Punta Banda Cam
Rainstorm invading Ensenada at noon Sunday. 30 minute rainfall and temps dipped to 47F here. Above photo is from my ‘hood on Punta Banda(Colinia Puerto Escondido) looking at a cloud falling upon Ensenada centro.
more rain photos
Baja Christmas Tree
Here is my minimal Christmas decoration display for 2012.
The Poinsettia plant that played the role of Thanksgiving dinner table center piece is also my Christmas tree. Versatile actor, eh?
Poinsettias are part of the Euphorbiaceae or Spurge family. Botanically, the plant is known as Euphorbia pulcherrima.
In Nahuatl , the language of the Aztecs, the Poinsettia was called Cuitlaxochitl (from cuitlatl, for residue, and xochitl, for flower), meaning “flower that grows in residues or soil.”
Today the plant is known in Mexico and Guatemala as “La Flor de la Nochebuena” (Flower of the Holy Night, or Christmas Eve).
In Chile and Peru, the Poinsettia is called the “Crown of the Andes”.
In Spain the Poinsettia has a different holiday attribution. It is known there as “Flor de Pascua”, meaning “Easter flower”.
Poinsettias have also been called the lobster flower and the flame-leaf flower, due to the red color.
Poinsettias received their name in the United States in honor of Joel Roberts Poinsett, who introduced the plant into the country in 1828. Poinsett was a botanist, physician and the first United States Ambassador to Mexico. He sent cuttings of the plant he had discovered in Southern Mexico to his home in Charleston, South Carolina. The word Poinsettia is traditionally capitalized because it is named after a person.
A few short years ago, I lived in one of those neighborhoods that hired Christmas decor staging. For $XX,XXX you can match the Griswolds’ enthusiasm and electric bill by hiring a company to deck your halls and walls. I limited my exterior holiday display to a strand of white lights lining the arch of my front door and a wreath in that ‘hood.
complete article
Baja December Storms
December rain storms are an annual treat here in Ensenada. The rain from last Thursday and Friday totaled more than 2 inches. That’s a welcome gift for an area that totals approx 7-11 inches of precipitation for an entire year.
Photo is this morning’s view east from my home toward the Punta Banda lagoon, Maneadero agricultural fields and the snow-frosted mountains. Caught a little more rain this morning with a bonus of electricity outage for a brief period in the very early hours.
more on the rainstorm
Valle de Guadalupe Kit
10 tips for enjoying El Valle de Guadalupe wineries.
Valle de Guadalupe VIP Tour
by staff grape juice guru, Vino Bandito
The Valle de Guadalupe VIP Tour on Turkey Eve, 21 Nov 2012, included 7 wine tasters, 3 vehicles, 5 wineries and great grape juice during a 12 hour tour.
I was desperate to find wineries available on a Wednesday during the off-season month of November. Most wineries are only open for wine tastings on weekends this time of year. My email inquiry not only was answered, it was showered with this special event opportunity. Thanks to new friends Sitara, Ariana, Abby and Alejandro for welcoming Stephanie, Rich and me to explore Baja’s wineries with them.
15 photos and details on the wineries
