Forecast: An Uncertain Winter

New Zealand school bus signals keeping kids safe! NV buses have stop signs, flashing lights and lots of markings.

The leaves are starting to turn to gold on the cottonwood trees. What happened to summer? Yellow lights flash in school zones as a reminder to slow down to 15 mph. Orange buses trundle through the neighborhoods to pick up sleepy kids getting into the swing of classes.

Weather specialists are forecasting a wet, wet winter. The discussion on snow vs. rain is still on the table as the experts decide whether we will have stacks of snow by October or not until January, if at all.

Winter 2015  Will it rain..

or snow

The fruitless mulberry tree out front holds its deep green leaves the longest. A deep November frost usually freezes them all and drops them to the ground overnight. 

The first hard freeze of fall knocks the leaves off all at once.

I’m preparing for a long, hard winter. I’ll have one stack of wood near the house without being a fire hazard, and replenish it from the stack against the far fence. The signs point to days of being snowbound without power and cooking on the woodstove. I thrive on sunshine, so a mild winter is okay with me. 

This stack is close to the house so we don't have to venture far in the freezing temperatures.

What is the winter forecast for your area? Is there anything special you do so you’re ready to face it?

Traveling Tuesdays: The Beauty of Solvang, CA

A bit of Denmark in Solvang, California

A pleasant drive to the Santa Ynez Valley is a pleasant trip in itself. One of the cheerful spots to visit is the city of Solvang. Just exit from Hwy 101 at Buellton onto Hwy 246 for a few miles. A group of Danish immigrants founded the community in 1911. Curios from small shops and melt-in-your-mouth pastries from the bakeries create a tour to remember.

You’ll feel like you’ve traveled to Denmark until you see Mission Santa Ines, an original California mission built in 1804 during California’s Spanish reign. The Mission stands near the center of town.  

 

Security Dogs come in all sizes.

My sister J visited Solvang this weekend and graciously took pictures of many of my favorite spots.

The beautiful Pacific Ocean

Over a million visitors travel from near and far to see the statue of the Little Mermaid, Danish architecture, and horse-drawn and motorized trolleys.

My Solvang visits are few and far between since I moved from Southern CA.

It's always a treat to see lovely landscaping and colorful flowers.

Add this lovely city to your bucket list and only put a check beside it once you go. Chances are good you’ll want to return as soon as possible.


Where do you hope to visit before this year ends?

Cleaning Up the Neighborhood

Businesses, schools, and residences frequently coexist in the big city. Sometimes a gentle nudge is needed to help clean up the neighborhood, especially with the extreme fire danger in a number of areas.


Administrators don't always notice how quickly brush and dry grass accumulates between the chain link fencing and the avenues that pass by on all sides of the school. There's little reason for anyone to drop by when school is closed for the summer. 

There's no lottery to choose a local resident to make the call. It boils down to a concerned citizen finding out who to contact and doing it now instead of later.

 As lovely as the greenery seems, the dead leaves and branches underneath are fodder for a carelessly tossed cigarette or heated piece of broken glass to ignite a flame. 100 degree plus weather and strong winds spread the flames.

Curb appeal took a giant step forward!

But not in this case. Someone made the call and expressed their concern. School administrators responded by sending out a professional crew immediately to trim, clean, and make the area more resistant to the danger of fire. It looks so much better, doesn't it?




It's all part of being a good neighbor. And, as Smokey says, "Only you can prevent forest neighborhood fires".

Traveling Tuesdays: Farmers Markets are Filled with Family Fun

I received no compensation for this post. I just love farmers markets, especially well-organized events that go out of their way to make it a special time for individuals and families.

Farmers Market in Portland OR

Farmers  markets are part of ancient Egyptian history. Farmers would grow crops along the Nile and bring fresh produce to nearby towns to sell. Now the event takes place around the world. Some sell foods exclusively or include assorted goods. 

Dane County Farmers Market, Madison WI

Markets in the US consist of tents and tables lined on either side of the street or in a market square.  Some areas sponsor indoor farmers markets to provide shelter from very hot or very rainy weather. 

Stroud Gloucestershire England Farmers Market

 

The farmers market in Fallon, NV is a friendly, family event held at 925 W Williams Ave every Tuesday afternoon between 5 and 8 pm from June through August. Local and organic produce is offered. Some booths feature local crafts, while others serve up delicious food and cold beverages. Entertainment varies, but is always well-received.  Face-painting for the kids is a popular draw. 

Talbot Farmers Market

Fallon is known for its delicious cantaloupe. Zucchini squash, deep green cucumbers, and other fresh, locally-grown veggies are an impressive site. Nectarines, grapes, and plums are among the fruit grown throughout Nevada and California and brought to Fallon for the summer Tuesday sales. 

Ramah New Mexico Farmers Market

Is there a local farmers market in your area? What is your favorite item?