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Cooling Solutions for Hot Days

JM Perez By JM Perez3 min read1.1K views

Seven and a half weeks until Summer and temperatures are already soaring here in the High Desert. Not too long ago, some of us dreamed of trips to the Beach, Lake and Camping. Now we are wishing for the hot days to pass and looking for ways to make them enjoyable without missing out. For every problem, there’s a solution and you might want to start looking at Outdoor Cooling Systems for those BBQ nights you’ve been planning.

INDOOR COOLING SOLUTIONS

Turn On Your Air Conditioner

To lower the heat while filtering the air for better quality breathing and promoting wellness.

Open Your Window

During the evening, on a breezy day, open your window to enjoy some fresh air as long as you have screens to keep insects out as well as other particles and debris carried by the wind.

Eco Breeze

It’s Fresh Air cooling which lets you take advantage of two types of cooling.  Fresh air cooling uses Mother Nature’s cool air to remove heat during periods of low outdoor temperature and humidity.  If your home has air conditioning, it will automatically take over when the weather becomes hot and humid.

Exciting Windows! (If you’d rather stay indoors)

Custom draperies, blinds, shades or shutters for maximum light and energy control by combining soft, medium and hard window treatments. Smart window covering, window treatments as well as innovative and beautiful solutions to keep your home cool or warm using newly developed lighter materials or fabrics to give a beautiful feel and also to efficiently help in heat and cooling retention.

OUTDOOR COOLING SOLUTIONS

Use Your Pool

Click here for tips on getting it ready for Summer and the hot days. Click here to read about The Pros and Cons of Owning a Swimming Pool Home.

Evaporative “Swamp” Coolers

According to The Home Depot website, Evaporative coolers lower indoor temperatures by combining the natural cooling properties of evaporating water with an efficient air moving system. This combination of moisture and a steady breeze can lower indoor temperatures by as much as 30°F. Airflow is controlled by opening windows to allow the unit to push warm air outside. Evaporative coolers also add moisture, which helps keep fabrics and wood from drying out, and the water-filled pads act as a type of filter, removing dust and allergens from the air.
Evaporative coolers can be used as the sole cooling system, or to complement existing air conditioning systems. However, they should never be used at the same time, as one adds humidity while the other removes it. Evaporative coolers offer several benefits over air conditioning, including:

  • Low installation and maintenance costs
  • 75% less electricity usage
  • Powered by a standard 120 volt outlet
  • No ozone damaging refrigerants
  • Fresh air flow pushes out warm air, smoke and pollution
  • Breeze makes effective room temperature feel 4 to 6 degrees cooler

Evaporative coolers are most effective in areas of low humidity and hot temperatures. They are not effective in humid climates or during rainy seasons. They are not as controllable as air conditioners, and can use between 3.5 and 10 gallons of water per hour, a consideration for use in areas with limited water supplies. The degree of humidity they deliver is a feature that distinguishes the two basic types of evaporative coolers.
Click here for additional information.

Outdoor Ceiling Fans

These devices are designed for pretty much any space in a home and allow for cooling as well as providing lighting. They are appealing and come in a wide range of colors and gorgeous designs.

Outdoor Ceiling Fans.
Image Links: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Outdoor Cooling Shades

  • Extended Awnings
  • Gazebo Curtains
  • UV Rays protected Shade Sail
  • Roll up Sun Shade
  • Patio Umbrellas and Canopies

Portable Misting Systems

Outdoor Cooling Unit by Orionair.
Outdoor Cooling Unit by Orionair.

Portable Misting Fans

1&2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
Image Links: 1&2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Outdoor LED Coolers

Outdoor LED Coolers by Nuventix.
Outdoor LED Coolers by Nuventix.

Misting Tower

Image Links: 1. 2. 3. 4.
Image Links: 1. 2. 3. 4.

Click here, here, here and here for some awesome Do-It-Yourself PVC Sprinkler ideas.

It’s Summer and it’s Hot:

  • Do not forget to drink plenty of Water to prevent dehydration.
  • If you must garden, chose between morning and evening hours.
  • Stay cool indoors/outdoors with air condition on to avoid heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
  • Wear lightweight and loose-fitting clothing.
  • Do not leave your children or pets in the car while you are away.

