JM Perez

493 posts

Poet, Writer and Published Author. Insatiably passionate about gardening, Health and Wellness. I enjoy collecting Vintage and Antique choice pieces.

Desserts Snacks and Treats Christmas Family Gratitude

Our Gingerbread House

By JM PerezDecember 24, 20131 min read1.1K views

“The way you spend Christmas is far more important than how much.” – Henry David Thoreau

Together with the kids, we’ve decided to do something fun while waiting for midnight and the opening of the gifts. We decorated the Gingerbread House (Pepparkaka Hus) we bought at Ikea a couple of weeks ago. I am sure it would have been so much fun making one from scratch.

We used caramel syrup to glue the pieces together and everyone pitched in with the decorations.

Merry Christmas!

“He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree.” – Roy L. Smith

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Christmas Strength of The Small Family Gratitude

Happy Holidays!

By JM PerezDecember 23, 20131 min read476 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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Hobby Kids Craft DIY: Projects

DIY: LEGO MechWarrior

By JM PerezDecember 20, 20131 min read1K views

School is out for the holidays for my first grader who has been doing such an amazing job at school. In just five days we will be celebrating the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Until then, I am doing the best I can to keep some tiny fingers from opening all the presents underneath the Christmas Tree.

With the help of their Father, my kids got busy this morning with their LEGO bricks and elements and created a LEGO MechWarrior among other things. It’s simple and quite impressive.

Until next time, I hope you get creative with your kids.

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Weather Nature High Desert

Frozen Morning

By JM PerezDecember 9, 20131 min read362 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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History Death Inspire Life Lessons People

Farewell, Madiba (1918 – 2013)

By JM PerezDecember 5, 20131 min read491 views

“Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” ― Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, 1950's. — Nelson Mandela, 1950’s.
Photo: Eyedea Presse.

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” ― Nelson Mandela

Nelson Mandela, 1960's. — Nelson Mandela, 1960’s.

“No one is born hating another person because of the color of his skin, or his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.”
― Nelson Mandela, Long Walk to Freedom.