Las Aventuras Celebrates Year 2!

I can't believe I began two years ago!!  It seems longer.  Last year, my mission was to write a post(or two) a day featuring articles from the garden and travel(among other things). 

I took this at Gates Pass before titling my work.

I still share my frustrations with the garden here.  There always seems to be something going on and it is enjoyable to watch.  Our oak trees are still a mess....especially this time of year.  Random things die and random things grow.  The stable plants like Heavenly Bamboo and Oleander grow larger and larger every year creating borders.  I've become more fascinated with solar technology and birding around our garden.  And while the changes are slow, they are happening.  While Las Aventuras turns 2, this will be my 4th year taking over the maintenance for the grounds.  Last year was all about the removal of plants damaging building structure.  This year will be about placing appropriate plants in the right spaces and pruning several plants back for a fuller look in late spring and early summer.  At this point, I will begin to wean the plants from the regular water they required while they were young. Around half of the property has now established itself and requires very little maintenance.

At the Phoenix Botanical Gardens

Last year it was challenging to write a post everyday with my regular job.  There is never a lack of topics to explore or photograph....just never enough time to do it all.  It took a little scheduling to stay on top of it all and keep ahead of myself.  This year I have relaxed a bit on writing everyday allowing the blog to post fresh articles right off the press:)  It was also last year that I discovered that I was posting a lot of work about NASA and our amazing universe.  I decided it wasn't appropriate to post these passions on Las Aventuras.  And with great hesitation, I created Spatial Intelligence.  I would give my life to travel the cosmos.  As a child, dinosaurs, Egyptians and our universe have fascinated me.  Today, I've added several other items to that list:)

There were times where I wanted to scream because blogging became more of a chore and there were several posts that absolutely bored me, and yet today they help a lot of Tucsonans and those other people north of us:)  I found that trying to write during the holiday season is almost impossible.  I also found that doing a photo shoot in December is also impossible.  Luckily, I had planned for that and took the month of November off to relax a bit from writing.

Mexican Fencepost Cactus taken at my friend's house in Phoenix

My blogging friends.  I am so grateful for you all with your help on articles and ideas from over these past couple years.  I've learned so much from you all and it is sad when several people from the blogosphere disappear and never return.  Some people blog for a moment, others blog for enjoyment, and for others, their blogging is a lifetime committment.  Mine is the latter as it will chronicle my journeys in life.  I have a LOOOOOOOONG list of things to accomplish and we are just getting warmed up for travels both near and far. So thank you friends for all your support.  I really enjoy your comments and stories.  There is so much more to share.  Until next time.....

The Rose Garden at the Gardens in Tucson