After Christmas Shopping Steals

In the days and even weeks after Christmas, you can find some amazing deals on Christmas decor and wrapping paper.  I always shop for these items for next Christmas Dec 26 through early January. 

But if you have a keen eye you can also find great deals on wrapping supplies that can be used for Valentines, St. Patrick's day, and Birthdays.

Here are some recent finds at our Target that could serve these other celebrations....all 50% off.     

Lovelies for Valentines...

Birthday Bargains...

Not as much gets wrapped for St. Patrick's Day, but if you do wrap anything for that, there's some green and gold papers above that would work for that too.   I also saw some paper with a purple v-shape design at one target.   And there's lots of tissue paper options (plain red, white...I even got a set with blue, black and white).

If you craft, the tissue paper is useful for that too.    

There was lots of this left.  I'm not getting paid by Target to say this, just sharing from there as it's a place that tends to be in both Texas and California.   Lots of drug stores, like Walgreens and CVS, and of course places like Walmart, have after Christmas sales too.  (The drug store sales tend to be around the longest because people don't think to shop there as much as the larger stores). 


People say you can't save money by spending...but when they are things you would have to buy anyways, it pays to buy them when they are cheaper.  Happy savings!  

Garden Tips: Seed Organization

If you are planting multiple seeds in the same bed, and want to stagger them (so you want to have both the seeds out to use at the same time), use caps for various things in a larger Tupperware, dish, or box to put the seeds into for easy access.

Two Views of Californian's Immigrating to Texas

Two articles in Texas monthly recently (or sort of recently) dealt with California transplants (among others)...

 The Newest Texans Are Not Who You Think They Are  It's subtitle read "The record influx of recent arrivals from all over might be exactly what the state needs. That includes Californians. (And no, they’re not turning Texas blue.) "

The second, written back in March, was a little less optimistic...Californian's Could Ruin Texas - but Not In the Way You Think.

Charters

I don't support Betsy DeVos threatening to withhold funding for schools that don't open and opt for distance learning in stead...but this line from this article made me so angry...

"But make no mistake, if schools don’t reopen, DeVos is going to hand over public school tax dollars to parents to educate children any way they want. What options will they have? Lousy charters? Online programs that have a known failure rate?"

While there are some "lousy charters" just like there aresome "lousy public schools," there are also many excellent charters who are doing a great job with kids. And that "known failure rate" of online programs is compared to regular in person schooling...we have no idea how the distance learning programs brick and mortar schools are cooking up during the summer will compare to what the charters have previously done, and have no reason to assume they will do better.

And when many schools went to distance learning this year who did they go to for advice about how to do it? Charter schools that had already been doing it! And yeah, those hastily planned models schools quickly moved to weren't great, but that's because they were formed without much time to set them up correctly (crisis schooling, not real distance learning, right?). But they wouldn't have been better trying to "invent the wheel" from scratch, I'm certain of that.

It would make so much sense to let as many students as possible transfer to distance learning charters that have experience. But in our state, our state just passed a funding plan that would base all school funding on last year's enrollment, therefor cutting off all chances for charters to expand to meet demand. And the demand is high. Parents, understandably, were flocking to distance learning charters and independent learning charters. Even before this charters were putting some families on a waiting list (cause they had some limits on how much they can expand). But now new families who had already been accepted to these charters were sent letters saying...sorry, we can't take you because the funding we expected to be there was pulled.

Meanwhile in LA teachers unions actually made a moratorium on charters one of their demands they are threatening to strike over. I support them striking due to covid safety issues and paid sick leave, but demanding a moratorium on charters is just a slap to the face to their fellow educators in charter schools (oh, and we ALREADY had a moratorium on new non-classroom charters schools until 2022...LOVELY. That's working out SO WELL, isn't it).

Not as bad as Texas educational organizations threatening to deny funding to their own schools if they choose to do distance learning, but it's still a poor choice.

