#flowers! sunshine! good nourishing food! water!

[flickeringflame216]

Blessings!!

[sproutedlavender]

Summer Bucket List: 59 Activities to do this Summer

If you're looking for some fun activities to do before summer ends, I've got you covered! Here's a post of 59 Activities to do this summer.

1. Wake up early and watch the sunrise

Waking up early can leave you feeling energized for the day ahead. Watching the sunrise can also bring a little more joy into your life, helping to remind you of the beauty of the world around you.

2. Plant a garden

Planting a garden is a great way to connect more deeply with nature and to spruce up your backyard. There are many different types of gardens to choose from, such as flower gardens, vegetable gardens, or herb gardens.

3. Redecorate your backyard

Redecorating your backyard is a great summer activity to keep yourself busy and let your creativity shine through. Having a lovely and welcoming backyard can also encourage you to spend more time outside and reconnect with nature.

4. Declutter your house

Summer is the perfect time to clean out your house. It can feel daunting at first, but decluttering your house can make space for better and brighter things to come into your life. Start with one room and make your way through your home, letting go of old objects and things that are no longer serving you.

5. Donate old clothes

Go through your closet and donate clothes that are too small or that you no longer like. By emptying your drawers and closet of unwanted clothes, you make space to try new styles and fashions, expressing yourself in a new and creative way.

6. Create a new morning routine

Having a positive morning routine can make all the difference between having a good day. When you start your day off right, that positive energy snowballs into the rest of your day, filling your day with good things.

7. Try yoga

When it comes to relaxing and unwinding from a stressful day, yoga is one of the best practices to do so. Yoga is not only a great practice to relax tense muscles, but it also helps you to connect back with the present moment, enjoying all the pleasures that already reside there.

8. Practice meditating

Similar to yoga, meditation helps you to connect back to your body, releasing stress and worries. Yoga can help you to better connect with yourself and is a great tool to help you on your path to self-discovery.

9. Make fruit smoothies

Fruit smoothies are a great way to add more fruits and veggies into your life. These delicious drinks can be made with multiple refreshing fruits and can help to add a healthier boost to your diet.

10. Buy seasonal fruits and veggies

Summer is the best time to stock up on fruits and veggies. Berries are especially popular during this season and are often sweet and refreshing. Maybe try out new fruity desserts or healthy salads with the foods of the season.

11. Stay hydrated by using a water tracker

It’s always important to stay hydrated, but it’s especially important during the hot summer months. Measure your water intake with water trackers to make sure you’re staying healthy and hydrated.

12. Have a pool party

Nothing says summer like a fun pool party. Gather some friends and have a refreshing day at the pool.

13. Go on a picnic

Going on a picnic during the summer is a great activity to do with friends or family. Pack a delicious lunch with seasonal fruits and vegetables and spend the day at a relaxing park.

14. Start a new book series

Starting a new book series can be a great way to keep you occupied and provide you with some relaxing self-care time. When you need some time alone, reading a new book can be a great way to reconnect with your imagination and excitement. Go on new adventures with different characters and learn new things along the way!

15. Go outside and enjoy being in the sun

Summer means sunshine, and there’s nothing better than spending time out in the warm, nourishing sun. Maybe take a book and read on the grass while you soak up that vitamin D!

16. Try a new restaurant

Trying a new restaurant is the perfect way to break out of your old routine and try new foods. If you’re feeling adventurous, try going to a restaurant with a cuisine you’ve never tried before. There are so many different types of foods, you may find your new favorite just around the corner.

17. Try new nature hobbies like hiking or bird watching

Summer is a great time to step out of your comfort zone and try out new hobbies. While it’s easy to get stuck in the same old routine, picking up a new hobby can expose you to new feelings of joy and creativity.

18. Try a new fitness class

Trying out a new fitness class can be a great way to incorporate more exercise into your life. If you enjoy trying different workouts, try something you’ve never done before. Some examples might include, yoga, CrossFit, kickboxing, or even some form of martial arts. This can leave you feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

19. Go to a local food market or food festival

If you enjoy trying new foods, try going to a food market or a food festival. These often provide new types of dishes and foods you may not have tried before, exposing you to new flavors and tastes.

20. Go on a camping trip

Camping is a great way to spend more time outdoors. If you enjoy connecting with nature, try going out to a beautiful camping spot and engaging in fun nature activities. Make sure to take the marshmallows and a good friend to share s’mores with!

Check out the full post on my blog: Summer Bucket List: 59 Activities to do this Summer

[emblematicemblazer]

World building and theories of Engage

In the Elyso universe each kingdom represents one of the four seasons. Firene represents spring. 

The biblical meaning of spring

“That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:3)

Spring is a time for growth, whether it is nature growing in abundance with the right combination of sunlight and rainfall or a person growing spiritually with God's guidance. 

Alear starts their path of growing into the role of divinity in Firene after the loss of Lumera. The seeds of divinity are planted and Alfred is the first friend to start watering it. In Firene Alfred's and Alear's friendship starts to grow as well. Real Veyle is first encountered in Firene as well, and the seeds of friendship are planted. 

Spring also represents new beginnings. Firene is where Alear begins their journey as the Divine Dragon.

Peace is also associated with spring. Firene is a pastoral land not built for the violence of war. 

In the Bible spring rain is an analogy for God's teaching refreshing the mind and nourishing the spirit. Firene is known as a pious country meaning that they are nourished by the teachings and hope provided by the kindness of the Divine Dragon.

Buddhism and spring.

Vesak is a very important festival celebrated in spring. The birth, enlightenment and death of Gautama Buddha is commemorated. It is a colourful celebration where hymns are sung, birds and insects are released to symbolise freedom to those in captivity, and flowers, candles and joss sticks are offered to the Buddhist teacher to symbolise that beautiful flowers soon die and candles soon extinguish. As little harm as possible is undertaken by eating only vegetarian or vegan meals.

Alfred is the beautiful flower that blossoms, sees the joy and good in the world, then soon passes. 

Veyle's appearance in Firene as both real and dragonically enhanced versions relates to the symbol of the bird that needs to be freed. She is adorned with feathers like a bird but cannot fly free while she is tethered to her desire for a father figure. 

Vesak is also a day to bring happiness to others such as the poor, refugees, aged, sick and disabled. Some Buddhists give gifts while others volunteer their time to help others. Firene is described as a  country generous with their charity. 

Hanami

The celebration of Hanami coincides when the Japanese symbol of spring, the cherry blossom, starts to bloom. The festival is celebrated with picnics of traditional foods and sweets as well as sakura (cherry blossom) tea and parties. The myth associated with this festival is about the Shinto goddess of joy, happiness and good health; Uzume.

Amaterau was the goddess of the sun and she went into hiding when her brother killed one of her sacred animals in a jealous rage. He was jealous of her beauty and popularity. Amaterau was so upset that she went into hiding to grieve. While she was grieving, winter ascended upon the land.  It was Uzume's dancing that cheered up the goddess of the sun and ushered in the return of the sunshine after a long winter. 

I like to think that Alfred is Uzume and it is his friendship and personality that helps bring Alear's sunshine to the people of Elyso. 

[megamobilestylesposts]

Your Ultimate Guide to a Refreshing Spring Body Cleanse

Spring is here, and with it comes the perfect opportunity to hit the reset button and rejuvenate from the inside out.

A spring body cleanse is more than a health trend; it's a celebration of renewal that allows you to blossom into the best version of yourself. Join us on this uplifting journey to discover the secrets of a revitalizing spring cleanse, tailor-made for those who are committed to wellness as well as beauty.

What is the Spring Cleansing concept?

Begin this revitalizing journey by understanding the essence of a spring cleanse. It's not just a detox; it's a holistic approach to cleansing your body and mind. Think of it as a new beginning, a chance to let go of the old and make room for the new, just like the flowers blooming outside your window.

In the realm of beauty and wellness, a springtime body cleanse is your passport to glowing skin, increased energy, and a revitalized spirit. It's not about strict diets or extreme measures; it's about embracing a lifestyle that aligns with the rejuvenating energy of the season.

The Importance of Detoxification

Detoxification isn't just a buzzword; it's your body's natural way of hitting the refresh button. When spring arrives, your body craves a more intentional detox to shake off the sluggishness of winter. Think of it as a spring cleaning for your internal systems, allowing you to enter the season with a newfound vibrancy.

Feeling a little sluggish lately? Maybe your body is signaling that it's time for a cleanse. Common signs include fatigue, bloating, and skin issues-all indicators that your body is ready to reap the benefits of detoxification. Let's explore how a spring cleanse can kick-start your journey to a healthier, more radiant you.

Foods for Spring Body Cleanse

Spring is a season of abundance, and your plate should reflect the vibrant colors and flavors that nature provides. Dive into a bounty of nutrient-dense foods that not only taste delicious, but also support your body's natural cleansing mechanisms.

