Fountains and Gardens Blog

Friki Tiki Phenomenon

The culture of the Polynesian Islands, Hawaii, and New Guinea is where tiki statues and their mythology originates. Tiki statues are usually carved out of wood or stone and have human like characteristics. The carvings often serve to mark the boundaries of sacred or significant sites. In Māori mythology Tiki is the first man, created by either Tūmatauenga or Tāne. He then found Marikoriko, the first woman. She seduced him and he became the father of Hine-kau-ataata.

 

In modern times tiki statues became popular as decorative and artistic elements in tiki bars and restaurants with Polynesian décor largely in part by Ernest Gantt. Ernest Gantt back in the 1930's built the first tiki bar in California on Hollywood Boulevard and called it Don the Beachcomber. It only had two dozen seats with old netting and parts of wrecked boats as décor. He created many rum-based drinks that enhanced the whole Polynesian theme. He grew quickly in popularity that he legally changed his name to Donn Beach.

When World War II broke out Donn Beach was enlisted so his ex-wife continued to run Don the Beachcomber. After his enlistment in World War II he returned to find that she had built a chain totaling 16 locations. So then it was time for him to move on. He decided to move to Hawaii to open up his own Don the Beachcomber tiki bar in the resort that is known today as Waikiki Beach. Of course, his restaurant became an instant landmark.

Since then Polynesian design began to infuse every aspect from home accessories to architecture. Tiki statues have also inspired contemporary artists and sculptors with new motifs and styles. Today you can also see many tiki designs from mugs to outdoor tiki solar lights.

 

 

Need your tiki fix? See how you can save on tiki solar lights!

Evergreen Trees: Year-Round Beauty

Evergreen trees are a favorite due to their year-round foliage. They don't lose their leaves in the fall leaving your landscape bare. Evergreens can also endure rough seasons as the leaves prevent sun and frost damage on the branches and trunk. Most evergreens prefer full sun and can handle a wide range of soil types which also makes them a popular addition to any landscape.

There are many evergreen species including spruces, firs and pines. Some species constantly grow new foliage while others have slower, periodic growth rates. However, in all cases, the foliage remains green all year. In spring, you can usually see the new growth a little paler or appear even yellow against the older foliage. Most of the evergreens' leaves are needle-shaped which actually helps them to conserve water. They also have a slight waxy foliage which also helps to prevent evaporation.

Evergreens can be used around your landscape to provide a border or fence for privacy all year round. They can also reduce noise pollution by acting as a sound barrier. Ever notice communities that have been established with mature trees seem to be quieter? Of course, evergreens also benefit our wildlife. They act as a safe haven for many birds, squirrels and other wildlife as well as offer valuable sources of food.

Now, a great new idea has been getting a lot of buzz. People are offering evergreen tree seedlings as gifts or even wedding favors. GiveTreeGifts.com offers great gift ideas such as birdseed favors and table centerpieces to larger potted gifts and memorial trees. An evergreen tree is such a great gift that will provide beauty all year and for many years to come.

 

Check out how you can get your very own FREE evergreen tree seedling!

Favorites for your Garden Planters

These are a few favorite plants to add to your garden planters, window boxes or even as borders. These are best in more shaded areas where there is no continuous direct sun throughout the day. There are so many color options that you can select that creativity is endless. These are also favorites because they will provide continuous beauty for the entire summer. So no matter what your favorite colors are you will be certain to find that perfect combination with these favorites.

 

The most popular is the Impatiens. They do not grow more than a foot in height.

 

Another favorite is the Coleus. These can grow from 1 to 3 feet in height.

 

 

Then there is the Lobelia. These will grow to 3 feet in height.

 

These are a few of my favorites. What are some of yours?

Celebrate Independence Day and Support Our Troops

Every year on July 4th we celebrate our independence and freedom. We have been going strong for 234 years. So we can't thank the military enough for what they do every day of their lives to retain our freedom. I know the economy is certainly not where it needs to be and many people are jobless and struggling. However, though times are tough for us here in the US, we have to stop and think about the living conditions our troops are under on a daily basis. They certainly don't have the luxuries or even regular amenities that we take for granted every day. It's the little things that we just don't stop and think enough about what our military is committed to for our freedom.