How to Save Money on Spices

I have a secret to save 50% or more on spices!      Some stores, such as HEB, Whole Foods, and Sprouts have a section where where you can buy loose herbs and spices.   In stead of buying spices each in their own little bottle, you fill up a baggie from a large canister and pay by how much it weighs, and then you can refill your spice bottles at home.   Generally, the cost is much, much less to buy spices this way. 

The bulk herb section of the HEB in Hewitt, TX

Below is some cumin I purchased--two small scoops.  Notice the price, 69 cents!   The bag doesn't look big, but it filled up the whole spice jar shown in the next picture down.

And yes, that jar was EMPTY.   So $0.69 filled up a whole jar which usually costs around $6.  Now, that jar was organic*, and so might have been a little pricier than most.  But even compared to the LOWEST priced jar I could find of bottled cumin ($1.99 for 1.7 oz of HEB generic cumin), my bag of cumin was 1/3 the cost!   Guess you pay a lot for that jar!

And yes, I've tried similar comparisons with other spices.   Even at a pricier store like Whole Foods, the bulk spices were much less than the regular spices at other grocery stores.  

Herbs that aren't ground give you an even better savings, usually (since they take up more space but are very light).  Bulky herbs, like bay leaves or cinnamon sticks tend to cost A LOT less loose than in jars (often a savings of 75% or more). 






*(SIDE NOTE:  If you are concerned about GMO, you should know that very few herbs have ever been genetically modified, probably because they tend to be naturally critter resistant.   The only ones I'm aware of are sugar cane, alfalfa, chicory, flax, eucalyptus, rose and chrysanthemum [edible flowers], and tobacco if you count that (and except for sugar, you would not find any of those on most spice aisles anyways).  Of course these lists change so you can always check the GMO crops list on wikipedia or this list at the ISAAA.)

Quarentine Lawn Decor

Found this walking around our San Diego neighborhood last month...

Garden Tip: Use Faux Plants to Protect Real Ones

This is an easy garden tip I learned by accident.   I had tried and tried to grow plants from seeds on my back porch when I was living in an apartment, but time and again the hot Texas sun fried the seedlings before they could grow.   So, in frustration one day I just stuck a bunch of fake flowers in the pot, strait down into the soil I had planned for real flowers.

And then, two weeks later, I noticed some new leaves pushing up through the faux plants.   REAL petunia seeds had sprouted under the shade of the fake flowers and were now inching their way past them to the sunlight.

Even when we moved to a house with a real yard, I used this technique.   I'd buy dollar store fake flowers, and stick them in the ground over my rows of carrots, beans, peppers, ect. until the plants were strong and hardy enough to do without the shade. 

Above you can see a young green bean being protected by some of these dollar store flowers.  

Yes, you can also start seedlings inside and transfer them once they're stronger...but that doesn't work with all types of plants, and it's an extra step you can skip if you use fake flowers or something else to shade them.   And the fake flowers are easy to use and look pretty in the meantime. 

What To Plant In Texas In April

1. Cantaloupes, 2. Collards, 3. Corn, 4. Cucumber, 5. Cushaw (and Pumpkins) 6. Eggplant, 7. Melons (honeydew), 8. Lima Beans, 9. Luffa, 10. Malabar Spinach, 11. Okra, 12. Peppers, 13. Pumpkin., 14. Snapbeans (19), 15. Southern Peas, 16. Summer Squash, 17. Sweet Potatoes, 18. Swiss Chard, 19. Tomato* 20. Watermelon

*On tomatoes plant transplants (too late to plant from seed)

These are all plants which are great for planting in April here in Texas.  I've been learning all about the best time to plant different plants from a book called Month-to-Month Gardening in Texas.  I wish I had gotten this book years ago...it's teaching me so much about Texas gardening that I really was absolutely clueless on!  I knew Texas had two growing seasons but I really didn't understand when the seasons started or ended.  It turns out I trying to grow nearly everything at the wrong time!  I'm going to try to share tips from the book each month (but there's so much info, I couldn't even begin to share it all).   They also share what else you need to do each month (when to fertilize, aerate your soil, tackle weeds, etc.). 

