Ruby Crosses the Finish Line

Well Manual Mater Maker followers, in any race there's merit for crossing the finish line.  I took this photo last night for fear Ruby's first mater would get too ripe over the weekend.

She's a purdy one, the other maters have taken a hint and we now have about 4-5 others blushing.  My peppers and onions have been waiting, so hopefully next week I'll have some salsa!

A Week Late, and a 12-Pack Short

And what to my unsuspecting eyes did appear, why it's Ruby blushing in my garden and pulling up the rear.  

At 9 3/4 she's not too shabby, but not enough to beat my Daddy.

(Ruby was my littlest plant.  I didn't know she had it in her.  Hopefully she'll spread it around to the others and I'll be eating salsa in a few weeks.)

CONGRATULATIONS MATER MASTER!!!

Ode to the Mater Master

To the Mater Master I lift my beer mug,

He’s done a great job; I’ll try not to be smug.

With gadgets, wires, gages and tubes,

(Compared to my design, I look like a boob).

Like a mad scientist he created a fine work of art,

To grow mater babies right from the start.

Too bad the clouds first put him behind,

My radioactive grow lights… I shall remind?

Were quite effective at growing strong little sprouts,

They towered the competition, no one had a doubt.

The Manual Mater Maker maters just had it all,

Great color, great strength and boy they were tall!

They took up my focus, my money, my time,

But watching them grow…  I just didn’t mind.

And blogging the smack, now that was my calling,

Some thought it funny, some just appalling.

I looked forward to dishing out lots of great cracks,

And truth be told, all enjoyed dishing it back.

I had the Mater Master at the FIRST, MIDDLE… but not LAST,

That Investor did me in…  I must put the past in the past.

He will deny it was his fault,  “Round Up Doesn’t Make Maters Dead!”

But we all know the truth, just look at Cranberry and Red.

And let’s not forget the worm tea that he cooked up,

Thousands of pet worms, was it enough?

It helped I suppose, surely it couldn't have hurt,

But did he have to put his hands 13 times in poo dirt?

The first red tomato did grow on his vine,

I really could beat him if I had a little more time.

I teased him with names of Sprout, Shrimpy and Cherry,

But in looking at the tape measure, now I’m not that merry.

Lush Puppy V truly is much much bigger,

At 10 3/8 he’s got me beat I figure.

I guess I’ll have to make a special Yengling run,

Buying beer for someone else is just NEVER fun.

But the time has come, the contest end is near,

I must swallow my pride and award the beer.

It’s been a lot of fun, good jobs have been done,

BUT the Master has finally WON!

CONGRATULATIONS MATER MASTER FOR WINNING THE GREAT TOMATO RACE!

Power in Numbers

You know what they say, "There's Power in Numbers."  

Well if that's true, we've got some real girl power going on here at the Manual Mater Maker.  Not only are many of these amazin' maters competition size, but they are everywhere!  

Don't stare, I think you might be making one of them blush! 

  

Curb Appeal!

The neighbors are going to LOVE this!  Giant mater plants in pots in front of the house, now that's some curb appeal!  Good thing I have nice neighbors.  They are all rooting for me to take home the prize.  Yeah they like beer too, and they know I can't possibly drink two cases by myself. (Or can I?)  They'll just sit quiet along the sidelines till I bring home the booty.  Then they will gather with outstretched hands.  It's a give take thing.

So I'm thinking that the Mater Master's maters are either red or dead.  He's doing that secretive thing again.  I figured I'd better bring out the big guns and maximize my sunlight.  These lovely ladies will spend the next few weeks in this spot.  Hopefully the extra sun will give us a boost over that crafty Mater Master lurking in the shadows of the blogs.   Where are you Mater Master come out with your maters up!

Lotsa Maters

The Investor stands at 6 foot, so I put him in front of my maters this morning to give you a visual of our accomplishment at the Manual Mater Maker.  Notice the hands in the pockets?  Yeah, that's the only way I'd let him near my lil' babies.  (He was immediately escorted out of the side yard after I snapped this photo.)

