FALL HACK # 1: DIVIDE YOUR PERENNIALS

• Early fall is a good time to divide most perennials, depending on the zone you live. You will know is time to divide when you see that your plant is growing, however, looks dead or empty in the center.
• Google the name of the plants that are showing the empty centers and get the information on how to divide them and exactly when. Then share some of the divided excess with family, neighbors and friends.

 
FALL HACK # 2: GARDEN CLEAN-UP

• Walk through your garden and pull all dead plants. Caution, some of those may have seeds that you can collect for next year. Make sure they are totally dry and place them in a well labeled tight glass container so moisture wont ruin them.
• Also, gather all the fallen branches from your property trees and assess for safety. Trees are beautiful, however, extremely dangerous.

 
FALL HACK # 3: MULCH

• Not many things look prettier in the fall garden that a clean recently mulch property. The front of the house, the base of the trees and shrubs.
• My favorite is the dark brown, almost black. It looks so impressive next to the green lawn.
• There are all kinds of colors and types, even rubber much. It’s all about what you like. Therefore, go to the garden center, select your mulch and either contract someone to spread it or DIY. Smile!
• Clean and close out your lawn mower until next year. Yippee!

 
FALL HACK # 4:  FILL BARE SPOTS WITH NEW FALL PLANTS
 Plant fall plant material such as bulbs, winter cabbage, kale, etc.
 
FALL HACK # 5: LAWN
Finally, do not forget your lawn. If you have bare spots, now is the time to fill them, the weather will cooperate. Get seeds and soil to cover them.

I am sure that you agree with me in this following statement. 2020 has been an awful year and it is time to make it run its course to end as soon as possible this December 31. That will give us all a fresh start in 2021 and hopefully, with a significant reduction or elimination of COVID-19.
 
Anyway, fall is the pumpkin, dried corn and brown leaves season. These colors last about a month and then, transition into December, where the red and green colors rules.
 
For now, let’s just enjoy the decorations that some of my neighbors have put out. If you have not done yours yet, just make it happen soon, it will change your quarantine sad mood into a happy one.
 
Cheers and have fun decorating!

What a summer we all had. Our country experienced terrible fires, hurricanes, politicians, insane killings, some deadly protests and moreover, COVID-19, a virus that came upon us to change our lives forever.
 
In spite of all that, we are beyond blessed for being alive today. We enjoyed the sun, the amazing beaches, all the natural landscapes, our family and friends. We must all remind ourselves that regardless of everything, we are not homeless, most of us have a place to live and food on the table. Also, we are healthy and are not suffering from health issues or addictions, hence, let’s pray for those who are addicted to whatever poisons are out there.
 
Let’s all come together to thank the LORD for all these blessings and stay positive. We are all looking forward to a nice 2021 summer time.
 
Love you all, stay safe.

To continue with the numerous designs of bird feeders available in the market today, I am showing yet one more montage of what I found during my daily walks. The neighbors may think, what is that crazy woman doing in my front lawn? Well, they soon realize that someone like their taste in selecting accents for their gardens. Genius! 

I don’t know about you but I love birds. I believe in providing for them, since they cant go to COSTCO to buy food.

Housing is also critical because some birds develop their nests inside some of these bird houses. Therefore my friends, please provide food, water and /or housing for these cute folks, they will forever be grateful to you.

​These bird baths captured with my camera, also identify the personality of each neighbor, their love for gardening and their style. As I walk daily by their homes and see the number of different birds visiting, I definitely enjoying the site and they make my day! 

​Early this year, when COVID-19 was not changing our lives, I went window shopping, as I usually do, to find beautiful pieces to post in my blog. I wanted to use them during the 2020- spring time, to encourage all of us to add new pieces to our entertaining china.
 
This particular combination of plates and glasses caught my attention for its simplicity and color scheme, especially the glasses. The prices were reasonable for William Sonoma and moreover, one doesn’t need to purchase the whole thing, just pieces to enhance what we have.
 
Well, next time they open the malls SAFELY, we may go back WITH OUR MASK to search for what they have available now, before the end of summer. Good luck!

This montage shows some of the different styles of bird baths that you can find in the market to add to your landscape. It will only depend on your style; will it be inspired in Rome or Italy or simply just an accent to add to your garden. It is all up to you, smile. Me? I love them all.

A popular store to shop around during summer time is Ballard Designs located in many states. They have an assortment of nice pieces, from furniture to kitchen needs like china and even women tote bags. I love their different montages of china and summer furniture. If you have one of these stores in your area, stop by and see the cute stuff they have.

​Who has seen this flower before? Anyone? Well, I must say, if you haven’t don’t feel bad. The name is Heliconia or False Lobster Claw. Of course, it is a tropical plant and if you look carefully, the leaves mimic those of its cousin Bird of Paradise or even the old mighty banana tree leaves.
 
This is one of those exotic specimens that you do not get to see often. This is also an amazing example of how Mother Nature create these amazing miracles that as we all know, no man alive can create. Let’s just enjoy this beautiful and strange flower.