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Take A Peek At Los Alamos, New Mexico

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No-No-Bambi!

May 18, 2021 /

Gardening in Los Alamos isn’t the easiest of tasks. Our topsoil isn’t terrific. Our growing season is notoriously short. And don’t forget the weather tends to be unpredictable at best. These things never stop me from trying though. I LOVE to garden! I enjoy being outdoors digging in the dirt and begging my little green sprouts to grow. In 2020 our garden managed to produce a massive crop of the strangest looking cucumbers you’ve ever seen! Not only were they more yellow than green, but they tasted awful! However, a friend of mine diced them up and fed them to her chickens. Apparently the chickens LOVED them. Since the taste of the cucumbers didn’t bother the hens or affect the eggs, I call that a win! But one thing we’ve always had pretty good luck with is our jalapenos. Until this year…

Considering the unseasonably cool weather we’ve been having, (can you actually say that when it’s perfectly reasonable to get several inches of snow in May?) I finally got around to planting my garden last week. It felt good to get the plants in. Normally our dogs spend quite a lot of time in the yard, but less than a week after my garden was planted, we spent a day in Albuquerque and left the dogs inside.

Let’s just say Bambi went hog wild while my dogs were helpless to intervene.

This is what was left of my garden…

See the telltale hoof prints? Ugh! Who knew that mule deer would eat jalapeno plants? So, with my recent garden failure in mind, I’ve set out to find more information on how to keep deer out of the garden. Here’s what I’ve discovered:

All Deer Are Not Equal

What I understand from doing a bit of research on the topic is that different deer herds like different plants. This is not limited to breed of deer either, just because we have mule deer in this part of the country and you might have dealt with white tail deer somewhere else, that has nothing to do with successfully keeping them out of your garden.

For example, what the Bayo Canyon deer avoid might be completely different than what works to ward off the deer who live in Urban Park. However, most experts universally agree that if you can populate your garden with fuzzy, spiny, or strong smelling plants, you’ll have a better chance of convincing the four legged snackers to go elsewhere. Deer don’t like leaves that are furry. They also don’t like strong smelling plants. They avoid herbs like sage, thyme, lavender, and even dill. Things that are tough to digest like Elephant Ears are good deer repellants as well.

Even if you don’t want to choose your plants based on what deer dislike, you can sprinkle a few things throughout your garden just to try and get Bambi to browse elsewhere. For example, the next time I plant my jalapenos, I’m going to stick some strong smelling oregano plants right alongside them.

Unfortunately, Bambi Jumps Pretty Well

Fencing for deer can be costly. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when you’re attempting to nudge Bambi to take his case of the munchies elsewhere.

Privacy fence, cinder blocks, and coyote fencing are excellent deer fencing. Deer can jump upwards of 8ft to clear a fence, but they don’t like to jump into an area where they can’t see a landing spot. While it isn’t likely to keep them from hurdling into your yard if they’re fleeing a predator, they aren’t going to come browse your garden if they can’t see what’s on offer.

Double layers of fencing are unattractive. According to some animal researchers, deer have less than perfect depth perception. They don’t like the appearance of layered fencing. So if you have a chain link fence or other see through fence, try fencing individual sections of your garden with some kind of mesh netting on a wood frame. Even the brightly colored orange plastic mesh fence wrapped around some T-posts could do the trick. While not the most attractive way to decorate your yard, it could well save your garden from Bambi and his buddies.

Rock barriers are strikingly effective! Hoofed animals like deer do not like uneven, rocky terrain. If you have a terraced yard or even sections of your yard where you have xeriscaping, you might consider adding some larger porous rocks as a decorative and effective way to suggest to Bambi that he might break his spindly legs if he attempts to eat your plants. The rock barriers have to be a combination of wide and tall in order to truly deter the deer. Think rock walls at Bandelier National Monument. Perhaps not 8ft in height, but at least waist high and too wide for a human to step across without climbing.

Treat Bambi Like a Naughty Kitty!

That’s right! The number one suggested method for convincing deer that your garden is NOT the local farmer’s market is to use a motion sensor sprinkler. Most sources seem to agree that a taller model is better than a shorter one because it doesn’t get triggered by every bit of waving foliage and the spray manages to clear the plants and hit Bambi right in the nose. It is also suggested that the battery operated version is better than the solar option simply because the spray of water is more powerful. Deer aren’t all that easy to scare these days. If you want proof of that you can either check out the deer trotting down Diamond Drive or go take a peek at the Sportsman Club in Rendija Canyon where it isn’t unusual to see the buggers hanging out on the archery field watching rifle and shotgun practice across the dirt road. Their expressions are almost amused instead of afraid. Suburban life has changed them for good. But a nice blast of water is enough to make me want to turn and run. Seems like it should work nicely to tell Bambi NO!

If you’ve got other ways to save your garden from our local deer population, I’d love to hear them! The research I’ve done so far seems to suggest that nothing works forever and sometimes you have to switch it up in order to keep on top of the issue. But that’s part of living in Los Alamos County isn’t it? Wildlife abounds and unfortunately they’re not shy about sharing the amenities! Drop me a line if you’ve got deer repellents to share and don’t forget to give me a call if you’re ready to find your forever home in Los Alamos! I’m your local real estate expert and I love to talk about life in Los Alamos!

A Little Bit Country

May 1, 2021 /

Los Alamos County is so very unique in the available housing options, but never is this more obvious than when you make a left turn off State Road 4 onto Piedra Loop in the White Rock Subdivision of Pajarito Acres. 3-5 acre lots populate the hilly terrain. Homes come in all shapes and sizes and small barns and enclosures house everything from horses to goats and anything in between. The trailhead of the Red Dot trail sits on the canyon side of the winding black top road. It is as it was meant to be: country living in Los Alamos.