Not only are our maters tall, strong and green, but they have lotsa fat maters and buds on lotsa "different" mater plants.  Nope we aren't putting all our maters in one basket here at the Manual Mater Maker.  The first red tomato could come from any one of our five super stars!

On a completely different topic, I had to share a funny photo with you guys from this weekend.  Ella was apparently tired of watching everyone else have fun and followed Brett and Gray onto the tube for a ride.  Flopping ears and a big smile, it was quite a sight!  

Determination... that's what will win it!

The aphids are gone, the maters are strong and Ella has a new look of determination.  Check out the size of those maters.  Rosie is in the middle and up to the 4th rung on the large cage.  All green, healthy and ready to rock!

We have about 4 large maters on each plant and another 6-8 smaller ones.  Lots of buds, flowers and mater sprouts, but there's just too many to count to give you actual numbers.  All I can say is these guys are looking good.

Not pictured here are Cranberry and Red.  Yesterday afternoon they were past the point of recovery and beginning to attract bugs and disease.  For the benefit of the others we said our good-byes.  We will remember them fondly.  Ella is so good at her expressions, this is "sad face".  To prevent future "sad faces" the Investor has been completely banned from the side yard.  (You think I'm kidding, but I'm actually serious.  When he gets out his products, I follow him around.  Wouldn't you?)

On a happier note Cherry made it!  She made a full recovery and is doing well.  She will be an asset to our team over the next month.  We're glad she's back!

Grow Rosie Grow!

She's beautiful, she's strong and she's got a great rack!  Yes Rosie has it all!  (Just like her namesake.)  Although Cranberry and Red are still hanging in there, Miss Rosie has taken the lead in the Great Tomato Race.  Check out the legs on that girl, she must be a runner.  I've included my thumb in this photo so that you'd have some perspective.  (Dime Mater Master, what dime?)

We at the Manual Mater Maker took a hard hit last week, but Mother Nature seems to be looking fondly on us.  I've got maters of this size on 4 other plants, but told Rosie I'd give her the spotlight today since she's the tallest and fullest.  She's on the fourth rung of the "tall" tomato cages and doing very well.  Today is feeding day, I've got a nice blend of kelp and seaweed extract that I'll be spraying all over my babies as well as some soil soak of the same. 

I'll post a picture tomorrow once it all has had a chance to soak in.  Maybe then I can get Ella to make that arrogant face again.  (She wasn't feeling it this morning despite several photo attempts.)

This is your Mater on Round Up... any Questions?

Well Manual Mater Maker followers, it was an "inside job."  Today I discovered that not too long ago the "Investor" sprayed Round Up at the base Cherry, Cranberry and Red's pots to kill the grass that was growing up around them.  They've been removed from the contamination zone to prevent further damage.  The aphids cannot be blamed any longer, they were simply escaping the poisoned grass below them.

Unbeknownst to him, Round Up cannot be sprayed ANYWHERE near growing tomatoes, much less right up under them.  Sadly, here's the result.

If you recall, I had Cranberry and Red earmarked for the prize since they sprouted the first tomatoes several days ahead of the competition.  As fate would have it, Cranberry and Red were sitting on the most grass, so they got the most over spray from the chemicals.  As you can see, my prize tomato is done. 

Cranberry and Red will be lucky to survive this setback.  (As will the Investor.)  I've given them lots of special treatment and am hopeful that they stay strong and pull through.  

Not all the mater's got hit, lucky for these four, they were sitting on pine straw and the mater murderer with his dark shadow and deadly wand passed them by.  These guys will keep fighting for team Manual Mater Maker.  The others would want it that way.  I do concede however, that my lead is gone, we'll be doing our best to simply keep up at this point.  I'm not loving that fact.

When life gives you dead tomatoes...  not sure what fun drink I can make with dead tomatoes?  I suppose I'll just drown my sorrows over a Mich Ultra - paid for by the Investor.

Mater Master Advertisement   FREE INVESTOR TO A GOOD HOME.  Who am I kidding, it doesn't need to be a good home, an okay home will do.  Heck, a crappy home works too.  (Just keep him away from your maters.)

Be Careful What you Ask For..

