Creating an oasis in southern Arizona: Our house goes to pot!

Thursday, August 23, at home in Arizona

(Photos for today’s post focus on plants in pots around the outside of our house.)

Leaving the crew at home with Nancy and Marg, I drive the Perfect Tow Vehicle to the auto repair shop.  It’s time for an oil change and probably a tune-up.   The PTV has been idling rough lately.

The young woman behind the counter suggests I drop it off early Monday morning.  To get an idea of their pricing I ask how much for a tune-up:  $34 and change.  That’s good.  I’ve paid as much as 45 bucks (Flagstaff).

Nancy will follow me in her car.  It’s nice to have someone available to take me home, rather than having to sit in the auto shop waiting room.

~ ~ ~

Rain showers off-and-on all day.

Nancy remarks:  “What an odd day.  Rain like this reminds me of New York.”

In between showers I manage to mow the side yard and a portion of the back yard where the grass is tall and thin.  The rest never dries out enough to mow.

The first couple days here the plants needed frequent watering and misting to revive from the journey west.   No longer.  Humidity is high and they’re loving it.

~ ~ ~

Horned lizard and I have something in common!

During the previous mow of our yard, I discover the homes of two horned lizards when the approaching roar of the mower rousts them from cover.

I’m relieved they scurry away instead of becoming immobile where I don’t see them and then the mower will . . . . well, you can imagine.

Anyway . . . 

What do I have in common with Horned Lizard and Water Meter Lizard?

Allow me to explain . . .   

One day before Nancy and Marg arrive from Florida, I fuss around clearing out the large, covered patio area to make room for their stuff.  I place items that I’ll want with me when traveling and camping into the back of the PTV.

Horned Lizard is fussing around in the dirt nearby, at the outside corner of the chain link fence. While I watch, fascinated, she (he?) creates a shady burrow next to a rock and a weed.  The rock serves as a patio for sunning and the weed provides shade.

“You’re busy today, too!”

Horned Lizard takes a break, half-climbs up the rock, and remains motionless in camo, one eye trained on me.

Whenever I go out to the PTV, I stop by Horned Lizard’s little abode.  Sometimes she’s home, sometimes not.  Today being very rainy, I wonder about her and decide to pay a visit.

Gone!

The burrow is all filled in with no sign it ever existed.

Well, how about that.  Kind of like a good boondocker.

Leaving no trace.

See, I finally did get to the point.  

Horned Lizard and I have something in common.  Maybe you do, too!

~ ~ ~

The plants in this post are only a few of all that are here.

Readers in comments refer to house plants.  These aren’t house plants.  They’re plants in pots that created an outdoor oasis for Nancy and Marg on her patio in Florida.  The plants in pots create similar relaxing retreats here in southern Arizona on our front porch and back patio, along with wicker furniture, and even a fountain.

We shall see if Florida plants can adapt to Arizona.

Over time I’ll post photos.  At this time, Nancy is still arranging and rearranging to get everything just right, inside the house and out.

As she wrote in an email from Florida, “You’ll get tired of me primping (the house) all the time.”

I don’t think so.

I’m glad that someone else is doing it and not me!

rvsue

NOTE:  I’m very appreciative of the way blogorinos create a relaxing retreat in the comment section of my blog, conversing with and caring for each other.  Thank you for participating while I step back and focus on life here at home with Nancy, Marg, Reggie, and Roger.  — Sue

THANK YOU FOR VISITING MY BLOG!

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102 Responses to Creating an oasis in southern Arizona: Our house goes to pot!

  1. Linda Rose, Molly & Midgy Carmichael, Ca says:

    First?

  2. Claudia says:

    Beautiful plants!

  3. dave in missouri says:

    Looks like you are enjoying your time with your sister!

  4. Columbus Calvin says:

    Hi! I enjoy looking at the plants. I don’t know much about them, though. They’re mostly green in a beige desert and they have pretty blossoms. Other than that, I can spot dangerous ones. I’m 100% sure Nancy knows a multiple of what I do.

