Friday, December 13, 2013

Back From The Airport With African Spears

Today was a beautiful day here in Fuengirola. Thursday was similar.

Tuesday and Wednesday? Beautiful in their own way, but I thought we might be blown into the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Since the exteriors of all our windows are easily accessible from the terrace, I wash them regularly. I don't want anything to limit our brilliant view. Monday afternoon the view was crystal clear. By Thursday morning, we were once again looking through smoked glass. No damage, just dust, sand, and sea. But I guess I'll wash the windows again tomorrow.

THE VIEW THROUGH GLASS WEDNESDAY EVENING. ROUGH SEAS AND HEAVY WINDS.
THE VIEW THURSDAY MORNING.
(CLICK TO ENLARGE THE ABOVE IMAGES.)

We rented a car Thursday and did some shopping. First, to IKEA to pick up new slip covers for the living room furniture. We're keeping it cheap and simple. No reason to invest like we used to in good fabrics (and better furniture). Dudo, especially, hasn't caught on to the concept of the scratching post. Why bother when we offer these other options? (Moose has been pretty good.)  So, new covers and a bunch of cheap polar throws. We'll keep trying to educate the cats, especially Dudo.

SOME PROTECTION AT €3.50 A "THROW."

We had never driven to IKEA before. It's only about 15 minutes away. Unless you pass it by on the highway and take the next exit. And then, instead of taking the right fork, you take the left fork... Which steers you directly through the airport. Anyway, we chose the departures ramp. And we then quickly departed.

MÁLAGA AIRPORT. THANKFULLY QUIET.
OUR VERY BRIEF "TASTE OF ANDALUSIA."
AND THEN A QUICK TRIP BY THE OLD TERMINAL BUILDING.
TEN MINUTES LATER... IKEA. 

After a successful shop at IKEA (and our free airport roundtrip), we drove over to the garden center to pick up a couple of large pots for two house plants that have become a bit cramped. While there (and not looking for any more plants) we discovered a variety of Sansevieria (aka Mother-in-law's tongue, aka Snake Plant) that we had never seen before. It's called Sansevieria Cylindrica (aka African Spear) and, yes, it's cylindrical. My father brought a small planter to my mother the day I was born. In it were a collection of plants, including a Sansevieria. My mother still has a pot of it from that original plant. It's a sweet memory, so I had to have this new (to me) version. It will sit happily I hope in the bedroom window along with our mangos (one growing, one starting).

SANSEVIERIA CYLINDRICA.
CAT PRINTS FROM THE DUSTY TERRACE ON THE (CLEANED DAILY) DRESSER.
IT'S LIKE SO TOTALLY TUBULAR.
AFRICAN SPEARS AMID THE MANGOS (AND PIGS).
(CLICK FOR A CLOSER LOOK.)

We didn't forget the large pots we needed. San Geraldo had already transplanted two other house plants, so before leaving the house I carefully measured one of those pots. At the garden center, I held up the same measurer I had used at home and said, "This is perfect." Well, it wasn't. The pots are one size too large, but San Geraldo says they'll do. Next time I might use a tape measure (instead of my foot).

"NO PROBLEM. IT'S ABOUT 1-1/2 OF MY FOOT....
... MÁS O MENOS."  (MORE OR LESS)

THE PAINTING IS DONE.
A LITTLE TEASER UNTIL THE FURNITURE IS RE-COVERED. (CLICK TO ENLARGE.)

20 comments:

  1. I've never seen that species of snake plant... so unusual. I love it that the Duchess still has the plant... or at least its offspring... from the day you were born. I see some purple in the background of the last photo... you teaser you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Sharon:
      I had an offspring of that snake plant for years. Started it when I was 17 and had it until it died in San Francisco in 1999. It was huge and actually bloomed every year starting after I had it for about 10 years. I stupidly left it outside in San Francisco and it got water-logged.

