Verna and Bob's Weblog

Bob

Shopping for Electrical Fixtures

soooo-many.jpgThis morning we took the dogs to daycare and drove to Surprise, AZ to shop for electrical fixtures for the new house. Our builder gave us a list of what the electricians needed to complete their installation.

There were so many choices to consider. On the other hand, there were few items that matched up with our ideas of fixtures for a southwestern style home.

We agonized our way through selecting the best compromises for the list as we saw them. After an hour or so, we had a large cart (one of the really big lumber transporters) filled with fans, chandeliers, sconces, vanity bars and the like. We dropped them off at the new house and advised our builder.

Soon, we hope, we will be able to post some of the results. Click on the image to enlarge.

November 2, 2010 by Arizona Retirement

Here’s Our Sign

heres-your-sign.jpgWe’re back in Wickenburg tonight. We will be here all week to select electrical and plumbing fixtures for the new house.

As we pass into Ehrenberg, Arizona, this big sign alongside Interstate 10 welcomes us to the “Grand Canyon State.” It’s a welcome beacon to us since this is Verna’s birth state and our new home.

Verna took this picture as we sped by on our way home. Click on the image to enlarge.

November 1, 2010 by Arizona Photography Retirement

Carrion Plant

For the last couple of years, I have posted pictures of the Carrion Plant (Stapelia Gigantea) in September, the normal time for them to bloom. For whatever reason, this year they were about a month late. This is one of the last flowers to open in late October. Click on the image to enlarge.

stapelia.jpg

From Plant of the Week:

Stapelia gigantea is an interesting plant that resembles cactus, with clumps of 4-sided spineless stems. Carrion flowers are native to S. Africa.

Blooming Time: September. Flowers are large, fleshy, shaped as 5-pointed stars; they have an elaborate circular fleshy disk in the center. The flowers smell like carrion and are not offensive if blooming outside. Flowers are 10-16 inches across.

Culture: Stapelia gigantea need full sun and moderate water in the growing season. They need a well-drained soil (2 parts loam to 1 part sharp sand) with small pebbles mixed in for drainage. They need a cool, dry rest period in winter. Fertilize once during the growing season with a balanced fertilizer diluted to ½ the strength recommended on the label. They are best managed in pots and can withstand extreme heat.

Propagation: Stapelia gigantea are propagated by stem cuttings. Take cutting in spring when new growth begins. Let cuttings callus up for 2-3 weeks before planting.

October 28, 2010 by Home & Garden Photography

Casandro Wash Dam

casandro-dam.jpg

Image: (top) west side of the dam and basin (seen from US 60) – (bottom) east side showing spillway and lower wash. Click on the image to enlarge.

casandro-wash.jpgOne of the things you have to consider when buying property is the potential for damage from fire and flooding. I was very interested in the proximity of the Casandro Wash Dam and how the floodplain might affect our property.

The diagram at the right shows an aerial view of the dam and spillway, the lower wash (yellow line) and the location of the new house (red circle). Click the thumbnail to enlarge.

According to the Flood Control District of Maricopa county:

Casandro Wash Dam was constructed to collect and store water from the Casandro Wash, removing a significant number of residential structures from the 100-year floodplain in a three-square-mile area east of the structure. The dam is 350 feet in length and the emergency spillway is an 80-foot-wide concrete weir through the embankment near the center of the dam. Casandro Wash Dam was constructed by the District which is also responsible for the operation and maintenance of the structure excluding the outfall system, which is maintained by the Town of Wickenburg.

From all the information we have gathered and the details in the escrow papers, we, and the other property owners near Casandro Wash are in pretty good shape when it comes to flood potential thanks to the dam and spillway.

October 27, 2010 by Arizona Retirement

Necklace

It’s about six weeks overdue, but last weekend at the gun show, I bought Verna her anniversary present. It’s a hand carved native American style necklace. Other than the kachina figurine, the stones are all carved into the shapes of animals. She has been looking for something like this for a while. We’re both glad we found the necklace. Click on the image to enlarge.

necklace.jpg

October 25, 2010 by Family Something Shiny

Just a Few More Weeks

new-house.jpgWe dropped the dogs off at the groomer for baths and a trim for bear. We attended the gun show in town and then went out to the new house to bask in the afterglow of a very satisfying week. The kitchen and bathrooms cabinets are all installed and they look great! Interior paint looks complete and we have seen and approved the exterior paint color.

We spent a bit of time wandering around the lot, looking at the layout and discussed where we wanted to put rock gardens, foliage, walls and dog run. It was a lot of fun to anticipate how we will be personalizing the new place.

In the photo above, we’re standing on the front porch with the great room window behind us and our master bedroom to the left of the front door. Click on the image to enlarge.

October 23, 2010 by Arizona Family Retirement

Avalon 1998

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