Joan Ambu Archives – Page 44 of 96 – Strength Of The Small

Christmas Strength of The Small Family Gratitude

Happy Holidays!

By JM PerezDecember 23, 20131 min read554 views

This year I decided to keep the Christmas Tree decorating simple which meant no ribbons, bows, flowers, beaded garland and no train set up around the tree. I selected just a few of the ornaments and we randomly hung them, placing the vintage Angel Tree Topper at the top of our White Christmas Tree.

I used two different wrapping papers for the gifts as well as tags, to ensure that we each open what belongs to us. I have learned the hard way that my daughter dislike people opening gifts for her (unless she ask for help). I have my Christmas wrapping all set up and now looking forward to watching the joy of my kids faces when they discover what are in those carefully wrapped boxes.

In addition to the large elegant Wreath on the front door, there’s a weather-resistant Winter Garden Flag outside our front door to give our visitors an initial warm welcome.

May your hearts be filled with the Spirit of Christmas.

Happy Holidays!

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By JM Perez

Weather Nature High Desert

Frozen Morning

By JM PerezDecember 9, 20131 min read458 views

It’s a beautiful day. The skies are clear, but the weather outside is deceitful. Baby, it’s cold outside! I am very thankful that we haven’t had our first Snowfall yet.

I suit up this morning to rake leaves in the backyard from last night’s wind. By the time everything was set and done, I could barely feel my fingers and toes. I took a few minutes to walk around the backyard and made a few interesting discoveries, some of which involve frozen water like the one from my Water Fountain. The larger Water Fountain is located in a sunny area so the Sun gets to melt the water.

Water Fountain 'The Village Maiden'. — *Water Fountain ‘The Village Maiden’.*

After seeing that solid ice, I was grateful that we shut off the exterior water valve to the irrigation system a couple of weeks ago. I would have lost all my plants from frost otherwise.

On a much happier note, I will be taking my Son to the annual Christmas Program performed by Pre Kinder, Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd Grade as well as Mr. Flores’ class at Oak Hills High School. He has been so excited about it, since we didn’t attend last years’ due to bad weather.

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By JM Perez

Gopher Animals Gardening High Desert

DIY: Gopher Trapping

By JM PerezDecember 3, 20131 min read1.7K views

We are rejoicing today as the trap we set in place finally caught the Pocket Gopher, which has been digging holes on a daily basis around my Photinia Fraseri (Red Robin) shrubs. Last week, I covered a hole it dug at the base of one of the huge barrels in the front yard and it kept returning to the same hole. Yesterday, we finally had enough and my husband decided to set a Macabee Gopher Trap in the freshly dug hole.

Materials/Tools Needed:

Macabee Gopher Trap
Shovel, Garden Trowel
Wire chain (to secure the trap in place)
Stake (to hold, support and secure the wire chain in place)
Gloves or your bare hands
Fabric, cardboard, leaves, mulch or anything light to cover the hole.

Step by Step:

Using a shovel, open the tunnel wide enough to set the trap
Use a stake to secure the wire chain (attached to the trap) to prevent the injured Gopher from running away with the trap. Otherwise you will have to dig further to pull out the dead rodent and recover your trap.
Cover the hole with plastic, fabric, cardboard, plywood, leaves, mulch or stones (to help create the illusion that the hole has been closed from the outside).

This is the fifth Pocket Gopher we have caught since we moved here.

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By JM Perez

Christmas Vintage Gratitude People

Vintage Christmas Decorations

By JM PerezDecember 2, 20132 min read1.6K views

In June we received a nicely wrapped gift bag from our oldest neighbor across the street, who stopped by to help us cut down the Pine Tree in our backyard. We had so much going on at the time that I grabbed the bag and set it somewhere in the garage. A couple of weeks later I opened it to see its contents and found a gorgeous set of Vintage Snoring Santa and a matching Vintage Santa Door Hanger, both battery operated (uses three “AA”). Also in the gift bag was a Water Globe Box with interchangeable top.

The first is the Santa Claus Wall/Door Hanger and plays ‘Jingle Bells’ when the sensor detects a presence and wishes a Merry Christmas to the Guest at the end of the song. It has a loop on the back for hanging and requires two “AA” batteries to operate.

Vintage Santa Door Hanger. — *Vintage Musical Santa Face Door Hanger.*

The second is Santa sound asleep in his bed. He snores and his belly moved up and down for approximately 20 seconds.

The third is the Kirkland Signature Water Globe Box. I love its interchangeable top which allows me to pick one of the two options. You can choose to either display Santa in the Globe or the Bird by the Chimney Flue.

Mrs. Santa Claus is made of felt with styrofoam head, plastic boots, felt clothing and cloth apron.

A couple of weeks ago I found the gorgeous Vintage Jewelbrite Star Angel Unbreakable Christmas Tree Topper at the Estate Liquidators. It will look lovely at the top of our White Christmas Tree.

Happy Christmas Decorating everyone!

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By JM Perez

Weather Nature High Desert

Nature in My Backyard

By JM PerezNovember 29, 20132 min read548 views

This morning in the backyard I spotted a Mealworm, which is the larvae form of the Mealworm Beetle.
According to Wikipedia, Mealworms are useful for their high protein content. They are typically used as a pet food for captive reptiles, fish, and birds. They are also provided to wild birds in bird feeders, particularly during the nesting season and they are also used as fishing bait. The Mealworm beetle breeds prolifically.

I saw this Metallic Green Sweat Bee (Agapostemon Melliventris) at the base of my Bird of Paradise Bush.
According to Discoverlife.org, The male of this species has a bright metallic green head and thorax, and a yellow metasoma with narrow black bands. The female has a bright metallic green head and a honey-colored metasoma banded with short, dense, white hair.

I also found a Pinacate Beetle, also known as the Stink Beetle, for its defensive tactic of standing on its head and squirting a noxious spray. I am seeing a lot more Beetles within my property compared to the previous years and I can’t help to wonder if there is an outbreak. They are everywhere and always pop out from nowhere.

It has rained so much lately and today wasn’t any different to the exception that a beautiful rainbow came out, brightened the gloomy weather and added cheer to our day.

I started raking leaves last week and today I decided to have some fun with the leaves before the wind picked up. I made a Heart-shaped symbol made with a pile of fallen leaves.