Welcome to our home sweet home! I am slowly finding my way back to the joys of planting and its healthy benefits.
There was a time when all I ever did on my spare time was work in the garden. I inherited my mom's green thumb or so I think. The kids used to jokingly say "plants plants plants, mommy so loves her plants plants plants". I even used to dream about my blooms and would hate it when the sun went down or when rain came pouring because I'd have to stop working in the garden. Wherever I went my vision would find delight in staring at petals and green shiny leaves. I would trade plants with fellow plant lovers and even bought several ornamental plants in pots. The hubby complained I was already turning the yard of our first homes (our family house and then theirs) into a forest. Then came smart phones, social networking sites and gadgets that allowed me to share my thoughts online easily! I ceased planting and instead embraced my first love which is writing and in the following months also fell inlove with photography. I spent my work free days going to new places and capturing images. My plants took a backseat. Some withered and some were left under the care of my sister in law when we moved to our house upon a hill.
When we moved here the only plants that the hubby allowed me to take care of were Roses. He wanted a well maintained, manicured lawn with a neat landscape. I have had some mini Roses for several years and Vietnam Roses crawled with our Bermuda grasses.
We also had several Orchids and Bonsais but they did not get much of my attention until recently when my mom in law came to live with us. I was delighted because I had someone to back up my "Variety Garden" plan! Not that the hubby is a tyrant, we just see beauty in totally different perspectives. He is afraid our passion for plants might get out of hand and the yard would turn into a forest and attract snakes LOL. Living at the neck of the woods I think he has a point.
And so there now exists an unwritten rule at home that what we plant has to be something not too huge and leafy like bushes which could be snake friendly. The hubby purchased pots for MIL's orchids which are now hanging on the right side of our porch.
These golden yellow flowers which the hubby used to dismiss now occupy a special area on our pathway. They magically glisten at night!
And I have revived my succulents collection!
Coming home from work today I found the family busy setting up another drift wood for my Orchid gifts from workmates.
Though sleepy and tired I could not help but join the fun! It was a breezy cloudy December noon and the perfect time of the year on my side of the world to garden.
Look who is also a fan of our plants! Our cat who used to love sleeping below our Christmas tree!
I guess he also loves the butterflies and bees and dragonflies that visit once in a while during the day and often in the morning.
Inspired to garden? It is never too late to plant and love gardening again!
Beautiful garden of yours with lots of flowers. Orchids I liked most.
ReplyDeleteNever, ever think that plants take too much of your time. They provide oxygen, beauty and a sense of achievement. I'm in face jealous because I live in an apartment building and I can't have a garden of my own (yet)
ReplyDeleteOh the butterfly and the flowers. A relaxing hobby diba Doc Zen?
ReplyDeletemy mom loves planting as well and to be with plants all day! she would feel very glad and happy living in a bigger space for her plants though. all your plants looks amazing sis! it is a good hobby.
ReplyDeleteI believe that planting more flowers and trees would give you a cooler environment. It is also the best relaxing ways inexpensively. just staring at them soothes us.
ReplyDeleteHow I wish, we are neighbors. Next year, I will devote more time doing Bonsai stuff. Pati si misis.. gagawing kong bonsai. ha..ha..ha...
ReplyDeleteglad you are back to gerdening, Zen, it is a very therapeutic activity and so inspiring to see the miracle of life when a mere branch or seed grow into a beautiful blossoming plant or vegetable! love your photo collage. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's good that apart from performing your medical profession, Dokie you're able to do what you love best- always having a date with nature by gardening. You must have a green thumb, I don't. :-(
ReplyDeleteI love the yellow rose! It looks so special. I'd love to have my own gardener someday (with gardener, of course).
ReplyDeleteGardening for me is a very effective way to de-stress, aside from the flowering plants I also plant herbs that I used in cooking :)
ReplyDeleteI'm jealous that you've gotten results from your gardening. I'd like to grow my own flowers myself, but I don't have a green thumb at all. So I just stick to lifestyle blogging at http://lifestylemanila.com.
ReplyDeleteGorgeous garden, Zen! Watching things grow is really fulfilling and so much joy!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY 2014, my dear!
I love your place and the surrounding Sis :-) The garden looks beautiful too. I like your roses and the cat seems enjoying the garden as well :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm a trying hard gardener myself. I once tried planting eggplants, okra, parsley, basil and so much more and was thrilled that I harvested veggies in my own balcony. Then one time I tried planting all flowering plants. What nice blooms they produced! I'm limited to container gardening only because I live in a high rise and can only plant one season.
ReplyDeleteYou're so lucky you have that luxury.. tilling the soil and surrounding yourself with these beautiful greens and blooms.
I love houses with gardens and plants! It makes the place so alive!
ReplyDeleteI love gardens and plants! They make the place look alive!
ReplyDeleteA house with a garden is what I really call home.
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