High Desert Archives – Strength Of The Small

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Beautiful Day in The Garden

By JM PerezOctober 30, 20122 min read594 views

I am so grateful for the bright and warm weather we’ve had since the beginning of the week, contrary to what we had last week. As much as I enjoy Fall season; I am not fond of the cold nights, especially when the temperature goes down to 32 degrees °F (Fahrenheit) and I begin to wonder whether or not it will snow (how bad and for how long)? Snow is really not something I look forward to.

Yesterday, the kids helped their Father finish putting together the Halloween Robot he built for them. They used Solar Cells to light up the chest area (red) and eyes (green). As cute as the project turned out; I wouldn’t want to stumble upon such a thing at night as I might be scared out of my mind.
We will create a separate post with pictures as well as a DIY Tutorial.

I planted some California Poppies in the backyard as well as some Roses from the 99¢ Only Stores. I’ve come to love Roses from this store. The store carries so many varieties and they are so gorgeous. Some of my favorites are: Let Freedom Ring, French Lace, Moonstone Hybrid Tea, Madame Plantier, among others.
Determined to help me garden, my kids’ favorite activities were watering, drawing on the dirt and of course, splashing about! No matter how things turn out, family time is very much cherished in my house.

I will setup my new Hammock and enjoy the rest of my afternoon reading.

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By JM Perez

Strength of The Small Inspire People

My Peaceful Habitation

By JM PerezSeptember 17, 20122 min read761 views

“And my people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation, and in sure dwellings, and in quiet resting places.” – Isaiah 32:18 (KJV)

For me, regardless of the condition and age of an older home, they are always full of character, charm and hidden treasures. They are cozy, warm, unique and they have history. I am just a lover of old things. I love the worn, faded and uneven edges of the walls, the unique features and I sometimes enjoy the faint crackling sounds when I step on a certain section of the flooring.
If you’ve ever fallen in love with something old then you know exactly what I’m talking about.

When we first moved to the High Desert, I was grateful to find out that my house is in proximity to stores, library, schools, churches and hospitals. For instance, it takes me less than 4 minutes to drop off my son to his school and less than 6 minutes to get to a grocery store. The Vintage and Shabby Chic stores that I frequent quite often are also close.

We bought an older home and as some of you already know, they come with a ton of work; however, after some renovation and restoration, the home becomes a sanctuary, a refuge and a great source of serenity. My home reflects the person I am and reminds me of my promises. The beautiful voices of my darling children echoing wherever they go, reaching my heart and putting my Soul at ease. There’s no place else I’d rather be.

Like I stated above, some old homes do come with hidden treasures. Here are some treasures we found in our home:
• Vintage Poinsettia Wine Glass
• Vintage Horse Grooming Curry Comb Brush from the 1950′s
• Rotary Dial wall mount Phone from the 1960’s (still hooked up)
• Vintage Hammered Copper Hardware (Hinges, Screws and Door Pulls) from the 1950’s

Vintage Finds. — *Vintage Finds (Hidden Treasures found in our Home).*

As long as we are happy and comfortable within the confinement of our walls; the size of our home should not matter. We are not defined by the size of our home, but by how we live our lives and make our visitors feel.

Home is the place we chose to fill with laughter, love and start creating memories for ourselves and our children. As we aspire to give them a solid foundation of what Living is all about, Home becomes a place we transform to reflect our core values.

“But no matter the kind of house, it is the living inside that makes it wonderful, what happens in each room that makes it marvelous. It is what the house means to those who live there.” – Cynthia Rylant

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By JM Perez

DIY: Projects Flowers Shrubs & Trees Gardening High Desert

Delightful Garden Planters

By JM PerezJuly 21, 20122 min read1.3K views

For me, there’s nothing more fun than spending time outdoors with my family. Gardening on a beautiful day as well as building garden furniture pieces which are made from recycled wood scraps. These are some perfect activities for us and my kids learn tremendously.

Growing up, I was fascinated by wheelbarrows. We enjoyed transporting toys from one location to the other and I have fond memories of my siblings and I playing in them. Wheelbarrows make attractive planters and they are always a delight to the eyes. In building ours, we used dismantled pieces of wood and slabs we kept from the demolition of an old Stall as well as one of our smaller storage shed a couple of years ago. When it comes to creating, we are not interested in perfection; rather, we embrace the flaws in the wood and make them stand out. The character of aged wood is what gives it its charm.

We chose to use a real wheel for easy relocation to various parts of the yard. We started by fitting the wheel and legs, then we cut all the pieces needed, nailed/screwed them together, spray-painted the finished product, drilled a few holes on the tray base to allow for drainage then we began filling it with compost, dirt and potting soil. We placed small stones on the tray base to stop the mix from leaking out and we placed a few more on top of the mix (in lieu of) to help retain moisture. Plants in the wheelbarrow are Anigozanthos.