Photo Courtesy of Fusion Aerial

It all began in 1962 when a group of Los Alamos residents began chatting about the possibility of owning larger lots on the Southern side of White Rock. Unfortunately, the Atomic Energy Commission had a contract with building E.I. Noxon that prevented other parties from developing White Rock for a period of three years. This meant that the country loving residents had to wait until that expired in 1963 before petitioning the AEC to release land for a “acreage-type development”.

As with all housing developments in White Rock, there were difficulties in building because of the basalt that lies beneath this entire area of the county. In fact, the original Pajarito Acreage Development Association had a bit of a kerfluffle with the FHA regarding septic tanks. Thanks to the basalt, the FHA refused to insure mortgages on homes in Pajarito Acres. The future residents tightened their belts, accepted the additional cost of $2000 for a sewage system, and built a sewage lagoon not far from where the Red Dot Trailhead currently sits. By March of 1965 there were two families living in the development and by summer there were 18 more. In the beginning, they didn’t even have a water system. It was finished by August of 1965 and residents have never looked back.

The current Pajarito Acres Homeowner’s Association is made up of residents from only Pajarito Acres. La Senda is another development entirely. In fact, it might interest you to know that the land where La Senda sits was once fated to become a an area of dense residential condos and even apartments. The second “acreage type development” hadn’t been selling quite as quickly as Jemez View Development had hoped. Only two five acres lots had been sold and the company applied to the planning and zoning committee to have the valuable tract of land between White Rock and Pajarito Acres rezoned.

In a complete reversal of a more than forty year trend, there wasn’t a dire need for housing in Los Alamos County. The residents pushed back, finally making their opinions into a ruling from the planning and zoning committee and preserving the mixed residential/agricultural use for the remaining 134 acres of La Senda.

These days there is no doubting the wonderful country style living available in Pajarito Acres and La Senda. The Pajarito Riding Club operates a small equestrian facility located at the corner of Piedra Drive and Piedra Loop. The club website is a great resource for trail maps for not only Pajarito Acres and La Senda, but also has links to LANL trail maps that you might find interesting.

Photo Courtesy of Brian George

Trails in both subdivisions are open to whomever would like to walk, ride, run, or hike them. If you prefer pavement, the streets are wide and smooth blacktop with plenty of hills and curves to make it an enjoyable trek. You can reach Piedra Loop about a quarter of the way around by heading down Sherwood Blvd until it dead ends in Pajarito Acres and don’t forget that you can find the Red Dot Trailhead about halfway around Piedra Loop. The trail offers some really spectacular views of the Rio Grande Valley.

And if you’re interested in taking a look at a home in Pajarito Acres, give me a call! I might just have something you’d like. After all, when it comes to living in Los Alamos County, I’m your local real estate expert!

Manners on the Trail

April 23, 2021 /

It occurred to me last weekend, as I was nearly run off the trail by a cyclist, that it’s always good to review a few bits and pieces about trail etiquette. Here in Los Alamos we have miles and miles of trails to enjoy. If you’re wondering just how many miles, you can check out this link to the country trail map HERE. Our trails have been around for a long time. Not only that, but they are used by everyone from hikers and cyclists to coyotes and deer. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you walk out your front door and head for your favorite trailhead.

Stay Alert!

I think there are plenty of us who enjoy running, hiking, or biking with music playing in our ears. Nowadays you’re not having to lug around a CD player or a Walkman the size of a cereal box (am I dating myself here?). Earbuds don’t even require wires anymore! But insulating yourself in a musical cocoon while you run through one of our canyons or down the Canyon Rim Trail can have some really serious consequences.

What if you miss the sound of a rattlesnake warning you to get out of his space? Rattlesnake, coyote, bobcat, even bears. We have tons of wildlife here in Los Alamos County and they aren’t necessarily shy about sharing our trails. What if you can’t hear a cyclist or an equestrian coming up behind you? I even recall a memorable incident when I witnessed a cyclist run headlong into a tree in Bayo Canyon and he couldn’t hear me shouting to him to see if he was all right because his music was so loud. He happened to be just fine, but I nearly scared the pants off him trying to find out whether or not he was in need of an ambulance or something. Situational awareness is critical when you’re out on the trail. If someone says “on your left!” you aren’t helping matters by not being able to hear anything but your playlist.

The Rules of Yielding

There are no real ironclad rules to this one. There are certain accepted truths. You should always yield to uphill traffic because it’s more difficult to get moving going uphill. However, if someone is hauling booty down a hill on a mountain bike it might be really difficult to just hit the brakes and pull over. On a flat trail please take the time to specify when you’re passing. A simple “on your left” or “on your right” can be a real help. And generally, you pass on the LEFT on a trail just as you would in a car.

Keep in mind the sort of trail you’re traveling. If you’ve spent much time on Kwage Mesa (out past the horse stables) you might notice that a lot of the trail is like a trench. It isn’t exactly easy to pull off the trail on a bicycle. If you’re running or walking out there, you might take a moment to step out of the way instead of asking a cyclist to lug their bike up out of a ditch.

Historically speaking, anywhere on North Mesa, equestrians have the right of way. But there a good number of equestrians who will, if they are able, happily move their horses off the trail to avoid runners, hikers, and cyclists alike. Not just on North Mesa, but anywhere in the county. At the end of the day, yielding is about COMMUNICATION. Don’t be in a hurry! If you see another trail user, take a moment and be courteous. Generally speaking, it just takes a moment in time to see what the other person is doing, speak up, and then continue on with a smile and a wave.

Equestrians

It can be rather intimidating to come face to nose with an equestrian when you come around a blind corner on a trail. Horses are large and rather unpredictable animals. For the most part, the absolute WORST thing you can do is to hide. Mostly, because you CAN’T hide. Their field of vision is nearly three hundred and sixty degrees and they can smell humans like any other prey animal. If you’re not in sight or you’re a cyclist and you ride up behind them, they can’t process what you are fast enough to do anything but react in a primal flight fashion. Not all of those encounters end badly. Most trail horses are pretty used to everything from cyclists to wildlife. But if an equestrian asks you to please step out from behind a tree, to stand still, or to back off and give them space, it’s probably for a reason. They don’t have a desire to hit the dirt and in some cases they’re trying to suggest you stay out of harm’s way too.

