It’s almost that wonderful time of year. It’s cold outside and some mornings are ice cold.
We have been debating whether or not to put up the Christmas tree this year. It’s fun setting things up and decorating; when it comes time to take everything down and storing, none of my helpers are to be found. Either way, having a Christmas tree gets us into the holiday mood as well as listening to Christmas music.
Holiday Elves.
We didn’t go for a white Christmas this time. We opted for the little green Christmas tree and a few of our favorite ornaments. This year, the huge elves are on the shelves and their fun mischievous (medium size) replica on a ladder next to the Christmas tree.
Christmas Tree and Elves on Ladder.
This year, my favorite ornaments on the tree are the Lauren Conrad Christmas ornaments below. The Mouse Candy Cane, Fox and Bunny Ballerina. They are beautifully well made.
Lauren Conrad Christmas Ornaments.
I love the nativity scene glass cloche below featuring Mary, Joseph and Jesus.
Nativity Scene Glass Cloche.
I found the beautiful miniature living Christmas trees at Walmart earlier this morning. Went in to buy a t-shirt for my son’s project and couldn’t resist bringing one home.
Miniature Living Christmas Trees.
For the first time in many years, the neighborhood is alive this holiday season. Most of the neighbors have decorated their yards and put up lights and the sight is beautiful at night (which is enough for us). We are keeping things simple and to a minimum.
We are extending our attitude of gratitude by continuously giving to charities.
Warmest wishes of the season from our family to yours.
Summer holidays are over and it’s back to school for my kids. My son is heading off to third grade and my daughter to Kindergarten. They are both excited and I am relieved knowing that my daughter feels less anxious having her brother by her side. It is the beginning of a new adventure for my daughter.
Minnie Mouse Backpack.
And for raining days …
Minnie Mouse Pink Polka Dots Bow Umbrella.
I helped my daughter find her seat, exchanged a few words with her teacher and reassured my child I would return in a couple of hours to pick her up. To ease the separation anxiety between the kids and their parents, the teacher had activities ready for the kids and other fun stuff.
I put the following in her backpack:
Hand Sanitizer
Kleenex Pocket Pack Tissues
Cold and Cough Drops
A Bottle of Water
“We Love You” Message
Notepad and Pencil
Healthy and Nutritious Snacks
Our Address & Phone Number
Sunglasses (100% UV)
She had a good day.
Just like her brother, I know she will do well.
As Winter ends, it gives way to Spring, the season of new beginnings and allergies.
With slightly warmer temperatures, the Earth awakes with plants starting to grow, leaf out and bloom. Animals come out of their winter hibernation and begin their activities and migratory birds return. As beautiful and rejuvenating as Spring season may be, it also comes with a price for allergy sufferers.
We have all been sick with the Common Cold for a week. It’s hard when everyone is sick at the same time, especially when kids are involved. Other than the raw, rough cough and painful sore throat from constantly coughing, we are now recovering and slowly regaining our appetite. If like us, you worry about your children coughing constantly, click here to learn about the types of Coughs you need to Worry About.
We couldn’t go outside for some fresh and cold air since we have a fruitless Mulberry Tree which produces pollen and catkins, wreaking havoc on allergy sufferers like us. With Mulberry trees all over the neighborhood and our High Desert winds which carries the pollen great distances, additional precautions must be used. Yesterday my husband cut off all the branches from the tree and we are still debating on a total removal of the tree trunk or not.
Male Mulberry Catkins and Leaves.
For as long as I can remember, I have not had any allergies problems until we moved to the High Desert seven years ago. Every Spring and Fall, I have a bad case of nasal allergies and approximately a year after settling in our Home, I started developing allergic symptoms from some fruits and vegetables. As of today I can no longer eat Avocado, Banana, Apple without experiencing serious itchiness in my mouth and around the face.
What can you do about Pollen and Allergies?
Keeping your yard free of weeds to eliminate the sources of pollen around you.
Stay inside during pollen production periods as well as on windy and smoggy days.
Soaking down the vegetation to prevent the pollen from remaining airborne.
Replace heating and air conditioning filters often.
Purchase a high efficiency Air Purifier to filter, trap and hopefully remove these allergens from the air.
Keep your windows and doors closed at all times.
Wear a facial mask when conducting any outdoor activity (during pollen production periods).
Shower, change clothes and wash hands when you are done with outdoor activities.
Use sunglasses or prescription glasses to protect eyes when outdoors.
Drink Tea to provide relief for nasal congestion and inhale steam to soothe sinuses (more information here).
Talk to your doctor as soon as you have concerns.
Below is a list of allergy causing Plants and Trees:
According to Northwest Sinus & Allergy Clinic, Mulberry trees are considered severe allergens with yellow flowers appearing in the Spring and bringing significant discomfort to those who are allergic to the pollen. Symptoms of mulberry allergy include Asthma, allergic rhinitis and allergic conjunctivitis and occur following contact with pollen from this tree.