Click here to read about Hot Weather Survival Tips .

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Weather Home Decor Gratitude People

Little Acts of Kindness

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read433 views

I complained about the hot weather we had last week, but I didn’t expect to wake up to a chilly morning. Without looking out the window I could  guess how strong the wind is simply by listening to its howling and the movement of the Tree branches. Although the Sun is shining bright and strong above the clouds, I am guessing that the wind is here to stay (at least for today). I had planned on spending thirty minutes to an hour in the garden working on a little project, it will be difficult to complete in such an unfavorable weather.

During days like these, I sometimes ask myself why we chose to live in the High Desert? We are constantly confronted with strong gusty winds in the Spring and Fall, extreme heat in the Summer and below freezing point temperatures in the Winter. Due to the high winds, there is no way to eradicate the weeds since the wind carries the seeds from all over California. Then a single look at my kitchen window and I realize why we chose to live here and why we are still here: the High Desert habitants are known for their kindness.

Three and a half years ago, I received a hand-blown clear Glass Swan Vase from a former neighbor for donating empty boxes, helping her family clean up and move out of their rental home. The vase has a tiny hole which can be used to hold an LED candle, a Liquid Perfume Diffuser or simply place a flower into it. It’s such a delicate and lovely piece which I have cherished ever since and which sits on my Kitchen Window.

Hand Blown Glass Decor: Swan Vase & Candle Holder.
Hand Blown Glass Decor: Swan Vase & Candle Holder.

On Friday we took a trip to LindaMarie’sEnchantedTreasures.com, and bought a vintage rustic Hand Fork for a Garden Sign we  are building. I found a gorgeous Crystal Glass Candle Holder, which she gifted me (and for which I am very grateful). I placed my Breast Cancer Awareness Candle in it. They both can be used to create elegant arrangements and they make gorgeous centerpieces.

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Ladybugs Insects Weather Nature High Desert

Ladybug Hunt

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read1.3K views

Today being an awesome day, we spent the whole afternoon Ladybug hunting. It was such a fun activity and the kids enjoyed it. These are some of the tools we used:

– Opened Jar/Trimmed Plastic Bottle
– Hammer and Nails (to pierce the lead for air, if you don’t want them to fly off right away or die)
– Small Branch (to watch them climb)
– Magnifying Glasses
– Lots of Patience

They started the search and once the kids had one on sight, they would carefully catch them, put them in a container, admire them for a little while and then release them back into the wild. They enjoy using their magnifying glasses and often end up finding/collecting a lot more than just ladybugs.

Spring 2010 (Ladybugs Hunt).
Spring 2010 (Ladybugs Hunt).
Spring 2012 (Ladybugs Hunt).
Spring 2012 (Ladybugs Hunt) at Lake Gregory, CA.

I have always known Ladybugs to be beneficial Garden bugs until a few months ago, when I found a few articles while looking for Vegetable Garden Ideas. I was surprised to learn that some species of these beauties are voracious pests themselves and the easiest way to figure out which is which is by counting the number, shape, and placement of the spots on their wing coverings.

Many species are beneficial to gardeners as they eat plant pests such as aphids, Cochineal, mealybug, mites, ground pearls, pit scales, cottony cushion scales and other scale insects. On the flip side, we have the Epilachninae, a different species of Ladybugs, which are herbivores, known as crop pests and are selective feeders (turnip, broccoli, cabbage, maize, beans, cotton and much more).

Before releasing Ladybugs in your garden to fight the good fight for you, make sure you are releasing the predators and not the herbivores. Click here to learn to identify the different species of Ladybugs.

Are Ladybugs in your home? Learn how to get rid of them here and here.
Click here to learn about Releasing Ladybugs in The Garden.

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Spring Weather Gardening High Desert

First Blooming Bulbs

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read497 views

Spring is in the air: do you feel the Love in your Garden? If you live in the High Desert like me, you’re probably not feeling too much love right now with all the unwanted and unattractive weeds popping up from nowhere. Most of my bulbs are flowering. My Gladiolus and Lilies are starting to sprout. As for me, I am starting to see new growth and beautiful colors all around my property which will be enchanted in just a few weeks. I am looking forward for the Trees to awaken and start growing their leaves while planning our outdoors activities. The outdoor furniture has been cleaned and will be ready to use as soon as I have a shaded area.

