Succulents Centerpieces

I love to use fresh centerpieces in my house and here are few of them that I like so much! They are low to maintain plants, yet very sensitive and easy to take care of.

Succulents look great in low groupings, and their shallow roots and small size make them ideal as centerpieces. Decorate a garden table with a clay saucer planted with ‘Chalk Rose’ selection, ‘Pinwheel’, and baby tears. Finish the look by sprinkling small pebbles over the exposed dirt. A lot of sun and a little bit of water will keep this centerpiece thriving long after your meal is over.

Shades of Green

Magic in Numbers

The Spice of Life

Succulents come in many vibrant colors. Add drama to your entryway by mixing shapes in a patina copper planter (#227366). Plant pink-tinged ‘Little Jewel’, and allow string of bananas, to dangle over the edge. Mark the center of the grouping with the upright stalks and mottled skin of ‘Pink Blush’ aloe . Add some silky, black stones as a decorative touch, and listen for oohs and aahs from guests.

Succulents store water in their leaves, making them the ultimate “green” plant. And they don’t require a lot of care, so they’re perfect for busy lifestyles.

Handle plants gently. If a stem or leaf happens to snap off, don’t throw it out. Just push a broken part into the soil, and soon it will form a new plant.

5 Money-Saving Food Swap

Swap credit for cash. This tip can really save you money better when using cash rather than credit cards. Have you noticed how chinese people uses cash when shopping? Yes, they are saving a lot. Hubby and I started using cash now and use credit cards only during emergency. And the truth is, when you use plastic, you pay more.

Swap brand name products for generic. This is so true! Generic can also sometimes healthier than brnad names products. We have been using generic name products to save money. So next time you’re at the supermarket, look to the lower shelves for lower prices.

Swap soda for sparkling water with a splash of juice. Since hubby and I need to take less sugar on the foods we are eating, we atarted using spatkling water. It is not healthy, but also cheaper and have some selections of flavor to choose from.

Swap ground beef for ground turkey. Another health-conscious as well as economically-savvy switch is ground beef for ground turkey. Ground turkey, on average, costs $1.67 per pound while lean ground beef usually clocks in at over $2.00 a pound; plus it has less carolies and more protein opposite beef.

Swap fresh produce for frozen. Few foods are tastier or healthier than a bowl of fresh fruit or some grilled, fresh veggies with your steak. A common misconception about frozen produce is that it is somehow less good for you. Produce is typically frozen at the peak of ripeness when nutrients are abundant. So, while your frozen carrots may not have the crunch you’d like, they’re still just as good for you—while costing you less.

These tips are very true and works for my famly; and if you are in the moods of saving and at the same time trying to eat healthy foods, follow these simple tips. And I assure you, you will save a lot

Make Free Calls Anywhere in America!

As the economy continue to meltdown, it makes it harder for the people to live the life they want to live as well as doing they need to be doing. For example, buying gifts for the holiday and keeping in touch with their loved ones, even friends who lives away from them. I for one live miles and miles away from my parents and siblings and I can attest of how other feels of being away and not being able to even talk to their family over the phone. Those of you who are in the same boat will agree with what I said here. It is good to know that there is a company who will make you talk to your far away family and friends free! Yes, you read it right! By Going to CallingAmerica.com you can make free calls to any landline or mobile phone in the country. You can use computer microphones or speaker/headsets to make completely web-basedcalls-no downloads or additional technology required. The completely Web-based offering is launching just in time to help friends and families save money while staying in touch during the holidays. With CallingAmerica.com which is the first completely ad-supported VoIP calling network, anyone with a broadband connection is just a mouse click away from communicating with anyone throughout the entire country. They are happy to be able to provide a no-cost way to keep in touch during the holidays and beyond. For more information, you can their website at CallingAmerica.com. You can even take a look at the NY Times Article:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/18/technology/personaltech/18calling.html

Something We Should All Remember!

A friend of hubby sent us this story through email; and I like it. I was touched and thought of sharing it with you, guys! This reminds me of what is important in life, which is happiness; not fleeting but the lasting one.

A 92-year-old, petite, well-poised and proud man, who is fully dressed each morning by eight o'clock, with his hair fashionably combed and shaved perfectly, even though he is legally blind, moved to a nursing home today. His wife of 70 years recently passed away, making the move necessary. After many hours of waiting patiently in the lobby of the nursing home, he smiled sweetly when told his room was ready.

As he maneuvered his walker to the elevator, I provided a visual description of his tiny room, including the eyelet sheets that had been hung on his window.

'I love it,' he stated with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old having just been presented with a new puppy.

'Mr. Jones, you haven't seen the room; just wait.'

'That doest' t have anything to do with it,' he replied.

'Happiness is something you decide on ahead of time. Whether I like my room or not doesn't depend on how the furniture is arranged .. it's how I arrange my mind. I already decided to love it. 'It's a decision I make every morning when I wake up. I have a choice; I can spend the day in bed recounting the difficulty I have with the parts of my body that no longer work, or get out of bed and be thankful for the ones that do.

Each day is a gift, and as long as my eyes open, I'll focus on the new day and all the happy memories I've stored away. Just for this time in my life

Old age is like a bank account. You withdraw from what you've put in..

So, my advice to you would be to deposit a lot of happiness in the bank account of memories!
Thank you for your part in filling my Memory bank.
I am still depositing.' Remember the five simple rules to be happy:

1. Free your heart from hatred.
2. Free your mind from worries.
3. Live simply.
4. Give more.
5. Expect less.

New Year Resolution Tag

This tag was given to me by Amiable Amy; thanks a lot , dear! I am going to post it to my “Life is Good and Beautiful blog, dear; hope you won't mind :-). Will try to be creative as much as I could, just like what you did on your post!

Here they are:

1.) Lessen the time spend in front of the computer
2.) Stop Procarastinating
3.) Get back to exercising again
4.) Eat more healthy
5.) Get back to reading books again
6.) Visit my family in the Philippines

7.) Shop clothes and shoes less
8.) Retire to bed early and get up early as well
9.) Be more patient like my son
10.) Get a real job11.) Take time to meditate
12.) Achieve goals (spiritual and temporal)

The Rules: Once you’ve been tagged by someone, share your list (on your blog) of 12 top list New Year's Resolutions and then tag up to 12 other people who will then post their own lists.

I am now passing it to those who set goals and try achieving them by setting New Years Resolution: Dhemz, Rose, Umma, Faye, Lou, Maybel, Juliana, Madz , Bogie, Nancy, BenchieGrace, Iceah, Fhaye and Mye. And all my friends listed on my blogroll. Grab it guys if you feel like sharing your resolution!

Hair and Scalp Problems

My scalp is driving me crazy.It is dry and no matter how often I wash my hair it is still dry and is giving me dandruff. I guess I need to do what I hate putting on my hair which is baby oil. Why I hate it? Well, it makes me feel hot or warm not to mention makes my face greasy a little bit...no idea why is that? It is worse during winter! Do you, guys have any idea how to get rid of those flakes falling off my hair? Oh, by the way, my hair are falling off, too. I feel like I am going to a chemo or something! Well, hope these problems will stop soon.

Jake putting puzzle together....

Befpre going to bed, my son put his car puzzle together, again one of the gifts he got from Santa....

he did it by himself with out any help from Mom or Dad...
done here... he was sitting on the top of coffee table...
here standing proud of her finished puzzle. Jake is really very good on putting puzzles together than coloring, even his teacher was very surprised how advanced he was with puzzles.