But, if you just want info on what veggies and herbs to plant each month, you can also get that information online here.  That's a good resource for  other states too.

---

I found the photos for my mosaic on Flickr, and the photographers were nice enough to offer up for use through Creative Commons (click on the links to see the photos larger).  Yes, the Sountern Peas (ie cowpeas) in that picture are blighted (that was just a hard one to find, so I took what I could get.)

I'm linking up at the gardening linkies at Living More, Spending Less and Ramblings of a Christian Mom.  Also linking up at Mosaic Monday.

A Decade of Blogging

Wow, it's been an amazing decade.   It's hard to believe I've been blogging this long...but Texifornia was already 5 years old in 2010!

So much happened in my life during this time.   I survived the hottest summer in Texas history,  learned how to garden in Texas, discovered wildflowers and wildlife, had my back yard catch fire,  lost my dad to Parkinsons and my mom to COPD, saw my kids grow from elementary through high school, spent four years homeschooling my youngest, and, in 2017, moved back to my home state of California after 20 years in Texas.  What a decade!

I thought I'd go back and see what posts through the years resonated...in stead of just doing a top ten, I thought I'd do the top post from each year.   Here there are, in chronological order....

2010

Thoughts Following This Election


2011

Good Clover vs. Bad Clover



2012

Wildflower or Weed?



2013

California Coloring Pages



2014

Human Trafficking in Texas



2015

Now Texas Has Earthquakes



2016

Railroad Commissioner Websites are Comedy Gold



2017

In the Shape of Texas



2018

Black Friday Weekend Sale



2019

Things That Make a Gardener Go Hmm... 

Things that make a gardener go hmmm.....

That is a tomato plant.

That's right...that's a tomato plant growing on a sign out of what looks like pure concrete on the side of the road!  There were actually little green tomatoes starting to grow on it.   Just one of many "we're not in Texas anymore" moments I've had since coming back to California.

After how much I've struggled to keep plants alive stuff like this blows my mind.  

BLACK FRIDAY WEEKEND SALE

40 - 60% Off with coupon code 
BLKFRIDAYZAZ 

See What's On SALE!

Texifornia Stats

Found this interesting tid-bit doing research on California Ballot measures today:

From 2000 to 2015, the state lost nearly 800,000 residents with incomes near or below the poverty line. Nearly three-quarters of those who left California since 2007 made less than $50,000 annually. The leading destination for California’s poor? Texas.
From CalMatters Article "Californians, ere's why your housing prices are so high."

So, for those here who have moved from California to Texas, was finances part of the reason?

Downtown Mural

I'm not even sure where we were when we saw this on the side of a building (just somewhere in Southern California stopping for a bite to eat in a down-town area on the way back from somewhere else).  Loved this artwork and had to take a picture.   It's not a grainy pic...it was painted on a textured stone back-drop, with 3D butterflies scattered about, as well as painted ones. 

Do more virtual sight-seeing at....

Sharon's Souvenir Photo Blog Hop

My World Tuesday

4th of July Sky

I don't often take pictures of fireworks...photos don't often really capture their beauty.  But the smoke around the fireworks this 4th was mesmerizing, and I had to try.  I caught these...

And the rocket's red glare

the bombs bursting in air...


Sky Watch Friday

Primrose Surprise

I was so surprised and happy to see these beauties in our local park.   Mexican Evening Primrose, a little taste of the best part of Texas Spring, right here in California!

San Diego Seals

So, this Christmas I had planned to take our kids on a day trip to the mountains to play in the snow....but there was no snow in nearby mountains, so we did some things closer to home in stead.

My favorite was visiting the Seals at Children's Pool right here in San Diego (no pool...it's just a beach that's called that where seals come when they are pupping).

Here's some pics we got while we were down there....

Yes, yes that is a football next to that seal...

