Vacation Photos: Tulum, Mexico!

Well, the boyfriend and I just got back from our first real vacation in about 7 years.  We went to Mexico for a week, spending  time in the cities of Tulum, Akumal, and Cancun.  The warm weather and sunshine was much needed, and now we’re back in Minnesota and very ready for spring! While on vacation we toured around a bit, and I got to check an item off my bucket list!  On our third day, we traveled up the…

Why I Love Gardening

How Zen, a photo by GardenBluesPhotography on Flickr. To me, there’s something magical about being in my garden.  No matter how stressful my life is, puttering around my garden seems to heal my soul.  When growing season rolls around, I will make time for my garden every single day without fail.  It just feels like something that I need.  And maybe I do need it.  Mentally, spiritually, and physically.  Ah, I can’t wait to get into my garden again. We’ve…

The Most Beautiful Flowers in the World.

I recently joined Flickr, and I’ve wasted so much time just browsing through peoples’ albums.  I am absolutely amazed at how many incredibly talented photographers are out there! Having been inspired by these people and their lovely photos, I’ve compiled a list of the most beautiful flowers in the world…acccording to me. Plumeria Lotus Poppy Passionflower Dahlia Pink Lady Slipper Flowers of the Cannonball Tree Lycoris Epiphyllum Trillium Photo credit: sphilp1225 Peonies Calla Lilies Anemones I could really go on…

Newest Houseplant – Schefflera Arboricola

Here’s my newest houseplant and Plant of the Month, a variegated Schefflera Arboricola, also known as the Umbrella Plant. It’s native to Hawaii, and couldn’t be more welcome in my apartment right now. Having been snowed in all last weekend and a few days this week, it has been a welcome sight.     It looks a little rough right now because I just repotted it, but it should perk up pretty soon. This tropical plant is a fairly popular…

Fall Colors and Last Blooms

This picture doesn’t do this tree justice; it is a huge, gorgeous maple inside of a small, square courtyard at my old college. I looks amazing right now, and I wanted to get more pictures of it, but a big thunderstorm chased me back inside. There are only a few new blooms on the hydrangea bushes; this one looks like it’s almost ready! And some happy pink daisies!   Visit As the Garden Grows for more information about Green Thumb…