Long time no see!

Well it has definitely been many moons since my last post. This past summer Austin experienced record high temperatures and severe drought. Only one little tomato made it through unscathed, the rest of my garden quickly shriveled under the hot Texas sun. Soon I am planning on investing in a nice rain barrel to collect what little rain falls from the sky, so I can keep my water bill low and my garden green. More to come on this subject!

All by myself...

Last week while pulling the unfathomable amount of weeds from my garden, I spotted my first tomato! There is was, just dangling gently from its mothering limb, clinging to life with all its might! Beautiful and green and about the size of a golf ball.  I have since taken extra care, making sure my garden gets enough water to bring my little bundle to full term.  It is now about the size of a tangerine and still the lone ranger of the tomato world.  The other tomato plants are still flowering and growing so I am keeping my fingers crossed for a few more very soon.

From the pot to the garden

About a month ago or so I transplanted my "teenage" tomato plants into the garden.  They were crowding the pot but still not too large.  A few of them had grown together and refused to separate so they have remained in the pot on the porch.  The other six, however, made it to their designated tomato cages and even though they looked a little sad and wilted at first, they have now grown strong and tall and have recently started flowering! The weather lately has finally been cooperating as well.  We have had several days of rain the past week or two which has given my garden a little boost. And unfortunately the weeds got a boost too!

young tomato plants before transplant

Unexpected beauty

This spring my husband and I have been hard at work on our front lawn. We have taken on the endless, time-consuming, and expensive task of landscaping. Although our progress has been great we still have a lot of work ahead of us.  We have selected many indigenous plants to help conserve water, while embracing the natural beauty of the southwest.  This time of year even some of the strangest looking cactus bloom with amazing, colorful flowers.  This unsuspecting lady was here when we moved in, and certainly surprised us the next spring with her hot pink blossoms that open up every afternoon and close up again at night.  So while my husband loves the rustic, masculine, look of desert plants, it seems they all have a vibrant, flashy, even feminine side waiting to come out once each year.

Finally....Fresh Herbs!

from left: rosemary, basil, mint

Half of my herbs have really come to life! They are mature and strong enough now to use for cooking, without fear of them dying easily.  Yesterday I made a refreshing pitcher of iced tea with lemon, honey, and of course, mint from my herb garden.  It was the perfect drink to sip while sitting outside enjoying the beautiful day with friends.