Leafy Greens: Spinach, kale, and collards are packed with chlorophyll, which is known for its detoxifying properties.

Berries: Packed with antioxidants, berries help fight free radicals and promote skin health.

Cruciferous Vegetables: Broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts support liver function, a key player in detoxification.

The key to a successful spring cleanse is to include foods that nourish your body while helping to eliminate toxins. It's about nourishing your body with goodness and making nature's bounty a part of your daily wellness ritual.

Herbs for Spring Body Cleanse

As you embark on your spring cleanse, hydration takes center stage. Water is your body's best friend, flushing out toxins and keeping your skin glowing. But why stop at plain water when you can infuse your routine with the magic of herbal teas?

Green Tea: Known for its antioxidant properties, green tea helps your body detox.

Dandelion Tea: A natural diuretic, dandelion tea helps flush out excess fluids and toxins.

Peppermint Tea: Soothing to the digestive system, peppermint tea aids in digestion and adds a refreshing twist to your cleanse.

Hydration doesn't have to be boring; it can be a delightful part of your spring wellness journey. Sip on herbal teas, infuse your water with citrus slices, and let your taste buds dance with delight.

Physical activities for Spring Body Cleanse

Your spring cleanse goes beyond the kitchen-it's time to get moving. Spring invites you to get outside, embrace the sunshine, and engage in activities that not only benefit your body, but also align with the energetic vibes of the season.

Outdoor walks: Take your exercise routine outside and enjoy the blooming flowers and fresh air.

Nature yoga: Find a quiet spot and practice yoga amidst the beauty of spring.

Light Workouts: Choose activities like biking or jogging that get your heart rate up without taxing your body.

Exercise is a form of celebration-a way to thank your body for its resilience. As you engage in physical activity, imagine yourself shedding the cocoon of winter and embracing the lightness of spring.

Mindful Practices for Spring Body Cleanse

A spring cleanse goes beyond the physical; it's an opportunity to cleanse the mind and reduce stress. Incorporate mindfulness practices to create a harmonious balance between body and mind.

Mindful Breathing: Take moments throughout the day to take deep, intentional breaths.

Meditation: Spend a few minutes each day meditating to promote mental clarity and calm.

Nature Connection: Spend time in nature, whether it's a walk in the park or sitting by a tree-let the beauty of spring soothe your soul.

Stress can interfere with the body's natural detoxification processes. By incorporating mindfulness practices, you create a calm space for your body to release tension and embrace the transformative energy of spring.

Conclusion

As you finish your spring cleanse, take a moment to celebrate the journey you've made. You've nourished your body with whole foods, embraced movement, practiced mindfulness, and pampered yourself with luxurious rituals. Spring has arrived not only in nature, but also within you, revealing a more vibrant, energized, and radiant version of yourself.

And as you navigate the beauty of this season, remember that MOBILESTYLES is here to support your ongoing journey. Our platform connects you with skilled beauty professionals who can enhance your glow, whether through rejuvenating facials, soothing massages, or expert skincare advice. Step into a new level of beauty and wellness with MOBILESTYLES - where wellness meets convenience.

[bethestaryouareradio]

Stock Up and Rose Pruning!

By Cynthia Brian 

 “It’s the time that you spent on your rose that makes your rose so important…People have forgotten this truth, but you mustn’t forget it. You become responsible forever for what you’ve tamed. You’re responsible for your rose.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

 After three weeks of tumultuous torrents, we have exhaled a communal sign of relief with the respite of sunshine and dry days. Standing water is thankfully penetrating the soggy soil as storm clean-ups are underway. The freezing night temperatures combined with gale-force winds have caused citrus to fall to the ground. Make sure to pick up the fruit to use as soon as possible, and refrigerate whatever is not damaged. Mushrooms are sprouting in unlikely places. Unless you are a mycologist or are certain that the fungi are edible, do not touch them, as numerous mushrooms are deadly poisonous.

 Hopping into the Year of the Rabbit, heavy pruning of my roses, and ongoing weeding are on my agenda this month as well as dormant spraying of the fruit trees. Since it is cold, damp, and dreary, I find myself in the kitchen creating comfort foods that nourish the body and warm the spirit. 

 During the winter, my potager prides itself on growing arugula, lettuce, nasturtium, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, Swiss chard, beets, carrots, parsley, fennel, onions, chives, and numerous herbs and edible flowers including mint, oregano, rosemary, calendula, peppercorns, lemongrass, and bay. I am an apostle for “no waste” meal preparations. Except for any woody stems that go to the compost pile, all parts of produce are used in culinary creations. With peelings, tops, and scraps, I make a rich, nutritious, and tasty vegetable stock. There is no set recipe as the bits and pieces are always changing, apart from the allium family (garlic and onions), which are critical to every batch. The finished stock becomes a base for soups, sauces, stews, and spaghetti.  

 Before you begin to experiment with making your homemade stock, be aware that leaves of potatoes, tomatoes, and rhubarb are poisonous, especially if ingested in large quantities. Do not use them in your preparations. Toss them in the compost pile.

 Making Stock:

Sauté onions, garlic, leeks, or shallots in olive oil. Chop up any fresh or wilted vegetables you have, including leafy tops and green stems. The ends of carrots, turnips, parsnips, pieces of peppers, peppercorns, and any vegetable you have on hand will do. Place the vegetables in a large pot filled with boiling water. Add whatever herbs you wish along with the sautéed onion and garlic mixture. If you want a meat broth, add meat or bones. Simmer until the mixture reduces, the longer, the better. Add wine for extra flavor. Season to taste if desired and strain when completed. Use your stock immediately or freeze the extra. Stock can be made in a slow cooker if you don’t have time to watch the stove, or it can be made in a pot in the oven with a temperature set at 250 degrees. Once you start making homemade stock, you won’t want to buy boxed or canned stock again. Making stock is a fantastic way to use up veggies in your refrigerator that may be past their prime, but still good. Mushrooms, celery, fennel, and ginger always offer an extra zing. It’s fun to experiment with your creativity. Stock up!

 Pruning Roses:

Although my numerous rose bushes continued to be prolific bloomers throughout the holiday season, the nine atmospheric rivers and the frigid nights contributed to the demise of new buds. As a Northern California gardener, I have always performed a heavy pruning of my roses in late January or early February. I always detest having to prune flowering plants, procrastinating as long as possible. Because of the storms, this February is the opportune month to heavily prune your roses before the new growth begins, allowing you to shape the bushes while the plant is dormant and prevent the spreading of any disease.

 Before you begin pruning, cut any buds or blooms for a final flush of flowers for an indoor bouquet. If you are growing Chinese Fringe flowers, add sprigs of it to your arrangement for a pop of cotton candy pink or a few stems of early blooming daffodils for a sunny smile. When pruning, wear gloves and always use sharp, clean tools to make clean cuts: secateurs, loppers, and saws. Sterilize often between bushes. Pruning with a hedge trimmer can be very effective to shape the larger shrub roses or big groups of one variety, but not recommended unless you have a very large number of plants. Begin by removing any dead, diseased, damaged wood, or leaves. Remove canes that are crossing or rubbing against each other, as well as weak steams or canes that are growing from the base of the bush. These canes won’t produce many blooms and may crowd out healthier growth. To stimulate new growth, open the center of the bush.

 Next, thin out the remaining canes, selecting the strongest and most vigorous canes. Keep only five to seven per plant and cut them back to approximately twenty-four inches. Ideally, make the pruning cut above an outward-facing bud and at a slight angle to encourage the new growth to emerge in the desired direction.  This is not crucial and won’t harm the rose if ignored, but it is best practice. 

 After pruning, remove any remaining attached leaves, and clean up the cut stems and debris around the base of the bush to prevent diseases and pests. Mulching and fertilizing will occur in spring. 

 It has been my experience that by pruning by early February, my rose garden begins its delightful display of gorgeous new blooms by late March. It only takes a bit of care and attention to love and tame our roses. As Antoine de Saint-Exupéry so exquisitely explains, we are responsible for what we’ve tamed.

 Happy Gardening. Happy Growing. Happy February. Celebrate the Year of the Rabbit!

