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Nature at its Best in the High Desert

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read367 views

It’s always a blessing when the Universe conspire in one’s favor as it was the case for us this weekend.
The weather was at its best and we finally (5 years later) completed one of my most important projects in the backyard, which is privacy. The front yard and the sides of the house are covered, all we needed was something for the far end of our backyard, which was overlooking a huge empty lot. We chose Chain Link Privacy Slats.

I planted more gorgeous flowering bulbs yesterday, including Belladonna Amaryllis, Pink Impression Tulip and Ice King Double Daffodil. The pictures below are a few of my fragrant roses from the front yard. I picked a few yesterday to make a centerpiece and I pruned most of them.

Beautiful Fragrant Roses. Find their name on Pinterest.

Below are some Fall colors in my Garden. The leaves on my Raywood Ash tree are slowly changing too.

Purpleleaf Cherry Plum . Heavenly Bamboo . Burning Bush.

The plants and flowers are thriving in the garden and the bees are busy collecting Pollen. It was fascinating watching them go back and forth as I was carefully taking pictures. Click here to learn more about Bee Pollen.

Honey Bees Collecting Pollen.

Since the beginning of the month I’ve seen quite a few Grasshoppers in my garden. As fun as they are to my kids, who enjoy watching them hop around; I am beginning to worry about their number and looking into Organic Pesticide to get rid of them. Click here or here to learn more about Grasshoppers and how to control them and click here to learn about some of their usefulness (serving as food for birds, for instance).

Seaside Grasshopper . Baby Bird . Heart Shaped Stone.

The best part of the day was video conferencing on Skype with the Family in France. My Parents traveled late last month to attend the Graduation ceremony of my big brother. The kids (cousins) got to see each other and talked to their grandparents, uncle and aunt. They even got a sneak peek at some of their Christmas gifts.

I am happy that everyone is safe and having a good time. I am looking forward to a peaceful week ahead.

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Steampunk Apple Valley Vintage Home Decor Nature High Desert

“Vintage Gypsies” Shop

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read1.4K views

I get so excited every time I find a new Vintage Store and get to buy something from the past. Sometimes it’s not about the buying, but seeing all the beautiful furniture. That was exactly the case this Saturday.

After a quick stop at the post office to mail some gifts to my niece and goddaughter; we decided to take a drive to Apple Valley, CA in hopes of locating a Church. We found the Church and walked around the premises; however, we didn’t get the information we were seeking as the office is closed on the weekends.

On our way back I spotted a sign which said VINTAGE GYPSIES and we all agreed to stop by the shop and take a look. The shop is located in the Historic Roy Rogers Apple Valley Inn complex and the view is breathtaking. For those like me who are new to the area; we can only be amazed by its beauty and try to recreate, in our minds, the paradise this land once was. It is literally breathtaking.

The shop carries beautiful vintage furniture and gifts. You will find antique jewelry, restored furniture, books, some clothing, lamps, paintings, housewares, kitchenware, cameras, tools, some collectors’ cars in original packaging, bird cages, mirrors and so much more. Beckie, the shop owner is so friendly and always ready to help.

This is a place that has beautiful items that are worth seeing and buying. I will definitely be going back.

Vintage Gypsies
21880 Us Highway 18
Apple Valley, California 92307
1 (760) 953-5236
Email: vintagegypsi@aol.com
Facebook Page or here.

Shop hours:
Wednesday – Saturday, from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Sunday, from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
Check out her Facebook Page for additional information as dates and times are subject to chance.

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The Apple Valley Inn along with the restaurant was once leased by movie star Roy Rogers, when his wife Dale Evans and their family became residents of Apple Valley, in 1965. The Inn was then renamed Roy Rogers’ Apple Valley Inn. Click here to learn more about The Apple Valley Inn.

The Apple Valley Inn.
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JM Perez By JM Perez
Meetup Weather Nature

First Day of Fall & Meetup

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read515 views

Today was officially the first day of Fall and the weather was at its best. Some leaves from my Fruitless Mulberry Tree and my Sweet Almond Tree have started falling. With a cooler weather allergies are always on the rise and I have to remind myself to dress warmly and spend less time outdoors (to avoid weed pollen and other allergens carried by the high winds here). During this time of the year, I get very excited to enjoy the colors of autumn foliage and the dancing of the leaves as the wind brings them to life. Mother Nature never ceases to amaze me.

Fall Leaves.
Fall Leaves.

I met up this morning at Starbucks® with some bloggers from High Desert Blogging meetup group to discuss Marketing concepts. We shared and learned so much from one another. For me, being in the presence of knowledgeable Women is motivational. This was a very informative and fruitful meetup.

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Weather Nature High Desert

Red Sun on a Dark Sky

EPEngineer By EPEngineer1 min read509 views

While working on my garage, out of the corner of my eye I caught sight of a plume of smoke over the mountains. It was not big in size but dark on its intensity. As the hours passed the smoke plume got thicker and wider and darker. It was quite a sight to behold since its not every day that something like this happens. The picture here was taken in the evening and it’s quite a sight.

Due to the intensity, I wondered about the origin of the fire. It seemed to me that the fire was towards Irwindale, CA/Pasadena, CA mountains. The radio made no mention of the fire nor the location as the hours passed on this day. Having witnessed some fires up close I can surely say that it looked like a very fast moving fire. And so, The cycle of life continues with the rebirth of the hills.

Flammagenitus clouds.

By night time, my wife decided to check the Yellow Moon out and capture it on film. Isn’t it so close and yet so far? Isn’t it lovely?

Yellow Moon.

What a beautiful sight and night.

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EPEngineer By EPEngineer
Weather Nature High Desert

Summer Showers: Much Needed Rain

EPEngineer By EPEngineer1 min read485 views

So I woke up today to a cloudy day. The sun hiding behind the dark puffy pillows waiting for their tears to fall upon the earth. As the day continued I heard the thunder very high upon the sky and knew what was to follow.

After informing my wife and children of the rain that was coming we readied ourselves with camera and sandals to go outdoors. And then the rain hit. It came in the form of big fat drops and hail that suddenly came down the size of skiddles.

Umbrella In The Rain.
Umbrella In The Rain (Source: Desk7.net).

It continues for around 10 minutes and finally the hail stops falling and only the rain remains. suddenly the smell of wet earth fills our home, the cent of nature bringing out a peace and serenity that seems to be within humanity since the beginning.

We see as the rain has washed over the garden and has brought life back into the hills and landscape alike. The land has become anew. Is nature not amazing?

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EPEngineer By EPEngineer