Winter Gardening

by Barbara Ellis
As the end of summer approaches, unfortunately far too quickly, all is not lost for gardening with some great ideas on bringing a piece of your garden indoors and creating a winter garden.

Studies have shown that as the year progresses the less sunlight and more dreary days we have, the more depressed we feel. Of course one of the best ideas is to take a trip to a sunny hot location, but that not being a choice for all of us or even in addition to taking a holiday you can create a winter garden. And the great part is, winter gardening doesn’t need to take up a lot of room in your house or apartment, it can be created in many ways to give that boost when you need it most!

The space you make for yourself should, if at all possible include a comfortable chair and some place to keep your plants. You can also add a bright picture of outdoors and a lamp (see further down for the types of lamps you can use).

Terrarium gardens can be an inexpensive way to start your winter garden. Start with a clear fish tank or fishbowl, place some colorful rocks, stones or marbles at the bottom and then add your plants. Depending on the size of your container you can plant a variety of plants and flowers, or if you prefer you can plant some flower bulbs. It is recommended that you plant at least one or two bright colored flower, just because of the color enhancement.

A herb garden is another way to bring your garden indoors for the winter and can even be transplanted outdoors if you chose to do so. The advantage to having a herb garden is that you can add fresh herbs to your favorite recipes! Try to keep your herb garden where it is going to get some natural light if possible; a great place is a windowsill. Buy a container that will fit on your windowsill or multiple pots, allowing some room for root growth.

When choosing the lighting for your indoor garden, try to choose one that will give the maximum sunlight like quality. There are lamps available on the market that simulate daylight and are used for people that have SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorders) they provide a natural sunlight for health and well being. Light therapy is an effective and safe treatment for SAD, and although it is not fully understood why, it is a great natural remedy and well worth trying. They are fairly inexpensive, starting around 50 dollars US.

Don’t think of summer coming to an end as the end of your gardening season; simply convert your summer garden outdoors to a piece of sunshine indoors with your winter garden.

For more gardening tips check out www.gardening-tips-n-tools.com
B. Ellis writes articles on gardening on the web site http://www.gardening-tips-n-tools.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Barbara_Ellis

Feng Shui tips For Creating Harmony In Your Home

Ten Feng Shui tips For Creating Harmony In Your Home
By Dean Erickson

Feng Shui is the ancient art of placement. Physical belongings, such as furniture, candles, photographs, are arranged in specific ways so as to increase your home's harmony thereby enhancing your life.

According to ancient Chinese beliefs correct Feng Shui arrangements channel the Chi energy which creates a positive environment that can bring good fortune, health and happiness into your life. Even the colors, patterns and textures you have in your home affect your home's energy and ultimately your own well-being.

Here are some easy tips for beginners:

1. Understand that Chi energy needs to flow freely throughout your home. It needs to enter with ease through the front door and travel freely throughout your home before it exits out the back door. That means that clutter of any sort can block the energy flow. Sharp angular furniture and untidy bookshelves, for example, will cause the energy to slow down. So keep your home free of clutter.

2. Use plants to soften hard angles in your home. Keep all plants looking green and healthy. If your plants wither and die then something's wrong. What is bad for your plants is bad for you. Flowering plants are extra good luck.

3. Round dining room tables are better than square or rectangular ones. You should have an even number of dining room chairs. The décor should not detract from the food. Keep things simple, but comfortable.

4. In the bedroom: Mirrors should never face a bed. The Chinese believe that the spirit leaves the body in the night and might be disturbed by its reflection, hence causing a disturbed sleep for you. You should also never sleep with your feet in a direct line to the door. The Chinese laid out their dead with their feet to the door for easier access to heaven. You should have a solid wall behind your bed head for a solid night's sleep and never sleep under a beam.

5. In the bathroom: Always keep the toilet cover down and the bathroom door firmly closed.

6. Open your home's windows everyday for at least 20 minutes to invite fresh energy into your home. Hang a crystal at a sunny window to reflect the positive energy of the sun into your home.

7. Buy furniture that is sleek, simple and has multi-purposes. For example, a coffee table that also has drawers for storage is ideal.

8. Learn how to use a compass to identity the life corners in your home. There are lots of Internet sites with information about understanding and enhancing life corners.