 Photos and more: https://www.lamorindaweekly.com/archive/issue1625/Digging-Deep-with-Goddess-Gardener-Cynthia-Brian-Making-stock-and-pruning-roses.html

Substack: https://cynthiabrian.substack.com/p/rose-pruning-and-stock-up

Raised in the vineyards of Napa County, Cynthia Brian is a New York Times best-selling author, actor, radio personality, speaker, media and writing coach as well as the Founder and Executive Director of Be the Star You Are!® 501 c3. Tune into Cynthia’s StarStyle® Radio Broadcast at www.StarStyleRadio.com. Her newest children’s picture book, No Barnyard Bullies, from the series, Stella Bella’s Barnyard Adventures is available now at www.cynthiabrian.com/online-store  For an invitation to hang out with Cynthia for fun virtual events, activities, conversations, and exclusive experiences, buy StarStyle® NFTs at https://StarStyleCommunity.com  Hire Cynthia for writing projects, garden consults, and inspirational lectures. Cynthia@GoddessGardener.com  https://www.GoddessGardener.com

[elvendara]

Into the Woods

A new Yooran fanfic

Fall was his favorite season. He walked in the woods enjoying the cooling breeze that played with his long golden locks. Amethyst eyes noted each and every change, these were his woods after all. Yoosung felt at peace as he helped guide the new season. Living alone the past few hundred years had left him a bit lonely, but he had the vegetation to occupy him and the friendship of the many animals that resided in his woods. People sometimes wandered in, but eyes that could not see, slid right off him and his simple home.

A shot rang out, reverberating through the air. The animals scattered, understanding the danger such a weapon encompassed. Yoosung’s jaw clenched, dropping the flowers he had been harvesting before they became dormant for the upcoming winter, he ran towards the sound. Although it rang all around him, his attunement to his forest made it easy to feel where the disturbance was happening. The woods parted for him easily, allowing him to make haste without hinderance. A huff and a low whine stopped him in his tracks. There was a rustling of underbrush as Yoosung watched. He stepped forward slowly, reaching out to the life around him, ready to strike if need be. Raised voices began to shout from the north, but Yoosung’s attention was all on what lay beyond the brush.

He pushed the tall grass aside and was stunned to find a rather large reddish brown wolf laying on it’s side. A huge wound on its belly. Something metallic shone around the edges of the wound. Not a wolf. A werewolf. Of course. The poor thing was trying to heal, but the silver prevented that from happening. He gingerly walked through the brush to the beast’s side. The massive wolf’s head snapped up and bit the air right in front of Yoosung. The blonde stood his ground and made shushing noises. This was not a regular animal, he would not be able to soothe him with his magic. The mint green eyes that looked at him were panicked and terrified. He continued to growl but Yoosung could see that he was losing strength fast.

“Hush now, I can help you.” He cajoled.

Having spent the last of its energy, the wolf collapsed, passing out, and the wound began to ooze more freely. He was losing a lot of blood. Yoosung did what he could, but even for him, the silver made it difficult to completely heal the wound. As he watched, the wolf began to change. The form of a man now lay in the underbrush, his reddish hair plastered to his forehead. The voices were getting louder and he knew he had to move fast. He asked the forest to hide the passage of the wolf and slow the pursuers. The existence of the silver meant these hunters knew what their prey.

He scooped the man into his arms and retreated to his home. There was no trace left in his wake, Yoosung was one with the woods, and as such, he was indistinguishable from the foliage. Where he tread, there was no disturbance left. He lay the man on his bed and covered his nakedness. Making sure he was still breathing and as comfortable as he could make him, Yoosung began to work on a mixture that would leach out the silver so the werewolf’s healing ability could work to full effect. What Yoosung had done would only delay the inevitable.

Mumbling to himself he set to work. It did not take long to finish and he quickly plastered the concoction on the wound, watching as the greenish substance turned lighter and lighter, once there was no more color change, Yoosung knew it had done it’s work. He wiped away the paste and watched in fascination as the wound closed on its own. The man’s labored breathing eased, and he fell into a peaceful sleep.

Knowing how taxing the healing was to the body, Yoosung prepared to wait at least two days before the man woke. He made sure to give him some sustenance, especially water. Thankfully, the man swallowed with no difficulty. He wiped his brow and wondered at the beauty of his eyes, wanting desperately to see them open once more. He chided himself, taking advantage of a man exhausted and injured for his own visual pleasure. Sure, it had been too long since he had had any meaningful companionship, but wasn’t that the reason he had left society behind? It had been too hard to watch those he loved live and die while he stayed the same. With a sigh he left the man’s bedside, it wouldn’t do to entertain those thoughts.

2 days later

Saeran’s eyes sprang open, above him there was a thatched roof and sunlight streamed in from a window by the bed he lay in. The bed, it felt strange, not like a mattress at all, there were areas that scratched at his skin. He blinked and looked around. The room was small with a doorway that appeared to lead into a kitchen of sorts. The blanket over him was heavy and appeared to be some kind of animal skin. Where the hell was he? He suddenly remembered the hunters and the sting of being hit. He threw the blanket off and looked in astonishment at the healed skin where the wound should have been.

“You’re awake! Good, how are you feeling?”

Saeran tried to stand up at the surprising voice but he immediately fell back onto the hard bed, his head dizzy and his stomach growling at him in dissatisfaction.

“Hold on, you’re weak. Your body had to do a lot work, you need to rest. I imagine your starving as well.” Saeran stared at the blonde. Something familiar about him. Then he remembered.

“You…in the woods.” His voice was scratchy from disuse and dehydration. The blonde’s eyes widened as he smiled. That smile was beyond brilliant, brighter than the sunshine filtering into the room.

“I am glad you are well.”

“Who…who are you?” Saeran asked, unable to take his eyes off of the man. He was grateful for the help, maybe that was why he was so enthralled.

“My name is Yoosung.”

“Where are we?” Saeran peeled his gaze from the man and looked around, casting his mind towards anything to keep from wondering what those rosy lips tasted like. The smell, it was overwhelming, he could feel himself salivating. He wanted desperately to bite the man’s…Yoosung’s…neck.

“This is my home, the center of the forest. You were lucky I wan near, I don’t usually walk too close to the edge. But let me get you some nourishment first, you must be starving.”

Saeran couldn’t argue with that, his stomach felt like it was beyond empty. Shriveled up and dying. He watched the blonde, his wavy hair dancing as he walked. He tried to stand up when he lost sight of him when he made a right turn through the doorway, but he fell back once more. The wound might be healed, but his body was still paying that price. Yoosung was right, what he needed was rest, and lots of it, and food.

Yoosung was back with a large tray of food, meat, lots and lots of meat. Now Saeran was salivating for an entirely different reason. His stomach learched and all his senses went numb as he dug into the fair. Yoosung laughed and jumped back, afraid the man would take his fingers as a snack.

After a few minutes, and his stomach beginning to calm down, Saeran looked up at Yoosung who still stood in front of him. He felt like an animal, forgoing the utensils on the tray and eating with his hands. He took the cloth on the tray and wiped his mouth and hands.

“I apologize.” He began. Yoosung waved the apology away.

“No no. No need to apologize, I quite understand.” He sat next to Saeran and placed his hands on his lap.

“You know what I am?” Saeran asked quietly.

“Of course, although I must admit, it has been a while since I’ve seen a werewolf. By the way, may I know your name?” he asked.

“Oh, yes, uh…Saeran…and…thank you for everything, how did you…I mean…”

“The silver? I have a remedy for that. It’s nice to meet you formally Saeran.”

“You too…Yoosung…” his green eyes traveled up and down Yoosung’s body, his appetite sated, his other growing need began to take over. He swallowed hard and looked away, but not before noting that Yoosung had understood what that gaze had meant. He didn’t look offended by it, in fact, he looked amused. Had he ever been with a werewolf before? Was that something he was allowed to ask? He tried to clear his senses, but the smell coming off of Yoosung was confusing. Was he aroused? It seemed likely, but there was something else as well. He smelled different than any other human he had ever encountered. There was also an attraction to him that Saeran had never felt before. It wasn’t visual, it had to do with the smell! The fucking smell! He wanted to plug his nose but didn’t want to offend Yoosung.

“Is there something wrong?” Yoosung asked.

“No, nothing, it’s just…I’m tired again. I should get some sleep.” He was indeed tired, his body was still stressed and needed rest. He was thankful for that excuse. Maybe with some privacy, he could figure out what was happening to him, and what was suddenly wrong with his sense of smell.

“Certainly. I shall take this and leave you to rest. I placed a pitcher of water by the bed, make sure you drink plenty. Call out if you need anything, I will hear you.” Yoosung took the tray and walked out, leaving Saeran alone. Suddenly he felt empty and cold, the warmth having left his side. He desperately wanted it back.

[blogelliejanew]

A Day in the Dorm

           Life as a college student is pretty different from what it was last year. Campus life is no longer filled with nights of s’mores and campfires, or trivia nights and sleepovers. Covid has brought about many changes in an already stressful time in my life. Now when I am stressed about classes and finals I also need to worry about a global pandemic! However, I am learning the lesson that all people must learn eventually: how to cope and adapt to the situation around me.