And here's a video of all the cute stuff we caught the seals doing...
(with commentary by my three boys)

These seals are Pacific Harbor Seals.   They are just one of the many seals and sea lions that can be found in California (as a kid when I was living on the boat I remember the sea lions always used to hang out on the bouys) .  

So, someone I know argued with me over whether these were sea lions or seals. Well, if you've ever wondered  how to tell seals from sea-lions, there's a good guide here:  How to Tell Sea Lions from Seals.

So, my oldest son also took this pic of a seagull.  He hasn't been in California long enough for sea-gulls to be no big deal.  Though it came out nice.

(Taken by my eldest)


Shared on

 

So, I heard Texas got snow...

So...this happened...

That picture (and the humor) was from a friend of mine in Houston...not from me, cause as you know if you read my last post, I'm not in Texas anymore.

And NOW it decides to snow.

You remember around 2008 - 2011 or so Texas got some pretty good snow? (And, for any northerners dropping by,  by "pretty good"  I mean enough snow to scrape a snowman off your yard if you try really, really hard).  

Well, you may not but my kids sure do...and EVERY SINGLE YEAR SINCE any time the temperature would drop, they would look to the sky for white stuff, and get mad when none would come.  

So now I'm in a place with mountains in short driving distance...but even the mountains aren't getting snow (least not any that sticks long enough for us to get there.)  Meanwhile, TEXAS is having tons of it (and by tons, I mean...ah, well, um....SOME).   It's like the state is blowing snowy zerberts at us!

Seriously, though I can't complain...it's like 75 degrees here.  

Enjoy the snow ya'll!

I'm Back in California!

So, I'm back in California now....and not just for a Vacation!  This summer we packed up and moved to San Diego, my hubby's hometown, thanks to a new job. 

I can not tell you how good it feels to be back.   When my husband, who came earlier than us, picked us up at the airport and we got in the car and drove through the city with all the palm trees, stucco buildings, murals, HILLS, marinas, etc....I just wanted to scream for joy.  I was HOME!

Don't get me wrong...I had grown to love where I lived, and I still dearly miss so many of the people there.  So many people who had become like family.  But the place itself, the geography, weather, etc.....it's never felt like home the way California does.

I'm even sleeping better.    The whole time I've been in Texas I've struggled with insomnia (and in summer, when I can go to bed when I want, a creeping sleep schedule).   I haven't had that trouble since I came back.

So, anyways, I'll be writing more soon about how I'm seeing California now after being away so long, and fun outings we've been doing, etc....but I just wanted to let you all know I'm back.

In the Shape of Texas

Ah...Texas pride.  It leads to Texas shaped everything.  Found a couple more examples of this at our local HEB...

A texas griddle

And texas cast iron skillets!

Ah man...

This is Texas

Happy New Year!

Ring Out, Wild Bells

by Alfred, Lord Tennyson

Ring out, wild bells, to the wild sky,
The flying cloud, the frosty light;
The year is dying in the night;
Ring out, wild bells, and let him die.

Ring out the old, ring in the new,
Ring, happy bells, across the snow:
The year is going, let him go;
Ring out the false, ring in the true.

Ring out the grief that saps the mind,
For those that here we see no more,
Ring out the feud of rich and poor,
Ring in redress to all mankind.

Ring out a slowly dying cause,
And ancient forms of party strife;
Ring in the nobler modes of life,
With sweeter manners, purer laws.

Ring out the want, the care, the sin,
The faithless coldness of the times;
Ring out, ring out thy mournful rhymes,
But ring the fuller minstrel in.

Ring out false pride in place and blood,
The civic slander and the spite;
Ring in the love of truth and right,
Ring in the common love of good.

Ring out old shapes of foul disease,
Ring out the narrowing lust of gold;
Ring out the thousand wars of old,
Ring in the thousand years of peace.

Ring in the valiant man and free,
The larger heart, the kindlier hand;
Ring out the darkness of the land,
Ring in the Christ that is to be.



Happy New Year!!







Thanks to Graphics Fairy  for the Bells Illustration