My daughter’s horse was rushed by the middle school girls’ cross country team. The girls were just running. They had absolutely no idea that they were scaring him until I called it out. He was leaping in the air and acting as if he were ready to race them back up the road (which he was). Pay attention to what’s going on around you when you pass an animal. Does the behavior look normal or is it like a rodeo? If you happen to startle a horse and you get a reaction, just stop moving. Continuing on could make the issue worse. The equivalent of running from a bear only backwards where the animal is trying to flee from you! For the most part, equestrians are good trail users in spite of the road apples. After all, horse poop is literally compostable. It disintegrates in our climate in only a day or so as though it was never there.

A Few Words About Dogs

There are few things as cool as traveling the trail with your canine companion. Just keep in mind that while Chapter 6 of the Los Alamos County Code says you can have your dog off leash in designated areas, you MUST keep them in sight and have voice control at all times. And you can only have voice control of two dogs at a time. So if you have more, rotate them and don’t let them travel in an independent pack. Dogs are like kiddos, they love to dare each other to do wild and crazy things!

Keep in mind that it’s easy to think you’ve got control of your favorite canine. But if the trail turns and you happen to meet a horse, are you SURE you can convince Fido not to investigate? The time to test your dog’s obedience is not when he’s faced with a real world situation. Sure. He could scare the horse. But part of that particular fear situation could involve that horse striking at your dog. Nobody wants a situation like that to occur. And what if it wasn’t a horse? What if your dog met up with a pack of coyotes? They’re bold as brass in some of our local canyons and they wouldn’t be afraid of your domestic dog. Even if the coyotes ran away, could you keep your dog from trying to give chase? How about a bobcat? We’ve even had mountain lions in our area in the last few years. So really be sure of your dog before you offer him a chance to stretch his legs outside the dog park. It might be better to keep him on a leash and take a breather while you let him sniff the most amazing tree he’s ever seen.

Smile!

Don’t forget to smile at those you meet! We’re all a part of this wonderful community. Be friendly to those enjoying other activities than yours. Be glad that they are. The more trail users we have, the more resources our county will dedicate to trail maintenance and expansion. And when you’re ready to become a Los Alamos County resident and trail user, give me a call! I’d love to help you find a home here in Los Alamos.

Garden Los Alamos

April 13, 2021 /

To Garden or Not to Garden?

If you’ve been bitten by the home garden bug, there are a few things you might want to keep in mind if you’re planning to garden here on the Pajarito Plateau. Home gardens have certainly come back into fashion lately. With the pandemic causing stores to run out of food and forcing us to find things to do in our own backyard, it has been the perfect time to get back to basics. Not that I’m suggesting anyone go full on “farm mode”, but this could be a really fun family project!

Where to Garden?

It’s tempting to look at your yard and tell yourself that you’ve got “the perfect spot” for a garden. Keep in mind that the climate here in Los Alamos County doesn’t necessarily make that a good idea. Sure. You can find a spot out of the way where your kids and pets aren’t likely to trample your plants. But there are some really important factors to keep in mind when you’re choosing a spot to garden.

Soil

Let’s be honest here. High Arid Desert doesn’t necessarily scream fertility. Be real with yourself and be prepared to do some soil prep for your garden. This might even involve raised beds which have the benefit of being easier to cover during that last freak snowstorm we’re likely to experience in May. Whether you’re wanting to grow herbs or vegetables or flowers, you need to research what sort of nutrients those plants need to thrive. Start with one or two varieties. You might get a bumper crop of carrots, but being successful with one thing can lead to success with other items next year. It’s a bit much to ask your starter garden to become a farm to table operation in one season.

Temperature

Once you’ve figured out what you have in your soil and what you need to add, it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the potential temperature of the soil. Seeds need a certain amount of warmth in order to germinate properly. If your in ground garden plot gets good sun during the day, there’s a chance it could be ready to support seeds in late April and early May. If your preferred location is in the shade, you might need to create a raised flowerbed situation in order to provide soil that is the correct temperature. Don’t forget that you can germinate seeds and get your garden started indoors too! See this homesteading article for more information on that.

Keep in mind that full sun might be fantastic for germinating seeds in spring, but by July and August our scorching summer sun will have your plants withering away. Being able to provide some kind of temporary shade over your garden is a real bonus. Whether you use a picnic awning or a pergola, your plants will thank you!

Plan Ahead!

It really pays to think about WHEN you’d like your crop to be ready. If you’re trying to get pumpkins in time for your own private pumpkin patch in October, pay attention to the information on the back of your seed packet. Do the pumpkins take 120 days to mature? Then keep that in mind when you plant and start your pumpkin patch in June. It’s not necessary to plant everything at once. Think of your garden in terms of crop rotation and you’ll find yourself with less to do at once.

Wildlife Woes

It goes without saying that we have some serious wildlife population here in Los Alamos County! Where else do you nearly step on a rabbit when walking outside your front door only to spot deer grazing in your yard before locking eyes with a bobcat on your morning jog? Everything from rabbits to bears can ruin your home garden. The visitors most likely to cause you grief are going to be rabbits and deer. If your yard is prime territory for these visitors, you might want to consider adding chicken wire to your garden plot. You might also think about adding a salt block or corn for deer to distract them from your plants. Or, you could go all out and invest in a “Garden in a Box” complete with raised garden beds and a pest fence to protect your plants from all but the most determined of visitors. It depends on your yard situation, who and what sort of pets live in your home, and just how determined you are to have a successful garden.

