Joan Ambu Archives – Page 4 of 96 – Strength Of The Small

Snowfall Winter Yard Sculptures Garden Decor Weather Nature High Desert

Wet & Cold Winter

By JM PerezFebruary 26, 20231 min read638 views

The past months have been very cold here in California. We were so grateful December for the rainfall after such a very long period of dry weather. Since then, it has been cold, extremely cold. On Saturday and Sunday, we had our first heavy snowfall of the year. This morning as well, we had some light snowfall.

California is colder than usual at this time of year, and it appears that Mother Nature is done with us. Still, we are grateful for every bit of rain we get.

Plants and trees were covered in snow, and as a result, we had a few broken branches.

Sculptures and yard decorations alike were covered in snow; it wasn’t until the following morning that we all stepped out to clear the driveway and let the kids build a snowman.

*Sculptures & Decorations covered in Snow.*

Indeed, snowfall makes everything it touches and covers look beautiful, and brightens the World. The flip sides to this beauty can be quite damaging and devastating: road closure due to massive flooding, debris, cracks, fallen trees, fallen electric poles, mudslides, rockslides, erosion, etc.

As I anticipate the arrival of Spring, I wish everyone a warm and safe Winter.

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By JM Perez

Yard Sculptures Garden Decor Home Decor Gardening

Beautiful Garden Statues

By JM PerezFebruary 7, 20231 min read1.2K views

If you are one of those individuals who enjoy spending time outdoors, then you surely agree that garden statuary and sculptures make great addition to a garden; they breathe new life into any outdoor space. I love beautiful sculptures. I have a few inside my home and a lot more in the garden.

What style are you aiming for? The zen garden, shabby chic, country feel, fairy garden, Alice In Wonderland, Prayer garden? What I like about garden sculptures is that they come in different size, form, shape, color, tone, texture, value, materials, etc.

The following are a few of my favorites …

*Muse with Harp by Carlo Bronti.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Flora, Divine Patroness of Gardens by artist Carlo Bronti.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Magdalene the Danish Milkmaid.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Dione, the Divine Water Goddess.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Ascending Angel.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Hebe, the Goddess of Youth by Bertel Thorwaldsen.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*St. Francis in Nature’s Sanctuary.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Harmony at Ease.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Angel of Patience by artist Candice Pennington.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Reflection Reader by Candice Pennington.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Jessie and Her Balloon.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Little Girl Reading.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Finishing the Eighteenth Hole.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Back to Back Brother and Sister.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Monteverde Angel by Giulio Monteverde.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Striving for the Heavens by Evelyn Myers Hartley.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

PRAYING ANGELS

*Divine Guidance by Candice Pennington.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Quiet Countenance.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Constance Conscience.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

GUARDIAN ANGELS

*Kneeling Madonna & Child.*
*Source: Rosary.com.*

*Blessed Mother of the Heavens.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*The Risen Jesus Christ by Carlo Bronti.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Guardian Angel Child’s Prayer.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Queen of Angels, Guardian of Children by Salvatore Gallelli.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Heaven’s Guardian Angel.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Heaven Free Fall by Evelyn Myers Hartley.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Garden Angel with Children.*
*Source: Shop.CatholicSupply.com.*

*Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane by Carlo Bronti.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

BIRDBATHS AND FEEDERS

*Surrounded by the Wings of Love by Candice Pennington.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Angel Bearing Gifts.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Summertime Reflections Cherub.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Angelique’s Garden Splash.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Tranquil Guardian Angel.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

ZEN SCULPTURES

*Thai Teppanom Beautiful Being.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Serene Mira Bai.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Guan Yin, Goddess of Compassion.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Meditating Shy Yogi of Bali.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Rodin’s Thinker by Auguste Rodin.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

*Buddha of the Grande Temple.*
*Source: Design Toscano.*

Happy gardening!

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By JM Perez

Winter Holidays Gratitude

Goodbye 2022!

