Author: Håkan Söderbom

The coldest day so far in North Scottsdale

The coldest day so far in North Scottsdale

Posted by | Jan 14, 2013 | , |

I was up early at 6am to join a conference call, well before the sun was up. As I looked at the thermometer I noticed the temperature was still falling. At around 7am, just as the sun worked its way over the horizon, it hit its lowest point at 25° F (-4° C). This is the coldest I have experienced since arriving in Scottsdale a year ago. I do wish our plants weather this cold snap. As Kay was saying “the desert has been cold before, there is no reason the cacti wont survive”. I am sure she is...

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Travertine floor in the master bedroom

Travertine floor in the master bedroom

Posted by | Jan 13, 2013 | , |

Last week we replaced the carpet in the master bedroom with travertine floor. It looks beautiful! I insisted on under-floor heating and while Kay resisted, like she did when I said we needed it for the master bathroom, she came around to the idea and now we’d never want to be without it. It is a completely different feeling when walking on warm stones than cold ones. It is particularly remarkable in the morning when the air is still cold. With the master bedroom completed we now have travertine floor throughout the house. The only two rooms still having...

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How to manage the heated pool

How to manage the heated pool

Posted by | Jan 13, 2013 | , , |

Swimming in Scottsdale is an activity highly appreciated year round, however many properties don’t have pools and even fewer have heated pools. Some chose to forgo a pool due to its prohibitive cost and maintenance needs. For us a pool is a necessity as we enjoy our daily swim. Looking at the maintenance for the pool, on a day-to-day basis the main things to be aware off are the pool pump, the pool heater, the pool cover and the robotic vacuum cleaner. In most situations you won’t have to bother with the pump or heater since they are preset...

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How to enter the house

How to enter the house

Posted by | Jan 12, 2013 | , , |

Casa Hopi can be entered either through the front door or through the garage. The house is electronically controlled, which includes locking and unlocking the doors as well as opening the garage doors. How to enter Casa Hopi through the front door To unlock the front door, follow these instructions: Touch the lock’s black surface with the back of your hand – this wakes up the lock Punch in the personal code you have been given, followed by the “*” [star] sign. The door will unlock. A common mistake is to use the “#” [pound] sign which will *not* unlock...

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How to operate the showers

How to operate the showers

Posted by | Jan 12, 2013 | , , |

Caution: Do not let anyone operate the shower who is unable to move out of the shower stream quickly. The temperature can vary substantially. [one_third] [/one_third] [two_third_last] Turning on the shower 5 minutes before having a shower, turn on the shower light (in the master bathroom) or the washroom light (in the second bathroom). This starts the hot water circulation pump that brings hot water closer to all faucets. Use the 5 minute wait to brush your teeth, select today’s clothes or see if you can discover any animals in the desert. Turn the shower handle to the right...

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