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How cunningly nature hides every wrinkle of her inconceivable antiquity under roses and violets and morning dew! Ralph Waldo Emerson
A Gardening Gift Will Bring Lasting Joy
A gardening gift is one that could last and be remembered for many years after a birthday or Christmas is long past. A beautiful tree starts out in a small, manageable size that can be easily wrapped and presented with ease. A small tree is usually an inexpensive gardening gift. This tree planted in the family garden will grow continuously with the proper care. As the tree grows, this gardening gift will be a reminder of the happy occasion for which it was purchased. The recipient of certain gardening gifts will constantly see changes that will provide reminders of the gift giver. A tree in the yard will produce flowers or fruit and become a gift that keeps on giving.
A gardening gift will brighten up the yard to provide happy memories of great times in the past. The gardening gift will become a permanent fixture with the proper care. Think about a glorious magnolia tree in the family pictures or at a family party. All of the family can gather around this growing reminder of the feelings of the gift giver. The gift will add color and interest in the family garden. A diamond ring is not going to grow more beautiful as the years go by, but a magnolia tree will get better every year.
A Gardening Gift Provides Hours of Worthwhile Activity
A gardening gift could be supplies for an avid gardener that will help them to beautify the landscape in the yard or the dcor in the house. Seeds that will grow into magnificent flowers are a great gardening gift. A dedicated gardener loves to have a new selection of the latest bulbs on the market. As they plant and nurture these garden treasures, they will remember the thoughtful person who brought this gardening gift. New rose plants or hydrangeas will delight a dedicated gardener. They will probably think of the gift giver as they plant the present and then every day as they care for this unique gift.
Other gardening supplies will also be appreciated by a gardener and friend. The latest tools for raking, shoveling and spraying the garden will be perfect gifts for one who loves their garden. Knee pads that will protect the knees of a conscientious gardener every time they kneel down to weed the flower beds will be repeatedly appreciated. Beautiful containers to be placed around an established garden are perfect gardening gifts.
Five Great Things To Do With Coffee (Besides Drink it!)
By Hannah Jennings
 I have developed quite a sophisticated palate in my older age. I like my beer dark (Guinness), my wine strong (Zinfandel), and my coffee dark, but not burned.
I also like to not waste things. It pains me to toss the last drops of coffee down the sink. Coffee doesn't grow on trees (Well, it does actually, but not here in the US). I have found several uses for the remainder of the pot after my slightly-over-doctor-recommended- acceptable 3 cups of coffee.
Use #1 - Freeze in ice cube trays to make iced coffee with. Watery coffee is gross. Especially when you start with the perfect mixture of coffee and milk. Then the ice melts and it is just, well, yuck. Frozen coffee all but eliminates that problem. Sure, the coffee is a bit stronger toward the end, but oh, so preferable to the alternative.
Use #2 - Use instead of water in all chocolate and desert related recipes. Chocolate cake with coffee in the mix is like having a dark, rich, indulgence that doesn't require you clean up after him. It is just that good.
Use #3 - Occasionally waters your plants with a 50/50 water/coffee mix. The caffeine is good for acid loving plants. Other houseplants like African Violets can benefit from the nutrient-rich compounds. All of my plants, from the violets to the roses, are always a little perky a few days following the once-a-week mix.
Use #4 - In the morning use a little coffee in your facial wash to both awaken your senses, lift your mood, and tighten those lines that formed during the night. The acid will help slough off dead skin cells, and create a more radiant you. Then you can drink your cup of coffee (or three) and feel how great you look.
Use #5 - If you use organic coffee, then saves those grinds. I use an old sour cream container and then once-a-week deposit the remains in my garden. Our soil here is very calcium rich so the acid in the coffee seems to really balance things out. If you find that you have a lot of acid in your soil naturally, then save the grounds to add to a neighborhood compost pile.
See, coffee isn't just excellent for drinking. There are a lot of really great uses that will help you stretch every dollar you spend. Waste not, want not and all that sort of a thing that our grandparents knew about. Besides, it means that I get to create more reasons to go to my "Happy Place."
Hannah Jennings is the Co-Founder of Nectar of Life Organic Coffee Company. Nectar of Life is a gourmet coffee roaster that specializes in shade grown, certified Fair Trade organic coffees. Visit their website at www.nectaroflife.com to learn more.
There are a wide variety of gardening gloves on the market today that will help protect hands and hopefully make your task easier. The soil in these beds can be controlled much more adeptly by the gardener, which allows for crops to thrive in a rich soil that the natural environment may not offer. There is no perfect garden accessory, but a rake comes close! With a good number of plants raised in gardening containers, the family will feel more at home at the new location surrounded by familiar plants. |