    Yes, I’m another leave-no-trace camper.

  5. Marilu in northern California says:

    Your home will be beautiful and comfy. Still, I hope you will decide to venture out in the BLT again. I love hearing about the horned lizards.☺

  6. Diann in MT says:

    To have a primper, arranger, re-arranger in my life! I would die for!
    Finally, Sue, you are cared for. Enjoy, girl!

  7. Barbara (Nashville) says:

    Lovely post. The plants look healthy and will probably live happily ever after with all that pampering. Love the decorative planters and statuary. Looks like you outdoor areas are coming along nicely. Can’t wait to see what she will do inside.
    Enjoy.

  8. Virginia620 says:

    Beautiful plants!!
    FYI: Sorry I had to buy a GoPro camera from eBay instead of Amazon. Better price. I did buy a ScanDisk 64 Gig from Amazon, though. 😀

    Getting prepped for a trip to MO, CO, UT (finally my bucket trip), and AZ, leaving home Sept 18 and returning mid-Nov. Wish me luck. 😁😁😁

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Thank you, Virginia, for buying the SanDisk at Amazon through my blog.

      You are going to make this fall a memorable one. 🙂

      • lucy says:

        Hi Sue !
        Regarding the plants adaptation from Florida’s climate hot & humid, to Arizona’s hot & DRY, some may survive, but many will perish unless the plants will be in a greenhouse where humidity is provided as needed; I’m not a plants expert but my predicament makes sense, doesn’t it ? Regards to the whole bunch from me: Lucy.

        • jazzlover says:

          Lucy, do you mean prediction? Possibly if the plants are misted enough they may come through alright until fall and temps change. It will be interesting to see how Nancy addresses this. No pressure here Nancy of course and you may have already looked into how to help the plants with the change. Beautiful collection you brought with you by the way, Nancy’s Nursery!

          • rvsueandcrew says:

            Every corner of the house has a spigot with hose. Nancy mists the plants, as needed. Recent rain and humidity are helping the plants transition to Arizona. 🙂

            • Judy J. in S.C. says:

              That would be my dream house, to have all those spigots so nicely located. We have one in the front and I’ve in the back, both at one end of a ranch house. Makes it hard to water. I know you love that setup!

          • Lucy says:

            Jazzlover: Yes, in a way is a prediction, I have grown plants all my life & I have learned a valuable lesson and it is… you can not grow Agave in Hawaii , nor Plumeria in the desert as it is, UNLESS you modify the plants’ environment. A green house ( enclosed medium ) with a controlled mist device will take care of the tropicals’ needs, spraying in an hot, open, moisture deprived area ( Arizona, dry as a bone ) will do very little for the plants, the sprayed H2O will evaporate before reaching the plants…Am I making sense ? My regards, Lucy.

    • Denise - Richmond VA says:

      Wow! That is going to be an awesome trip, Virginia620!! Have fun! 🙂

      • Jean in Southaven, says:

        Your trip sounds great. I hope you have the time of your life. Keep us posted with what you are up to along the way.

  9. weather says:

    Though Arizona has higher summer temperatures than southern California does, in many ways both places have similar conditions- essentially deserts we make our own oasis in. I had a lot of plants one might not expect to fare well thrive outside of my home in San Diego. I hope things work out that way at your home. The ones you have shown are lovely, and obviously have been well taken care of.

    How nice that you to have two vehicles and can help each other with appointments and such. The joys of family life 🙂 !

  10. Judy J. in S.C. says:

    Loving seeing Nancy’s plants. That palm tree looks so lush! So glad the baby dogs are all going to be friends. Sue, would you keep an eye out to see if you got credit for the inverter my hubby ordered through Amazon? He has been, hopefully, ordering through a link here. Just want to know he’s doing it right. Our Casita is getting a new Southern Mattress tomorrow. Picking it up at the plant in N C. Hopefully, we’ll have wonderful sleep in our future. Headed from there to the Outer Banks. Good excuse for a trip!

