Weather

Just Another Day

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read503 views

This morning we took down all the Christmas decorations (both indoor and outdoor).
I started taking down most of the decorations (Christmas Church, Village and town people down as well as the Angels, Carolers and the Nativity Set) on Tuesday except the Christmas tree, which I finally took down this afternoon. I took one of the two outdoor Wreaths down on Friday and the last one on the front door came down today along with the rest. It feels like I just got the Christmas tree up and I am now taking it down; I wish Christmas could last just a little longer! I’m glad I had my cheerful and energized little helpers around to assist me.

It’s been windy and cold all week long that we shut off the exterior water valve to the irrigation system to protect the plants from frost and prevent property damage during this freezing weather.
So, after putting the Christmas Tree and decorations away, we had a fun craft activity with the kids late in the afternoon. We made a set of Bug Walkers, which we will share in the next post.

Late Afternoon Weather: Snow on the Mountains (view from our backyard).

It is raining tonight with a chance of snowfall.

2008, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Snow Storm (partial view of our front yard).

It snowed three times in 2008 (January, April and December). It skipped 2009 and snowed in January of 2010, January and February of 2011 as well as February and March of 2012.  The kids were looking forward to Snow and building a Snowman last December. I personally wasn’t looking forward to another Snow Storm and I am very thankful for the break, although the weather might decide otherwise. It’s astonishing how each year goes faster than the previous one.

By the time I realize it, it will be Valentine’s Day!

Little Home Updates

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read661 views

We’ve had a very productive day today. The fruitless Mulberry Tree in the backyard has shed its last leaves and the Grasshoppers have somehow disappeared after nearly eating all of my Stella D’Oro Daylilies (surprisingly, these are the only plants they have been interested in). Most of bulbs I planted last month are sprouting including the Ice King Double Daffodil, Grape Hyacinth, Belladonna Amaryllis and the Pink Impression Tulips. I have also noticed a few sprouting from my Garden Huckleberry (Solanum scabrum). I am grateful for the warm weather.

Yesterday we went to Lowe’s and purchased a few Stainless Steel Cabinet Pulls/Handles, some electrical components as well as some wood for an upcoming project. We replaced the rest of the Switches and plates in the house as well as the cabinets pulls and the electrical outlets (using Pass & Seymour/Legrand 15-Amp Nickel Decorator Duplex Electrical Outlet).

Switches and Outlets.
Cabinet Pulls/Handles.

These are all little updates that will give your home a great lift.

Trimming The Mulberry Tree

EPEngineer By EPEngineer2 min read1.8K views

Today we decided to trim our fruitless Mulberry Tree.

The Fruitless Mulberry Tree as opposed to Fruit Bearing Mulberry Tree is fast growing and less messy as it does not produce fruits. Mulberry trees in general have large and dense leaves with a large spreading head that provide full shade over wide areas. They prefer full sun (though partial shade works fine too). Plant these trees away from sidewalks, driveways, septic tanks, swimming pool, sprinkler system pipes, foundations, etc! Their strong roots are invasive and will damage almost everything on their path in search for nutrients.

Trimming The Mulberry Tree.
Trimming The Mulberry Tree.

Every year, after the tree goes dormant, we trim the branches to maintain a desirable shape. We removed broken, dried and damaged branches from the tree to keep the tree healthy. We removed excess interior tree branches to help increase air flow throughout the tree and we pruned the top branches to train them into spreading. We are very careful as not to ruin the natural structure of the tree by severely cutting back its branches. These trees are great in providing shade and are heavily planted here in the High Desert.

Click here, here and here to learn about Pruning a Fruitless Mulberry Tree.
Click here and here to learn about Trimming a Fruitless Mulberry Tree.

In addition to their roots evasiveness, fruitless Mulberry Trees produce pollen and catkins, which will wreak havoc on allergy sufferers. Click here, here to read more on Tree allergies and how to fight back.

We also removed the sandbox and covered the hole with dirt.

Beautiful Fall Skies

EPEngineer By EPEngineer1 min read465 views

The day today started with some cloudy/stormy skies which have always been to me  a mysterious and yet mesmerizing sight to see. You can literally sit there and watch the clouds roll in and change their shape as the wind plays havoc with them. And then, there you see an opening in the clouds as if a divine force has willed it so.

Stormy Sky.

After getting my Son ready for school, we headed out and he was witness to the dark and moving clouds. He asked me if it had rained and I assured him it had. On our last leg of the journey to school we turned onto the last road and witnessed a sight to see. There before us stood a beautiful rainbow which I pointed out to him. He was so amazed by the colors and the location as it seemed to start on top of his school. The picture below does the rainbow no justice. What a beautiful way to start the day for him.

Rainbow after the Rain.

Grab Your Umbrellas: Rainy Days are Here

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read718 views

Without a doubt, the rainy days are here. One of the first things I looked for this morning was my Umbrella. I will be using it a lot more this year and possibly in the next hour as I will be picking up my Kindergartener from school. I am glad that I urged myself all last week to complete my last outdoor projects (adding privacy to the backyard, building the last planter, pruning my Roses and setting up the drip for my bulbs). Now we just have to get ready to winterize the irrigation system for the coming cold.

The Rain, I can stand. Those high and gusty winds: I just can’t. Weed pollen and other allergens are carried by the winds causing allergies. The best way to combat these allergies is to stay indoors as much as you can. Click here to read more on measures you can take to prevent some of these allergies. In addition to the allergies, there is also the danger of falling branches/trees, debris and in extreme cases, downed power lines caused by strong winds. Click here to read about safety measures you can take around downed power lines.

Raindrops on Roses (Color Magic Hybrid Tea).
Stormy Sky before the Rain.

There are some things I absolutely love about a rainy day:

  • The raindrops on my Roses.
  • The smell of clean, wet dirt.
  • Watching it fall through the window.
  • The sound it makes when it hits the window and roof.
  • Staying in and watching a Movie or reading a Book.
  • It sparks my creativity.
  • It’s the perfect opportunity to wear my cute rain boots.