Road Construction and Landscaping

We've had a pile of gravel outside our gate for several weeks to use on the driveway.  Today must be the day!

Here it comes!

With a quick driver change, the road crew is complete.

That really looks like hard work!  Do you need some help?  Well, let us know if you do!  We won't be gone long!

Debbie and I decided to go shopping in Mora.  Mora?  Really?  What could we possibly shop for there?  Salman Ranch, where I pick raspberries every year, has a 'U Pick It' raspberry farm, a cafe, a cute little store, a beautiful garden and a fun nursery filled with weather hearty annuals, perennials, and vegetables.  This sure looks like a much better alternative than being on the road crew, so off we go!

The perennials, annuals, and vegetables, propagated in five large cold frames, are grown to thrive in the high country of northern New Mexico.     

I found this one particularly interesting because of the bee!

Can you find him here?

Debbie helped me select a few plants and we headed back to find the construction complete and the road really smooth.

After lunch, we went to work. 

 Digging.

 Hauling.

 Preparing.

 Planting.

 Debbie taught me how to prepare the soil, mixing topsoil with potting soil.  We removed the plants from the nursery pots and separated the bound roots.  Now ready for the ground, pot or hanging basket, they were ready to be watered and top dressed with potting soil.    

 I love my little flower garden and the humming birds and butterflies do, too!  The chipmunks discovered it as well, so I shook red pepper powder all over the flowers.  Beware chipmunks!  These flowers are NOT for you!

Hungry again, we all worked together on dinner.

Mickey helped Steve chicken fry steak, onion rings, jalapenos, squash and zucchini and gravy.  Debbie mashed potatoes.  I made the salad.

 These onion rings are incredible!  Aren't they beautiful?  You should taste them!

Here are the snacks for movie night:

popcorn and movie candy!