Meadows Art

Photo by Steve Shwartzman @ Portraits of Wildflower

I feel a sense of peace and happiness looking at wildflowers in the field. They look simply beautiful. The most amazing part is that they naturally grow and thrive anywhere in the open field.

They remind me of my childhood and the verse in the bible that teaches us not to worry because the Lord provides even to the flowers in the fields. The book of Matthew 6:28 says “And why do you worry about clothes? See how the flowers of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. (NIV)

I got to visit Steve Shwartzman’s blog last week. He takes professional photos and posts them in his blog. Looking at his wildflower photos is a feast for people like me who appreciates wildflowers.

To check out Steve’s amazing photography, click this link https://portraitsofwildflowers.wordpress.com

I particularly like this photo of his sunflowers collective and asked if I could make it an inspiration for my watercolour painting. I would like to say thank you to Steve for sharing his passion to people like me.

To check out some of my artworks for sale in bluethumb, check this link https://bluethumb.com.au/theplant_kingdom-by-aileen-kris/Artwork/flowerland-1?fbclid=IwAR2-lXrkL9lIfSFbfJZztasD7Ftj-I3rDxtA4R0HFa5WCuHtqKanVpFxZ2Q

Thanks everyone! 🙂

Strength for Today

We hope that this art video and Joshua 1:9 will remind us to stay strong and courageous no matter what we are going through during this time.

Joshua 1 New International Version (NIV)

Joshua Installed as Leader

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: ² “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites. ³ I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. ⁴ Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. ⁵ No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. ⁶ Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

⁷ “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. ⁸ Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips;meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Making a Fairy House Garden

Kris and I love gardening. Last summer of 2018 we wanted to take it to a different level by experimenting on making a fairy house garden. It was a trial and error that turned out very well.

We got our materials from Bunnings and Warehouse (our favourite shops). I swear Kris and I go to that place every other week to have a window shopping date. We can stay there for half a day or even a whole day. They have got amazing coffee and food too.

We were so excited to start the project when we got home. I must confess it was me who was the most enthusiastic about this project. LOL! As evidenced by the photos.

When I was a kid I believed in fairies as tiny as Thumbelina from a children’s classic fairytale book. I must have kept the unconscious drive to build a house for the fairies since I was young.

It’s not easy to purposely break a perfect and new terracotta pot and I was hesitating to smash it with the hammer. I felt bad doing it but eventually reassured to know that I am making a beautiful fairy house project.

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Emote-Emote

I started to fill the broken pot with the soil and used the broken pieces to hold the soil in place. Then I planted the flowers at the top and succulents at the bottom. Lastly, I placed the fairy house and decorated the walk path with the white pebbles. It’s that easy! Trust me.

Surprisingly, I did not realise that the fairy house light up in the dark!!What a delight to see it glowing in the garden at night. I could imagine small fairies flying around it, making their dinner then getting ready for bed.

You too could enjoy this simple project at home. For sure kids and adults would love to get involved with this great idea. It’s like gardening with a twist of art and fairytale. It’s also a reminder of something broken which may not be made whole again but can be turned into something beautiful. Gosh! it gave me a life lesson too.

Thinking of making one as well? Here’s a list of the things that you need.

1. Large Terracotta Pot
2. Soil
3. Fairy House
4. Flowers
5. Succulents
6. White pebbles
7. Hammer

Enjoy! 🙂

How to look after a Peperomia Polybotyra

We got to buy our very first peperomia plant in Australia last year. And we’re so glad that it has thrived very well.

So, how did we do it? A little bit of research , personal experience and TLC ( tender love and care) did the trick. Peperomias are not too needy as well as long as you get the most important care tips right. Here are some of it.

1. Use a not too large pot with drainage.

2. Place it in an area with a bright to medium light away from direct sun exposure. We placed ours next to a window with a semi-transparent curtain. I love the way they turn their leaves towards the window. Kris and I takes turn to rotate them every now and then. Peperomias like warm and humid temperatures. Less light exposure will lead to leaves falling off and too much sun exposure will cause it’s leaves to turn pale and yellowish.