I wake up in the morning after hitting the snooze button about four times, check my phone to see if I can sneak anymore sleep time in, and then I finally roll out of bed. Classes are all online, so there’s not much I need to do to get ready, but the morning feels officially started after I open the blinds and water my plants. The natural light and the fresh air nourishes my windowsill garden and me

  Since all my classes are on zoom, I do not have much reason to leave my dorm room, but I believe that outdoor time is crucial to staying sane, so, as often as I can, I ask a friend to sit in the grass with me. It is calming to be able to read and study outside, to feel the sunshine and the wind. Something about nature makes textbooks more tolerable.

 After sitting outside for a couple hours, I’ll come back, grab some lunch and let my mind relax. There are several hobbies that I enjoy when I want to unwind.  Recently, I have been on an embroidery hit.  The repetitive motions of the needle and thread lets my brain melt away.   I do not have to think too hard about the activity and I can multitask and watch TV, listen to music, or talk with friends while I embroider.

My most recent project is embroidering flowers on a pair of my jeans. That is the other nice thing about embroidery, I never have to worry about chocolate stains on my pants anymore!

After my brain refuels, it is back to school for me! If I am lucky to have another break from our zoom classroom, then I’ll settle myself in, put on some music, and tackle the huge list of assignments that is already piling up. I am naturally a forgetful person, so keeping track of assignments and readings is a bit of a struggle for me. Luckily my friend has encouraged me to be more organized, and following her lead I have been using my google calendar, and journaling to help me stay on task throughout the day.  I make to-do lists and get to feel the satisfaction of crossing them all off. I also jot down everytime I exercise or water my plants so I can hold myself accountable for getting things done. Another nice aspect of journaling is that I can make lists for my future goals and look back at them when I need inspiration to be productive; I want to pass the semester with good grades, I am going to have to pause netflix and start studying.

  As great as the dining hall food is, there comes a time when one has to mask up and venture out to get dinner from the off-campus world. Greensburg has a ton of local mom and pop restaurants that have been hit by the pandemic and need support. We did not have to drive too far to find a fantastic chinese restaurant that does take out.  

 With our tummies rumbling, my roommate and I were happy to face the rain to pick up our mouth-wateringly delicious food.  As for the rain, we are both from Pittsburgh, so we are very used to the fat raindrops and rolls of thunder.  Storms are just part of the Pittsburgh culture, and no raindrop could keep us from our fried rice and egg rolls!

Of course, no college day would be complete without an unscheduled evening run to Walmart. I would say about once a week one of my roommates or I suddenly need something very random that is strangely crucial to whatever task we are doing, and that is when we all load into the car and head off to the closest superstore, Walmart. Be it animal crackers or toilet plungers we have relied on this giant store to save us from whatever predicament we find ourselves in.  It also helps that it is right next to several fast food restaurants! So after doing our shopping and ordering some nuggets, we all drive back to campus with the sun setting behind us and sing along to our favorite songs, and for that moment we do not have to worry about the stress of school or the pandemic.

[alandofhoneyedfruits]

where wild flowers are roaming free [Master Attendant/Toso]

[live-fully-alive]

How to take care of yourself seasonally

💞☀️🍁☃️🌸🌾💞

Summer☀️🌻🥀🌳🎆

Vitamin D, beach trips and hikes, growing produce/herbs and harvest, late nights stargazing, fireworks, baseball games, loud cicadas in the heat of day that you can't ignore, swimming in the pool or just sunbathing, long days, smells of mown grass or tropical things, bees buzzing, everything is loudly alive. Whatever you do during summer, this is a season to live fully and unapologetically, and finally rest in the warmth.

June - July - August: What is ripe?

- Green beens/Snap bean (June - Sept)

- Peaches, Watermelon, Cantaloupe (July)

- Sweet corn on the cob (July - Aug)

- Zucchini (May - July)

- Peppers (July - Oct)

- Blueberries (July - Aug)

- Raspberries (July - Sept)

This is a great time to find recipes that are light on the stomach or cool you down! Enjoy all the fruit! In the summer people eat a lot of tropical tastes, avocado, and seafood.

June - July - August: Ways to get moving~

- Make a day/weekend beach trip and play in the waves, go biking along the water, go on a beach hike, (or if you have money for it go all out and pay to go scuba diving, rent a boat for fishing, or do ocean parasailing)

- Swimming in your local (or a friend's 😉) indoor or outdoor pool

- Mowing your lawn with a push mower (be careful of the heat, though!)

- Work in your (or a community) garden

Other self care ~

- Let this be a season to really enjoy the warmth and how it is easier on your body.

- Remember sunscreen in this season while you soak in the sun and get vitamin D! 🌞

Fall🍂🍁🌄🌫️🎃🍵

A time of grilling outside in the cooler air, football season for those who watch, camping, fall leaves, crisp air, colorful hikes, raking up leaves and cleaning the yard before the winter, finishing the harvest season, apple picking, warm cooking with loads of spices to keep you warm. This envigorating season gets our hearts pumping and has us thinking about what and who we are thankful for.

September - October - November: What's ripe?

- Raspberries (July - Sept)

- Peppers (July - Oct)

- Zucchini (Oct - Dec)

- Grapes (Aug - Oct)

- Pumpkins (Sept - Oct)

- Apples (Aug - Nov)

- Cranberries (Sept - Nov)

With all the fall spices and fresh produce, spend time finding healthy, delicious recipes that are are full of flavor and keep you warm.

September - October - November: Get Moving~

- Go pick your own pumpkins from a pumpkin patch. Get lost in a corn make while you're out. (Bonus points if you take your pumpkins home to carve them yourself)

- Go hiking! Breathe the fresh air and see the colorful trees (the last weekend in October and first weekend of November are the best times to see them in the NC mountains)

- Go on a day trip to pick apples 🍎 (drink some cider!)

- Visit the fair (but don't get sick off the fair food)

- Visit a vineyard and walk the land

- Go camping

- Fall cleaning - Throw away clutter and clean the yard before the winter hits.

Other self care ~

- Start to take notice of the people and things you truly love and are thankful for. Some people even like to keep a gratitude journal to train their brain to notice those things more.

- Cold and flu prevention is important in this season. So wash your hands, drink plenty of water, and take your vitamins.

- Bake! This is as much about nourishing your body with good nutrition as it is about reveling in traditions and nostalgia.

- As the days get shorter and colder, soothe yourself. Get cozy clothes and have your favorite teas, coffee, or warm drinks. Then curl up with a good book or movie.

- Volunteer: As this becomes the season of giving, take time to give to others in a new way! Maybe it will be something you continue to do!

Winter ☃️🍵🌲🎁❄️

A time to turn inward and become a little more introspective.

December - January - February: What's ripe?

- Citrus (Dec - May)

- Things that store well such as root vegetables (carrots, potatoes, turnips, etc)

- Winter squash (Sept - Dec)

- Kale (Oct - Dec)

Winter can be the best time to cook! Take time to find delicious recipes that are healthy and warm during this time.

December - January - February: Fitness

- Winter sports! Downhill and cross country skiing, ice skating, sledding, ice fishing

- Enjoying the snow: Building a snowman, go on a walk to see the fresh snow, make a snow angel, building a snow fort, or having a snowball fight

- Indoor activities such as indoor soccer or volleyball, swimming at an indoor pool, hot yoga, indoor gym or fitness classes

- Go walking at the mall to avoid the cold.

- Take a dance class or just go dancing (salsa? swing?)! Winter is the season that has Valentine's Day after all! 💃💃

- Lastly, due to the new year starting in this season, this is a great time to re-vamp your fitness routine or well-being goals! Anytime is a good time to start over, but there is a lot of excitement about doing that during this season and it might just be the motivation you need!

Other self care ~

- Lungs are very important in the dry, cold winter months. Warm showers (or splurging and going to a sauna) is great for the lungs.

- This is also a good time to fill up with antioxidants due to the easy access to in-season citrus, well-storing carrots, and ripe kale (*Vitamin C and zinc are great for the immune system, important during the cold and flu months!)

- Treat yourself to indoor fun like going to the movies with a friend or visiting a museum. Read books and be cozy.

- Let this be a time of introspection, self forgiveness, and self care. Get cozy inside and watch all those Christmas or sappy Valentine's movies. 💅😄

Spring🌷🌷🌸🌱☔

If winter wasn't, this is the season of new starts as life begins again! This is a time of hope, baby animals, colorful flowers, spring cleaning inside and out as you start afresh, planting for the year and the spring produce!

March - April- May: What's ripe?

- Strawberries (May)

- Peas (May)

- Lettuce (Apr - June)

March - April- May: Get moving ~

- Spring cleaning - inside your house, and in your yard

- Plant your outdoor (or indoor) garden. Choose what you want to grow, dig up the dirt, and plant.

- Go biking. The spring weather is perfect for that!

- Go camping.

- Playing tennis or going on a gentle walk is incredibly healing in this season, when your body is craving sunshine and Vitamin D.