No matter what you decide, I’d love to hear from you! Post your garden photos and tag Kendra Ruminer Real Estate Los Alamos. I’d love to get a peek at what you’re growing this year. Get outside and enjoy Los Alamos! And don’t forget to give me a call if you’re ready to buy or sell your home. I’m your Los Alamos Local Real Estate Expert!

Swim Los Alamos!

March 27, 2021 /

Not only do residents of Los Alamos have an ice rink and a ski mountain nearby in winter, we have the Sportsman’s Club for shooting sports, the North Mesa Stables for equestrian pursuits, bike trails, hiking trails, dog parks, and summers filled with trips to one of our many outdoor pools. And don’t forget. If you’re a die hard swimmer, we’ve got you covered. Our indoor Aquatic Center boasts an Olympic sized pool with lane swimming, lessons, and a therapy pool for year round fun in the water.

If you haven’t had an opportunity to get acquainted with one of the local pool organizations here in Los Alamos County, let me give you some quick information and show you where you can check them out online.

Private Pool Associations

Barranca Mesa Pool has been around since 1969 when a group of water sport loving residents of the new Barranca Mesa subdivisions decided to undertake this labor of love. The pool itself was built on a bit of land leased from the Los Alamos Public Schools directly next to Barranca Mesa Elementary School. The original lease period was for fifty years, but the Barranca Mesa Pool is still going strong. The C shaped pool boasts lane swimming, a 12 ft section perfect for diving, and a 2 & 3 ft area for budding swimmers. There is also a separate wading pool. Getting a membership to the pool involves a “buy in” cost, plus the yearly fee. But if you contact the pool via the information on their website, it could be possible to lease a membership from another family and avoid some of the up front costs while enjoying the benefit of membership for the season.

East Park Pool is located near the Eastern Area right next to the building that houses Anytime Fitness. East Park is across the street and the pool has near access to the Canyon Rim Trail should you decide you’d like to jog before a nice cool swim. The East Park Pool Association has a reduced fee for single memberships. Just to sweeten the pot, they offer a babysitting service. For a monthly fee, members can utilize this helpful option which could be a lifesaver for moms looking for a chance to lane swim. Another bonus of East Park Pool is the choice to pay with Paypal. Check out their membership page for more information.

Mesa Meadow Pool is considered top secret. Why wouldn’t there be a secret pool in a town like Los Alamos? Actually, the secret isn’t secret. The association just values its privacy. If you drive to the end of 42nd Street in Western Area you will likely see the tennis courts first. To the left tucked into the trees is a small bathhouse and a pool with three lanes. The pool isn’t large at all, about the size of many subdivision pools scattered across the US. The purpose leans more toward lane swimming than family fun days. If you’re a hard core lane swimmer living in the Western Area and you’d love to connect with others like you, you might try this contact information to get involved.

Canyon Vista Pool Association serves the White Rock area with a handy location on Aragon Ave right between Donna and Kilby Avenues. Canyon Vista Pool is scheduled to open on May 29, 2021 which is fantastic news as it shows we are really moving toward being able to enjoy our favorite activities once again. Their website suggests there are likely a few memberships available for purchase or lease. Canyon Vista is a popular summer hangout for families. Memberships are sometimes advertised for lease or sale on Facebook so get out there and network to plan some fun for summer 2021!

Pinon Park Pool Association is located on Bryce Avenue not far from the Bryce Ave, Rover Blvd intersection. The pool has been serving White Rock for over fifty years! It sits pretty far back off the road, which really speaks to the general atmosphere of the pool. The staff at Pinon Park hope to offer their members fewer crowds, more space to lounge and relax, and enough quiet to enjoy good conversations with friends. If you really want to be part of the fabric at Pinon Park, you might consider joining the board. Their board privileges are pretty darned attractive and it could be a fantastic way to get involved in your local White Rock community.

Swimming Lessons!

Now, you can sign up and pay for summer swimming lessons from any pool association once you’re a member. But if you’re into year round immersion in swimming you might want to look into the Larry R Walkup Aquatic Center.

In the past, residents have referred to the Aquatic Center as everything from the Walkup Center to The Blue Whale. (The original roof was blue.) Now it is officially the Los Alamos County Aquatic Center. However, the incredible facility now undergoing expansion was the brainchild of Vietnam Veteran and former Green Beret, Larry R Walkup. Walkup served as the director of Los Alamos Parks & Recreation in 1984. He was instrumental in the planning and development of multiple outdoor facilities, but the need for an indoor pool was high on his list and in 1986 construction started on the Aquatic Center. The facility was named for Mr. Walkup after he died of a heart condition in November of 1986. The county council voted to memorialize Larry R Walkup’s contribution to the Los Alamos landscape more than eighteen months before the facility was completed in 1988.

The Aquatic Center

Offering a year round program of swimming lessons, lane swimming, and the popular therapy pool, the Aquatic Center is also the headquarters for the Los Alamos Parks, Recreation, & Open Spaces office. Passes and memberships to the Aquatic Center are available year round. Another popular feature is the Dive In Movie. An opportunity for families to lounge or swim in the pool while they watch a classic family friendly film projected on the wall. Lane swimming is currently available by appointment. Contact the Aquatic Center at (505) 662-8170 to schedule your slot or to ask about swimming lessons. You can also find more information online at the Los Alamos County website. The Aquatic Center is also the home of the Los Alamos Swim Teams. If you really want to improve your fitness, keep in mind that the US Olympic Swim Team is known to pop in for workouts (in non Covid years of course!) in order to increase their fitness level. Olympic size pool, 7240 ft elevation, it is currently the highest 50m pool in operation in the United States. Just another crazy amazing benefit of living in Los Alamos!

So whether you’re looking for a bit of summer sun by the pool or a way to fill that year round desire for swimming, Los Alamos County has you covered! And when you’re ready to become a resident, give me a call. I’d love to talk about life in Los Alamos with you.

Chick, Chick, Chick!

