From The Garden

The Crows greet me daily at the gate.

This spring has been a tough one.  The winds have blown 40-50 miles an hour.  The temps were warm in April, and then near freezing in May.  Gardening in New Mexico is a humbling experience for even the most seasoned gardner.  I had to enclose the large back garden on 3 sides with shade cloth.  Partly for sun protection, and partly for a wind break.  I planted tomatoes, and they were instantly bleached by the sun.  We moved the shade square umbrellas (see photo) to the back. I rotate my tomato crop.

Shade cloth and umbrellas up to brace against elements.

Most of the seeds are in.  Beans, cucumbers, mustard greens, broccoli raab, lettuces, beets, radish, eggplant, green chili, sweet peppers, cherry tomatoes, basil, flat parsley, onions, chives, chard, spinach, peas.  There are a few more seeds to plant.  I will have to get more tomato plants from the farmers market, as I think some of mine that got bleached won't make it.

onions,spinach,sugar snap peas, radishes in small garden

A crazy bug of recycled materials

pea flowers...so delicate

Our newest tenants Karen and Lloyd have been a helpful duo from above.  Their yard is really been cut back, and Karen is taking up the grass bit by bit.  I hope to have it with flagstone and perennials by end of summer. Lloyd ("yoid" the Spanish pronunciation) is very tall. He is able to prune trees without a ladder.  Amazing.  Bob and I feel blessed to have them here as friends also.  Karen is an excellent cook and we have shared many a meal and lively discussions on the patio.  She refers to herself as "Prunella" because she has pruned most of the trees and vines.

Karen attacking the grass!

"Yoid" pitching branches in the arroyo

Sadly we lost our big peach tree near the pool.  Our below zero temps and the idiot who planted it so close to the house/pool took it from us.   I will miss it, but not the constant dropping of peaches in the pool area. 

the end of the peach tree :-(

chard, leeks, radishes for dinner

oil lamps I will recycle for garden markers in my Etsy shop.

Thanks for reading.

Each day is a gift. Open now.

xo,

Suz

Chicken Love

I am changing my Facebook profile to this pic of Talullah. !

I am not going to hold back.  No self editing, shoulds, wouldas, the straight story.
I am in love with my chickens.  I will post pictures and try not to gush like the obnoxious grandma ("G-Dawg") I am.   I LOVE THEM !!!!!!!!!!!

Giving me Chicken Eye Contact

She's really feathering out nicely.

 "Irma" a black Cochin hen

Thanks for reading.

Each day is a gift. Open now.

xo,

Suz

Don't Chase The Fed Ex Truck Suz!

The Sandias on a beautifully cloudy day.

This will be brief, as I will explain.  Last Friday we were expecting something from FedEx. I heard the dog barking and I was half dressed. Since Buddy continued to bark, I assumed Bob didn't hear the truck in the shop.  I whipped on my uggs and top and flew out the front door.  I also tripped over a rock and landed knees and palms on the gravel.  The FedEx driver never looked, and off he went.  My hands were not usable for two days, my knees scabbed and bruised.  I guess I don't bounce as well as I used to!  It could have been worse, nothing broken, just sprains.  And Bob had gotten the delivery, there was no need for me to run.

I have been spending more time with my chickens. They continue to crack me up.

How do they do that?

Thanks for reading.  Each day is a gift. Open now.
xo,
Suz