Live Life and Love

Importance And Uses Of Rose Flowers

By livelifeandlove on March 4, 2014

As years bring tremendous changes and a new growth, a new variety of roses are being introduced worldwide. The new tone and various coloured roses that gives contrast of colours and fragrance, no matter if it’s miniature or hybrid on a pot or on a ground, everyone takes the pride in producing their own garden of roses.

Not surprisingly, the presence of multiple buyers and strong market inspired the rose farmers and gardeners to produce more. Even the breeders won a prize in different shows, just as the best. It grew more popularity as the production steadily increased as years went. Roses, as already known for centuries, it is always the flower of choice for home, flower arrangement, surprise gift in any occasions and events. People used rose flowers for this purpose. Throughout the years of using roses at home and occasionally,I would like to share additional uses, I’m reviewing all the wonderful benefits of it.

Uses of rose flowers

1. Good centerpiece on the table

2. Flower arrangement

3. Corsage

4. Medicine

5. Perfume

6. Recipes

7. Garlands

8. Sweet freshener (house,car,cabinet drawers,office)

9. Fashion and accent pieces for; Hair, cloth, gown, shoes, bags

10. For business

11. Window garden decors

12. Bridal veil, bridal flower

13. Confetti

14. Potpourri

15. Flores De Mayo or Mayflower festival

16. Bookmarks

17. Boutonniere for black suit

18. Favorite model subject of photographers, artist, printers, and wood carvers

19. Wall decors

20. Rose designs for arts, paintings, jewelries, tattoos, wood and food carvers,embroidery, schools,billboard, printing,( dresses, Prom gown, bed sheets and pillow cases) glass wares( tea sets, coffee cups, glasses, plates)

21. Perfect for landscaping in parks; amusement parks, industrial places, mansions, castles, schools, cemetery.

22. Float decorations

23. For offering; altar, grave

24. For human names, song lyrics and animal names

25. Bed of roses for newly married couple

26. Rose oil and rose water

27. Fragrant rose petals as a refreshing bubbles on a bath tub

28. For decorations in any event like; weddings, Valentine’s day gifts, festivities, birthdays, appreciations, graduations, inaugurations and ceremonies.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects

ROSES AS AN EXPRESSION OF LOVE

By livelifeandlove on February 26, 2014

Lovely Roses

Giving roses brings a special message for a purpose. If you are shy that you want to release the inner feelings you’ve been keeping for a long time,definitely, roses will do it for you. It is a special delivery attention to speak up of your love that you can’t speak for it.

For others, it’s a quick bridge to short cut the way especially if you are facing a love trouble. Roses surely will restore a good relationship. No matter if its for plain friendship or love, it serves as a peacemaker to resolve a conflict between two people.

How much more if you’ll surprise a loved one with a basket full of red roses or a bed full of red roses? It will make a difference!

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Roses in a Vase

By livelifeandlove on February 24, 2014

Floribunda and Hybrid Tea Roses (Click on image to view larger)

Fragrant roses in a vase makes a lovely centerpiece on the table.Extra large blooms makes a lovely blend that provides fine shades of interesting color combinations. Among the good varieties of Floribunda Roses and Hybrid Tea Roses; Persian Yellow, Adolf Horstmann, Sutter’s Gold, Derek Nimmo, Friendship, and Elizabeth Tailor to name a few. When I bought these roses, it was partially opened until the day after comes to full bloom. I transferred it immediately to a trumpet vase which good enough to hold the stems and flowers firmly,reducing the water just enough for the vase. I have arranged them accordingly mixing all the varieties so colors will stand out. Arranging long-stemmed roses is easy because all varieties are suitable for any floral arrangement.The beauty, colour and fragrance looks appropriate to any style.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Only for the Flowers

By livelifeandlove on February 17, 2014

On my way home, I saw a queen bee pollinating the flowers, I immediately grabbed my camera to take a snapshot. As I was about to press the shutter,it flew backwards. I followed it again for the 2nd time, it flew straight to my camera encircling my head. How aggressive! I just stand-by firmly, I didn’t make any movement in order to be safe. For the 2rd try, I pressed the shutter and it’s done! That time, it was about to rain and I hurriedly packed everything before it gets wet.

To my surprised when I saw this photo. Where is the bee? The queen bee is nowhere to be found. Whew! I’ve missed to check my camera earlier. So the result,what is left are the flowers minus the queen bee. I really thought it was successful, How tough and aggressive to photographed such one. Previously, I have photographed the honeybees and the city bees. I can even touch these bees unlike the queen bee,it was quite bigger and aggressive, I can’t even come closer, so scared that its just like breaking my brain cells into pieces. It just happened that I’m also an aggressive photographer and I’m sure, I will get her back soon!

Note: (Click on image to view larger.