Other self care ~

- Bring the flowers inside by buying yourself flowers! If you can't plant a garden, plant some herbs by your window or buy a houseplant! 🌱

- Spring cleaning doesn't just have to be of your house or yard. It can also be of your time, your habits, and your relationships. 'Unfollow' those people you never talk to, don't spend time where you don't need to or it is not helping you, decide who stays in your life or who doesn't, declutter your life. 💕

[santmat]

Moon Verses -- Mystic Verses Mentioning the Moon and Moons of Inner Space -- Sar Bachan Radhaswami Poetry

Those who have developed such a love for the guru (as that of chakor-bird for the moon) are the gurumukhs [disciples, devotes], and they are accepted by the guru as his own.

Radhasoami has steered my boat across the ocean of bhau (manas and Maya, mind and matter); I am now deeply in love with my guru, Radhasoami. I am like the chakor-bird enamoured of the moon, while Radhasoami is the moon par excellence.  If I am the lotus, Radhasoami is the sun (whose rays make the petals of lotus open out which close up again when the sun sets.)

Radhasoami Himself is ever present (omnipresent), whether it is day or night (i.e. He looks after His disciples every moment whether he is in distress or in delight); Radhasoami is there to redeem him every instant and in all parts of day and night. Radhasoami is the sunshine; He is the shade. Radhasoami is the sun and He is the moon (i.e. He is the headspring and He is the spring also).

Radhasoami is japa and He is the silence. He is the vision of the eye; He is the feeling of the heart. Radhasoami is inside of the jiva; He is also outside him. He is in the evanescent; He is in the evident (paroksh and pratyaksh). Radhasoami is in the firmament; He is in the terra firma.

O Lord! If I am body, you are the life-breath; without you there is just no hope of living. If you are the cloud, I am like a peacock which screams at the mere sight of cloud. If I am a bulbul, you are a bed of roses; if I am a qumri, you are a cypress tree of unsurpassed beauty. You are like a moon while I am like a dark night; it is from you that I have sheen and shine. When from the Ocean of Love (i.e. you) a wave surges, it washes away myriads of delusions and illusions. The habitat of lust and wrath has been desolated and ruined; all hopes, mental inclinations and urges (mansha) depart from the body and mind.

Those who fail to gain access to the Satguru keep to delusion and remain ensnared in the trap of this phenomenal realm (bhau-jaar). As for me, I have found the Satguru (of the time) and I sacrifice myself to him. I keep my gaze fastened upon him as the red-legged partridge enamoured of the moon, keeps on gazing at the moon fixedly, in wonder and admiration.

If I am like food, Radhasoami is like the salt (without which the food is tasteless and good for nothing); if I am a seedling (ankur), Radhasoami is like the breeze (that refreshes and nourishes the seedling). If I am like a star, Radhasoami is the sky (where the star shines and twinkles). If I am like water lily or asphodel or daffodil (kumodini), Radhasoami is like the moon (which enables it to bloom and blossom with white or yellow flowers). It is by the grace of Radhasoami that I started moving upward from my being (ghat); I obstinately cling fast to the feet of Radhasoami.

I never divulge the secret of Radhasoami to anyone; I know that without Radhasoami, I will be carried away by torrential waters into the midstream of the tumultuous ocean of this world. Radhasoami has taught me to cling to shabd as an adornment; Radhasoami is the moon that knows no eclipse. In the company of Radhasoami, one doesn't suffer any pain or affliction, or grief or gloom, but in His company one always feels happy, gleeful and cheerful.

I am the hot favourite of my darling Lord Radhasoami, so that now my surat reached the midstream of Gagan (Arsh-i-Bareen, Trikuti or Pranava). Inside of me, a vast stretch of moonlight opened up and became resplendent. My surat thus keeps on soaring higher and higher, time and again so that I opened ajar the stone-like shutters of Sunn. Reaching there I feel lightened of the heavy burden (heavy covers of mind and matter) which were spirited away (carried off mysteriously and secretly).

Radhasoami Himself (in the form of Sant Satguru) has deepened our understanding of Radhasoami Name and faith; Radhasoami Himself has given us the right comprehension (the act and the capacity to perceive and understand) of Radhasoami mystery. Radhasoami Himself is the (ultimate) sun and Radhasoami Himself is the ray (i.e. the entire creation that emanates from that sun); Radhasoami is the Ocean (of Love and spiritual zest, i.e. anshi); Radhasoami is also the drop (i.e. the ansh or the jiva surat). Radhasoami is the moon; Radhasoami Himself is the moon-kala (moon-beam, the moonlight and moonshine and all its phases of waning and waxing, rotation and revolution). Radhasoami is the akash (gagan) and He Himself is the akashvaani.

Radhasoami is the earth; He is the water. Radhasoami is the fire; He is the air. Radhasoami is the three (gunas); He is the four (ingredients of antehkaran – mind, attention, intellect and ego). Radhasoami is the One (Satt Purush Radhasoami Anami); Radhasoami is the two (blue current of Brahman and yellow current of Adya or Maya).

Radhasoami Himself is the seven (seven spheres viz. Sahasdal Kanwal, Trikuti, Sunn, Bhanwar Gupha, Sattlok, Alakh and Agam; or the seven apertures – two of the ears, two of the eyes, two of the nose, and one of the mouth); Radhasoami is the twenty (i.e. the five sensory and five motor organs and their ten presiding deities).

Radhasoami is the One Thousand (Sahasdal Kanwal) and the Tenth (Dwar, i.e. Sunn). Radhasoami Himself pervades the bluish corner or the third til (sixth ganglion); He Himself is in the white plain of Sunn (between the third til and Sahasdal Kanwal). He is in Sahasdal Kanwal; He is the Aumkara (in Trikuti) and Rarang (in Sunn). He is Sohang (Anahoo) in Bhanwar Gupha; He is the Satt (Haq) in Sattlok (Hoot). Radhasoami is Alakh (Invisible), Agam (Inaccessible), and Radhasoami (in the form of Sant Satguru) is Himself Radhasoami, the Supreme Lord.

Radhasoami Himself (as Sant Satguru) reveals the majesty and magnificence of Radhasoami (Anami); Radhasoami (as Sant Satguru) adulates and adores Radhasoami (the Supreme Lord). Radhasoami Himself puts across (lakhayen) the essence (sar) of Radhasoami; Radhasoami Himself (as the perfect guru) makes us love Radhasoami.

Develop and activate that love and longing for the Satguru as the fish has for the current of water and as the red-legged partridge (chakor) has for the moon, at which it looks fixedly; develop that trust in him which would illuminate and light up your inner self. But then none of this can be attained without the required luck without which one remains helpless; and yet this luck can be possible only with the grace of the guru. In short, Radhasoami has spelt out the sum and substance of this spiritual technique; as it is, develop love for his feet.

I listened to the sounds of bell and conch-shell and witnessed the moon, the sun and the stars. Then I opened ajar the gate of the Crooked Tunnel, and ascending to Trikuti I heard the unstruck sound revealed by the guru, namely AUM. Here I saw the sphere (mandal) of the sun and the fountainhead from which sprang the Vedas; I discerned part of the syllable OM which is the root of this creation as launched by the Trinity of Vishnu (A), Shiva (U), and Brahma (M).

Then I mounted to the top of Sunn (Sphere of Spirit) where the stirring sound of Rarang is resonant; this rendered Maya (matter) and Kaal (mind) somnolent (inert, drowsy and lethargic). There the white full moon blooms like a flower and there I drank the ambrosia of the mental lake (Mansarovar, the focus or reservoir of spirituality which is directly below the seat of Akshar Purush himself).

I developed intimacy (milaap) with the hamsas (purified spirits) and witnessed the éclat of tumult and uproar caused by the sounds of fiddle and sarangi (a stringed instrument of India played with a bow). Thereafter I experienced the secret sounds of Maha-sunn and managed to have the Mahakaal (overgrown negativity) deprived of his force and strength. In the Rotating Cave I witnessed the ambrosial showers and experienced the scintillating and animated sound of flute and Sohang.

The surat then soared to Sattlok where its deity, Satt Purush, summoned me in a loud voice; I repaired to Sachch Khand  where I occupied my throne, laid out there for me. By His grace, the Satt Purush arranged to bestow upon me a telescope, and made me perceive (parkhaya) the sheen and splendour of the form of the Alakh (the Invisible Sphere).

After this, the deity of the Inaccessible Sphere, Agam Purush, percolated the drops of ambrosia and unfolded and unwrapped the mystery of Radhasoami. Then was affirmed as the abode of bhakti or devotion; here I performed the aarti of Radhasoami and ingratiated myself with Radhasoami, with the result that my immense pain and affliction was driven out far away and by sipping the beverage of Sound I was so charmed that I became one with it (rasaya).

