Summer

Hello, Summer

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read1.3K views

Summer is finally knocking at our doors, bringing with it heat waves.

We’ve made a lot of progress in the backyard, completing a few projects and starting others. I have planted six young trees around the backyard and I go out twice daily to water and do a little maintenance, until I give my husband thumbs up to set up drippers for those plants. What’s blooming for me now are: Agapanthus ‘Storm Cloud’, Daylilies, African Iris, Lavenders, Gaura Lindheimeri, Broom Shrubs, Texas Sage, Desert Willow, Silvery Cassia, Dwarf Cup Flower, Heavenly Bamboo, Autumn Sage, Sedeveria ‘Hummelii’, Donkey’s Tail, … etc.

My African Irises (Dietes Vegeta) are flowering. While still searching for better companion plants, I have settled for Spanish Lavender, which I am shaping to grow as topiary.

African Iris.

One of my new favorite plants in the garden is this beautiful Phenomenal Lavender, given to us by one of our neighbors a couple of months ago.

According to High Country Gardens, Lavender Phenomenal or Phenomenal French Hybrid Lavender (Lavandula x Intermedia ‘Phenomenal’), is a French hybrid lavender notable for its outstanding cold hardiness and tolerance to heat and high humidity. ‘Phenomenal’ is said to be the toughest lavender there is as it is also resistant to root and foliar diseases and deer proof. They grow into a beautiful mounded shape, with purple flowers on tall stems in mid-summer.

Lavender Phenomenal.

I love ornamental grasses. One of my favorites is the Purple Fountain Grass; unfortunately, they cannot survive cold winters and are not hardy in my USDA Plant Hardiness Zone. I had a few of them for some months and they never came back the following year.

Two years ago I bought a few Hameln Dwarf Fountain Grasses, just to check them out. They have survived a couple of harsh winters and they are thriving in the garden.

Hameln Dwarf Fountain Grass.

Happy gardening and safe weekend.

Hectic Weather

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read645 views

The weather is fresh and we have experienced cooler temperatures all weekend long, which is precisely what we need here in the High Desert. We had such a wonderful time outdoors earlier in the day.

We secured all the openings around the wooden fence to prevent the ground Squirrels from using them as entry and exit points to and from the front yard. We had a Twister in the backyard. Although it lasted just a few seconds, it brought so much debris from the empty lot at the back of our property into our yard.

My Longiflorum-Asiatic Lily ‘Birgi’ all in bloom. Such a delicate beauty.

Longiflorum-Asiatic Lily 'Birgi.'
Longiflorum-Asiatic Lily ‘Birgi.’

I am sure tomorrow will be a better day.

Fun Afternoon at Huntington Beach

EPEngineer By EPEngineer2 min read702 views

“The Sea, once it casts its spell, holds one in its net of wonder forever.” ― Jacques Cousteau

After weeks of planning and postponing, my wife finally made arrangements with our friend Evelyne, to meetup at her place in Buena Park, CA and then spend the rest of the day at the Beach. After much anticipation and a good weather, we decided to drive down since we figured there would be less people after the holiday. On our way there we spotted so much traffic left and right that I was afraid the days activity would not happen.

After spending about an hour at our friend’s apartment catching up on events and waiting for the arrival of a friend of hers, we then made our way to Huntington State Beach. It took us about twenty minutes to get there. After what seemed like an hour waiting in line to get in, we finally made it. It was packed, yet roomy since people where keeping to their activities and not running around as much. We found a location and set up. To our amazement, the weather was surprisingly warm and we didn’t have to cover up until much later.

Huntington State Beach Sign.
Huntington State Beach Sign.
Father and Children on the Beach.
Exploring with my Kids.

We had brought shorts and shirts to get in but when we got out of the car we felt the fresh cool air and decided to go as we where (less chances of getting sick). I had an awesome time with my kids. We fought and ran away from waves, found some shells and even got to catch some Sand Crabs on a foam cup. After having some fun watching them bury themselves on the little dirt inside the cut, we released them so they would not die. The Seagulls where very interested on our activity since they figured an easy dinner was to come.

Seagulls on the Beach.
Seagulls on the Beach.
Lone Sailboat.
Lone Sailboat.

It was a nice cloudy day and the breeze was inviting up to the point where it started to get cold. I had almost forgotten the feeling with all the heat we are having at home. We said our goodbyes to friends who came with us and left our sand castles behind for the birds to take over. The journey back home was as scenic as the drive away from it was. Being here for the day reminded us of the many times we have made the same drive and how it’s never the same each and every time. I am looking forward to the next time we find ourselves there again.

High Desert Summer Events

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read1.1K views

Early this afternoon, we took the kids to the movies to watch Despicable Me 2 at the Civic Plaza 12. Today being the released date, all seats were sold out for the 4:50 PM showtime. So, I went ahead and purchased four tickets for the next one, which was at 6:10 PM. What to do in the meantime? I asked myself. As I looked across from the theater, I saw a Music Band as well as lots and lots of people gathered around food, clothing and accessories stands. We later found out that they are all part of Summer events happening in the High Desert.

Despicable Me 2: Gru's got a Crush.
Despicable Me 2: Gru’s got a Crush. (Image credit: Illumination Entertainment).
Despicable Me 2: Minions on The Beach.
Despicable Me 2: Minions on The Beach. (Image credit: Illumination Entertainment).

While keeping the kids busy until it was time to watch the movie (which we very much liked); I enjoyed some live Pop and Country Music from the band Under Construction.

Concerts In The Park.
Under Construction Live @ Hesperia Civic Plaza Park.

Concerts In The Park
From June 1st to September 7th with a different Band each week.
Event starts at 6:00 PM and Music starts at 6:30 PM
1 (760) 244-5488

If like us, you support your local vendors by shopping local, the High Desert Farmers’ Market will be at Civic Plaza Park with some great produce for sale every Wednesdays until September 25th.

High Desert Farmers’ Market
HighDesertFarmersMarket.com
Wednesdays, May 8th – September 25th, 2013
4:30 PM – 8:30 PM
1 (760) 247-3769

Another free Entertainment that people love and look forward to this time of year is the Movies in The Park.

Movies In The Park
June 8th – September 14th, 2013
All movies begin at dusk
1 (760) 244-5488

All of these Summer Events are taking place at the following location:
Hesperia Civic Plaza Park
15833 Smoke Tree Street
,
Hesperia, CA 92345

Hesperia, CA 92345