March 3, 2021 /

In 2020 we saw the rise of chickens as more than just a popular backyard pet. When eggs were next to impossible to find, the value of laying hens skyrocketed and suddenly urbanites everywhere were carving out room in their backyards for these fascinating creatures who might as well have been laying golden eggs.

If you want to add chickens to YOUR urban landscape here in Los Alamos County, here are a few things to keep in mind.

The Coop

Here in Los Alamos County we are allowed to have up to 10 birds on our property. Now. Keep in mind that there are a few rules in place that govern how many birds you can actually house in your backyard.

According to LA County Code 6.2, there must be at least 10 sq ft of space in your backyard per chicken. In addition, you must have 2 sq ft of shelter space available again, per chicken. This means if you’ve got a pretty small lot, you’re not likely to have enough of what the county calls permeable land for ten chickens. Permeable land refers to the land’s ability to support a chicken’s instinctual need to forage. That’s all the scratching and pecking. They can’t live a healthy existence on xeriscaped rock, cement, or flagstone. You need grass, dirt, weeds, or even mulch. That means if you wanted to have ten birds, you need to have 100 sq ft of permeable land available for your birds to roam and a chicken coop that’s at least 20 sq ft.

In addition to restrictions on space, the county ordinance requires chickens to be kept in an area where they have access to sunlight during daylight hours. At night they must be kept inside a containment area that protects them from roaming animals. Keep in mind that if you don’t have a livestock guardian type of dog on duty 24/7, you’re likely to have coyotes sniffing around your property at night. Coyotes seem to enjoy taunting chickens and will happily steal your entire flock if given the opportunity. This doesn’t mean you can’t keep your birds safe. You just have to evaluate your shelter from the perspective of outsmarting Brother Coyote.

The Birds

While it’s possible to keep a huge variety of birds on your property here in Los Alamos, if you’re a first time bird keeping you might want to keep it simple. Ducks and Geese require a little more in the way of planning when it comes to housing. We live in a desert after all, and ducks are water fowl. If you’re not ready to landscape a pond into your backyard, you might want to stick to chickens.

If you’re feeling super ambitious you can try incubating eggs and hatching your own chicks. If you’re like most people, you’d rather get live chicks and brood them yourself. It’s possible to purchase mature laying hens as well. You can actually try Craig’s List for that.

I’m sure you’ve all seen the cute chicks available at stores like Tractor Supply or Big R. While they do tend to be inexpensive, I highly suggest going through a reputable hatchery such as Privett Hatchery in Portales, NM. Hatcheries provide high quality birds and can tell you the sex of your birds with scary accuracy considering the fact that many males and females look identical at that age. This is very important because here in Los Alamos we are NOT ALLOWED TO HAVE ROOSTERS. Unless you’ve got a lot at the North Mesa Stables or you live in Pajarito Acres or La Senda, you need hens. Plus, a hatchery goes through a rigorous health screening process with their adult birds that eliminates many of the issues with things like salmonella.

It’s often tempting to get a variety of birds. Chickens come in crazy combinations of colors and plumage. If you’re just starting out, you might want to try getting just a few chicks of a particular breed depending on what you want your chickens for. If you’re looking for excellent layers who are also easy keepers, you might try the Golden Comet, also known as the Golden Sex Link (don’t laugh, it’s a thing!). If you’re looking for a meat bird who is also a good layer, you could try an Orpington. Do your research and don’t be afraid to Google your eyes out.

What to Expect

Chickens mature very quickly. Hens under one year of age are called pullets. You’ll sometimes see them listed for sale. Pullets aren’t layers just yet. If they do lay eggs they’re typically quite small and are called “pullet eggs”. Different breeds begin laying at different times. But don’t worry! Most chickens start laying eggs between 16 and 24 wks old and continue laying for several years. As they age, the eggs become less frequent. Egg cycles are also governed by the length of the days. If you want to increase your egg yield during the winter months, you can add a light and a timer to the inside of your coop. However, keep in mind that some sources suggest the seasonal rest cycle is a necessary and healthy part of life for hens.

Typical hens lay a single egg every 22 hours or so. It doesn’t sound like a lot. And maybe if you have a teenage boy in your house who goes through a dozen eggs per day, it’s NOT a lot. However, the average family can do quite well and have plenty of eggs with six laying hens. Six eggs per day. 42 per week. That’s a lotta eggs!

Chickens – especially hand raised chickens – are quite friendly and can be more than just egg machines. They have personalities and quirks and will quickly come to recognize anyone who habitually brings them a nibble of something special. They’re intelligent, tough, and hardworking members of any urban family. With a 5-10 year lifespan that leans more toward the 5 year mark, they’re not going to be your longest lived pet. But they do provide a wonderful lesson to the kiddos about animal husbandry and even economics.

Don’t be afraid to dig in and get some chicks this spring! And if you’re looking for a backyard where you can build your coop and your urban farm, give me a call! I’d love to help you find the perfect place in Los Alamos to call home.

Candy! Candy! Candy!

November 4, 2020 /

I don’t know about you, but even in this strange Covid-19 post Halloween world, I find myself drowning in candy. If you’re like most people, your kids either managed to collect candy from multiple sources, or you bought it in the store yourself. Either way, if you have too much to even consider eating it all, you might try one of these ideas. Be as creative as you want and use as much candy as you can spare!

Turning candy into candy packed cake is always a fun activity. This is also a great way to turn an excess of flavored hard candies or Smarties into a crunchy, gooey, yummy after dinner treat!

Ingredients:

1-2 Boxes of your favorite cake mix.

Plenty of your favorite flavor of icing.

2-4 cups of crushed hard candies. (Smartie sized)

1/2 cup candy bits for icing.

Directions:

Preheat the oven to the temperature recommended on the cake box and prepare cake batter according to directions. Don’t forget to add the extras for high altitude! We don’t want flattened candy cake. (although it’s still tasty)

Use a food processor to crush the candy. If you don’t have a food processor, you might enjoy using a rubber mallet and some wax paper. A rolling pin works well for this too. Just put the candy into a packet made with the wax paper and smack it around until you have bits and dust. A perfect way to get some of that quarantine aggression out in a constructive way!

