We're Going Up In Smoke!

You may be wondering why it's been six days since our last update.  Here's a hint:

Arizona blows.

A whole lot of ash that is!

Now, I am most definitely praying for all those affected by the Wallow Fire in Arizona.  However, I am also praying for those of us in our area of the country.  We're being buried in the smoke!

Two days ago, we had our massive water balloon war/birthday party for Li'l Sausage, who just turned three years old.

That was one memorable day, if I do say so myself.  But, I may be just a tad bit biased with a cute face like this!

I just have to say that while the temperature did drop a bit for the party that day, I am quite thankful it wasn't a giant ash cloud like it has been the rest of the week.

Suffice it to say, we had very little yard work done when we had to spend two days in the house and yard cleaning it just to have it turn into a post war zone.

Yes.  We've added TIKI TORCHES to line the wall!!!

But, of course, the weather has changed, and the ash cloud and smoke has rolled in and turned our sun bright red.

And proceeded to dump a bunch of ash all over us that we couldn't see.

Yes.  That's ash.  We didn't see it.  But I sure am feeling it today!

And took our beautiful Sandia's away into some unknown dimension of the universe.

Please note the lack of a mountain on the right.

So.  While I monitor my headache, sore throat, burning eyes and worsening cough from my desk chair, couch or bed, I'll show you how the lovely plants are doing outdoors that I only see once a day in the morning to water quickly and make a mad dash into the semi-better air quality of my little New Mexican casa.

Our little pumpkin seed is starting to branch off!

The Sun Gold Tomato plant is flowering!

My last living Roma Tomato plant is gaining some new greenery!

Mr. Scotch-Taped Pinto Bean is getting some new legs and leaves as well.

Our New Mexican Green Chili's are showing signs of new growth as well!

Here we see one of the two remaining parsley plants.  These suckers are starting to grow pretty rapidly as well!  Last week they each only had two healthy leaves.  You can really see the difference a little fertilizer makes!

Now, I had originally started with two long troughs full of mystery flower seeds.

I don't know what they were.

Bright Juggling Mama over here decided to toss in a bunch of rows of last seasons failed seeds and see what happens.  Then proceed to toss the seed packets without labeling anything.

*Head.  Please meet desk.*

Anyhow, I was overrun by fungus gnats.  And by the time I had a solution to the problem, this black-thumbed-wannabe-horticulturist had lost all but three of them.  However, this is what I have left of the mysterious flower seeds.  They seem to be flourishing now!

I am surprised to see any surviving members of the original flower population.

HALLELUJAH!

Here you can see my daisies are growing quite nicely!

And up next, we have Diva's strawberry plant that has recently bloomed rather nicely!

Last, but most definitely not least, I have the replacement cucumber plant.  The original germinating seed that Tsunami gifted us with was killed rather quickly by Mrs. Black Thumb over here.  And to prevent giant crocodile tears of absolute devastation, I purchased one.  Next to that, we have the last and only oregano plant popping up and getting it's first rather large leaves!

Do I need to support cucumbers?  It says on the tag that it can be grown in containers, however, we sure do have a lot of leaning going on here.  I highly doubt it has any affection for Miss Basil.

Not only have we been simply watching our plants grow by watering occasionally and avoiding all outdoor activity as much as possible, we have received a few gifts!

Mrs. Lumber Jack stopped by in the middle of the Battle of Casa De Rio Rancho with just a few, small, rather meaningless gifts for our three children.

They don't mean much at all.  They're not sturdy at all.  And they are most definitely nothing but cheap.

Okay. I really, really hope you've picked up on my sarcasm there.  Just sayin'.

Not only did Mrs. Lumber Jack stop by with these gorgeous umbrellas for the rug-rats, we also received yet another gift from The Literary Musician's grandmother.  Snapdragons!  I love Snapdragons!

Deebo, who has helped me write this blog as well as the last entry, would like to conclude:

"In conclusion, we have ash blowing and good plants growing."

The End.