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      Judy… It would be very helpful if you’d let me know what date your husband placed the order for an inverter. I don’t see it in today’s or yesterday’s orders.

      Enjoy your trip!

  11. Linda Sand in Minnesota says:

    Wow! No wonder Frank did research on bringing plants in the truck! What a bounty of beauty! I could feel my scrunched shoulders dropping just looking at your photos.

  12. Renee from Idaho says:

    How lovely! What an array of greens. From Azo green to permanent green light! It looks like the green section of my watercolor palette. I love your observation of Horned Toad and Water Meter lizard. Good neighbors indeed. They keep an eye on you and scurry when you come near!

  13. rvsueandcrew says:

    Ginger… As soon as you get the address, let me know here and I’ll delete the information.

  14. Cinandjules🌵 says:

    Wow….no kidding Nancy has a green thumb! The porch looks so comfy and lush!
    Oasis indeed….you can always add a mister if needed.

    No more waiting at the repair shop! Does Reg and Rog miss looking out the PTV window or rides in general? Or do they seem content…kicking it at the palace?

  15. Gloria in Prescott, Az. says:

    You have the best of both worlds, Sue. A place to stop and call home and someone to take care of things when you travel. We have that now too and it is great!

  16. Elaine Magliacane says:

    Wow, Nancy’s plants look so good, makes me wish for a sister with a green thumb… alas just have brothers with brown thumbs just like me. I do ok with plants that manage without to much intervention like day lilies and liriope and some potted pepper plants (my jalapeno peppers). Pictures of you actual furnished living area coming soon I hope.

  17. Desert Ginger says:

    I LOVE all the plants! Pretty. And the lime green cushions on the wicker furniture. Lime green is my fave.

    Big thanks to Jules for contacting me on Facebook, and big, big thanks to Barb for the referral! Thank you!

    I’m continuing to sort thru my backlog of personal issues, trying to reduce my overhead. I found out I can relinquish my timeshare back to the company and they will refund me $4200 (I paid 15K), but then I won’t have quarterly dues. On the other hand I spent a week in a vineyard in St Tropez with that timeshare, and a week in the Grand Hyatt NYC during Christmas week, and other great vacations, so it is hard to let it go.

    I’m also going to start sorting through ALL my backlog of papers. Ugh! What a dreadful task, but I need to do it, and why not now? Still considering a trip to Tulsa also, but maybe in a month or so.

    Tuesday is my birthday. Ick. Haven’t figured out a celebration but I am considering driving up to Phoenix to have some papusas, which are my favorite thing, and they don’t have them here. I’ve got to get back on my no carb eating plan soon.

    I also bought some CBD oil from Jolene and haven’t started taking it yet but will soon. Interested in what kind of effect that will have.

    So…that’s my news. Hugs to all.

    • Denise - Richmond VA says:

      Sending you early Happy Birthday wishes, Desert Ginger! Enjoy your celebratory papusas! 🙂

    • Geri in the FL panhandle! says:

      Here’s another early wish for a happy birthday DG! Now, I need to avoid you for not taking your CBD oil right away! I have been taking mine for 6 months now … IT WORKS! But as with any of the herbal medicines it takes longer before you start to feel the results! It took me almost 4 weeks before I realized I was walking much better and with much less pain! I actually walked off forgetting my cane! So start taking it NOW and don’t give up to soon! It will work! Ok, love to you and happy birthday 🎂!

    • Judy in East Texas says:

      I to buy my CBD from Jolene! Almost 6 months now and I swear by it. To say it is a God send is an understatement!! I am down to just taking my blood pressure meds and no more pain meds, not even Alleve!! The pain relief is just one thing, my mind is clearer and my over all health is so improved! I did talk to my Doctor about it before I started it (I have a cool Dr) and his comment was he recommends it to a lot of his patients, especially the ones with Parkinsons!! Delay no longer! You will be so happy with the results.

    • Jean in Southaven, says:

      I love papusas. My next door neighbor is from El Salvadore and makes the best papusas. I keep saying I am going to learn how to make them, but so far I haven’t taken the time.