3. Leave the soil to dry completely before watering as the peperomia leaves are thick which can store water. I usually just stick about an inch of my finger in the soil to check it’s moisture and water if it’s dry. We water our Peperomia about just twice a week but may be even less during winter. Avoid too much watering as it may cause it’s root to rot and eventually grow fungus.

4. Fertilise once a month or even every 2 months. They are the kind of plant that does not really need it though.

They grow slowly so there’s no need to repot not until the roots are sticking out from the bottom of the pot.

5. Regular misting and wiping of it’s leaves reduces bugs infestation and cleans the leaves from dusts hence promoting photosynthesis. Your peperomia will love you for this!

Thanks for taking time to read our tips. If you have any other suggestions and recommendations feel free to leave your comment. We have posted some of our plant collections in our instagram page.

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Let’s Paint Together

Bird of Paradise

Few weeks ago Kris and I went to the City to buy his art supplies.

I look forward doing art supply shopping with Kris as I love looking at those beautiful display of colors in every corner of the art shop plus I get to buy tiny bits of pieces for myself such as color pencils and pens.

I won’t be doing anything that afternoon anyway so I randomly picked a table top easel, paint brushes, a small canvass and a few pieces of paint on sale.

My husband is a very talented artist who has done a lot of art shows and sold hundreds of paintings. He has been encouraging me to get back to my passion in drawing and painting so we could share the same hobby together. Wouldn’t be fun to paint and exhibit together as a couple? So, with no questions asked he’s gladly added my stuff to his cart.

I was so excited to get started as I opened my bag of art goodies. Kris set up my table top easel and taught me color priming techniques. He is a very good art teacher.

Looking for inspirations is not really that hard. I thought of things that makes me happy and for some reason I chose to paint the bird of paradise plant because of it’s brilliant colour that reminds me of tropical places like home in the Philippines.

Sketching on the plant was not that hard as I have been doing it before but I got a bit nervous picking up my new brush and dipping it to the acrylic paint then brushing it to the canvass. Kris taught me not to be scared as I can just cover mistakes with another layer color on top and just relax and enjoy!

True enough, I finished my painting that day and was very proud of my achievement. Thanks to my incredible art teacher/husband.

I came to realise it’s not too late to re visit an old passion and talent. It has always been there inside of me but I was just busy with some other things as well.

For some of you reading my blog, my paintbrush could be your book, a novel, a ball of yarn and needle, a fishing rod, it can be anything you love doing but somewhere sometime in the past you forgot about it.

Well, why don’t you re visit your old passion and re-connect with the things that you love doing most? It’s definitely worth the try!

If you wanna check my husband’s art pieces just visit his website at krisancog.com or search Kris Ancog on Instagram and Facebook.

Lots of L.O.V.E.

Aileen and Kris

We Support Plant Parenthood

Me and my Monstera

Have you ever had the same kind of problem like me whenever I see delicious looking plants on sale?

I swear Kris and I never comes home empty handed whenever we go out for a ‘window’ plant shopping.

That sort of “must have that plant” feeling is real especially when it’s rare and on sale!

There was a time when Kris and I saw a small banana tree in Bunnings Warehouse. We were so surprised to see a banana tree in New Zealand! We didn’t think it was possible. We love the thought of owning a banana tree and got excited about the idea of growing it in our place but our trolley was full so we thought of coming back for it.

By the time we returned the following week they’ve already sold the last banana tree. If only we bought it the first time we saw it! I think our plant gang would have look amazing!

Since then, we never let any chance to pass by. We’ve bought and grown plants we really desired to have. Plants are such a joy to have in the house. They are a good investment and they bring in a lot of health benefits such as improving air quality by increasing oxygen supply and decreasing air pollution, reduce stress by making people calm and happier. They turn your place into a safe oasis where you can enjoy it together with your family and friends.

