Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Beach House-The Making

We never expected that we can built a house along the beach. The project started some time in 2004 and little by little, it is standing now some meters away from the sea.

THE PLANNING

As far as I can remember, there was really no right plan for that beach house. I was not there when it was started. I just told my Uncle who is a carpenter that I wanted to build a small house with two bedrooms, a kitchen and a living room. That is enough for us to stay especially when we go for a vacation in the Philippines. I never expected that the house was built double-size as really planned. That was also the reason it took us some time to finish it. At least, we don't have a loan or credit for this project.

the ceiling in the living room...the hardwood door with some carvings. most of the windows are sliding.

DOORS and WINDOWS

Since the house is located along the beach, I always wanted sash windows for it especially the ones facing the sea. Since I was not there again during the installation, I did not knew that my brother already decided for sliding glass windows. It looks great anyway and perfect for a house near the water. The doors were all made with hardwoods and I love the carvings on it. Sometimes it is difficult to decide on these things considering the material, style and money.

a view of the beach from our window.

FURNITURE AND FIXTURES

The house is quite furnished now. When I went home last year, I bought a set of dining table, living room set and a bedroom set. It cost some fortune but I am happy and contented now of how the house looks. I still need more furniture but I will buy it in our next vacation there.

HOME DECORS AND ACCESSORIES

Special thanks to my dear brother who takes care of the house. He loves to hang beautiful curtains in all of our sliding glass windows. He also bought some house decors and accessories when I went home last year. Some paintings are already hanging on the walls. Porcelain and crystal decors are also displayed on the living room now.

House in the making. I took this image last 2006. Now, there is already a huge terrace surrounding the house facing the sea. I love it there!

This is where we plan to retire in the future. Until now, there are still some improvements going on. The seawall is still not done. The huge terrace facing the sea still needs some lift and finishing. In one or two years maybe, everything will be in order already. At least, we have a house that we can call our own...a house along the beach..I miss this beautiful place!

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Five Places To Do Gardening for a Living

If you have a green thumb, gardening can be a good profession anywhere in the world. Gardeners work at places where lawns, gardens, and trees need professional care. Depending on the country and season, gardeners and groundskeepers are responsible for garden furniture care, preserving the condition of the soil, and planting, watering, and pruning flowers, shrubs and trees. Often, gardeners are called upon for their creative flair, whether it’s adding garden accessories, decorative garden lighting fixtures, or simply designing a new layout which increases its visual appeal.

Many community residents are frustrated in trying to keep their lawns in good condition due to health issues or difficulties relating to age. After obtaining a relevant work visa (if applicable) start with offering your services to senior citizens in and people who are getting ready to go on vacation. Also, check with local lawn services. Once you have built a good reputation and a small clientele, offer your services to businesses and institutions that have gardens around their buildings, such as:

Resorts and Hotels

In any country you go to, there are always resorts and hotels. These establishments usually have massive grounds which employ gardeners and landscapers to maintain the appearance, health, and condition of grass, flowers and trees.


Apartment Complexes

Villas and apartments hire gardeners and groundskeepers to provide care for grass, trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers.

Housing Developments

Depending on the economic growth of the country you live in, housing developments that exist often employ gardeners to and maintenance of grass, trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers.

Schools and Colleges

Again, there Schools and colleges use gardeners to cut, fertilize and water their lawns.

Churches, Temples, Mosques, Monuments and Cemeteries

These places hire gardeners to take care of lawns and gardens. Often they can involve landscaping and manicuring gardens and flower displays and arrangements.

If you enjoy the outdoors, you can easily turn a gardening hobby into a profession. It is easy to start a gardening business, whether you want to work full-time or just a few hours a week.

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Flower Markets Worth To Visit in Europe

If you love flowers just like me, for sure you also love visiting flower markets. Here are some of the most interesting flower markets to visit in Europe.