Choose your pan and prepare it according to the box directions. Put half the cake batter into the pan. Sprinkle the candy bits onto the batter. Use a butter knife to swirl the candy into fun patterns. Then add the rest of the batter to the pan.

Bake the cake as directed on the box. While the cake is baking, mix a quarter cup of candy bits into the icing. When the cake comes out of the oven, make sure you let it cool, but not all the way. Ice the cake and let the icing melt just enough to make it squishy. Sprinkle the rest of the candy on top. You can eat it while it is still warm or wait until later. Either way, it’s going to be a hit!

Layer desserts are a great way to get rid of extra everything. Pudding. Whipping cream. Chocolate sauce. Cake. You name it and you can pile it into the bowl, glass, or hurricane and make it look scrumptiously edible.

For this, I suggest seeing what you have leftover in the pantry after the long lockdown food hoard. Extra pudding mix? Whip it up and get it ready! That box of cake mix or muffin mix that got lost? Whip it up and get it ready! The following items work well for layers. You can make them or arrange them however you like.

Layers:

Pudding – Any flavor, any variety, as much as you want to make.

Cake – Yellow cake makes a surprisingly good contrast to all of the chocolate puddings, candies, and the whipped cream. But you can use any variety you’d like. It’s surprising how good a nice spice cake can be in a layer dessert, or strawberry, or even chocolate muffins! This can be a fantastic way to get rid of leftover cookies, cupcakes from the store, or other forgotten treats too. Just peel the paper off and stuff them in.

Whipped cream – Cool Whip or a spray can or even whipped heavy cream works well. Make sure you save a bit for the top.

Candy – This is where the chocolate and caramel snack bars or minis really shine. Either cut them, put them through the food processor, or (in the case of Butterfingers) whack them with a mallet or a book or something to get smaller pieces. You can even put a bag or two of M&M type candies into this. Gummies are fine. Even Sour Patch Kids.

The Bowl:

I prefer to use a glass hurricane bowl for this dessert, but you can use whatever you have on hand. A big mixing bowl or even a deep baking dish if you only want two or three layers. You can make this as elaborate and huge as you’d like or you can keep it smaller for a quick treat in individual mugs.

The Process:

The trick here is not to get too hung up on neatness. Cake makes a good bottom layer. And the cake doesn’t have to be intact either. Just place each layer using either your clean hands, a spatula, or a spoon. Layers should be no more than an inch or two thick for large serving bowls and maybe only a smear in a small glass or baking pan. You want just enough to make it visible from the outside if you have a see through bowl, but not too much that you can’t get lots of layers in before you run out of room. And don’t forget to put a layer of pudding or whipping cream between the cake and candy for maximum gooey goodness!

Bon Appetit!

Enjoy your recycled candy treats! And if you think about it, snap a quick pic with your phone and post it in the comments of my post on Facebook! I’d love to see just how creative you can get with leftover candy, cake, and some creamy pudding!

Agent, Broker, or Realtor, Oh My!

October 28, 2020 /

It isn’t as if real estate is the only profession that enjoys a good dose of its own dedicated lingo. I think you find that in every industry, sport, or hobby. My daughter recently picked up horseback riding and I’m pretty sure she’s speaking a foreign language when she tries to discuss riding technique with me. But, I thought it might be helpful (or at least of passing interest) to talk about a couple of terms that are fairly basic to real estate in the State of New Mexico.

Yep. Realtor. Lots of people know this one. But, did you know that the word “Realtor” is a trademarked label belonging to anyone who is an active member of the National Association of Realtors (NAR)? While it would be unusual to hear a home inspector or a mortgage broker or an appraiser call themselves a Realtor, they actually could, as long as they’re an active member of NAR. So, while real estate brokers (or agents, we’ll get to that in a minute) can be Realtors, not all Realtors are real estate brokers. If you want to learn a little more about Realtors, you can find some bits and pieces here. Or, you can go to the NAR website here if you’d like to look up a list of Realtors in your area.

Here’s the thing. In New Mexico, we don’t call ourselves agents. If you think that’s a bit odd, don’t worry. You’re not alone. Here in Los Alamos we get a lot of folks moving here from other parts of the country. They’re used to working with real estate agents. And that’s what they’re looking for when they call. Now, if you want to get super technical, there are ways to create agency here in New Mexico. But if you go to the NM Real Estate Commission’s website, they aren’t going to talk to you about agents. They’re going to talk to you about brokers.

And THAT is where people from outside the area scratch their heads. In other states, a real estate broker is a step up from an agent. The broker’s license requires more education, a few more tests, and a lot more responsibility. Never fear. The NM State Board has come up with a way to differentiate between what other states might call an agent and a broker.

Here in New Mexico we are called Associate Brokers (or just brokers) and Qualifying Brokers. The simple explanation is that an Associate Broker is licensed to do just about everything you need to buy or sell property here in New Mexico. I’m an Associate Broker. We go through 90 hours of pre-licensure education that includes not only real estate basics, but also an ethics course. We need 36 hours of continuing education every year to keep our license current. And we have to know a heck of a lot about the local, state, and even national laws that apply to our job.

Now. The Qualifying Broker has that same background, but they also have an administrative section to their educational requirements. From a reciprocity standpoint, the Qualifying Broker is equal to a Real Estate Broker in most other states. But to be honest, New Mexico is pretty strict about their real estate licensure laws. Our state only recognizes official reciprocity with Massachusetts, Louisiana, and Georgia. That means if an “agent” from another state wants to move to NM or just to add a NM State Real Estate License to their resume so they can do business here, they have to go through a minimum of 30 hours of education before they take the test to get their license. And the board doesn’t care how long you’ve been handling real estate transactions wherever you come from either. You’ve got to provide them with your educational background and your license history to apply for your NM State License.

