Parrot on a PorchA Journey Toward the Little Mansion Dream

Unfortunately, our Little Mansion’s outdoor space is not as big as I wanted it to be. But that does not stop me from flipping through magazines and visiting home designing websites and shops to find ideas on how to maximize our limited space but still enjoy a cozy space outside. I am thinking of stacking and folding chairs which I chanced upon Cozydays.com, home of quality Patio Furniture and other outdoor furniture products. Everything that they have from casual garden furnishings to accessories are both functional and stylish. Besides, whatever one’s preference may be – be it modern or classic, there is always something for someone’s outdoor space. Cozydays.com is giving an assurance that all outdoor furniture are made with durable and high quality materials, thus, they can withstand the elements. Furthermore, there are furniture cushions that make outdoor space more comfortable and cozy. Also available are are quality pool floats, pool furniture, inflatable boats and kayaks for some outdoor water fun. I am also looking into finding some grills so we can enjoy some grilled food outside. My kid loves the outdoors and I found some outdoor furniture for kids which will surely delight him like a bean bag chair and bounce house. I like that Cozydays.com caters to the needs of everyone when it comes to outdoor furniture needs.

Centipede grass makes a great lawn that requires little attention. In 1919, this type of grass seed was imported from China, and it has become highly popular in the United States, especially in the South and coastal areas with a mild climate. It is especially suitable for areas with sandy or acidic soils, where other grasses may struggle to grow. It propagates by stolons, so the loose, sandy soil allows it to fill in quickly. This also makes this type of grass good for an area where you are concerned about erosion control. Stolons, or underground stems, create new plants with new roots for a thick and luscious lawn.

Care of Your Lawn

Taking care of your grass is very easy. In fact, you don’t want to overdo it! In the summer, it needs a light application of phosphorous fertilizer, but never nitrogen, and never more than once a year. It needs regular water but can withstand an occasional drought or missed watering. It needs to be mowed now and then, but it grows slowly, and only reaches three to five inches high. Because of its slow growth, it does not need edging very often. Although it grows slowly, it is aggressive in taking over its territory and crowding out weeds. It fills in its own space more than spreading, so it is easily controlled.

Appearance of Grass

This grass, when cut with a sharp mower, is very attractive. It grows on upright, medium green stems. If cutting gets delayed for some reason, it still looks good, green and healthy, not chopped up and dry. It may turn a little brown if it lacks water or goes through a mild freeze, but quickly returns to a healthy green when it is watered or when it warms up.

I wasn’t able to take a closer shot, but even from a far I think you will be able to picture what I’ll be talking about.

This is how the compound looks like. Our Little Mansion which is still under construction is in the farthest end. As you can see, the fully constructed houses on the right side have their plant boxes in full bloom. We’d also have similar plant boxes since the structure of the houses were designed uniformly but the husband and I are contemplating of designing ours differently in terms of landscaping. Further, since we are in the farthest end, we’re thinking of putting the wall to a better use by converting it to a wall garden perhaps as inspired by these:

Now that we have an idea, I’m clueless as to who to get for this landscaping task. As mentioned, we’re currently talking this with our developer but I just don’t know if they have a good landscape designer to recommend. How I wish I can contract the services of the expert Boston Landscaping designers from SLDA Landscape Design Associates based in Sudbury, MA. Their accommodating services are just what we need. The folio of their works are all lovely and inviting. If only we have a bigger garden space, it will have to look like this more likely:

The picture above is a sample work of  SLDA Landscape Design Associates.

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My mental dream board (if there is such a thing) consists of pictures of just a few but colossal things. The most notable and significant of which is a little mansion. The dwelling isn’t actually as huge and as grand as those of the affluent people but just a simple house, in fact small but very homey with a beautiful garden where I envision my kids playing and running around happily. I’m completely overwhelmed that I’m about to reach this dream very soon as our little mansion is being constructed. Except for the little garden that we’re yet to think on how to go about the Landscape Design, everything’s seemingly just an arm reach away. The house, I believe, is already 80% done so it’s just a matter of time when we’ll do the big move. As to the garden, we’re still talking it with the developer on how we want the front space and walkway be maximized. I’m thinking of having a small water garden as it’s soothing but I don’t think it’s conducive to have one because dengue-causing mosquitoes might harbor in it. Perhaps a garden path walkway will do. As long as there are beautiful flowers and green grasses to please and soothe the eyes, I’m more than satisfied.