  18. Libby Nester - WV says:

    The plants are awesome!

  19. Lauri from So Cal says:

    I, myself, got a little behind this week so I just caught up with this AND the last post! OMG!!! I can’t believe how adorable Marge is!!! AND the way they all get along!!!! What a darling little pack!! Now Marge will be sad when you go on trips.

    I LOVE Nancy’s style! I’ve always wished I could not onlt create an oasis but keep plants – other than philodendrons – alive! What a treat!!

    Congratulations on the reunion!!

  20. Denise - Richmond VA says:

    Hi, Sue,

    Nancy has created a lovely, lush green sactuary with her plantt. Love all of the statuary! 🙂 Glad you were able to observe your little horned toad. I bet she and your water meter lizard will love all of those potted plants. They will provide nice shade for her/him.

    Just took Gracie pup out for a potty break. One of my wild rabbits, “Bunnykins” was resting just a couple feet off my backyard patio. Gracie literally came nose-to-nose with her! All the excitement made for a quick potty break! 🙂

    Have fun confining to feather your nest. Sending you, Reggie, and Roger lots of love and hugs from me and Gracie pup! 🙂

    Hope all of the blogorinos have a great day and weekend! TGIF!! 🙂

  21. Deena in Phoenix says:

    Beautiful patio oasis…I enjoy the ornamental animals…omg, Horned Lizard is a good keeper of the earth…Reggie looks like he is looking some Florida lizards (LOL)…

    Take Care

  22. Piper Davison says:

    Love the plants! Sounds like a great reunion

  23. Laurie in NC says:

    So glad that Nancy and Marg made it there safe and sound! The plants all look wonderful! I love potted plants inside and out, but I do not have the knack for keeping them all alive. I think it’s because I forget about them until they start looking rough, then I water too much.
    It was great seeing the dogs meeting and getting to know each other! Marg is such a cute dog!

  24. mary batt says:

    The plants look really good! They are sooo green! The care for them is evident. And bless the people that are so good with plants (my mom was but I don’t have her success/intrigue). But I like them!!
    Love the pix and eager to see more! Enjoy the ‘settling in’ and ‘coming home’ for all y’all!
    mb

  25. Pauline in Mississippi says:

    The plants look amazing. They do make a patio or porch feel like an oasis. Nancy always had a green thumb. I remember her herb garden in NYS. Maybe she will add one in Arizona…and a water feature!!!!! I look forward to seeing some of Nancy’s primping!
    Sending lots of love and hugs.

  26. Sandy Arcari says:

    Hi Sue….so happy your sister is settling in. The plants are beautiful. We live in FL and I bet they will adjust fine. Humidity is good. Question for you…Since you are both from the east coast why did you choose to settle in Arizona? Is it better cost of living? It is on our to do list of places to camp but just curious. Have fun and keep up your great blog…Sandy

  27. Geri in the FL panhandle! says:

    The plants are all so beautiful! I love having plants all around me! I actually have a jade plant that is almost 35 years old! 💗 While Chuck and I were on the road, a friend took care of it for me! Now I plant mostly herbs, my favorite is rosemary! I love the rosemary aroma and will crush a bit of it to rub on me as I work outside to keep the ‘skeeters away!
    Nancy, you are definitely a green thumb lady! Your plants are happy and healthy!
    So glad the pups are all getting along and friends! Thanks for all the photos Sue!💗

    • Renee G says:

      Wow. Jades are tender and delicate so a 35 year old one is an accomplishment. I have an elephant ear philodendron that is 65 years old. My mother had it when I was a baby and she gave it to me 20 years ago and it is still thriving.

      • Barbara (Nashville) says:

        I to have an old Ti plant. that I started growing in 1972. It is still thriving. I saw this 4 inch twig with roots in the grocery store, bought it and got is started when we were newly married and living in our mobile home in Atlanta. It has moved 7 times and 2 cities. It did fall over in the truck moving to Nashville, but it grew an new trunk and started over again. It now has 3 separate trunks. Love this thing.
        Funny about your Jade plant. I love them as well, but for a plant that is hard to kill, I managed to do it fairly quickly.