Our “plant gang”

Our plants are like our babies and we are proud to be ‘plant parents’. But just like having real kids I think we just have to save more for our “Plant Fund”.

How about you? What plant babies do you have?

Follow our plant parenthood journey via Instagram @theplant_kingdom

To all the plants I’ve loved before…but died!

A love letter to all the plants who died under my care.

It was love at first sight when I saw you at the plant shop. I took you home with the hopes of a lasting green and colourful relationship. I was so excited when I got you that I posted about us in my social community. I’ve researched and joined plant lovers group who share the same passion of looking after plants as their own. A lot of my friends like you.

We were both so happy. I feed you everyday and talk to you like a real friend. You know my ups and downs. You just stood there watching over me with your effortless beauty.

I saw you grow. I remember the day I saw your first baby leaf. I was so excited that I just stood staring at you for the longest time. You did it! We both did it! You thrived and I felt accomplished.

As time goes by, I got busy and barely have time to look after you. There were a few days I forgot to water you and your leaves started to turn yellow and fall. I didn’t realise it till I saw you from the corner of my eye as I rush on my way to work. Gave you a quick wash and drink.

That evening I returned home to see you barely living. Like a dying patient needing a resuscitation. I felt sad and don’t know what to do. I am just so tired from work and won’t have time to look after you.

The scorching sun woke me up late in the morning. I felt not coming back to work as I was just busy and tired the whole week. I forgot to check on you.

Went home and saw you have already died. A part of me wanted to die as well.

We used to be happy but now you’ve left me.

I am so sorry that I have abandoned you plant. I hope you can forgive me. I’ve given my best but I lacked commitment. It cost your life.

I hope that someday you will come back to me.

And by that time I will be a better carer.

Lovingly,

Your Sad Ex-Plant Owner

Monstera De MAFIA

How to look after your Monstera Deliciosa.

Kris and I are both plant lovers.

One of our favorite plant is called Monstera deliciosa.

Why is it called “deliciosa”? It’s because this plant eventually bears fruit that tastes so delicious. I haven’t tasted it yet but apparently it tastes like a combination of berries, passion fruit, pineapple and mango! Tropical huh? Fruit Salad in one plant! Yum!

This plant was gifted to me by my previous work colleagues before we left New Zealand. We bought it here from Flower Power Australia. Thank you ladies.

I don’t work for the real “Mafia” but in some workplaces, where a bunch of Filipino girls are working together we automatically get called “The Mafias”. We are of similar height, weight, hair and skin colour, and we go on tea’s and lunch breaks on a well organised time schedule – I guess that’s how they decided we behave like a mafia. So I named the plant after them.

This is our second Monstera plant. We sold our first monstera in NZ simply because we had to move overseas. We have looked after our Monstera plants very well and we do get a lot of queries on how to look after them.

I am going to share to you the most important tips to keep your Monstera strong and healthy.

1. Keep away from direct sunlight and heat source. Monsteras like bright areas and should be placed under a shade.
2. Use a LARGE POT with DRAINAGE. Monstera’s grow really BIG if well taken cared of and that’s what we all want. Good water drainage allows the plant to breathe and not drown in the water.
3. Wipe the dust off from the leaves and mist with cold water. This helps the leaves absorb energy from the sunlight for growth. Spraying cold mist keeps them fresh just like having a shower.
4. Rotate the pot at least once a week so all of the leaves are evenly spread out.
5. Water thoroughly. Make sure that the top soil is completely dry before the next watering. Empty the drain every now and then.
6. Water more in Summer than in Winter. Monstera is at it’s peak of growth around summer and slows down in Winter.
7. Water with fertiliser mix at least every fortnight.
8. Inspect for pests, scales and diseases hiding underneath the leaves and the stems.

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