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

Chinese New Year 2014

By livelifeandlove on February 12, 2014

Lavishly decorated Shang-rila Plaza Mall shows the best.The glamorous modern and traditional decorations and exhibits throughout the mall, you’ll be charmed by the looks of pretty horses all around. (Click on images to view larger)

There’s no permanent date for Chinese new year.It starts on different date every year, this year, falls on Friday, January 31 ” The Year of the Wooden Horse”. Last year, it was Sunday, February 10, It’s the ”Year of the Snake”. Year 2013 was a snake , this Year 2014, represents the animal, horse. There’s a cycle to follow, 12 years cycle represents 12 animals in Zodiac form that’s why, each year represents different animals.

The horse zodiac signs nature ; hardworking, commands, energetic, loyal, diplomatic, entertaining,popular,well-groomed, independent and many more. It seems, this year would be better than last year based on animal nature. I hope so. For the first time, it was declared Non- working holiday in the Philippines.What a lucky holiday for the people, it was weekend and a good timing for pay-day. Big malls in the city cut down selected items into big discounts from 50% to 75%, it was a good offer to attract shoppers. It doubled people’s mood to celebrate the New Year. However, other places like China and Taiwan, It is a special public holiday, the long week vacation gives them the opportunity to prepare for the Spring festival.

If you are born in the year of the horse, this year is favorable for you. According to the Lunar calendar, New year will begin on the 2nd new moon of winter solstice. The birthday of my sister falls under the month of February. Definitely, following the lunar calendar, She was born in the previous year.

Our New year celebration was even merrier than last year. We spend the day visiting relatives and friends.We also manage to spend 3 hours in Shang-Rila Plaza Mall and a night out for a big family dinner in a restaurant. What a glorious mall to celebrate Lunar new year. I was enjoying to take free photos around. Appreciative view was awesome! Feng Shui stalls all around displaying horses and lucky charms. Before I forget, Feng Shui objects to those who wants to improve luck, health, and to be safe always.

The Dragon

This year’s Chinese new year, There are lots of activities and folk customs. Indeed, Chinatown is the best place to see all these wonderful festivities. It includes; the Dragon and Lion dance, Chinatown street parade, Chinese trick performers, as you know they are good in performing special tricks like the dish spinning,acrobatic show, puppet show, Chinese Opera show and Chinese musical show with their traditional musical instruments. You can even meet new Chinese friends and hang with them around.Whether you are a Chinese or not, you’ll learn something about their history.

Here’s some photos taken around the city during the Lunar celebration. I took some for you to see!

Shang-rila Plaza Mall was decorated with variety of horses . Other stalls display horses made of glass, porcelain, silver, mosaic, bronze and other wax figures.

The hanging Chinese lanterns was a perfect view above.

Hanging lanterns from above.

The Prosperity Tree

The lucky decorations from the Prosperity tree.

The hanging ”ampaw or red envel0pe” hanging from the Prosperity tree.

It will not end up here because every year we celebrate Chinese New Year. I just hope this year,”We will all prosper! Happy Chinese New Year Everyone!

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My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Wildlife/Animals/Pets

ROOSTER SYMPHONY IN THE MORNING

By livelifeandlove on February 6, 2014

Rooster without a crown (Click on image to view larger)

Roosters start crowing at dawn countless times, I was bit annoyed because they crowed in shifts with other neighboring roosters. It was 5 am, just as the day, I devoted my time to spent quiet in bed. I never realized how annoying and irritating, the major noise disturbs a good rest that it was so unpleasant to hear.

It was a different life in the province if you compare to urban life. Rooster noise in the morning is a humble symphony to wake up everyone. It serves as an alarm clock every hour to finish a scheduled task.

I think, crowing in shifts with other roosters is a means of communication to present their attendance or it might be a quick communication, a sort of conversation to let other roosters know about important matters daily, or a sort of close interaction giving them the freedom to wake up everyone. It seems like a loud speaker echoing around to wake up a peaceful surrounding. I’m not sure!

Cock with a crown

However, you’ll be charmed by their looks while crowing, lift their wide wings like an eagle, and opening their beak facing up the sky.

People in the province, in our province I should say, praised roosters with nice words, saying that, ’’Roosters are our alarm clock, a source of meat and a fortune fighting cock’’ What else? No more comment. I will just keep silent about it!

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions

KUNG HEI FAT CHOI 2014

By livelifeandlove on January 30, 2014

‘Kung Hei Fat Choi” Good health and prosperity await as we welcome the ”Lunar year of the horse.” Happy Chinese new year everyone! This year 2014 is a good year to start and it would be better than last year.

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Gardening/Greenery/Garden Insects | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography

Bougainvillea Decorative Effect

By livelifeandlove on January 23, 2014

Giant Bougainvillea (Click on images to view larger)

The decorative effect makes a lovely display, swinging gracefully under full sun that dresses the frontal view of the house. It appeared growing very thickly together and it blooms continuously. What is more lovelier about it, it provides a good shade.