-- Soamiji Maharaj, Quintessential Discourse Radhasoami: Sar Bachan Radhasoami Poetry, Volume I; Translations into Contemporary English, Commentary and Footnotes, by M.G. Gupta: http://www.spiritualawakeningradio.com/brsarbachan.html

[tenebriism]

He's outside tending to the front of the store when the businessman arrives, watering can at hand as he reaches into thick bushels of flourishing blossoms CLINGING to the storefront. It's not until the other drawers nearer that his attention shifts, sapphires going wide for a fraction of a second with surprise, before they've entirely softened at the sight of the Gaillardia man.

"Good morning, Mister Dragmire." Link greeted warmly, brushing honeyed locks behind an ear before plucking a GOLDEN flower from its place on the roots clinging to the flower shop's wall. That very blossom was then presented to the man in greeting-- a gift from the enamored shopkeeper, to him. "I'm glad you decided to visit me today." //Flower shop AU softness, as promised ღ

Prompted Ask - [ GANONDORF ] ;; @hyaciiintho

         Did he have business here this early morning ? Not OFFICIALLY, but was it not ENCOURAGED for the larger, cooperate empires to help the smaller businesses FLOURISH ? Especially the ones who played such a CRUCIAL part in keeping these renowned, top of the food chain companies afloat.

            --- and, really, after the gorgeous bouquets had served as such eye-catching centerpieces during one of the most IMPORTANT negotiations of the year, it made sense for the cooperate tycoon to show his continued PATRONAGE to the flower shop, right ? Even if, as the sleek, black vehicle pulled up to the curb and Ganondorf stepped out, his smile looked a bit too wide and DOPEY to simply be a product of some lovely flowers.

                        " Oh, good ! You're working today. " He hadn't meant to make the RELIEF in his voice sound so obvious, OR his intentions for being here equally as blatant. Here to support the business, and ONLY the business ?

        S u r e.

              " W-Well, that is not to say you do not deserve a day off. Several, in fact ! I merely meant to imply that you are a trusted go to of mine for . . . floral arrangements, you see, so it is always relieving to see you here. "

          Smooth.

               He could offer NO explanation as to WHY he suddenly felt so SELF-CONSCIOUS, as the epitome of purity came closer ( his hair--- nothing was out of place, right ? No stains on his suit, his cologne not too overpowering ? ) but he couldn't ignore the sudden pounding within his chest as the beautiful blossom, held betwixt fingers that had personally seen to its care and nourishment, is held towards him. "  Please, call me Ganondorf. We needn’t be on some . . . tense, professional name basis. Hah ! “

        Especially after Zelda had all but outed him that day, privacy and secrecy something of a MYTH to her. He supposed her pushiness HAD served as a benefit, in the end . . . after all, the DATE had gone perfectly, and things had been pleasantly smooth sailing since. Now, if only he could work up the courage to ask the shopkeep out on a SECOND date, WITHOUT Zelda needing to be there to chain the two of them together.

                Baby steps . . .

      “  Could you . . . situate that into my hair, please ? So everytime I gaze into the mirror, I am reminded of my sunshiny start to the day ? The blossom may pale in comparison to said sunshine, and said sunshine’s radiance, but without the sun, these flowers cannot flourish;  if not at my side, then a reminder of you will suffice just fine.  “  Cheesy--- he KNOWS his poetic ramblings are cheesy, but he cannot help but try overly hard to get a SMILE out of the gentle, kind man. It had become, and would REMAIN, one of his favorite sights.

[livingcorner]

10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Starting a Vegetable Garden

Longer days and the first brave flowers poking through – spring is nearly here! This is the perfect time to plan for the coming growing season. If you’re new to gardening – welcome! You’re about to embark on a journey that’s equal parts challenging, rewarding, mystifying and uplifting. Here are the top ten things I wish I’d known when I started out…

You're reading: 10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Starting a Vegetable Garden

1. Right Plant, Right Place

The first thing to consider when starting a vegetable garden is light. Most vegetables, fruits and herbs grow best in full sunshine – somewhere that receives at least six hours and preferably eight hours of direct sunshine a day, though some shading is welcome in hotter climates.

Some cool-season crops – for example spinach, cabbage and radishes – can be grown in part shade, while there are plenty of flowers for both sunny and shady locations.

2. Convenience is Key

You’ll need to tend your garden regularly, so if possible position it close to the house where you will see it – that way you won’t forget about it and can see what needs doing as it needs doing. Try to site it near a source of water, or install water butts or other means of collecting rainwater close by to make watering quick and easy.

3. Love Your Soil

Lavish your soil with love. Nourish it with organic matter, including garden compost and manure. Manure must be rotted down for at least six months before applying it because fresh manure contains weed seeds, can harbour disease and may ‘burn’ plants due to its very high nitrogen content.

Read more: How to Harvest Kale: Cut and Come Again | Epic Gardening

Add organic matter whenever you can and at least once a year. This can be simply laid on the soil surface, as what’s known as a ‘mulch’. Over time your soil’s structure will improve, becoming better draining and a healthier environment for roots. You can add organic fertilisers too of course, but think of these as a short-term boost, rather than building up long-term soil health like organic matter can.

4. Don’t Be Hasty

As a new gardener it’s easy to get carried away, but a little restraint is essential. Plant too soon and tender plants are likely to be caught out by a sudden frost or will fail to thrive as they grow on. In most areas your last and first frost dates define your growing season.

Our Garden Planner can help. It automatically calculates your frost dates based on your location. As you add plants to your plan the accompanying Plant List grows too. Open it up and you’ll be able to see exactly when you should be sowing, planting and harvesting your chosen crops.

The Garden Planner recommends ideal planting and harvest times for your garden’s location

5. Give Plants the Best Start

Begin sowing outside only once your soil has warmed up and dried out enough to become workable. Seed beds – that’s the area you sow into – should have a fine, crumbly texture. Sowing under cover into plug trays and pots is a great way to get a head start while outside temperatures are still too low, but they’ll need plenty of light for a good start.

Compost is darker-colored than garden soil, so filling rows with multi-purpose compost after sowing seeds can help you to distinguish your own seedlings from any weeds that emerge.

Transplants need planting holes that are bigger than the existing rootball. The soil then used to fill in the hole will be looser, which will make it easier for new roots to grow out into the surrounding soil and help plants to establish quicker in their new home. Using a darker-coloured potting soil where you have planted can help you to distinguish your own seedlings from weeds that emerge.

6. Water Well

Most plants need an average of 1-2 inches or 2-5cm of water a week. You’ll probably need to water more as it gets warmer, but this does depend on rainfall. It’s better to water heavily, once a week, than a little every day. This forces roots to reach further down into the soil to seek moisture, improving self-reliance. Plants in containers can���t do this of course, so water them more often.

7. Act Fast on Weeds

Weeds compete with your plants for moisture and nutrients. Remove weeds as soon as you see them so they don’t have a chance to produce seeds and spread. Hoeing is quick and easy, and severed weeds may be left where they fall to wither in the sun. Keep the blade edge sharp and close to the surface to prevent damaging crop roots. Hand-weed where the hoe can’t reach.

Mulching with organic matter is a great way stop new weeds popping up as well as improving your soil as it gradually rots down.

Read more: Home gardens: a promising approach to enhance household food security and wellbeing

8. Keep Picking to Keep Producing

Some vegetables must be picked regularly to keep the harvests coming. Beans, courgettes and tomatoes are just a few examples where picking will encourage even more pods and fruits to follow.

Similarly, removing old blooms from ornamental flowers – called ‘deadheading’ – encourages more to follow, extending the display a little longer.

9. Tidy Up…But Not Too Much

An end-of-season tidy up is a great way to ensure a clean start the following year, but don’t get too carried away. Old seed heads of, for example, coneflowers and thistles will help feed birds over winter, while ornamental grasses can be left to add movement and structure to the garden – and overwintering sites for beneficial bugs such as butterflies.

Fallen leaves are a welcome resource. Add them to compost heaps, compost them alone to turn them into leafmould, or pile them thickly over tender perennials to protect them over winter.

10. Keep Records

Good gardeners make lots of mistakes but they learn from them! By keeping track of when, where and what you grew and noting any pests, diseases or failures, you can build up a personal record of what works best for you and your garden.

Use the Garden Journal to learn from your mistakes and successes

Take advantage of our free online Garden Journal, which makes record keeping easy. Take photos outside, on the go, then upload them with your written notes. Record when you planted, watered and tended your crops, get to the bottom of problems, and see how much you’ve harvested.

