Hubby is so excited about growing a mini vegetable garden. He started with the sili labuyo plant (chili pepper) which I bought from Halamanan sa Pasig last month. I also purchased from them three Bacularis plants which are known for their air-purifying quality.
He got inspired by the siling labuyo plant that he decided to also plant tomato seeds, spring onion stalk, more sili seeds, and later kinchay or Chinese celery.
Update: We have already picked at least eight ripened chilis. Their so small but spicy.
We’ve got tomatoes growing right here. I’m excited about this project. We’ve been planning to have our vegetable garden for so long and it is slowly being realized this year.
Update: The young onion (upper right corner) and the celery (lower right side) died. The tomatoes grew a bit.
Planting is one of the small things that made hubby and me happy these days. It’s something that eases off our stress and worries from day-to-day activities. We are not getting any younger and simple activity like this is beneficial to both our mental and emotional health.Â
My certified plantito hubby. 😀 This batch (of the plant) will serve as a fence right outside our window to secure it from irresponsible neighbors who leave their garbage and whatnot on the sidewalk.
Gift baskets can be the perfect solution for many people on your gift giving list, but you don’t want to give yet another fruit or cheese basket. Surprise your friends and family with gifts that are as unique as they are. Begin by using some of the following suggestions, or use these ideas to spark your imagination.
Photo credit: cutlery-andblade.com
Focus on a Hobby
Hobbies can make terrific theme for a gift basket. For example, if you have a gamer in your life, use a bin that will hold video games as the basket. Fill it with one amazing trinket such as one of the video game swords for sale online. Next, add accessories like HDMI cords, controllers, or collectibles from their favorite game. Finish it off with a gift card to the local gaming retailer.
Give the Gift of a Night Out
Everyone loves a night out, so why not give one in a basket. Start with a large novelty popcorn bowl. Use shredded paper to create a cushion, and then fill it with microwave popcorn and copies of a couple of classic movies. Include a gift card to the local movie theater as well as one for their favorite restaurant.
Add Excitement to an Upcoming Vacation
If you have overheard a friend or family member talking about an upcoming vacation, use that as your gift basket theme. Instead of a basket, use a small travel cooler. Add your shredded paper filler, and then finish with items related to their destination. For example, if they are heading to Walt Disney World, place some guide books inside along with Disney themed candy, hats, sunglasses, and trinkets. Don’t forget the Disney gift card.
Whether you theme a gift basket around a hobby, a night out, or an upcoming vacation, these unique presents will show your friends and family that you listen and care about them. They will be surprised to find a basket filled with special items that you picked out with them in mind.
It is November and now that Halloween has come and gone it is time to plan and get ready for Thanksgiving. The good thing is that Thanksgiving is a somewhat straightforward holidays. I mean, get a nice, big turkey and enough food to feed an elephant army and you are all set. Thanksgiving is not the most complicated holiday out there to plan for, you just need to make sure you execute the cooking properly. Nobody wants a dry turkey, so make sure you plan and cook well-ahead of time! So, since Thanksgiving does not take as much logistical planning as other holidays is it a horrible thought to start planning for Christmas now?
Image courtesy of Stuart Miles at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Some people may think this is an aggressive idea, and starting to plan for Christmas almost two-months before it is here seems unnecessary. At the same time, early November is usually much more calm and easy to manage than the beginning of December. Last year, then, I decided to start shopping and planning for Christmas two months ahead and, let me tell you, it was like a miracle from above. Last year was the most stress-free and enjoyable Christmas I have had in years. I was able to get the vast majority of my shopping done before I even went out to buy all the goodies for Thanksgiving! When December hit, I was able to enjoy decorating the house, hosting caroling parties, and letting the Christmas spirit soak in because all the shopping was already done for. I highly recommend giving it a try this year! Look around online for deals and discounts, like these Groupon Coupons for Eastbay, and start getting your families presents early!
Slow and steady wins the race, they say, so why not dominate the Christmas sprint with a nice, slow marathon? It worked last year and I’m excited to do it all over again this year. The key is to use the slow-moving days of November to your advantage, and skip out on all the crazy rushing of December. You will have more quality time to spend with your family and friends when the warm, holiday spirits kick in.