9. To enhance your relationship keep photos of you and your partner enjoying life. Place photos or figurines in pairs on your bedside tables or in places that are important to you. A photo of two swans, a piece of art depicting two dolphins, two teddy bears on the bed, or two duck figurines are good examples. Feng Shui is based on placing symbols (called cures) in the home to bring about balance and harmony essential to achieving desired life goals.

10. Keep things simple, sleek, tidy.

Dean Erickson - Journalist, and web site builder Dean Erickson lives in Texas. He is the owner and co-editor of http://www.feng-shui-living.info on which you will find a longer, more detailed version of this article.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dean_Erickson

Flowers!

I've always found flowers to be a vital part of my environment. The first time I bought some, for myself...it was as if a whole new world opened up. Since then, if I don't have flowers growing that I can bring in, I stop and buy some for the house. It makes everyday special.

And even better than that, is when I can take or send flowers to a friend or family members. It's always a surprise, they fill great, and I feel good.

Here's a resource for you.

The Importance of Water in your Environment

Growing up, I remember a song called “Still Waters Run Deep” (the artist escapes my memory at the moment). There were two versions of the song and I loved them both. Though I did not realize it at the time, they were quite meditative to me.

I’ve always found peace, a sense of being grounded when I’ve been around water. While not at all still, the beach has always been a haven for me. When I’m not there, I enjoy listening to the sound of the waves while I work.

Something else that I’ve taken to is a fountain. I find an indoor fountain does a lot to transform the environment of a room. If you don’t have one, consider getting one in order to add the element of water to your environment. I’m sure you will find it soothes your soul.

Rainy

Meditation and You

I've just finished my meditation practice for the day in a nearby park. The weather and temperature were near perfect for an October evening.

My body now feels relaxed from head to toe. I was practicing the Falun Dafa exercises that so many have gained similar and greater benefits from.

As I sit here with this totally relaxed and awesome feeling, I notice how busy people are. It seems that everyone is in a hurry, tied up with duties, chores or the pursuit of their choice.

At this particular moment I'm feeling rather free from all of those concerns. I'm just here,in the moment, happy and content. There is no worry for me at this time.

Of course, I don't always get to feel this way. My life gets busy too. However, whenever I do feel this way it is usually just after I have finished practicing the Falun Dafa exercises.

Sometimes, my body feels light, almost as if I could float right up into the air. Apparently my experience in this is not so unique as others have described similar experiences.

I can only hope that everyone will get to feel this way at least one time in their life. There is really nothing like it. This feeling can really change your outlook on life.

If only the world wasn't so busy, so involved, so absorbed. I just know it could be much more than it is, much better than it is now. Perhaps in the future, conditions will be better, more refined and more enjoyable for everyone.

For now, I'll need to settle for this great feeling and the near perfect temperatures of this mid -Ocober evening. And in this moment I wish everyone the brightest possible future.

Dave Snape writes for To Be Informed: http://tobeinformed.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Japanese Gardens, bridges and life transitions

I recently read an article on Japanese Gardens and bridges. I happen to love the serenity I experience whenever I visit a Japanese Garden. And I love the metaphor of bridges...not just in the garden, but the bridges of our lives.

Garden bridges, and plants appropriately placed are equivalent to life transitions…they take us from here to there. Bridges in the garden and in life can sometimes be smooth, other times a bit rough about the edges. In almost all cases, they get us where we are going.

In the garden…take a look at the areas of transition that are present. Do you need something to help soften the way from one area to another? It need not be a bridge as plants, garden furniture, bird feeders, ponds and pieces of garden art can also serve the same purpose. One of the items I like to use is wind chimes. They can touch your life and garden on many levels.

While taking stock of your garden, take a peak at the transitions and lessons you have been presented in your lifetime. You can probably identify a multitude of them. I like to think of them as gifts and honor them as such.

If you are going through your own personal transition/lesson right now, is there anything you can do to soften the edges? I often like to surround myself with candles and indoor chimes. Like in the garden…they can help lighten the path.

Namaste,

Rainy

Welcome to Spirit Earth Gardens!

I have wanted to do this for a very long time.

SpiritEarthGardens...it's a name that came to me years ago. I believe it came out of my love of gardening, garden art, and the spiritual tug I feel every time my hands are in the earth. It's that same Spirit I feel on the shores of the coast...totally grounded in my sacred space.

Even just writing this (as I am doing from the top of my head), I feel myself being transported to that special place.

SpiritEarthGardens, it's my sacred space.

Namaste,

Rainy