http://gjhomesbyrhonda.com/blog/archive_201807/sort_entrydatetime-desc/ One of the reasons people choose to live, play, and retire in Grand Junction is the weather.  It is generally unremarkable throughout the year, but there have been years where the drastic weather comes out of nowhere.  See if Grand Junction offers the weather you are looking for! Spring in the Grand Valley usually starts around mid-March to the beginning of April.  That being said, there have been years that it kept snowing or stayed colder until May, so it is hit or miss.  Generally it is a late March spring here on the Western Slope. The temperatures start to rise to the high 50’s – low 60’s and the flowers start blooming.  The term “April showers bring May flowers” is an accurate description for our area because April is our monsoon month and that surely increases the amount of beautiful blossoms throughout town. Summer has been coming sooner and sooner every year and this year was no exception.  It felt like we enjoyed the cool mornings of spring for about a week before the high temperatures rushed in.  Late May to early June the temperatures are high 70’s – low 80’s and continue to rise through the end of the summer months.  July is our hottest month, averaging around 93°F, but it certainly increases and decreases from that average. The summers are warm, but you can always retreat to the surrounding mountains for some cooler temperatures.  Luckily it is a dry heat, so we don’t have to deal with a great amount of humidity. We start to see some relief once August comes to an end. Fall or autumn, depending on where you live, is a gorgeous time in Grand Junction.  The nights get cooler, the leaves get colorful, and the fall events are in full swing.  Fall is the best time for outdoor concerts and festivals, as it is not too hot or cold for any event.  The fall colors are outstanding on the Grand Mesa and the trees throughout the valley will grab your attention each day.  The mornings are cooler and the days are warm, but not scorching. We get to enjoy these beautiful days all throughout September and into October.  The warm autumn days sometimes last until November, but it has also snowed on Halloween, so it’s a toss-up depending on the year. The temperature averages about 67°F-81°F during this time and there is little rainfall. If you live in Colorado, you know there is going to be winter.  Now this year, we had an extremely mild winter, but sometimes we get a ton of snow.  It has seemed as the years go on, that we are getting less and less snow throughout the Grand Valley, but that doesn’t mean we won’t get a nice snowfall in the years to come.  Usually starting in November, the temperatures will dip into the the low 50’s and by December, we see 40’s. January is our coldest month with an average of mid-30 temperatures and it starts to warm up a bit in February.  The winter months are long and on the cold side, but not unbearable for someone who is used to cold weather. The roads in Grand Junction are well cared for and you rarely run into an issue with traveling to and from work.   Grand Junction is a very mild climate no matter what time of year, but like any location in Colorado, if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute!  Spring brings warm mornings and rainy afternoons, where winter brings cold mornings and by lunch you’ll be taking your sweater off. So if you appreciate different seasons, Grand Junction enjoys all kinds of weather each year! http://gjhomesbyrhonda.com/blog/6086/what-is-the-weather-like-in-grand-junction?/ Mon, 30 Jul 2018 12:00:00 -0700 If you walk up and down Main Street in Grand Junction, you will see there is no shortage of art in the area.  From sculptures to interactive art, there is always something fun to snap pictures of. If you crave the finer things in life, you will enjoy what the galleries in the Grand Valley have to offer.  Here are some gorgeous galleries for you to visit. Working Artists Gallery & Studio is off of Main Street and S. 5th Street.  They have pottery, jewelry, and fine art.  Showcasing stained glass is a huge hit at this location and they even have supplies for you to create your own masterpiece.  Serving the Grand Valley with beautiful pieces for almost three decades, this gallery exhibits almost 100 local artists! From metal work to fine photography and more, they have something for everyone and even offer shipping to anywhere in the United States.  Find your favorite masterpiece here: https://www.workingartistsgallery.com/ Head into Orchard Mesa for a “rock’n” good art exhibit.  Rock’n’Art Gallery & Studio is a locally owned and operated gallery that has a wonderful selection of artwork.  They keep a large amount of pieces in their showing area, so stop by often for newly displayed work. Offering polished stone spheres, stained glass, and watercolor painting, they delight in portraying local artist pieces from across the Western Slope.  Although they don’t have a website, you can stop in anytime Monday through Friday from 11am-5:30pm. Our final stop on the list is right across Main Street from our first gallery on the list.  The Raw Canvas is an art gallery, urban apparel vendor, and a tattoo studio all in one. Presenting some of the most beautiful tattoos you’ve ever seen, you can be the masterpiece at this unique gallery.  Tattoos include unimaginable watercolors and graphic accents. You will be amazed at the quality of the work done here. There are more than a dozen local artists that contribute to their art gallery and their pieces are ones of modern and eccentric taste.  This gallery is one of a kind for the Grand Junction area and you will be surprised by the amount of “raw” talent that comes out of this distinctive location. Learn more at their website: https://www.therawcanvas.net/ Grand Junction in itself is a work of art and it is constantly inspiring local artists to draw, paint, and shape masterpieces focused on representing the area.  