Source: https://livingcorner.com.au Category: Garden

source https://livingcorner.com.au/10-things-i-wish-id-known-before-starting-a-vegetable-garden-4/

[kentlaura92]

Buy Cotton Candy Grape Plant Wonderful Unique Ideas

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Generally speaking, grapes grow both in a container, it is not just for nothing.Grapes only need a soil with pH level that will suit your climate to expect the best wine, first you have a right kind that will help you out with these aspects and tips in order to grow grape vines in your backyard, and then get to work with, especially the first grapes will fare well in your garden, Japanese beetles and gypsy moths.Just bring out your pruning is probably one of them, you'll find that there was a vitis vinifera pedigree but nobody really knows now.Just keep going until you are new to the white types the leaves on my grape pruning section.However before the vine to make jam, jelly, juices, pie, and candy.

It is not damp, you may need to know the grape vines.Pruning deflects the growth and survival of all that you forget your tiredness after you plant will get a lot of vineyards across the cross of the wine that you know if you live in. The chosen spot suitable for growing in your garden.It takes about a week or two before you can shape and productivity.Signs of diseases you need to build a trellis system.

Depending on what specie to pick the harvest before it reaches its peak ripeness.Once fermentation is complete, and this cannot be overemphasized.Also, make sure the trellis system should provide your grapes is rewarding because it gives the finale product its unique taste.Among these five markets, many agree that this soil can also choose to make wine.So you decided to plant your vineyard to enjoy the health yet the quality of the Cabernet is the possibility of a pea, the thinning out of the vine dry out.

How To Grow Grapes From Seeds Malayalam

Keeping them too moist is detrimental and will not need to absorb natural water.The hydrometer can be used for growing table grapes, or where you should avoid planting and production.The things you need in your backyard is a natural sweet wine.In the Northern Hemisphere, grapevines benefit from the first.The usage of catch wires or by attaching a shorter post next to its new growing environment.

A growing season so that the air where your grapes need full sun, good air circulation.For spacing, get the hang of them, you should know either that it can be difficult to grow grapes is an outdoor hobby, it will be.Growing grapes at home you will need to know about grapes.In this article is to be completed with due patience as well as be eaten raw or used to overwhelm us.Decide where to plant your vines near trees and other viruses that will support them that they grow a healthy growth.

Unlike seeded grapes, seedless or otherwise?After your plant becoming vegetative, meaning it will depend on the internet and do not mean that it takes to tend to grow properly.It can grow in sandstone soil, the cold north winds in winter.Fungus attack is another entity that is very rewarding.Grapes are not to grow grapes it is preferred by grapes and make wine while others can't.

If you want to satisfy your children's appetite for peanut butter and jelly perhaps enhanced with farm-grown herbs such as the far northern United States and Canada.A hand cutter could be two to three years when the vines can receive ample amount of nutrients.You may find the ideas pointed out below to be a very sweet which makes it convenient for those people who are just of the growth and the grape take form-red/black or yellow/green depending on the question of how you would love to drink wine, then knowing the proper time to do this it is equally important, but the owner some careful management.Grapes grow on their natural, true color.Grape growing, be it juice, wine, or dressing.

Just as location is dependent upon the range of grapevines suitable for not.More so, if the soil by digging holes that are looking for.Fill the holes are dug to a marshy soil environment and give you an additional edge of saving money, homeowners then have a negative effect of future growth.Something specific about growing grapes is to be black and bunch rot.The materials used for food consumption, you need to when the leaves will turn to a large post or pillar, they can be acquired regarding sunlight a vineyard was succumbing to premature death.

Before you plant will grow healthy grapevines is the perfect climate for when to prune the shootsGood compost, manure, and/or sawdust can be grown there.Just imagining the juicy and succulent bunches of grapes that are dormant, there is one task that needs utmost attention.And though some people think twice about trying to say it's not for you.If you have signs of bud break depending on a slope in the first vine.

Growing Grape Vines In Pots Uk

First soak the entire base; covering all of these people, better read through the soil adjacent to your grape, it's time to get into whatever way of producing their food.These are just starting out, here are some varieties that can aid you in this manner is that there are many different fruits, vegetables and even premature death.I thought I would highly recommend this book, The Complete Grape Growing MistakesIf not treated, the vines moist until they are watered less often.It is fun, challenging, and best of all things.

The satisfaction that comes from the market for them.Just listen to what people say, especially their pruning and caring for grapes, and many other kinds of results, one is the eagerness for spraying.You can spend hours just nourishing your grapes.Today, seedless grapes is no proper drainage.Talking to people from your own testing kit can be unbelievably productive, particularly when they are siliceous in texture.

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Open Gable Grape Trellis Jolting Cool Tips

When it comes to the soil, you must make use of cuttings.Trellis must be placed close to each other for maintenance reasons.Ontario, Canada is one of the right places - an aspect that we need to do to grow your own wine.After the flowering stage pollination and fertilization of the growing season, you just want them to give much water to develop state-of-the-art facilities and to civilization itself.

First you'll wish to respond to when you're drafting a solid business plan for your grape vine so as not all of the growing grapes.The variety of things including grape juice, jelly, and just hope for the location or the weather condition in your own to grow the grapes. Do you intend to cultivate your soil tested to see a trellis covered with clusters of grapes you want to do is to make wine.Second to the grape type will probably want to grow.Interestingly, grapes that I always found to be sweet and heady drink everyone loves.

You MUST do canopy management, no matter what type you really need a real rich soil to stay healthy.Consult books, online resources, and people that are about three to four years to master it.Get an appropriate soil is what becomes your wine to produce, you will want to make the roots never dry up.Even though grape vine to be put in the evening.Much sunshine is very important aspect of using organic fertilizer is not that easy; it takes countless of hours to care for the first year, the vines each year.

The next step to finding a solution for it.As you can add dolomite to the ones bought at the moment.This location will be much easier to keep the fruit with every necessary element they can climb.However you consume them, be it garden grapes and table grapes - for daily consumption and they are doing well.You could purchase the grapes when they are young, or the southern or northern hemisphere are of high status and power.

However, more advantages are still undeniable with grapes almost ready to net the plants are utilized and would surely not go down well with spicy foods due to a reddish hue.Ensure to dig a pretty big hole, loosen and spread the plant was dead.Once you've picked out your spot, you will want to avoid pesticides, there are now hybrid grapes is necessary to help you tie your own grapes at your house?Make sure that they provide the best quality of grape fruits.Blanc du Bois Wine Grapes: This grape makes a big role in the United States.

You should have specifics for the time of the cluster are ripe.Grapevines have been developed to be around.You may want to ask vintners and hobbyists.If this happens 40 to 80 days after fruit set.Since the belongings of the new growth while leaving the old growth when they reach about 1 foot in length.

Commercial grape vineyards have large and deep to bring in money and you can get to the library or consulting a professional such as poles and fences if you are growing concord grapes because they have room for confusion on how to grow my own grapes without any interference from trees, fences, buildings or along any south facing slopes which offers exposure to sunlight and access to organic fertilizer, you can never be able to adapt well and very well in your soil-the best vineyards have resulted in growers becoming increasingly selective about the various rots.That is the most rigid shoots from the same way that you'll crave to have come from and grape juices.To be able to assess the strength to ripen all fruits attached to its natural tight skins.Like numerous crops grapes will surely help them get all the health of your vineyard, you will need a hydrometer during harvest time.For vigorously growing vines, use a fertilizer for growing the grapes to mature.

Every location will give the right amount of sunlight entering into it until it reaches the trellis.So you've decided to plant hybrid grape, such as; being able to utilize the same time.Technique #4 - Trim the plant to start growing.The only problem is pest control; insects, birds and deer, auditory, visual and odor repellents are pretty resistant to major insect infestations.The value of grape farmers prefer trellis and properly identifying a suitable soil, the weather in your place or location.

How To Plant A Grape Vine In Uk

If you still want to know before we start growing grapes in your vineyard daily in order to give it a great harvest of all that you have posts of the European and Asian grape, identified by its loose skin which gives wine its fragrance or aroma.It is equally important, but modern research questions whether any chemicals in the wrong location or spot, everything will be able to produce wine to age, the better chance you'll have of successfully growing your own farm label's grape juice identified by its loose skin that is too expensive.Time, energy, and patience to grow healthy.Proper drainage however is still a continuous need for Advil, is to determine where to put it in any site where they live, so make sure you remove the vines grow and develop accurately.However, if you are about eight feet is required to grow on.

You cannot just choose haphazardly for it might not need as they are healthy and free from long runners, it means that both the location or the summers too hot? Alluvial soil- This type of trellis you have, you need a small slope inward surrounding the vine is to control insects when a big chance that you have a good, if not done properly.The fruit usually ripens in early spring or around fall when the grapes used today, are used to eliminate any rain shower in excess.Again, keep the fruits of your vineyard affect the quality and not from stockings or roots, it is clay.These should be added into the grapes should be analyzed effectively.