What does all of THAT mean?

Well, it means that we real estate brokers take our job pretty seriously. It means we’re more than capable of handling all of the intricacies of buying or selling property in the Land of Enchantment. Not that any one part of our state is the same as another. Which is why I’m so focused on Los Alamos. This county is unique. Our market isn’t like anywhere else. And that means I’m your Local Real Estate Expert. Give me a call today!

Add Some Rot To Your Life

September 9, 2020 /

Oh yes. As we come to the end of a particularly hot summer here in Los Alamos County, it’s time to start getting outside again. Not that we aren’t outside nearly every month out of the year here in one of the most beautiful places on Earth. But with the uncertainty that has become a daily part of our lives, there is wisdom in the idea that new projects aren’t a bad thing at all.

With that in mind, fall might just be the perfect time to start a composting project. Yep. That’s right. Compost. And no. I’m not talking about that pile of stinky, rotting vegetables and yard waste you forgot to gather up and deposit in your brown yard waste bin either.

The truth is that compost can be “done” outdoors or indoors. So, don’t let being in an apartment, condo, or other dwelling without a lot of yard space keep you from having that compost pile. Another thing. Compost done right does NOT smell. If your compost is smelling icky, it means you’ve put something in the pile that doesn’t belong. Eggs, for example, or perhaps dog poop, meat scraps, or other taboo items.

For a full list of items that either belong or DON’T belong in your compost pile, visit the EPA’s website. There is a whole list of do’s and don’t’s for your compost project. Or, the NM Environmental Department has a handy brochure you can view HERE.

Of course, the most important thing to ask yourself when considering a compost pile is whether or not you’re ALLOWED to have a compost pile on your property.

For the most part, here in Los Alamos County, we ARE allowed to have a compost pile on our property. If you’re living in a covenant community such as Elk Ridge, or you’re renting an apartment or even renting a duplex or other single family residence, simply double check with your landlord or property management company regarding their rules for composting.

Composting Basics

There are three things you need for composting. The formula is often described as brown plus green plus water. And of course, you’ll need plenty of air. But before we start with the actual stuff, you need to have a suitable container.

If you don’t want to purchase a bin from a retailer, you can make one. I suggest picking up four wood pallets and wiring them together. You can also make a three sided enclosure using straw bales, providing they’re held together with string and not wire. Or, you could go old school and just make a heap somewhere out of the way in your yard. Make certain you have good access to your compost area since you’ll have to be out there turning it in order to help the process along.

Next Up: The Ingredients
You need four things to make your composting project a success. Brown. Green. Water. Air.
Brown = Yard Waste. Green = Food Waste.
And by the way, grass clippings are considered green and not brown. Water is pretty self-explanatory. Air is also an obvious thing, and yet it’s one of the items that so many people don’t really understand when it comes to successful composting.
Compost is basically the natural breaking down of organic material. Your yard waste brings carbon to the mix. Your food waste brings nitrogen. Water or moisture is a necessary component, and you need to turn that pile at least daily in order to allow air into the mix.

Now, you might be wondering whether composting is really the type of activity you want to be out in your yard doing. After all, composting is for gardeners, right?

Not necessarily. If you’ve spent much time at all trying to grow anything in our county, you know that our topsoil isn’t the greatest. In fact, I’m probably being generous saying it’s not great. The truth is that it isn’t suited to growing things at all.

That being said, even if you DON’T want to garden, you can take your compost and work it into your yard. The end product of the composting process is basically sweet smelling soil. Good, FERTILE soil. Adding that to your fall or spring grass seed mix could really give those green spots in your yard a helpful boost! If you’ve xeriscaped and don’t have grass, put the compost around the base of your trees. If you started a compost pile this weekend and committed to working that pile at least a few times per day, you’d have viable compost in three to four weeks. That would mean you’d have a nice mixture of soil just in time to winterize your yard.

On the subject of working that pile…

Composting can be great exercise. It gets you outside in the yard. Not only are you picking up leaves and brush, you’re carrying your kitchen scraps out to the pile several times a day. That’s an activity to add some steps to the daily total! And in order to move the compost process along, you have to be out there turning the soil. It’s like adding a little bit of cross fit to your daily routine. And I don’t know about you, but with the kiddos learning at home and most jobs involving some kind of hybrid work from home scenario, anything that involves going outside and doing something physical is a bonus for your mental and physical health.

Compost Troubleshooting

A few things to keep in mind when you’re playing in the pile.

  1. If your compost pile stinks, you’ve either put in some no no items, or you’ve got too much moisture. Try adding dry material like leaves or dry grass clippings to get your moisture a little more balanced. If that doesn’t do the trick, check the EPA’s list HERE.
  2. If your compost pile is dry and flaky in the middle, you need more water. Try watering each layer of the pile as you turn it, and then cover it with a plastic sheet or a scrap of carpet to increase the moisture content. (Think greenhouse).
  3. If it’s taking too long to get from your compost starter to a usable product, increase the number of times you’re turning that pile. This is a way of getting air into the mix. More turning=more air=equals faster composting.

All right. I’ve given you resources and information. It’s time for you to add the rot and get composting! As always, I’d love to hear from you. Whether you’re buying, selling, or just looking for Tips to enjoy life in Los Alamos. I’m here for you!

Those Big Ticket Items

September 2, 2020 /

The words “Big Ticket Item” can be applied in so many ways. But they do seem to have a rather broad application when it comes to home ownership. A home is one of the biggest investments you’ll make in your lifetime. The amount of planning that goes into the initial purchase of your home is nothing compared to the satisfaction you get from walking through the door at the end of each day and just knowing you’re HOME.

But as with any investment, you might want to keep a few things in mind when it comes to maintaining and protecting your home. Whether you’re considering the purchase of a new or new to you home, or trying to make some vital decisions about necessary maintenance on your current home, these are some things to keep in mind.