        • Cinandjules 🌵 says:

          Love Ti plants…we used to propagate them in Hawaii and bring them back to CA when we were kids. My family had them growing everywhere in SF. Had 2 regular and 2 variegated “logs” sent from the ABC store….now in AZ. Having a hard time getting them going..one of the variegated ones has died! You can’t kill Ti logs but apparently there is always a first time for everything. Not sure if you know Ti plants are toxic to pets. AO doesn’t chew on plants and the cats don’t have access to them.

          • Barbara (Nashville) says:

            I did not know they were toxic to pets. Thanks for that info. My pot is elevated to about 20 inches and the plant is center in that. Angel, thankfully, can’t reach it even standing on her hind legs. She doesn’t much bother with things in the house. She is a very good dog. She does like my neighbors herbs, especially the mint and parsley, and dahlia leaves.

  28. EmilyO in southern NM says:

    Don’t be too surprised if some of the plants decide to do a “regroup” to get use to the drier climate, even with watering and misting. They may look like they are loosing it and you start groaning. Then they surprise you with new sprouts that have adapted to the different climate. So glad you are all together now and the dogs are getting along.

    I just got results of my stress test and echocardiogram and my heart is in better shape and stronger than it was 3 years ago. My ejection fraction rate went from 40 to 65. And the heart is beating some on its own instead of depending 100% on the pacemaker. I have been taken off two heart meds and told to keep doing what ever I have been doing and come back in a year. Good news for this going on 77 year old.

  29. Cynthia in San Clemente says:

    Nancy’s plants are indeed very pretty and look healthy considering what they’ve been through. It will be interesting to see how the tropical plants fare in Arizona – I’m guessing with a lot of added humidity (misting?) and putting them in shade on the porch, they will make it just fine. If not, I’m sure Nancy will enjoy learning about plants that do well in the Arizona climate and trying out new planting combinations. I’ve put lots of natural grasses and succulents together in pots and they look wonderful.

    It sounds like everyone is settling in together well – I am so happy for the pups and for you and Nancy.

  30. Carin says:

    Sue – you should name the lizards!

  31. My mother always had lots of plants inside and out on the patios. She managed to keep everything alive in Tucson so Nancy will likely be the same. She sure has a wonderful variety! You must have so much to catch up on. It’s different when we get face to face with someone compared to contact through social media and phone calls. It’s good that only one of you likes to “primp” :-))))

  32. Dawn in NC says:

    Oh, the plants look wonderful! I have a black thumb. I’ve even managed to kill cactus by giving them too much nutrients. The one plant I had success with was an aloe. Then my cats moved in and knocked it over so much that it died. After that, I haven’t really tried to keep anything going. It looks like quite the oasis that Nancy has created! I look forward to seeing more of her plants. I can’t help smiling that you all are back together and the dogs have formed a new pack. So happy for you!

  33. Jan NH says:

    The plants are just gorgeous but I especially love the the garden/yard art Nancy brought along (including the live art…hehe)

  34. Ruthie in Fontana says:

    Big shout out to Denice/Richman VA, for the pasta salad recipie. Just had it for lunch, soooo good!

  35. Reine in Princeton, TX when not camping says:

    Let me know when Nancy wants to come to Texas for a visit. We need some serious help in the landscape design department for our new house! Although right now we’re waiting for the builder to get the back 1/2 acre level so when it does finally rain we won’t have a lake.

    I’m so glad Nancy and Marg are there and you’re establishing a home place. It’s fun to see how all of our lives change as the years go by and you’re doing a great job of journaling the journey for all of us.

  36. Plants are lovely. Oasis on the patio and porch sound relaxing. I have a swing out in backyard on a little patio. I put down pavers this spring. I still need to recover the swing cushions. I do patio chairs on the bigger patio next to the house in back. The other night it was cooler than usual and I sat out at night and sipped my tea.

