I got plants of Cinco de Mayo and Distant Drums in a single package from one of the big box stores. I really just wanted Distant Drums, but planted the Cinco de Mayo as well. I was not happy with CdM as it clashed with colors of the neighboring roses and dug it out after a year or so and potted it up. We started another rose bed in another part of our property. The front row had alternating bushes of "Easy Does It" and "Colorific"; the rear row had CdM in in center; on either side of it were plants of "Chilhuly". On the ends of the rear row were plants of Benjamin Britten. We had a row of the Scarlet Magellan zinnias (5 inch flowers on 12 inch plants) in from the the roses and taller zinnias in reds, orange and yellow planted behind the roses. CdM looked very much at home in all of this.

She lurks but doesn't post much, lol. Yes those are hybrid striped bass. Remind me when we get together and I will give you some fish. I know she is waiting on me to call her to help me plant my new bed but I am at home in the bed feeling like I'm gonna barf. Some kind of stomache bug I guess. It would have been a perfect day to work in the yard too. I just took some more drugs so hopefully I will be able to get up soon. The crappy part is I can't even sleep. Been up since 3am just laying here looking up plants on the internet I can put in my water garden. The stupid little shelves molded in to the edges don't look deep enough for anything. I will have to look at it again. Maybe I can find a pot that size and just put something there that just needs the bottom of the pot in water but that will look ugly unless I can plant something taller to hide the pot next to it in the deeper part. Uggg. Why do I have to contemplate everything so much before I do it. I still do end up having to move and redo stuff anyway, lol.

So happy to see her! I just purchased one Wed. and planted it today.. It is full of buds. Hope mine turns out as nice as yours...TY for sharing.

Some hand held ideas could be mini empanadas, they could be made sweet or savory. I like this Mexican shrimp cocktail served from a lovely soup tureen or punch bowl. It would require little cups and perhaps tortilla chips for eating. You could do slider sandwiches with either machaca (shredded beef) or carnitas (pork). Albondigas skewers - Albondigas are a meatball soup and the meatballs have rice in them. The meatballs could be placed on skewers with other vegetables one would find in the soup. Or the meatballs could be served with toothpicks for ease. Other skewers could have carne asada or grilled chicken thighs or breasts that are seasoned appropriately. I have also made cream puff dough seasoned with cayenne and cheese (or alternating green chile and cheese) and those make a great appetizer, that is somewhat familiar.