First Blooming Bulbs: 1&4. White & Yellow Daffodil. 2. Ice King Double Daffodil. 3. Purple Crocus. 4. Hyacinth.
First Blooming Bulbs: 1. Grape Hyacinth. 2. Ice King Double Daffodil. 3-4. Crocus Vernus ‘Twilight’ & Stripes.

The temperature has risen unexpectedly these past couple of days. Though a slightly warm weather is highly desirable at this time of the year, this is not what I was expecting. Even though it’s gotten so hot that I haven’t been able to achieve my gardening objectives, I refused to hold off on weeding, which to me is by far the most challenging, consuming part of gardening and let’s not forget how unattractive they are.

Weeds on my property are thriving in this weather and some have begun flowering and very soon others will begin seeding. Aside from the Tumbleweeds, the most common and invasive weeds here are Hawkweeds, Crabgrass and Redstem filaree (edible if picked young). The edible and invasive Common Purslane hasn’t made its appearance yet. I use mulch to control weeds in my gardens and I pull those present as soon as they emerge to prevent late Summer seedlings. Regardless of which method I use, weeding is simply an endless chore.
I find comfort in the end result and in knowing that Gardening Is Good for The Health.

Click here to access a list of the Most Common Weeds in the Garden and how to deal with them the organic way. Click here to access a list of some weeds you can eat and here for a list Healing Weeds in Your Yard.

Happy Gardening!

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JM Perez By JM Perez
Vintage Weather Flowers Shrubs & Trees

Almond Tree Blossoming

JM Perez By JM Perez2 min read589 views

We have this huge Sweet Almond Tree in our front yard that we love. Here at home, it is the first tree to flower after Winter followed by Saucer Magnolia and Purpleleaf Cherry Plum. For the past three years, the Almond Tree started flowering as early as January (lasting only two weeks, thanks to our high winds).
The White flowers are so beautiful and it’s always a delight watching them bloom indoors in a vase. In just a few days, honeybees will be heading towards the blossom, collecting pollen.

The tree produces Sweet Almonds during Summer and we had a good harvest in 2007. During the following years, the crows eat almost everything before we got a chance to harvest any. Sometimes we are lucky to find a few and other times all we find are scattered shells on the ground, waiting for us to dispose of.
At times during the cooler Summer evenings we pull out extra chairs, gather underneath the tree as it provides shade and we admire Nature while having interesting conversations.

Sweet Almond Tree in Bloom.
Sweet Almond Tree in Bloom.

With great weather and Spring rapidly approaching, the weeds are coming on strong. Have you noticed how bold weeds stand in a garden? They literally rob a yard of its natural beauty. I love Spring because it reminds me of new beginnings. It’s always the perfect time to start something and for us, it’s the best time to start weeding and ridding the yard of ‘bad seeds’ as well as getting it ready for fun Summer entertainment, gatherings and activities.

My beautiful bouquet of Almond Blossoms now sits pretty on my Fireplace Mantel. I love those delicate white and pink flowers. The Jug is one I bought from the 99¢ Only Stores ten years ago (along with a matching Sugar Set). Just in case you are wondering, what you see above the Almond Arrangement is a 1975 Vintage Kitchen Book Holder, movable thanks to some springs on each side. We spray painted it white from its original Honey Oak color.

Almond Blossom in Milk Jug.
Almond Blossom in Milk Jug.

Thanks to the awesome weather today, we made good progress hand wedding early in the afternoon around a few garden beds in the backyard. We are allowing weeds to grow on a designated area to give a chance to the kids to go Ladybug hunting, which are often found around grassy fields.

Since my dear husband has been craving some Mongolian Grill, we went to The Mall of Victor Valley, which is the closest location to us (the Restaurant is located in the Food Court). I love the fact that they make it easy for individuals to create their own stir-fry. We also spent a few hours at Barnes and Noble, reading books with the kids and looking around for some great Human Anatomy books for Children. I purchased a few books prior to leaving. We all had a marvelous time today and I hope to remember to set the clocks forward for daylight saving time.

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JM Perez By JM Perez