1) Neuenheimer Marketplatz in Heidelberg, Germany

This flower market is nestled in Neuenheim, just across the river from Heidelberg. The market is only open twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays. Visitors will want to be at the market soon after it opens at 7 a.m., to get the best selection of flowers. Cameras and picture taking is encouraged, as growers display their wares with beaming pride.


2) Columbia Road Flower Market in London

Columbia Road is a world famous flower market in London. It is open just one day a week, on Sunday mornings and early afternoons. The narrow Victorian street becomes a bustling market of traders, with the shops selling homewares, garden candles and unique, quirky handmade welcome mats. Visitors will want to meander from cart to cart and seek the best deals, before deciding upon final purchases. Be sure to bring a camera along, to capture the dazzling beauty of the fresh flowers that line the street.

3) The Floating Flower Market in Amsterdam

Amsterdam is home to the only floating flower market in the world! It ranks amongst the top must see markets in all of Europe. The floating flower market is located on the Singel Canal and stalls are located in houseboats along the canal. Known for the wide variety of bulbs, the floating market offers tulips and a plethora of other bulbs. The market ships all over the world, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty all year round.

4) Flower Market on the Seine in Paris

The oldest flower market in Paris is located in the shadow of Notre Dame and Saint Chappelle, the famous stained glass chapel. The market lines both sides of the narrow street, and offers a profuse selection of cut flowers, greenery, and potted plants. The ornamental plants hang from baskets and are a blaze of colors and textured foliage. There is no lack of flowers and plant material that can be used to enhance a patio, balcony, or side garden. Cut flowers can be taken back to a place of lodging and enjoyed for the duration of the stay in Paris.

Our backyard also looks like a flower market. My friend who visited us last month told me that our garden is like a flower shop because you can see a lot of flowers around, flower pots and garden decors are scattered everywhere. I am glad that the single garden door we ordered last time was already delivered. I am hoping for our garden terrace to be finished soon.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Interesting Garden and Plant Shows in Europe

Some of these garden and plants shows were already over. Some are still going on and some are about to come. To all nature lovers out there who are traveling in Europe in 2011, you still have the chance to visit some of these garden and plant shows all year long throughout Europe. Thanks to the garden experts for compiling the list below.


1) Floralies Internationales, Geneva, Switzerland

There are still garden and plant shows to visit in Europe as winter approaches. The Floralies Internationales from November 14 to November 23 is held inside the Palexpo Exhibition Centre. The temperatures outside will be between 30 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit but the floral arrangements by exhibitors from all over the world will make it seem like spring inside the Exhibition Centre.

2) Wicklow Gardens Festival, County Wicklow, Ireland

Travelers who want to see gardens in Ireland have a great opportunity to do so during the Wicklow Gardens Festival from April to September. The gardens that can be visited during the festival are not usually open to the public. Ireland’s Heritage Properties are also on display during the festival. Houses and gardens all over County Wicklow can be visited during the festival. Visitors can see Mount Usher Gardens in Ashford and then travel north to see the Powerscourt House and Gardens in Enniskerry. Travelers who go west from Enniskerry will come to Russborough House and its gardens.

3) International Violet Meeting, Toulouse, France

Toulouse is known as the world capital of violets. The “pink city” hosted the International Violet Meeting last February 5 and February 6. Botanists, scientists and violet growers from all over the world came to the city to share their knowledge. People who have no professional connection to the world of violets got a lot from this show. There were exhibitions and other attractions centered around flowers. Admission to the show was free.


4) Holland Flowers Festival, Zwaagdijk-Oost, The Netherlands

Flower lovers had seen many more types of flowers durinr their travel to the Netherlands for the Holland Flower Festival last February 23 to February 27. The show’s venue was filled with hundreds of kinds of tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, narcissus, irises and crocuses. Early bird tickets and group discounts were available for this show

5) Malvern Autumn Garden & Country Show, Malvern, Worcestershire, England

This show in September marks the end of the gardening year and the approach of autumn. Representatives from more than 100 nurseries will have displays here. You can also find garden decors and accessories during the show.

