Road Trip!

It's the second week of Sam's spring break and we're on a road trip!

Last Saturday, after planting the seedlings at the PPR, we piled in the car and headed east. It was cold and rainy most of the day, but spring flowers were trying to make a comeback.

We were soon in New Mexico.

Where the weather turned even colder!

We stopped to stretch our legs (and use the facilities) and spotted this interesting mural.

Lunch was great barbecue sandwiches at Dick's Cafe in Las Cruces. Sam spent half a day, both lunch and dinner, here 5 years ago when he was driving a semi truck and had a mandatory 34 hour break.

Our next stop was White Sands National Monument. Can you see us shivering?!

This time, the white stuff was sand!

It was still too chilly, so we didn't hike or explore on foot. But the scenic drive was amazing, even on a cloudy day.

I hope we can come back here someday.

We spent the night in Roswell, New Mexico, known for its sightings of UFOs and aliens.

Fortunately, this was as close as they got!

Tomorrow's post will continue our amazing adventures!

Last week at Pumpkin Patch Ranch

Last week was the start of Spring Break for Sam and his employer, Vail School District, so we were able to work together on the garden. I started by moving several piles of stones that were in our way.

Sam used the builder's level to begin leveling the new garden plot.

Next we had to mix the dirt. We started with some topsoil that's been piled up by the well house since we put in the utilities.

I was surprised at what nice dirt it was and how easy it was to shovel into the truck. Well, comparatively. Shoveling is never easy!

Of course, the truck battery decided to die right in the middle of all this, so Sam had to jump it and attach his battery tender overnight.

Early in the week, Sam brought home a truckload of compost mulch. We spread it on a tarp and covered it with the native topsoil, then mixed in some nutrients like worm castings. Mom Vae helped with this part!

Sam did most of the heavy shoveling to mix it up.

Then we were ready to fill the buckets!

It took most of a day, but we got them all done. The next morning, we transplanted over 65 seedings into 32 buckets. Our garden is on its way!

Tune in tomorrow for our further adventures . . . we're on a road trip!

Gardens and . . .

Sam offered to make biscuits for breakfast on Saturday. With eggs and sausage . . . yummy! He's always been a great chef.

Dinner was my turn; we had chicken with garlic-butter cauliflower and green beans. Cooking isn't one of my passions, but I don't mind it when I have time.

Meals with my Mom always include sightings of our outdoor neighbors, who are also looking for food. Sometimes these cottontails run and play up and down the driveway.

Yesterday we also spotted a more rare jackrabbit. They stand out, being so much bigger.

We made good progress on the garden. It's a case of necessity -- our seedlings in the greenhouse are growing fast!

We've decided to move the garden to a larger area sheltered by a few small mesquite trees and closer to the water spigot. There was a healthy stand of yucca in this spot, but we were also afraid it harbored rat's nests, so Sam cleaned it out.

He's a hard worker.

So is Mom Vae when she decides to work outdoors!

How did your weekend go? We had a good one!