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Joan Ambu

Little Acts of Kindness

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read504 views

I complained about the hot weather we had last week, but I didn’t expect to wake up to a chilly morning. Without looking out the window I could  guess how strong the wind is simply by listening to its howling and the movement of the Tree branches. Although the Sun is shining bright and strong above the clouds, I am guessing that the wind is here to stay (at least for today). I had planned on spending thirty minutes to an hour in the garden working on a little project, it will be difficult to complete in such an unfavorable weather.

During days like these, I sometimes ask myself why we chose to live in the High Desert? We are constantly confronted with strong gusty winds in the Spring and Fall, extreme heat in the Summer and below freezing point temperatures in the Winter. Due to the high winds, there is no way to eradicate the weeds since the wind carries the seeds from all over California. Then a single look at my kitchen window and I realize why we chose to live here and why we are still here: the High Desert habitants are known for their kindness.

Three and a half years ago, I received a hand-blown clear Glass Swan Vase from a former neighbor for donating empty boxes, helping her family clean up and move out of their rental home. The vase has a tiny hole which can be used to hold an LED candle, a Liquid Perfume Diffuser or simply place a flower into it. It’s such a delicate and lovely piece which I have cherished ever since and which sits on my Kitchen Window.

Hand Blown Glass Decor: Swan Vase & Candle Holder.
Hand Blown Glass Decor: Swan Vase & Candle Holder.

On Friday we took a trip to LindaMarie’sEnchantedTreasures.com, and bought a vintage rustic Hand Fork for a Garden Sign we  are building. I found a gorgeous Crystal Glass Candle Holder, which she gifted me (and for which I am very grateful). I placed my Breast Cancer Awareness Candle in it. They both can be used to create elegant arrangements and they make gorgeous centerpieces.

High Desert Home and Garden Show

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read647 views

I am so excited for the weekend. There are a couple of events coming up. On Saturday, we will be taking the kids to The Home Depot® Kids Workshop and this time, the kids will be building Bird Feeders. These are free Do-It-Yourself Workshops which are available for adults/homeowners as well.

On Friday we’ll be attending the 29th Annual High Desert Home & Garden Show which will be held at the Victorville Fairgrounds on April 5, 6 and 7, 2013. We’ve heard great stories about the Home & Garden Show, but never found the time to attend. We already have our tickets which mean peace of mind.

High Desert Home and Garden Show.
High Desert Home and Garden Show.

Address Location:
San Bernardino County Fairgrounds
14800 Seventh Street, Victorville, CA 92395
1 (760) 951-2200

Days and Times:
Friday: 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM

Admission:
General: $6.00
Seniors: Free Friday
Children: under 18 free with paying adult
Parking: Free
Coupons: Daily Press

If for some reasons you cannot attend this event, a second one will be held on November 1, 2 and 3, 2013.

Visit the Event website for more information.

Flower Bed Garden Edging

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read823 views

When it comes to garden edging the possibilities are endless to meet your needs. You can choose from Plastic, Bricks, Rocks, Boulders, Bamboo, Wrought Iron/Metal, Bottles, Wood, Plates to Concrete and so much more.

Those with limited to no budget can look around their property for garden edging ideas. Do you have scrap wood, dead branches, pine cones, rocks or decorative bricks lying around in your yard? If you do, by all means put them to use. Those of us with trees of all types around our properties know that Nature has a way of stressing them to the breaking point such as:

» The weight of ice and snow
» Strong winds
» Dead branches
» Lack of nutrients
» Old age
» Plant disease (fungal infections), … etc!

What can we do with a fallen branch or a broken tree? For one, we can safely remove the fallen branch and dispose of it and/or contact an arborist to remove the fallen tree. We can use the wood for your fireplace, fire pit, as borders in your garden, and so much more.

The 2008 winter storm was so severe that it split two of my mature trees in two.
After removing and disposing of most of the branches, I kept a few branches from my broken pine tree which I am now using as plant borders.

Pine Wood Log as Plant border.

Our preferred garden edgings are the  Plastic edging  and Terrace Board Landscape edging.

Black Plastic Edging as Plant border.
Terrace Board Landscape Edging as Plant border.

I have used pine cones as plant borders for a few years now and I have placed a lot around my plants and garden beds to deter squirrel from digging. So far, it has worked for me.

Happy Gardening and wishing you a good start into the week.

Finds from Estate Liquidators

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read715 views

Fridays has always been our favorite day of the week to go treasure hunting at Antique, Vintage and Shabby Chic shops. It’s the best day of the week to shop with fewer competition and minimal traffic as every one is either still at work or prefer weekend shopping. Yesterday we found a few vintage items at the Estate Liquidators.

Tiny Vintage Ceramic Planter.
Tiny Vintage Ceramic Planter.

The Tiny Vintage Ceramic Planter above was nested inside a vintage wine glass. I intend to use it as a Pen holder.

Vintage Stainless Steel Tray.
Vintage Stainless Steel Tray.

I have been looking for a vintage serving tray for a while to work on a project. As I was walking around the shop, my eyes cut a glimpse of something shiny. At first I thought it was some type of decorative mirror as I could clearly see my own reflection. The shop owner told me that it had never been used and that she had just taken in out of its package. It’s a lovely Stainless Steel Tray with charming gold handles.

Vintage Wine Decanter with Ice Holder.
Vintage Wine Decanter with Ice Chamber.

I found a gorgeous (hand blown glass) Vintage Italian Wine Decanter with Ice Chamber to keep your beverages cool. I am not sure if it ever had the two cork stoppers that most have. It does make a unique decorative piece.

Vintage 1963 Olivetti Lettera 32.
Vintage 1963 Olivetti Lettera 32.

The best treasure of the day was this beautiful vintage 1963 Olivetti Lettera 32 Portable Mechanical Italian Typewriter designed by Marcello Nizzoli for Olivetti as the successor of the popular Olivetti Lettera 22.
It came with its case and it’s in excellent condition. My husband tried it out and it works great. All we have to do now is purchased some Ink Ribbon and we’ll be good to go.

Vintage German Barometer.
Vintage German Barometer.

We also found a wall hanging, Vintage German Barometer with Porcelain Dial under glass.

Address Location:
Estate Liquidators
9461 Hesperia Rd, Hesperia, CA 92345
1 (562) 233-8199

Hours of Operations:
Opened Tuesday – Saturday from 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Estate Liquidators is one of my favorite places to shop for those hard to find, now obsolete things. If you happen to be in town, find time and visit the shop located on Hesperia Road.