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The facade is what the guest notices first in a house. The outdoors also gives the impression of how and what it’s like indoors. So it’s just right that a house owner also should make it a point that the exteriors are decorated well and designed invitingly. One way of infusing that goal is to make use of elegant Address Plaques strategically located in the garden, by the front door or in the front lawn.

There are several types and designs of Address Plaques. A lot of suppliers abound online but I’ll discuss the ones that I saw from Outdora as this particular online shop has among the widest collection of address plaques. The Wall Mounted Plaque is the most common type and is placed usually by the front door. Made only from rust‑free recycled aluminum and weather‑resistant paints, these can be further customized into a carved stone or artisan metal looks with traditional designs or playful themes as designs to choose from. Inscription options include the house number, the street, your name, or a combination of any of these.

There are also called address lawn plaques which usually have stakes so it can be driven into the ground. A strategically placed address lawn plaque makes it easier for your house to be spotted by guests, service and emergency attendants for food and special services delivery (repairman, telephone and cable installers), fire truck, etc. Some are specially designed as illuminated plaques and reflective plaques for added visibility. Some lawn plaques can also be wall mounted.

A commemorative plaque, on the other hand, has the same material as the address plaques but are used differently. An inscription of a special event or happening can be made into a plaque for memory preservation. Like let’s say for wedding and cardinal anniversaries, memorial and a “welcome family” inscription for the house.

Surely, there are a lot of options for address plaques requirements. Browsing at Outdora is the easiest way to choose the one that fits our requirements best.

Wind chimes are one of the most common decors that we first notice whenever we enter a house. Simply because they are usually hung on the door itself or on the outer frame and its cheerful sound as the door opens, greets and welcomes the guest. These chimes come in different styles, designs, sounds and materials. But more than the aesthetic and security purposes they provide, do you know that wind chimes are used as powerful tools in “channeling the home’s energy” in certain ways? They are one of the most widely used Feng Shui tools and the cheapest too as chimes’ materials can be sourced cheaply.

Feng Shui experts explain that chimes can certainly purify or enhance the flow of “chi” or energy in a certain area depending on the location where they are hung, on the sound and on the material they are made of. For example, there is a dark corner in the room which needs to have more energy and attract chi to it, placing bamboo wind chimes would not only attract chi energy but also enlighten and give life to that dark spot. Another one, if the path from the street to the front door is long and straight just like the pathway leading to our Little Mansion, hanging a wind chime by the door (or porch steps) slow the chi down so it enters the home gently.

Here’s another compilation of Feng Shui notes that I’ve listed down for my future reference when I “accessorize” our new home of wind chimes:

1. North is associated with stillness, quiet, and isolation and therefore not favorable for a home’s entrance (north-facing entrance). To counteract this, Metal and aluminum wind chimes can attract more activity and enhance chi in this area.

2. West is sometimes called the children area. A hollow chimes’ sound in this spot can promote harmony within the family, and positively influence the health, behavior and academic performance of children. For those wishing for a family addition, activating the chi area here adds chances of having a child.

3. Northwest is the perfect spot to hang wind chimes when aiming to attract helpful and influential friends or mentors.

I searched on the web for stylish wind chime designs and Outdora has the widest and nicest reasonably priced collection of wind chimes not only for indoors but for the garden and exteriors as well. Here are the ones that caught my fancy:

Goose Rocks Arcadia Wind Chime

Woodstock Chimes of Kyoto

Dolphin Pewter Wind Chime

Our week’s not kicking off so great. My cough hasn’t gotten better and what’s worse, the thing I dread the most happened. The little one caught the flu virus too and was even running a fever last night until early this morning. I’m taking it a good sign though that his fever hasn’t recurred since this 5 am. But he’s still looking sickly and that he isn’t at his best spirits. My heart’s in pain seeing him so uncomfortable and irksome. I just wish and pray that he gets better real soon because the last place I want to return to is the hospital. It’s been just a month since he was hospitalized due to pneumonia so I’m really in sincerest and deepest prayers that it won’t lead to another unfortunate scenario. :sigh:

It seems that the flu season is far from over because it can still get really cold in the evening until morning. Plus the fact that the virus has been lingering in the house for so long…everyone’s getting sick one after the another. In fact, I tried giving the little one double dosage of Vitamin C but I guess, the virus and the allergens’ power are much stronger than my son’s antibodies.