My next move is to get tested to figure out which trees trigger my allergies and irritate my immune system. Since male trees shed highly allergenic pollen, I will check for male trees around my property (if any) and replace them with female trees which are pollen-free.
Click here and here for more information on allergy causing Plants.
When we inspected our Home a few years ago prior to putting in an offer, I fell in love with the backyard as the numerous structures on the lot broke the land into sections. As I looked onto the side of the house, I spotted a semi-shady corner which was ideal for a Playground and/or a Kid-Friendly Garden.
Corner Garden.
Five years ago, I started by creating a tiny corner garden and added a decorative wrought iron border fence around the garden as well as some color changing solar globe lights along the borders. The selection works well, as it provides a specific learning and playing area for our children. I added two comfortable sitting areas for them to sit still and enjoy conversing, enjoy the day, or for us to relax and watch them play. I have Garden Benches and Patio/Bistro Sets all over my garden as the yard is huge and it can be quite exhausting walking around sometimes. I enjoy retreat areas. Besides, sitting areas in a yard, if placed correctly, create attractive focal points.
A few years ago, I was given a beautiful hand made miniature vintage Mexican clay couple as well as a tiny Puerto Peñasco Pottery Vase. They are now resting underneath one of my Scotch Broom shrubs.
Miniature Vintage Mexican Clay Couple.
The fairy wind spinner is a purchase from Collections Etc., and a gift to my daughter who adores anything fairy and ballerina. It’s a beautiful addition to our front yard as it attracts hummingbirds and twirls in the breeze.
Fairy Wind Spinner.
Somewhere in my backyard, we created this cute little area in memory of our wonderful neighbors and parent figures (one of whom is no longer with us). The picture features their wedding wine glasses, vintage 1960’s spaghetti porcelain poodle dog figurines and a porcelain ornaments box. The huge rustic fisherman metal art was a purchased from Horseshoe Art by Don Henry in Lucerne Valley, CA.
Rustic Fisherman Metal Art.1960’s Spaghetti Porcelain Poodle Dog Figurines.
We love our Woodland babies!
Collectible Woodland Babies.
The toy frog was a favorite of my son. He placed it himself among the daffodils when he no longer wanted it.
Toy Frog hiding in the Daffodils.
Geckos Metal Wall Art
Geckos Metal Wall Art.
The children at play figurines were also a purchase from Collections Etc.
The balancing love birds stake is in the front yard, next to the water fountain. It gently swings back and forth in the breeze. The Angry Gnome is one of many in our gnome collection.
Balancing Love Birds and Angry Gnome.
These Gnomes on a Ladder are eager to find out what is growing in my daughter’s planter.
Gnomes Climbing a Ladder.
The stone mushrooms were the bases of chain linked posts that were dug up, flipped up side down, and buried. We spray painted them red/green and added white spots.
Stone Mushrooms.
The Conga Line Dog Silhouettes were so hilarious that I decided to get one. The Children Chasing bugs are adorable too.
Conga Line Dog & Children Playing Silhouettes.
One of my daughter’s favorite statues is the Little Girl Gardening statue below. She found a use for the tiny planter.
Little Girl Gardening Statue.
Every time I shop online, my kids look for an opportunity when I step away to add a few favorites of their own in the shopping cart. The Ladybugs are beautiful and the Bunnies are just perfect for Easter.
Ladybugs & Bunnies Crossing.
The Fairy and Deer Friend Shadow Garden Stake is one of my favorite.
Fairy and Deer Friend Shadow Garden Stakes.
There are unlimited ideas and ways to encourage kids to go out …
Where do you take a curious little girl when the weather is not at its best in your area and you want to escape it all? Well, I don’t know about the rest of you, but I took my beautiful Child to Downtown Pomona and surrounding cities for some Vintage and Antique shopping as well as some delicious treats.
Occasionally, my husband and I talk about moving back to Pomona, CA – then we remember there’s a reason we moved out of there in the first place and settled here in the High Desert.
Minnie Mouse Ballerina, Porcelain Figurine.
We visited a few shops, including our favorite Pomona Antique Mart.
After Pomona, we drove up to Claremont, CA for some Ice Cream at Baskin Robbins. We last visited this location about thirteen years ago and I loved the atmosphere. We decided to take the kids there to have some treats. From there we drove down to Red Ribbon Bakeshop in West Covina, CA, a place my husband used to frequent with his college buddies when they needed a good meal. I instantly fell in love with the shop once introduced.
I placed a large order of my favorite Chicken Empanada (lightly toasted savory dough generously filled with delectable chicken). I also ordered a Mango Roll (which consists of juicy mango bits and rich butter icing tucked into moist chiffon cake). The Mango Roll has always been my favorite in the shop and it is so delicious.
Chicken Empanada from Red Ribbon Bakeshop.
All in all, we had a blessed day and good moments revisiting some places we love. My Amazing and my Gracious child turned 4 today and I am in awe with my Lord for the gift of Life and Hope.
“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” ― Psalm 16:11
By JM Perez