    This morning I hauled a huge load of tree branches from our paloverdes in front yard. They grew like weeds this summer and had to be trimmed. Normally my son would haul the cuttings to landfill but I couldn’t wait and hauled it myself. Three more trees need trimming in front. The yard looks nice and tidy with the trees trimmed. I don’t have grass…mostly desert landscape but a few grass pop up around the pine tree so my son used the weed eater to cut and clean it up. My lavender plants died so now I’ll have to look for desert hardy flowers. How does Nancy like Arizona and her new home?

    • Geri in the FL panhandle! says:

      Rita, rosemary does very well in Tucson! The very first time I met rosemary the plant (all I had ever known was rosemary from the herb bottle!😂) was in Tucson at a Lucky’s grocery store parking lot! The parking lot had rows of rosemary planted in the parking lot as a row divider! I smelled rosemary as soon as I got out of the car and have loved it ever since! Try it, you will like it! 💗 Just last week I spoke to my friend in Tucson and she said the rosemary is still there and healthy!

  37. Jean in Southaven, says:

    I love the plants in this blog. Nancy is going to have so much fun arranging and rearranging all the time. It will be nice for you too, to reap the benefits of her talent. I wish I had someone in my life that was like that. Alas, all I have are males. My hubby is pretty good at arranging, but he has to be in the mood. The mood hasn’t made an appearance in a LOOONG time. So I just go with whatever. I have no talent. I know what I like when I see it, but I cant just come up with something on my own. Looks like life is blooming for everyone. Marg looks happy to have some friends to play with too. So glad for all of you. I love this blog. I can always come here and get away from it all.

  38. DeGin says:

    I keep trying to post responses and something isn’t working. I make my comment, then fill in name and address, then do the math and hit the button to post the comment. And the system sits and waits…and then pops me back to the very top of the page and the comment disappears. Huh.

    • rvsueandcrew says:

      I saw that one of your comments posted twice which indicates that you didn’t see your comment appear and then tried again. Sometimes it takes a long time for a comment to appear or the comment appears in a place different than what was intended.

      I really don’t know why your comment didn’t appear at all. WordPress does get weird at times. Before giving up on a comment, refresh the page. That has worked for me.

  39. Rover Ronda says:

    Lovely! I admire Marg’s green thumb, your porch and patio look relaxing and refreshing.

  40. Barbara (Nashville) says:

    Thanks, Sue, for deleting my company’s contact info.

  41. weather says:

    My family’s in town for a few days,always a gift &whirlwind of activity,makes me empathize with how busy you are,Sue.Hope it’s fun for you!

  42. Kathy (NC) says:

    What a transformation! Plants make such a difference. I’m so glad to know that Nancy, Frank and Marg arrived safely despite all the trauma with the van and that you are all well on the way to a happy life together.
    We have had so much rain here these last few weeks that the weeds have really taken over – maybe flowers next year??!

  43. Glenda Cornwill says:

    Checked in today to see how things were going and how lovely to read about all the goings on…………the doggies all getting along so well, you and Nancy together again…the post before this one bought a tear to my eye. Happy life to all of you!

  44. rvsueandcrew says:

    GOOD MORNING, BLOGORINOS!

    As always I’ve been following your comments with interest. I enjoy reading about what’s going on in your life and also your reactions to this post. Thank you for the kind words to me and to each other, and for enabling me to spend more time with Nancy, Marg, and the boys. 🙂

    Wishing you the day you hope for,
    Sue

  45. Lisa, Dad, Tommie and Buddy in FL says:

    Oh, I am so happy for you all. Family home and the pups are PLAYING. The picture with tails in motion and pups nose to nose are precious. I love that Nancy brought her own oasis. She will figure out what they need in their new home. Too bad about that pretty pot, the others are really pretty. All the comments about plants are making me think of planting a rosemary and a bay tree, maybe a eucalyptus at our new house in SoFL. I am planning a veggie garden for this winter. I look forward to fresh veggies and herbs right outside my door.

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