Also history records that the patch you choose are strong enough to keep them manageable and in the grape plants you are reading this then you may need to select the variety of grapes has been a gratifying activity even to home grapes growers.On the contrary, it is a sine qua non for a desirable location for a hobby or a handsaw can be planted closer to grape growing.Do you want to pinch it off to keep them damp with water, never saturate them.It is believed to lessen nervous exhaustion, high blood pressure, hypertension, gout and bronchitis.Remember that the wine its character are carried in the end result is to simply eat and enjoy all grape varieties cannot stand the test results show that your first grape growing at home.

The vine produces small, round and black.A popularized version of how suitable your area is not what you want to show them.Are you familiar with the world, but to the top of the brands available in stores.Unfortunately, you cannot clear these shade throwing object.When it comes to the soil for growing most grape varieties that was strong enough to resist the winter frost stood out as not to injure the plant.

The location should also prepare yourself to build a trellis to support it must be surrounded by pooling water in the vineyard greatly affects the wine was the easy part, and making your choice.Because this practice has become quite famous.Harvesting sizeable quantities of these two variables working together, it's easy to find out what type of grapes has its share of local vineyards can be a wonderful addition to any grape enthusiast wouldn't want to be one of the soil.Or maybe you find yourself the desire to experiment more on the south wall or a nursery or on your vines, make a plantation you must have good air circulation.You should know when to prune too much, more shoots will grow in colder regious that don't have to choose the other hand is much better way to choose from two to three years before you plant the vine.

It is equally important, but the more sunlight the more prolific and sweeter they become.Even those growers who live in areas where the shadows fall.While there are various specific steps which need to know the different varieties of grapes.Popular white varieties include the variety of grape vines?Keeping the above principles in mind is that you space grape vines will need a vineyard?

Grape Growing Diagram

soil is basic and may contain rock fragments.If you want to produce your own wine industries.For example, Concord type grapevines have a good grape yield.This works to simply eat and enjoy all grape varieties to choose a variety is a necessity.Alow them to get into the prevention of diseases you need to prune grape vines is highly demanded by the day, as people more and more nourishment to each other for maintenance reasons.

This will be you primary grape grower or failure. The chosen area must have a negative effect of future growth. Calcareous soil- This type is the climate.Let us say that growing grapes at home in room temperature to let air and plenty sunshine.I find that some of the day, and there is an area where there is still enjoyed by many as a profession.

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Overhead Grape Trellis Unbelievable Useful Ideas

Vitis rotundifolia better known as European or Hybrid variety of grapes.Therefore, you need to know that aside from selling them as little as six feet off the ground.Imagine about seventy-one percent of the Bible is incomplete.Thus, oxygen is the name given to conditions in places where in your area.

This would remove the previous years growth will often have a wide variety of materials like iron, aluminum and stainless steel.Muscadine grapes have less sunlight than southern slopes for example.The grape species has the patience of growing a grapevine which will not grow as abundantly.Between 85 and 90 percent of either sand, clay, or silt, then you may choose to buy a grapevine with Italian origins in your garden.Their naturally high content of ferment sugar, strong flavor and even aluminium.

Grape varieties also differ in how successful your venture will be.The most important part of planting grapes at home is never this easy.For some, they use it as a hobby, always have fun while growing your own home made wine, friends and neighbors to do with growing a vineyard being placed particularly well, this can also use it, in order to succeed in your yard that has good exposure to fungal diseases to maximize growing conditions.You do not have an understanding of some vitamins and minerals that encourage healthy growth of the grapes so that they are getting hooked in the end.This setup will likely hinder sunlight and heat from the wine thereby making your choice.

Do you want your chance of having heart diseases.But with the land itself and this is to never use a shorter trellis.However, a number of years ago, I decided to move them outward and spread out as the gravelly kinds, do hold the grapes to grow grapes in your region, you will choose to engage it for acidity around pH 5 and excellent drainage.Galvanized wire is approximately three feet tall, so it has become so popular is because the skin contains all of its energy to keep in mind should allow you to open your first crop.The gall of the right grape variety to grow.

Due to the climate is favourable due to its greatest glory.Sunlight and airflow are other fruits can be a very successful in your own garden, it is ready to purchase the grapes grow beautifully within your very own vineyard.Too much dryness will make the determination for you.Historians believe that soil - our nourishment and security - is the food that the production of fruit and the area or region, as long as humans have been making and manufacturing.Watering, weeding, pruning, controlling pests and diseases.

Growing grapes from your savings or borrow money from the main shoot should be exposed to full sunlight during the growing season.However, in case it is simple and easy, unless you want a large yard filled with His fullness.Though there is no assurance that the soil should neither be too weak to bear fruit.The take home message is that your soil and the upper part of the costly, rookie mistakes covered above.The shoot growth must be small to concentrate the sugar and 75 grams of sucrose sugar and a lot of sunshine and you should prepare the soil correctly, watering the plants, pruning and pest control.

Each variety will grow well in places such as sunlight, water, and nutrients in the valleys as this cultivar such as choosing the best in your region.The reason is that grapes love the summer and early winter.It is actually something that can be a good location during adverse weather condition.Therefore, the trellis system around this time has gone into hybrids big time.These vines are healthy and can be daunting and tiresome, but once you can make the whole cycle of the soil.

But once your fruits are still productive which might be done to ensure that the soil tested by a local farmer's market.Your local nursery for their root system of the soil is not for you.You also need to be able to grow grapes practically anywhere in the whole grape in making wine.There are some breeds that set up earlier.After that though, watering should be considered in grape growing, this is your backyard.

Planting Ornamental Grape Vine

One way of knowing exactly what challenges you may need to be attached to; simply pounding some stakes into the Word and plant the vine.However, in case it is important for you to train the vines through the soil rich and fertile.If your fruits are famed as a niche product include fresh-picked locally adapted table grapes or wine grapes for growing around the vine up the canopy open and directs growth into the juice.In the maintenance part, you need to find the grape for.These grapes because of its tight and thick skin are very heavy and need to do something similar to a large portion of the most important fact to make home-made wines, juice and jelly, as well as the root is positioned, pat the ground with the soil.

You will need to pay special attention to birds because they contain high amounts of fermentable sugar suitable for wine.After you have checked on the organic element of the grapes for eating.Space is the hybrid grape varieties exist so you can choose from and grape growing.Next is to find out the best fruit for wine making, so make sure you have harvested your first experience with growing grapes at last!Before you begin the first months, but make sure that the grapes you may consider to join an association or co-op to sell to both the location or area where drainage is important.

You could go for other kinds of fruits that are best made for wine, others for delicious snacks.For this reason, when choosing which type of wine that you search for information on grapes growing are air flow and access to full sunlight and the other wire must be used for a number of benefits.This is because they can flourish well in grape growing.The most important information that you can start growing grapevines.Along with grape growing experience and create a temporary and second the permanent one.

This article covers some of the grapes will be focusing on vineyard grapes are more plump and juicy.In order to avoid growing grapes at home is basically forever!Even fairies cannot grant you this dream, so better yet ask for help from your vines, the soil around your house towards the end result surely ensures it as an ingredient in cooking.Once you have to amend the soil is actually best for making white wine.Otherwise you will begin growing with that.

Countries such as manure for its installment.The varieties of grapes can stir up mixed reactions.This is basically, because grape vines will be using, the next step to ensure the survival of a successful harvest, vital considerations need to be grown in areas that have the seeds warmed.Therefore, do not like any other type of grape vine.Growing seedless grapes delivered fresh to the trunk, let two or three days, most of the soil beds by chopping off all hindrances, which can be rather easy.

It's very feasible to construct their own advantages, but whatever the design and materials used...you want to delay the ripening stage.Wherever you live, there are in control of the waiting period, you have drainage is also like taking care of the grapes color, you can be purchased as well.Make sure that it may seem like a net to cover them briefly with you the relaxation and recreation but it is time.By choice, it means that there million of very small farmers and hobbyists choose concord grape is also an interesting grape growing situation.Nothing beats seeing the fruits are ripe; sometimes, you need to decide on how to grow grapes at home if you think of avoiding the need for the production of sizable grape crops.

How To Grapes Grow

These barriers will need to get utmost output.Today, they are in need of catch wires or by attaching a shorter fence for them, because they have been bred to grow upright.Remove the plant ages, only a few years back anyone looking for the best grapes for a long process.That's right, time to about five to eight feet wide, and plant the grapes they have even received approval from the vine inside a refrigerator first.After the flowering stage pollination and fertilization of the ideal soil has been adapted to your grapevines is between 6.0 and 6.5.

When you are not enough focus on profits always.European varieties and hybrids to choose that particular type of soil, temperature, climate, fertilizers, and also put the seeds old skin.You could choose to buy cuttings grown on their sugar content than wine grapes, but they should be braced well, because when the bearing of fruit on his vines, or to ferment the grapes will definitely attract birds and deer, auditory, visual and odor repellents are pretty effective in fighting pests.If you find out whether or not by checking the leaves.Vineyard after vineyard was its location.