This morning I had to refuse his desire to go out to the patio at 5:30 in the morning. I can’t simply allow him since he might not bear the breaking dawn’s cold air. Well and good if we have patio heaters to keep us warm but we haven’t got one so whether he likes it or not, he has to be indoors. This reminds that I really have to start canvassing for a humidifier for the bedroom and a heater now preferably, an electric and one that can be use both indoors and outdoors. I don’t think it’s advisable that we use a gas powered one because the smoke or the scent may just trigger the little one’s asthma.

“You get a chunk of chocolate and you do what I do
You roast a marshmallow, you toast it just right
You smoosh them all together and you take a big bite
Cracklety crackers and lickity sweet
Mmmmmmm, S’Mores. They’re so good to eat.
Mmmmmmm, S’Mores. A real camping treat.”

If you are a parent who has a Barney fanatic son, then I guess, you are familiar with these lines and probably even sang it. It could also have been your frequent LSS (Last Song Syndrome) many times. So what brought me to think about S’mores and camping and bonfires? Well, apart from feeling chilly on this cold Thursday night, I suddenly recalled our bonfire childhood days as I see these fire pits from Outdora. We were on sixth grade then and it was the school’s first time to conduct an overnight recollection or to what they call a spiritual retreat. One of the highlights was we were grouped into a smaller number, circled around an improvised bonfire and tried to read the surprise recollection letters our parent sent us through our teachers. It was really touching and inspiring and I must say that the bonfire thingie was effective and added the much needed reflective mood.

Even though our parents weren’t there, we felt their comforting words and wisdom through the warmth exuded by the outdoor fireplace. It’s as if they were talking to us in person.

Now this topic suddenly gives me an idea for the Little Mansion’s outdoors. We have a little space outside where we could allot a spot for a camping or S’mores night with my son. I bet my son would love to experience that every now and then. Conversations over bonfires can be a one of a kind bonding moment for the whole family especially during chilly nights such as now. I just have to make sure though to consider putting fire rings for everyone’s safety. If the limited space won’t suffice, this portable Patina fire pit from Outdora will do. The moon and stars cut-out design will surely capture my son’s heart. I can already hear my son’s voice singing Barney’s S’mores song while roasting mallows in my imagination.

There are tons of charming designs at Outdora.com that you might want to check out. Based in Sonoma, CA, Outdora offers wide array of high-quality selection of outdoor fire pits, outdoor fireplaces, and patio fireplaces.

Aside from the Christmas tree, the wreath is also a favorite Christmas decoration of many. Perhaps it has got to do with the vibrant colors, the elements and its symbolism: Jesus’ birth and God’s grace and immortality. It is usually hung on the front door, the very first thing that greet and welcome any guest coming into the house.

Next year, when we celebrate our first Christmas in our new home, I’d definitely hang one..perhaps, I can work around with my very own artistic thinking caps and hands to make a Do-It-Yourself one.

Just a few of my would-be inspirations:

I find the last one most appealing. It is a Martha Stewart style, thus, the genuine and one of a kind beauty and elegance.

What I’m looking forward to our future little mansion is the little outdoor space that can be allotted as a mini-garden. The sample house (which serves as the showroom as well) that is already up and we’ll be sharing the compound with once our future home will be constructed have utilized the little space as a garden. I like how they designed it as a zen-inspired one. So simple yet colorful and refreshing. Now this makes me wonder if I should start browsing for garden type ideas already as well as start shopping for wolf garten tools .

I am thankful that I chanced upon BlueStoneGarden.com because not only I was familiarized with varied essential garden tools but it gave me an idea where to shop reasonably priced ones. Their generously discounted items are really tempting and a feast for the gardener’s eye. Now browsing stuffs such as these for our future home makes me more giddy and excited.