High Desert

Nature in My Backyard

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read471 views

This morning in the backyard I spotted a Mealworm, which is the larvae form of the Mealworm Beetle.
According to Wikipedia, Mealworms are useful for their high protein content. They are typically used as a pet food for captive reptiles, fish, and birds. They are also provided to wild birds in bird feeders, particularly during the nesting season and they are also used as fishing bait. The Mealworm beetle breeds prolifically.

Mealworm Larvae.
Mealworm Larvae.

I saw this Metallic Green Sweat Bee (Agapostemon Melliventris) at the base of my Bird of Paradise Bush.
According to Discoverlife.org, The male of this species has a bright metallic green head and thorax, and a yellow metasoma with narrow black bands. The female has a bright metallic green head and a honey-colored metasoma banded with short, dense, white hair.

Agapostemon Melliventris.
Agapostemon Melliventris.

I also found a Pinacate Beetle, also known as the Stink Beetle, for its defensive tactic of standing on its head and squirting a noxious spray. I am seeing a lot more Beetles within my property compared to the previous years and I can’t help to wonder if there is an outbreak. They are everywhere and always pop out from nowhere.

Pinacate Beetle.
Pinacate Beetle.

It has rained so much lately and today wasn’t any different to the exception that a beautiful rainbow came out, brightened the gloomy weather and added cheer to our day.

Grey Sky.
Grey Sky.
Rainbow After The Rain.
Rainbow After The Rain.

I started raking leaves last week and today I decided to have some fun with the leaves before the wind picked up. I made a Heart-shaped symbol made with a pile of fallen leaves.

Heart-shaped symbol made with a pile of fallen leaves.
Heart-shaped symbol made with a pile of fallen leaves.

It’s a gorgeous day to enjoy Nature.

Shabby Candle Holders

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read672 views

Last Wednesday I visited the Shabby Sisters Boutique, a Shabby Chic Shop here in the High Desert which I recently heard about. We’ve visited most Shabby Chic, Vintage/Antique, Primitive shops around here and it turned out that the Shabby Sisters have only been around for the past six months (which probably explains why I didn’t know about their existence until last week). It’s a lovely place, owned by three lovely women who enjoy singing.

Shabby Chic Candle Holders.
Shabby Chic Candle Holders.

The shop itself is small in size, but features gorgeous items you will love to pieces. Shabby Sisters Boutique carries Refinished/repainted, up-cycled and re-purposed furniture as well as hand crafted items.

Bird Candle.
Bird Candle.

While searching for my candle holders and some candles, I found this lovely Bird Candle above which I either bought from Pier 1 Imports or Cost Plus World Market a few years ago.

Shabby Sisters Boutique

14258 Hesperia Rd, Victorville, CA 92395
Phone: 1 (760) 955-6241

Our of Operations

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Closed Tuesdays and Sundays

A few local shops in the High Desert will be celebrating Customer Appreciation Day on Friday November 29th and Saturday 30th. There will be Coffee, raffle ticket for free gifts and sales up to 50% off.

Victorville, CA 92395

Rainy Days

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read385 views

Rainy days are back in the High Desert. Yesterday we woke up to a very cold morning and by the time we stepped out, there were thick cloud formation moving over the mountains and blocking the view. We had periods of rain developing early in the afternoon. Today is cold, the sky is white and it’s drizzling.

Thick Clouds formation over the mountains.
Thick clouds formation over the mountains.

Roses glistening and dripping with raindrops, what a lovely sight.

Raindrops On Roses,
Raindrops On Roses.

Some of the leaves on the Raywood Ash in my front yard have now turned a deep purple/red color and started falling. It’s always the first tree to change colors and the last to shed its leaves. The leaves on the Mulberry are almost all yellow. Soon enough we will be raking leaves.

Raywood Ash and Mulberry.
Raywood Ash and Mulberry.

We will have to keep busy indoors since this cold and soggy weather will continue through Saturday.

Joy Of Gardening

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read577 views

Despite the hectic weather, it felt good stepping out today and watching the wind send leaves flying everywhere in the backyard as I slowly made my way towards the front porch. It was time to bring my Boston Fern indoors. I walked around the backyard and spent a couple of minutes with my Roses. These are some of  the moments I cherish the most. Growing and caring for Roses is hard work as it demands a lot of determination, time, patience and love. In the end it pays a thousandfold and I have had a wonderful year with my Roses.

French Lace Rose.
French Lace Rose.
Little Pete Mini-multiflora Rose.
Little Pete Mini-multiflora Rose.
Blue Moon Rose Bud.
Blue Moon Rose Bud.

On my way to collect the trash can from the street earlier in the week, I couldn’t resist stopping by my Rose Garden where a couple of rose bushes where blooming. As I began taking pictures of the beautiful blooms, I spotted a large Green Valley Grasshopper (from its rather large size, I believe it’s a female). I can’t tell if the insect was just hanging out, perhaps resting from a long flight or just getting ready to feed on my plants.

Green Valley Grasshopper.
Green Valley Grasshopper.
Spartan Floribunda Rose.
Spartan Floribunda Rose.

Today my heart is particularly filled with gratitude for the gift of Life and beauty in the World.

Live Music by “Quiet Fire”

JM Perez By JM Perez1 min read633 views

Gorgeous, gorgeous weather here in the High Desert. On our way to Harbor Freight Tools we saw a gathering at the Carriage House Antiques (in celebration to what turned out to be their 5th Year Anniversary) and all agreed to stop by the Shop on our way back home. It is the first Antique Shop we visited when we first moved to the High Desert and it has become one of our favorite Vintage/Shabby Chic Shops here in the High Desert.

Upon arrival each visitor got a free cup of Lemonade, Hot Dog and Chips served outside. In addition to the free cup of tea visitors are welcomed to have inside the shop, we enjoyed Shrimp Cocktail, Cookies, Cupcakes, Cheese and Tomato appetizer and so much more. We also enjoyed wonderful  live Music by “Quiet Fire” (Janet and Chris). They are absolutely wonderful ladies with beautiful voices and it was a pleasure meeting them.

With Janet and Chris From "Quiet Fire."
With Janet and Chris From “Quiet Fire.”

Janet and Chris are very talented and they perform Music for all occasions. You can reach Chris on (760) 964-3805 and Janet on (760) 887-1941 for inquiries and additional information.

We had a wonderful time at the Carriage House Antiques.