By JM PerezDecember 31, 20221 min read694 views

“Be a reflection of what you’d like to receive. If you want love, give love. If you want truth, be truthful. What you give out will always return.” ― Kristen Butler

Today is the last day of 2022 and it has been quite a year.
The year 2022 was enlightening for me as I was finally able to remove hindrances from my life and make the best decisions for myself. As with every situation, I learned invaluable lessons.

Mother Nature has been good to us this year. For many years we have prayed for rain to end the California drought and she heard us. It has been raining quite a lot lately and we are very thankful.

Thank you to my faithful readers and my well wishers: for taking the time to read my stories, for your encouraging words, gifts, prayers, support, and kindness. Most importantly, I am grateful for your feedback (especially when my opinion differs from yours). Thank you for the joy and excitement you expressed as I embark on a new chapter of my life. You’ve all been an inspiration.

It has been a rough and tough year for many. I pray for better days ahead.

I wish everyone a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2023.

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By JM Perez

Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening High Desert

Cloudburst

By JM PerezOctober 16, 20221 min read660 views

The High Desert weather will never cease to surprise me.

Last month for instance, it rained lightly in some parts of Victorville, CA, and not a drop of rain in adjacent cities. An unexpected cloudburst on Sunday afternoon left some areas in the High Desert flooded with just an hour of heavy rain and thunderstorms.

My miniature hybrid ‘French Lace’ rose, with their delicate ivory buds and slight apricot tint is still producing pink roses. From my research, it turns out that the one I purchased over ten years ago was grafted onto a vigorous rootstock and canes from this rootstock are now overtaking the hybrid grafted onto it (pink roses). To save my ‘French Lace” roses, I will have to locate the graft and then remove any canes or suckers developing at the base so they do not take over.

Grafted Bareroot Rose.
Image Source: Jackson & Perkins.

Dahlia ‘Bishop of York’ is putting out beautiful flowers.

Last night as well, we had an unexpected cloudburst. The short and severe storm brought thunder, heavy rain and lightning. Every raindrop is always welcomed in California, as we find ourselves heading into a severe drought.

Happy Gardening!

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By JM Perez

Insects Garden Decor Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening

A New Season

By JM PerezOctober 7, 20222 min read664 views

“Gratitude for the turning of the seasons. May we attune our hearts to their enduring message of renewal.” — Kristin Granger

It’s a new month and a new season, renewing and refreshing …

The weather has been bearable; however, between work and the kids, I haven’t had enough time to enjoy gardening. A couple of days ago, I dug out all of the Russian Sage in the front yard and disposed of them. I loved the plants, but they were spreading too fast and looking more like trees than shrubs. I have been wondering if it had something to do with the fact that they were in partial shade? Perhaps growing tall was the result of reaching out for more sunlight? The Russian Sage I planted in the backyard in full sun around the same time are growing at a normal rate.

Trees are starting to shed their leaves; the rose bushes and Texas Sage shrubs are full of blooms.

Last week I spotted a strange looking insect, similar to the Desert Camel at a first glance, but looking like a cricket.

The Jerusalem Cricket (Stenopelmatus Fuscus), also known as Potato Bug, Child of the Earth, Skull Cricket, Stone Cricket, and Sand Cricket is a large slow moving, six-legged flightless insect with a large orangish head, tiny eyes, and antennae spreading apart. It has humpback abdomen usually with black and yellow stripes. The insect is native to the western United States and Mexico, as well as semi-arid and dry climates. The insect feeds on smaller insects, decaying plants, and vegetation. They communicate through vibrations by producing a hissing noise due to the absence of ears.

It is said that the insect is not poisonous but can bite when provoked, resulting in moderate, short-lived pain (sores and skin rash). Their sharp and strong jaws can cut through fabrics and thin plastic. They are most active at night and during the day they burrows beneath rocks, logs, or in sand. According to ocvector.org, in order to find a mate, adults strike their abdomen on the ground (this behavior is called drumming). The vibrations travel through soil and are used to locate each other.
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