For all those who wonder how I kill time, here is my garden! I love Gardening and flowers - they are my favorite. I like to share with you some of the flowers that are grown in my garden. When I buy plants I have a tendency to pick flowers that are shades of pink, yellow or white. I don't do it purposefully, but at the end of the day, thats the shade of Flowers I end up buying!

Some got withered & drenched in the rain, but I still like them.

 

Linking to ABC Wednesday

Finally my dream came true. A dream to see one of the seven wonders of the world. I have read about people who traveled to all the wonders of the world and about people who completed their journey within a span of just 13 days! You know, I just wanted to visit ONE of them, and here I am - the one that represents Freedom!

On my visit I learned new things about this great Statue, which I love to share with everyone. The Statue of Liberty represents many things, like friendship between nations and freedom from oppression. Historically, the Statue of Liberty is important because she was given to the U.S. by France to celebrate America’s first 100 years as a nation.

Lady Liberty’s classic stature, face, and attire come from the Roman goddess Libertas, who also represents freedom from tyranny and oppression. The crown is reminiscent of a halo and its spikes show similarities to those of the sun gods–the Roman Apollo, and the Greek Helios. Her right foot is raised as if she is continually on the move, forever bringing freedom to others.

Lady carries enlightenment to the world with the forever-lit torch (Liberty’s original name was Liberty Enlightening the World). Along with tools, the ability to create fire is one of the skills that led to civilization as we know it. Fire is symbolic of knowledge and brings light to the people.

As she bid goodbye to us in the evening, I realized that it was a trip that will stay close to my heart forever. 

Linking to Skywatch Friday

Centaurea cineraria, the velvet centaurea, is – like some other plants – also known as "dusty miller" and "silver dust". It is a small plant in the family Asteraceae and originates from the Island of Capraia in Italy, where it is called fiordaliso delle scogliere. The mature plants will grow from 15 cm to 60 cm (6inches to 24 inches). They prefer full sun, but will tolerate light shade, and also prefers average to rich well-drained soil. Small daisy-like flowers produced singly or in few-flowered clusters top the branches in summer. Centaurea cineraria will produce small white or yellow flowers in summer, but these are usually trimmed because the plant is normally grown as foliage. Depending on climate, it can be grown as either an annual or as a perennial. The silver color of the leaf is from the dense mat of small thick hairs which cover the upper and lower surfaces.

The Green Leaf Wax Begonia (Begonia semperflorens) is probably the most popular annual for shade gardens and container growing. In tropical or subtropical climates, the wax begonia is a perennial plant that can grow to the size of a small shrub. In cooler climates, it is grown as an annual. It has been popular in gardens since the Victorian era, and it is one of the most common plants in commercial cultivation today. It is noted for its tolerance to hot and humid summers. It is easily grown in average to moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Green Leaf Wax begonias are prized for their constant bloom and the uniformity of size and shape within each variety.

Nestled in the grassy hills of the western San Joaquin Valley near historic Pacheco Pass, San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area is noted for boating, board sailing, camping, and picnicking. But it's anglers who find the unit's three lakes most inviting.