 

There are so many organizations that are focused on helping veterans and current active duty military. A great site that I personally have used is Military Honor Boxes. They hand make each and every honor box and donate a portion of the proceeds to the military of your choice. I had an uncle that was a Marine who has since passed, but it was a gift for my father. He misses his brother very much and it was a tribute to his brother's strength and pride as he served as a Marine.

There are other ways that you can show your support if you can't make a money donation. There is a Thank the Troops message form online to send them encouragement or thank you. You can also send E-Cards to someone in the military. Of course, you can also volunteer to support our veterans. So whether you can donate or you can volunteer there are many organizations in each state to show your support.

Though we celebrate every July 4th for our independence, we can do a little something every other day of the year to give support to those that have fought and are fighting to keep our freedom. So try to make a resolution on July 4th to continue to give your support to our troops throughout the year so we can continue our annual celebration of freedom!

Feel free to tweet me or comment about how you show your support!

The Nina, Pinta, Santa Maria and a hammock?

Yes, it is true that Christopher Columbus in 1492 actually was the first to introduce hammocks to Europe. While he was sailing the ocean blue looking for the New World, he landed at what is now called Bahamas. There he noticed that all the natives were resting in their hammocks. So Christopher Columbus decided to pack some up and bring them back to Europe. From there the Europeans, especially Britain and France, used these to get some rest while at sea.

 

Now, the very first hammock made cannot be confirmed. However, the first known use dates back to the Mayans and early Spanish explorers. The hammock itself was originally made using the bark from the Hamack tree. Then later on the Sisal plant was used. It was known to be more abundant and longer lasting. Over time the hammock was made with various other materials including cotton, cloth and rope. This broadened the many designs and styles that we still see today.

Though hammocks have been around for centuries, North America considered hammocks to be a novelty. It wasn't until the late 19th century that they started to build some popularity. Many people even today think that hammocks are just for lounging outdoors. But did you know that the US Army adopted them in World War II? So hammocks have been growing in popularity for camping, backpacking and even boating. They are very lightweight and don't take up much storage.

People also are now using them indoors replacing their mattress. When lying on a mattress there are pressure points that cause tension in the body which causes you to toss and turn throughout the night. With a hammock it provides the ultimate in weight distribution. This alleviates those pressure points and provides a more ergonomic way to get a restful night sleep.

So if it's time to own one find out how you can save on your next hammock!

The Beauty of Poppies in Your Home Garden

I'm sure most people recognize poppies from the famous scene in the Wizard of Oz as they were traipsing through the field of poppies. However, even before then, Poppies have been one of the most popular flowers. They have such a vast variety of colors that would certainly enhance the beauty of any home garden. Though most people think that poppies are best in a large flower bed, they also are excellent in planter pots around your deck or patio.

 

 

The great thing about poppies is that they are very easy to grow. They are grown from seeds and the best way is to start them indoors about six weeks before the last frost. Then once there is no threat of frost you can transplant them into your garden. They do grow very quickly and blooms appear in late spring to early summer. However, their attractive foliage will last all season long.

 

 

Don't forget the other great thing about poppies! You can harvest the seeds to be used in baking. So not only do poppies bring such bright, colorful accents to your home garden, you can also sprinkle them on your favorite breads!

 

Visit Fountains and Gardens and post photos of your favorite poppies!

Relax with a Tabletop Fountain

Who doesn't need a little rest and relaxation in today's day and age? I think everyone these days needs a way to take some time out and just relax. With a tabletop fountain it can help ease you down from your hectic day. Or even imagine being able to hear that soothing sound while enjoying a good book in your sun room or cozy den. Though we often neglect ourselves, we all need some me time.

 

Tabletop fountains are also perfect for your home office to help drown out the famous buzzing from the computer or other electronics. And I know many of you are like me and have quite a few electronics hemming and hawing all day long. So instead of blaring music and increasing my blood pressure I turn on my Zen fountain. It certainly calms me down and puts me back on track.