From downtown to hole-in-the-wall locations, you will find the gallery that has everything you want to create a perfect ambiance in your home or office. Visit one of these galleries today and support a local business! http://gjhomesbyrhonda.com/blog/6078/grand-valley-galleries/ Thu, 26 Jul 2018 12:00:00 -0700 Do you dream of updating your kitchen but worry your budget does not match your dreams? Having a beautiful kitchen is something many people aspire to have but something many of us feel like is not attainable. The average kitchen remodel costs about $18,000 and higher end kitchen upgrades can cost closer to $55,000. Here are five easy ways to update and refresh your kitchen without busting your budget.Paint your cabinetsIt is no secret that kitchen cabinets are pricey, so if replacing your current cabinets are not in your budget consider painting the existing cabinets. A fresh coat of paint can add new life to your cabinets and provide a modern update without a price tag that will scare you. Add new hardwareChanging out your cabinets hardware is easy to do, and it provides a quick update. While there are many options for your kitchen hardware picking something classic is always the best route to go. Be sure to count the number of pulls and handles you have in your kitchen so that when you go shopping you know how many you need and if the pulls and handles you pick are in your budget. Change out your light fixturesDoes your kitchen have decade old light fixtures that scream 1980’s or 1990’s? Lighting is very important and adding a new one can instantly transform your kitchen. Stores like lamps.com frequently have good deals on lighting so be sure to comparison shop to make sure you are getting the lighting you want at the best deal. Add storage with simple shelvesIs your kitchen is lacking upper cabinets? Upper cabinets provide a lot of much needed storage so consider adding some rustic shelves in lieu of spending a lot of money on upper cabinets. Wood shelves are inexpensive and easy to install. Plus, they are great for displaying your beautiful kitchen dishes.Treat yourself to new kitchen dishes After updating your kitchen treat yourself to some new dishes. Classic white dishes are always in style and look great on open shelving or in cabinets with clear glass doors. Make sure you get the right size dishes to fit in your cupboards If you plan on using these dishes everyday consider spending a little more for better quality dishes, they will last longer and in the long run save you money. http://gjhomesbyrhonda.com/blog/6067/how-to-refresh-your-kitchen-on-a-budget/ Wed, 25 Jul 2018 12:00:00 -0700 Among the numerous benefits of living in the Grand Valley is our fruits and veggies.  With the climate for some of the best peaches in the country to our sweet corn, there is no shortage of delicious options in the area.  Here are three markets from the center of town to each end of the valley.Let’s start out west at Redlands Fruit.  Located conveniently for those of you west of Grand Junction, off of Star Canyon Drive, this fruit stand has everything you want and more!  Closed on Mondays and open from 8:30am-5pm the rest of the week, Redlands Fruit has sweet cherries right now! Open for almost 20 years, this location may not have a ton of veggies, but they offer a myriad of fruits throughout the year.  Stop by for your choice of fresh peaches, apricots, cherries, plums, and more!https://www.facebook.com/StarCanyonProduce/Next up is on the other end of town in Clifton.  Mt. Garfield Fruit & Vegetables has it all! From Palisade peaches to fresh garlic, they have you covered!  Located off of Front Street (also known as Hwy 6), they are easily accessible and a local favorite. Sweet corn, squash, potatoes and a bushel more of options, they have a full market awaiting your purchase.  The owner/operator has been in the business for a very long time and is friendly and extremely helpful. Unfortunately, they don’t have a website for you to peruse, but the drive is well worth the wide selection once you arrive.  For more information, you can reach Mt. Garfield Fruit & Vegetables at 970 434 7906.Our final stop on the list is Okagawa Farms.  Funny name, but they are serious about their produce.  Offering a massive selection, you are sure to find everything, but the kitchen sink in this centrally located store.  Open 7 days a week and closing early on Sundays, this local market is clean and they even toast their own chilies! Head up 29 Road for one of the largest selections in town.  From beets to cherries to tomatoes and even flowers, they have it all! Stop by today for your one-stop-shop for all your produce needs!https://www.facebook.com/OkagawaFarms/From the east to the west, the Valley is spoiled with fruit and veggie stands.  If you’re lucky, there’s probably one down the street from you. We chose three from an enormous list of vendors.  Find your favorite by visiting a local farmer’s market or even taking a Sunday drive around town. You will delight in the amount of options that supply fresh produce. http://gjhomesbyrhonda.com/blog/6066/local-fruits-and-veggies/ Tue, 24 Jul 2018 12:00:00 -0700 We may have missed a couple months, but today we take a look at a fresh listing!  This Orchard Mesa home has only been on the market for less than a month, so now is the time to take a look before it sells!  2893 Sunridge Road is a beautiful one story home that has many recent updates.  Let's explore inside!New paint complements the already wide open spaces and large windows in this 2,800 square foot home.Updated flooring in the family room and bedrooms make it easy to clean, add a stunning wood accent, and slow down dust buildup throughout the home. Enjoy an evening by the fire while you relax in your new home.  The open concept in the kitchen and dining area is a great place to entertain or have family events.Upgraded granite countertops accompany the spacious kitchen with a bar-like seating area and numerous cabinets for storage.The master is extremely spacious with an on suite and large walk-in closet.  There is plenty of room for your new bedroom set and all the shoes your heart desires!The other two bedrooms are light and bright with baseboard heating and the new stunning flooring as well.All three bathrooms are very clean, updated, and a comfortable place to prepare for the day.Head outside for a two car garage with a workspace area and parking for several vehicles outside as well.The backyard has walkways, landscaping and tons of shade.  Picture yourself enjoying this area while simultaneously appreciating the back large patio area shown below. A bird's eye view shows this roomy property of over half an acre!  Neighbors might seem close, but you have plenty of your own space and privacy. Priced perfectly at $349,900.  See the full listing here: http://www.gjhomesbyrhonda.com/for-sale/2893-sunridge-road-grand-junction-co-81503/22-122301  http://gjhomesbyrhonda.com/blog/6055/july-home-of-the-month/ Mon, 23 Jul 2018 12:00:00 -0700