Bougainvillea A mass of pink blooms closely packed

Bougainvillea, a plant particularly growing around, the same kind of plant grown in our garden. The good thing about these plant, it can survive even in poor dry or stony soil. It’s hard to train the branches especially when the stem is already matured. The good maintenance to trim earlier while the plant is still young and the stem is still soft would be better. Cutting, trimming and bending the branches when the plant is still young is a good way to train the branches to grow in different direction that makes a brilliant position when flowers in full bloom. Other plants to lessen the damages, I keep it tied properly from both ends, from upward to downward either both side works to stay upright even during storm or windy situations. However,it’s hard to cut it because it’s spiny. Just wear the right gloves to trim the bushes.

Summer is fast approaching,during this time, it’s feasting with brilliant colors bursts into blooms, you’ll see different varieties of bougainvillea around the corner with different colors. I prefer the common color which is pink but, others likes the yellow one which is rare to find and unique. How I wish to have all colors; yellow, red, white, light blue, green, purple, peach and pink. That would be a wise idea,I might go to Tagaytay again to shop for flowering plants soon.

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure

MERALCO’S LIWANAG PARK 2013

By livelifeandlove on January 16, 2014

Meralco compound shines again, Knowing what to expect for this year 2013, Meralco bringing the gift of light for everyone.The light as a symbol of hope for good upbringing and a brighter future to behold. Maliwanag ang Pasko is a project to light up city parks in the Philippines, a project that gives a scent of hope and happiness ahead.

The intention of the project shines through.You’ll witness the creation of the night just like in the holy land, the refreshing sound of Christmas carols playing continuously, creating a romantic atmosphere to feel the scent of Christmas spirit.

Although, many concluded that this year 2013 was a bad year for us. Many people in the south were effected by Super typhoon” Yolanda” that hit the Philippines months ago. It was the world’s strongest storm on record, the deadliest ever putting the dead count at almost 6,000 according to reports and still counting because others still missing up to this time. It’s so sad to think that majority were children. You can just imagine, the foul odor of dead bodies everywhere, the mass burial on the deep ground seen publicly on television and newspapers nationwide. Many groups have put up donation centers for Yolanda’s victims. Thank you very much for the kind donations.This year, mostly our gifts goes directly to the typhoon victims, sparing some gifts intended for personal friends. I just hope they will understand this cause, the spirit of Christmas works and blessings from above will shower for them. Many typhoon victims was relocated from the South to Manila. Some of them visited Meralco with the nuns, to see the brilliant lights will surely give them a brighter outlook in life. After the tragedy, as I have mentioned in the past posts that we continue to live and hope for a good life, we continue to do what is right and have faith in him, God will always direct the good way for us. I just hope and pray that it will never happen again.

After giving help and support to the typhoon victims, it’s time to start all over again. Christmas time is a gift giving that everyone on this day are happy for the presents they had received especially the children, Christmas toys, food and money are given to the children of typhoon victims.

Of course , I feel the warmth to do this kind of activity to share, not only my thoughts, hopes and dreams but also to capture vivid shots for you. It’s my way of sharing , just a sort of close interaction for my readers.I just hope you’ll enjoy reading my experience as well as my night photography too.

Let’s get started! Here’s some shots taken before the holiday season.

The main entrance,visitors greeted with splendid lights lined along the way. Both sides,sparkling with different colors of light. The whole place was brilliant.

(Click on images to view larger)

Meralco building adorned with big lanterns hanging overhead.

The Meralco logo can be seen at the center.

The bold Christmas greetings,”Maligayang Pasko” means Merry Christmas.

The giant Christmas tree that changes colors of light continuously.

The ”Holy family” Mary,Joseph and Baby Jesus.

A huge space for the ”Holy family.”

The chapel.

In the bible, The 3 kings holding gifts; Gaspar, Melchor and Baldazar brought gold, myrrh and Frankincense to the newborn Jesus.

The first view, looks like a real one. It’s a life sized replica.

The King pointing the direction of the star.

Christmas lights brighten the whole area.

The Tsu Tsu train is a treat for the children.It’s a free ride for the kids.

All corners was decorated with Christmas lights, it was full of bulb that glitters.

The Christmas houses, its just like a Toyland.

I’ve captured this from a distance.

To avoid the crowd,Plenty of options. I keep on moving from far distance to get a good view. But still, It is tough to wait for the people to empty the place. They all took time to appreciate everything. Meralco compound is huge with a beautiful landscape, it was all adorned with Christmas decorations and lights. The night ended after an hour and I was exhausted. I’ll be back to visit Meralco again soon.

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Events/ Holidays/ Special Occasions | My Indoor and Outdoor Photography | Travel and Adventure