Now to enhance your relaxation you can always add a little aromatherapy as you're enjoying the soothing sounds of the flowing water. There are essential oils or aromatic tablets that you can add to let your other senses kick in. As my stress reliever I use a few drops of lavender. However, chamomile and sandalwood are also great scents to relax and relieve stress. So move over Glade Plug-Ins there is a new air freshener in town!

If it's time for you to relax then save today on your tabletop fountain!

Keeping our Birds in Georgia Happy and Full

There are certainly a large number of species of birds in Georgia alone. In order to try to catch a glimpse of some of our feathered friends be sure to have a birdfeeder that contains their food of choice. The most favorite birdseed is the black oil sunflower. Then following in a close second would be white millet. You can have these as a mix, but it would be best to have them separated in more than one birdfeeder. This will give a variety to your feathered friends and less mess as they will throw out what they don't want. And be sure not to over feed. Only have enough for a couple of days worth of food.

Location is another thing to keep in mind. Birdfeeders should be kept at a distance from trees to avoid squirrels stealing their food. You can get yourself a standing birdfeeder to avoid that. However, if you do have a hanging birdfeeder very close to a tree, you can always use a wire fencing around the base if the squirrels are bothersome.

Cleanliness is also a very important factor. You should be sure to keep seeds in your birdfeeder dry. Once wet they can become moldy and can produce bacteria that are harmful to the birds. You should also clean the birdfeeder once or twice a month with warm water and soap. Keeping them clean will avoid a source of disease. Just be sure it is completely dry before adding more seeds.

So just keep these simple tips in mind when owning a birdfeeder. Then keep your eyes peeled and camera ready. You might catch a glimpse of these little cuties!

            Prairie Warbler                               Lapland Longspur

  

Comment or Tweet me with birds that have been visiting in your backyard!

Show off your Garden with Solar Landscape Lights

Solar landscape lights are the perfect choice to show off your garden accents or landscape. Whether you place them in the ground or mount them on the house, these solar spot lights will let you enjoy your garden well into the evening hours. Solar lights simply bring out the beauty of your garden long after the sun has set. I personally enjoy sitting out on my deck at night and still being able to see the beauty that surrounds me.

Solar lights are so versatile that you can move them around as your garden accent areas change over time. Of course they are also eco friendly. The solar spot lights use the sun to charge up to 10 hours of continuous light at night. There is no wiring is needed. So you don't have to worry about placing them near any outlets or having to hide any electrical cords.

Where to place these lights has endless possibilities. A few ideas would be to:

• accent your garden décor
• highlight your beautiful plants or flowers
• show off your landscape
• enhance walkways

So having solar landscape lights are the most inexpensive and safest way to brighten up any area of your garden or landscape. They are very durable and weather resistant. So they will continue to shine for years to come.

Take a look at how you can save on your next solar landscape lights!

Elephant Plant Stand

There are many styles of plant stands, but the elephant plant stand takes on hidden meanings. The elephant is most highly valued for its power and strength. As everyone knows, the elephant is the largest land mammal alive today. The average adult elephant can be up to 11 feet in height and weigh between 7,000 and 13,000 pounds. They are herbivores and can live to be nearly 70 years old. Their brains are the largest of all other land animals which accounts for their extreme intelligence. They are also known to form deep bonds and live in a family type community.

Now the origin of the lucky elephant was found in the Hindu religion of India. There, the god Ganesha, who was the son of Siva and Parvati, was worshipped as an opener of the way and a god of luck. Ganesha was distinguished from other deities because he had the head of an elephant. The large head symbolized his strength and intelligence. Ganesha is also sometimes identified with the sacred white elephant of Thailand. White elephants are very rare and considered a phenomenon. Did you know that Buddha chose the white elephant as one of his many incarnations?

Many believe that having an elephant near a door or entry way will bring luck to those who enter. Now the trunk itself has some controversy as to whether it should be facing up or down. Majority of the cultures believe that having the truck pointing up is a sign that luck is stored and if it is pointing down it means that luck is being released. Either way, the elephant is still highly known to many and considered to be a symbol of good luck.

Check out how you can save on your lucky elephant plant stand!