We want... a SHRUBBERY!

There may be those who think I live in a desert like this:

 And that my yard is full of cactus.

Not true. I also have a lot of tumbleweed.

     Just kidding. To show you the actual vegetation growing around my home, I have taken the following pictures for your enjoyment and learning.

A gardenish area in the back

A large shrubbery in the front.

Lovely flowers that don't seem to need any water.

Lavender by the road. This is all over Albuquerque.

A cactus. I have three of these. Their spikes are vicious!

The other cactus I have. My hair always gets caught in it.

My neighbor's shade tree.

My shade tree.

A small tree in the back has these amazing blossoms.

My thriving vegetable garden. It's still in the sprouting stage for some late-summer crops. The net keeps the birds from stealing the seeds.

 

 

A large bush with vivid, bright orange berries. These are all over Albuquerque, too.

I found someone on the rocking horse.

My lawn, in PRISTINE condition. This is truly the best it's looked all summer, because we had a rainstorm last week.

Liam birdwatching. It's a good thing we have so many birds in our backyard, because he loves them.

This bush was doing better until I forgot to turn on the water one Saturday. It had blossoms all over it.

And here's what it looks like outside of a cultivated yard. We are on a hike at the foot of the Sandia Mountains. The photo looks out into Albuquerque. Yes, that's a cactus to the right.

 

 

Now you are educated in the flora of the high desert biome. Feel lucky.

Recipe: Chicken-Chile Nachos

A note about the chiles: the original recipe used a local variety of fresh roasted chiles, Hot Sandias. Canned green chiles can be substituted, but will be substantially more mild.

Green chiles, about 3 cans, drained
1 cup chicken broth (or water + bouillon)
1 Tb. minced garlic
1/4 cup diced celery
1/4 cup diced onion
2 chicken breast halves, cooked
2 Tb. flour
1/3 cup milk
1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
Tortilla chips
Sliced green onions

1. Combine chiles, chicken broth, and garlic in a saucepan. Heat over the stove to boiling, then reduce heat and simmer to reduce (let water boil away until the mixture is saucy). Stir occasionally.
2. Saute onion and celery in oil in a large frying pan.
3. Cube chicken and add to frying pan. Coat evenly with flour and stir while heating on medium. Salt chicken if desired. Pour in the milk and stir constantly until the flour and milk have thickened into a sauce. Lower heat to low. Sprinkle cheese over chicken, and cover to let cheese melt.
4. To serve, scoop chicken mixture on top of tortilla chips, add some green chile sauce, and garnish with green onions.

Mmmmmmmm.

This will beautify your casa

I got a new mop a few weeks ago, and it is seriously awesome.

       It is microfiber, which is supposed to be able to clean really well because of all the "micro" "fibers" or something. And it does. One of my favorite parts is that after I clean the floors, I just unscrew the mop head from the broomstick and throw it in with the wash. Yes, you heard me. It is machine washable.

It's a Quickie, and I got it at Lowe's. Only like 8 bucks. I may just get a second one.