      Delete
  2. I'm surprised you use the same name as we do, Mother in Law's Tongue. Walls painted, things back in place and pictures hung. You have been busy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Andrew:
      Well, all I did was put the things back in place AFTER the painting was done, re-hung the pictures. But, still busy and still more to do.

      Delete
  3. Totally tubular! Thanks for reviving that word. I love how a little trip to IKEA turns into a big adventure. Now, when you want to get to the airport, you first head to IKEA...

    I love the sneak peek of the wall colors. Eagerly awaiting more.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jo:
      As long as we don't repeat the route to IKEA via the airport again!

      Delete
  4. Love the wall cover, and the luminous waves in that first picture are just wonderful.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stephen:
      It will be challenging getting realistic color of the walls, especially given everyone different monitor calibrations. The color even in this picture is more electric than in reality.

      Delete
  5. Great plants those "Mother-in-Laws". Imposable to kill unlike the real thing. Just kidding ha ha.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Stan:
      Well, if you ever need help, I DID manage to kill one of the plants some years ago.

      Delete
  6. When I was a child it seemed that every Chinese restaurant had a row of snake plants in the window.! I have one now, treasured because it is so difficult to kill, at least while inside. How I wish we had an IKEA near us. We have to drive an hour and a half to Pittsburgh which is so ridiculous. But it is very near the airport. I wonder......

    I'm waiting for the big reveal!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kristi:
      Interesting about snake plants and Chinese restaurants (because I had the same impression). Snake plants are I think supposed to be good feng shui -- excellent air purifiers and there's something about pointy leaves shielding you from negative chi. I do really enjoy IKEA, and it was a life-saver for us with our move here. We had to just about completely re-furnish ourselves when we moved to Spain and I don't know how we would have afforded it without IKEA. It may not be for everyone, but we sure do appreciate it. (You're waiting for the big reveal... which is waiting for the ironing of the slip covers and the purchase of scratching posts... we can't decide which should come first.)

      Delete
  7. The price you pay for that fantastic view, I guess.
    I love Snake Plants and this 'new' variety is a stunner Mitchell! Looks more sturdy than the regular ones which can flop over sometimes.
    Look at that newly painted wall there! You are such a tease!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Jim:
      And well worth experiencing the winds for the view and location. I love the cylindrical snake plant. San Geraldo was convinced it was fake.. until I pointed out the dirt and roots coming through the bottom of the pot.

      Delete
  8. Wow, true, so tubular, that plant. Never seen one of that kind. We only have the flat kind.
    LOVE the deep, rich purple! I somehow missed that you were painting. Can't wait to see more! (We're getting an IKEA here in St. Louis [so they say] -- long desired, and the closest was near Chicago.)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Judy:
      The tubular version is new to me, too. I never knew it existed. Hope it does well. Still haven't put on the new slip covers. Maybe today? Then photos... I hope.

      Delete
  9. I do like the Thursday picture through the [dirty] window. Nice effect!!
    Interesting plant, I must say!!! I chopped down on of mine recently
    as it had grown way too big for the room. I'm hoping the three pieces I kept will take
    and grow roots to be replanted again, eventually....
    Interesting choice of color for your wall. Like that!!
    As for educating the cats, I personally surrendered the diningroom chairs
    a long time ago. Surprisingly, the fabric is holding on!!!
    You should see Ophelia digging her claws in and swinging her butt this way and that as she pulls... Quite funny actually!!
    Please, don't get me started on paw prints...
    Just don't!!!
    :D~
    HUGZ

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. TICKLEBEAR:
      Our California cats didn't have claws, so no problems with the furniture. We just put a rug down in one bedroom. They both think it's the best scratching pad. Cheap rug, Cheap covers. Cheap throws. We do what we can.

      Delete
  10. Cool plants and I love the little pigs. And the wall colour!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Knatolee:
      We used to have a huge collection of "kitchen pigs" which then spread to any pig that could be found. Only kept a few things when we moved.

      Delete

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