Hi everyone,
I've been a little MIA this week; Brian's had some tough days, but he seems to be back to "normal" today, so I'm doing my best to catch up on comments and of course, write this post. I'd like to thank everyone for commenting on my last post "An update on @briancourteau"; the continued support that we receive from everyone is truly heartwarming!
This post is thanks to @simplymike's Garden Journal Challenge. If you haven't had a look at her garden posts, you really should. She is growing some really odd and interesting fruits and vegetables...even new to this old farm girl :)
Here is my little oasis, work space, little balcony. I like it out there because as you can see, it gets plenty of shade by late in the morning. Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to step foot out there until evening time.
Being in Mexico, I've had to seriously re-learn what I know about growing. The heat here is continuous and relentless, even most evenings, so after killing a couple of plants (my favorite hydrangea and a little ornamental tree), I've decided to go with more green plants that need little water and enjoy lots of sun!
I've left the dead tree for now to remind me that I've got nothing on Mother Nature!
My Hibiscus loves this climate though. It has tripled in size over the last couple of months. This photo was taken a little less than 6 weeks ago. You can see how much smaller it was then, although it bloomed like crazy!
And today, it has plenty of buds still coming. Makes me so happy to see these little guys :)
The other plant beside the Hibiscus also loves the sun. I don't know the name of it (do any of you?), but it grows these shoots that continue to flower. The shoots also don't need any soil to continue growing. Perfect for this climate...and me!
We picked up this plant at a local store and unlike at home, there's no little marker stuck in the soil. So, I think it's a bit like a rubber plant of some kind; the leaves have that feel to it, but like the previous plant, this one needs lots of sun and little water. It also grows like a weed and has doubled in size over the last few weeks.
The others here I've had for a while now, but have grown plenty as well. You can see that I've had to split one of them already because it was in such a little pot. The biggest one "came" with our last apartment, and was almost dead when we arrived. I've babied it and am so pleased with its growth. It's very popular around here and also needs lots of sun and little water. Are you seeing a pattern here yet? :)
We added a lounge chair for Brian to enjoy it out here too, and I enjoy my hammock daily :) Let me just say that the locals are on to something with the whole siesta thing!!
What you don't find on most balconies are these two items and they've both helped me grow in weight haha One is an electric fry pan/deep fryer and the other a portable oven/convection oven, something I have never seen elsewhere. It even came with a rotisserie bar and easily fits a whole chicken.
We spotted this at the local Mega store (Mexican equivalent to Wal-Mart), and bought it immediately because I was tired of cooking everything on the stove top.
The interesting thing here, is that most places have a gas cooktop, but no oven. Ours has a door in front but inside is just shelves for pots and pans/dishes etc. Has anyone else seen a stove/oven like this?
This post just took a slight turn there, so I'm leaving you a close up of my favorite flower from the balcony, the Hibiscus :) Hope you enjoyed this, and I think it's time for a siesta; I can hear my hammock calling my name :)
Do you have a favorite plant or flower?
Proud Member of :