Nature lovers will likely find a plant or garden show to visit in most European countries no matter what time of year they travel to Europe.

Sunday, June 19, 2011

No Signal, No Cellphone

Happy Father's Day to all wonderful fathers out there! I almost forgot to greet you you here. Wishing you all the best of everything and hope that you are having a lovely one today. Of course, I would like to greet most especially my dearest Papa and my hubby for being great fathers! Back to main topic. This is the reason why hubby don't bring all the time his cellphone at work. There is no signal in their workplace most of the time. I also not sure if wilson electronics cell booster can help. I can suggest it to hubby if ever he really needs one.

I can't stay too long here. I am still not feeling 100% good. I hope I will be backed to normal health again soon. This summer influenza is just not good. Take care folks and have a lovely week ahead. Goodnight!

Four Seasons In A Day

Four Seasons In A Day, this is how I call it when we have a crazy weather in a day....rain... sunshine...rain...shine..rain...shine...rain...shine....I can't exactly remember who many times it did happened today. I am very sure that it happened more than five times. This kind of weather in Germany sometimes drives me crazy. You can't do anything outside because it's wet and cold. The worst thing is, I get headache when the weather is like this. I even turned on the heater until now because it gets cold inside the house. The only creatures that are happy during this weather are the plants and flowers in our garden. I see them growing good everyday. Their blooms make my heart smiling. Despite this four seasons weather in a day, some creatures are happy. I guess I'm happy too! Have a lovely week ahead!

the flowers in our garden last summer 2010.

Hubby's Bike Accident

This is the reason why I don't go biking anymore. I used to four years ago. Since hubby's bike accident last 2007, I am already afraid of biking. Due to that accident hubby's ankle was broken and got operated. Weeks after that, it was found out that his right knee was also broken. He got one of those acl braces for sports that he used in his knee. It is very better now but sometimes he is still complaining of pain. The doctor actually suggested for an operation for his knee but hubby decided not to have it. He asked the doctor if he can guarantee that it will be better after the operation, but he answered it is not 100% guaranteed. Hubby said that maybe in the future, when he can no longer bear the pain, he might probably have it operated. Thanks to some medical gadgets like knee braces, hubby's knee is better now.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Welcome to Germany

It's been almost a year now since my friend from the United States visited us. It was her first time in Europe and she wanted to see and explore different countries in this continent. I was quite excited that time when picking her up at Nuremberg airport. It's been a decade since the last time we saw each other. Finally last summer 2010, she finally stepped-on the soil of Germany.

She spent three weeks during her vacation and was able to see seven countries in Europe. I believed she was satisfied during our trip. It was fun, exciting and full of adventure. Anyone wants to go touring with me next time? Just kidding folks.

The arrival/departure information board in Nuremberg International airport last August 2010.

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

Goodbye May, Hello June

The month of May is finally over. I hope that you all had a good month of May. The last day of May was rainy in our place in Bavaria, Germany. There was a strong rain accompanied with strong wind, lightnings and thunders. It was so far the strongest rain I experienced since living in this country. I guess some people were scared during that natural phenomenon. I heard over the radio that it brought some damages in the nearby places.

The sixth month of the year is finally here. The first day of June was quite rainy and cloudy almost the whole day in our place. I never saw sunshine today compared to the past days in May. The rain yesterday and today made our garden happy. I can almost see the plants and the flowers smiling in our garden..wink!

Don't you know that the month of June was named after the Roman goddess Juno? She is the wife of Jupiter, equivalent to the Greek goddess Hera. June is also known as the month of marriages. Some considered it a good luck to get married during this month.

If you are born in June, your horoscope is Cancer and your birthstones are the pearl, the Moonstone (gemstone), and the Alexandrite which means health and longevity. Its birth flowers are the honeysuckle and the rose.

I wish everyone a good start and overall a great month of June.


Here is my yellow rose for all birthday celebrants for the month of June. This is one of the roses in our garden. All the best to all of you!

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