and to show you how I was doing last year, check out my vegetable garden and the produce as well as my flowering plants in bloom. It was amazing that my activity last year includes sustainable gardening for we did not buy calamondin, okra and tomatoes since I planted a vegetable garden.

If you are new to gardening, here are few basic tips that you should remember:

1. Select the right area for planting - When you buy plants in the garden store, you will definitely find comprehensive information on how to grow a specific plant. Some plants thrive in shady area, some needed 8 hours of sunlight so; select the plants that is more likely grow on that condition.

2. Gather your gardening tools - Good and durable gloves are necessary tool in gardening for it protects your hand from blisters and calluses as well as reduces fatigue. It also keeps your hand from getting dirty. A trowel is also important for digging small holes and breaking up earth.

3. Clean and cultivate - Weeds will take over rapidly if you don't clean the area properly. Make sure that you pull the weeds to the roots. Cultivate the soil for it helps control the weeds from thriving and it is a better way to prepare the area for planting.

4. Add top Soil - If you have a sandy type of soil like what we have here in Florida, you need to add a top soil and make sure that you mixed it well.  The growth of a healthy plant depends on the type of soil you have so; make sure that you buy the good soil.

5, Planting - After selecting the plants in the garden store and the area in your yard is ready for planting, it is time to take the plants out from the container and transfer it to the ground.  Don't dig too deep and make sure that you loosen it before you cover with dirt.

Finally, after planting all your favorite plants, it is time to add Scotts Florida Select Natural Eucalyptus Mulch which I truly recommend.  This product will prevent weeds from thriving in your garden and helps conserved soil moisture and moderate the soil temperature. This garden essential is 100% Florida grown Eucalyptus. It is sustainable cypress alternative and grown in Florida.

If you are not living in Florida, check out Scotts Nature Scapes mulch for your landscaping needs. This product comes in 3 varieties of colors, the Classic Black and Sierra Red and my personal choice the Deep Forest Brown. Scotts Nature Scapes mulch is a natural forest product and comes in different textures. You should add this product in your garden to maintain moisture and prevent weeds so you can enjoy a beautiful garden oasis.

Early Spring and Beautiful Blooms

There is indeed beauty in weeds. This is called Virginia Spiderwort or Tradescantia Virginiana which is commonly grown in gardens. It can grow from 1 to 3 feet tall and mostly has purple, blue and white flowers. According to some experts in Horticulture, this is not a weed but, a native plant.

As for the rest of these beautiful flowers below, I have no idea what their names are.

I am no expert in flowers but, when I saw these plants in my yard today, though they are beautiful, I still consider them as weeds.

 
Check out the photo below, I even caught a bee trying to sipped a nectar out of it ... just my wild guess :-) or helping for pollination (wink).
 
This plant is really pretty, check out the flowers, I might cultivate it because the leaves are pretty.
 
Now, this for sure is my least favorite occupant in my garden, the flowers withered easily.
 
This is the only variety in the entire yard, looks like a tiny sunflower.
 
That's all for now friends. I will be posting some of my favorite flowers in my garden next time. I have few in blooms. Thanks for stopping by. Oh, if you know the names of the above plants/weeds/flowers, feel free to share it with us. Thanks and hope to see you again.

American White Ibis in Port St John

Just this afternoon as I was checking the bird bath, I saw these wild birds at the front yard. Few times in a year, these birds wander our neighborhood in flocks of hundreds. My guess, they are separated from the group because they are less than 10 at the yard.

These are American White Ibis and they are just eating and digging on the grass.

After I took the pictures, I saw the birds moved on the next yard just digging in. We live near the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, a 140,000 acre of land which provides habitat for 330 species of birds so; seeing wild birds are ordinary sight for us. I saw gators too but not in our neighborhood though LOL.

Tiny Bird in our Backyard

I was at the dining area and was looking at the backyard when I saw this tiny bird hopping on the stem of my lettuce plant. I love our backyard mainly because the birds hangout the area frequently. Early in the morning, the birds are always there chirping. Hubby plans to buy a bird feeder but was hesitant because the squirrels love to hangout the yard as well. One predator that frequents the yard is a wild cat. The cat loves to sneak around to catch the squirrels and birds.

Anyway, here is the bird again hopping on the grass and eating some seeds.

The bird is on the lettuce stem probably attracted on the seeds at the tip of the stem.

Here in our place, wild birds are ordinary wanderer in the area. I will post another bird on the next post. Thanks for stopping by.

Calamondin in my Garden

In the Philippines, we call this fruit calamansi. From a citrus family, calamansi is a fruit which is widely cultivated in the Philippines. In our dialect, we call it limonsito. Here in the US, they call it Calamondin and sometimes, they call it golden lime, panama orange, chinese orange, acid orange, calamonding, or calamandarin. It was believed to originate in China and spread throughout Southeast Asia, India as well as Hawaii, the West Indies, Central and North America. the photo below is my calamondin plant which I bought at Wal-Mart for $9 and been producing fruits more so often.

Calamansi has white or purplish flowers. Its fruit has a spongy/leathery rind with a juicy pulp that is divided into sections. When I am making a Filipino dip/sauce,a squeezed of calamansi is a perfect addition to taste.