The Roof

Architectural shingling is the most common roofing material used in the United States. However, here in Los Alamos County and in the Southwest in general, we see a lot of flat roofs on adobe style homes as well as metal roofing options.

Asphalt shingling comes in 20, 30, 40, and 50 year ratings. These ratings are established by the manufacturer, but they don’t necessarily take into account the brutal UV rays experienced here in our community. Lighter colored shingle roofs will last longer than darker colors, and choosing a lighter color for your shingles can also cut down on cooling costs in the summer.

Flat roofs tend to need repair or even replacement in 10-15 years. They require frequent inspecting to make certain that puddling of water doesn’t occur. In some cases, older flat roofs need a buildup of fiberglass or other material to create a slope to encourage appropriate draining.

A metal roof such as Pro Panel roofing can last from 40 to 70 years. Though some homeowners mention that metal roofing can be “louder” during rain or hail storms, proper insulation in your ceiling can eliminate this issue. Metal roofing also comes in a variety of colors and has a better fire rating than other roofing options, which sometimes makes it attractive in communities like ours.

Now. When considering your roofing options, whether the roof is on a house you want to purchase, or your current home, think about age. Age of the home. And how long are you planning to stay in that house? Metal roofing is more expensive than shingles. Sure. You might get 70 years out of the roof, but if you’re only planning to be there for ten years, you’re not going to be the one truly benefitting from that large investment. When pondering the options for replacing your roof, really be honest with yourself about your budget, your expectations, and how long you intend to be in this home. You’ll be glad that you did.

Siding

Saying that our town is filled with an eclectic collection of colorful dwellings isn’t just talk. A strong part of our town’s identity is in our individuality and sometimes that comes out in the paint choices. Even if it means that one half of a duplex is blue and the other is brown.

Some of these color choices come down to what sort of siding is covering the exterior of a home. We have brick, vinyl and hardboard siding, and also plenty of stucco. The durability of these choices is largely affected by whether or not they were properly installed to begin with. Vinyl siding has a 60 year lifespan, hardboard siding tends to be less, 40 years or so, and stucco will last you approximately 50 years. All of these estimates are affected by weather and climate. Replacement costs have more to do with your home’s size, construction, and whether or not the current exterior material must be removed. If you ask Google, the average cost of replacing your siding falls somewhere between $8K and 12K$. Truthfully, this number is generally higher here in our zip code, sometimes because we are located in a remote area, other times because of our tax rate.

In the end, what you choose to put on the exterior of your home should be influenced by your personal preferences and your budget. It’s also drastically affected by how long you intend to be in your home. Be aware if it isn’t your direct concern, it could be a concern for the individual who purchases your home from you down the line.

HVAC – The hot and cold in YOUR life

Air conditioning was not part of the original equipment in a good number of Los Alamos homes. If you’re considering the purchase of a home without A/C, don’t make the assumption you can just add that in later. Ask your Realtor or consult with your building inspector and get all the facts. If that home doesn’t have a central heating system, adding “aftermarket” A/C can be problematic. Ventilation systems and ductwork can be costly or impossible to install if there’s no place for them to go.

Many homes in Los Alamos have hot water baseboard heating. This tends to be a very effective heating solution for many homeowners. Combined with a wood stove or the use of a fireplace, it can be cost effective and cozy. Many homes in our area have passive solar features as well thanks to the brilliant sun that shines an average of more than three hundred days a year.

If your home DOES have A/C, you can expect that system to last 10-15 years. Your furnace and A/C do need regular inspections. Inspections for gas furnaces can be free, so take advantage of this service to avoid costly repairs down the road. If you do need to replace a unit, you can expect to spend between $5K and $10K depending on the size of your home and your family’s needs. When purchasing a home, make sure to ask when the system was last serviced and if the A/C unit has needed “recharging” (a refill of the system refrigerant). Then begin budgeting for any repairs or replacement well in advance. This is one situation where a little bit of planning can avoid some uncomfortable days and nights waiting for emergency service.

Appliances

When it comes to a modern home, there are a LOT of appliances! Here are some basic stats regarding how long those suckers are likely to last.

Hot Water Heater – 6-13 years

Stove 13-15 years (gas stoves tend to last longer)

Refrigerator 10-18 years (the larger the longer lived)

Dishwasher – 10 years

Microwave – 7 years

Some things to think about when it comes to replacing appliances.

First? NOBODY wants to be without hot water. Know how old your hot water heater is and what kind of shape it is in. The water in Los Alamos has a lot of minerals that tend to collect inside a hot water heater reservoir. While these don’t necessarily kill the hot water heater, they can diminish the amount of space inside the tank and effectively create situations where you simply don’t have enough hot water to handle more than one shower in an hour. This could shorten the number of years your hot water heater can handle your family’s needs.

It’s also important to consider the new options for hot water that don’t even require a tank. On demand tankless hot water systems can be a viable option here in Los Alamos. Many of our homes already have gas powered hot water heaters and that can decrease the cost of installation on a tankless system. In the end, it comes down to your family’s needs and your budget. While a tankless system can cost a lot less per year, they tend to cost three times as much up front. That means you need to be in your home for a number of years to break even on that expenditure. Talk to a qualified dealer or a highly rated plumber to find out if this option is the right one for you.

We’ve all seen those older refrigerators, stoves, ovens, etc. that seem indestructible. They’re ancient, and they’re some bizarre color like bright red, golden yellow, or avocado green. Remind yourself that all of those colors were popular at one time. When choosing your new appliances, try to go with a color and finish that is easy to clean, light, bright, and appealing. Even if you’re only replacing appliances one at a time as they need it, plan ahead and think timeless and not trendy.

I hope this information has given you some ideas about your home ownership journey. As always, if you have more questions or any comments, please feel free to Contact Kendra. I’d love to hear from you!

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