Well you know what they say, be careful what you ask for.  Someone must not have liked the "plague joke" on my last post because I woke up this morning to APHIDS!

Little green bugs all over my flowers and leaves, with teeny white larvae dusted as far as the eye could see.  I'm not sure how the Mater Master and Mater Matic did it - was it dancing or chanting?  But boy they did it to me real good.  

After a trip to the Mater ER I came home to battle.  A bottle of "au natural" African Violet extract - or something like that - killed the little punks dead!  Ain't no pests coming between me and my beer!

Manual Mater Maker Disclaimer:  We at the Manual Mater Maker sincerely apologize for the taunts of plagues and windstorms in our last post; we underestimated your supernatural powers to summon mater killers.  Please call off tomorrow's order of locusts.

ONE tomato, ah ah ah... TWO tomatoes, ah ah ah... THIRTEEN tomatoes ah ah ah!

Remember Count Dracula off of Sesame Street?  Well that was me counting maters this morning.  I especially enjoyed making the "ah, ah, ah," noise as I counted.  Just so you don't think that I'm blowing smoke up your mater petticoat, I took photos to prove it.

Wildfire - 2 maters

Scarlet - 2 maters

Rosie - 2 maters

Cherry - 1 mater

Cranberry - 3 maters

Red - 3 maters

Imagine how many more I could find if I had a zoom lens!  Do I need to take another smug photo of Ella?  (Gentlemen, this might be the time to start dancing for a wind storm or a plague of locusts.)

MANUAL MATER MAKER DISCLAIMER:  No voo-doo, high nitrogen or shamful tricks were performed on these maters to make them so fabulous.  Dirt, water, sun and a little love; it's all you need.  That being said, in the rare event my competitors surpass my amazin' mater making I will not be above employing said tactics to take the prize!

Grow Maters Grow!

Hi folks, I thought I'd give you a little update on the Great Tomato Race. Despite the cooler weather this past week, Cranberry has been steadily growing that little Cran-Mater.  I predict this little baby will be giving the Mater Master and the Mater Matic a run for their money... 

I mean a run for my beer!

Red is right behind her with a baby of her own.  What a pretty sight!  I've got a few other ol'yellers on my other plants that are just about to fall away and give me more little green guys, but to be fair, I won't count those until they emerge.  

Not only are the maters emerging, but the Super Seven have grown quite a bit since my last post.  Ella agreed to model them for you so that you could have a point of reference.  (She loves going into the garden as much as I do!)

Cherry, Cranberry and Red

Wildfire, Ruby, Scarlet and Rosie

It's been awful quiet out there... what's up guys, mater got your tongues?  Ah okay, to be fair the Mater Master is having some computer issues and he's been itching to post but can't.  

Poor Mater Master.  We'll be here when you get it sorted out.  In the meantime I'll keep everyone entertained!

Is it just me or does Ella seem to have a look of arrogance?  I think she's already decided who's winning this little contest!

How Ya Like That Mater?

Yep, Cranberry came through for the Manual Mater Maker... again!

Check off the next milestone boys...

WE GOT THAT MATER!!!

Mater Master and Mater Matic, go ahead and ice down that beer for me.  I'm getting thirsty watching all this amazin' mater makin! 

P.S. It's "Michelob Ultra" if you've forgotten.

Sherrie, Sherrie... How Does your Garden Grow?

Well it grow pretty good Manual Mater Maker followers!  Here's the Super Seven.  They are up to the second rung on their cages.  Growing big and strong with lots of ol' yellers.

But what else is "growing on?"  Well, we have peppers, cilantro, dill, cukes, onions, basil, lettuce, rosemary, oregano and mint!  (Not a lot of real estate in Sherrie's garden, but we make it work.)

The front garden is designed to bring in the bees.  The tulips are just starting to come up.  It's a pretty sight this time of year.

Aaah, Spring has Sprung!  Makes me want to reach for a beer!  But who is buying... the Mater Master or the Mater Matic?  Stay tuned!

Well Hello Yellow Fellow!

Look at that beautiful yellow mater flower!  Cranberry came through for the Manual Mater Maker on the next milestone in the Great Tomato Race.  Uh oh!  This means that Cranberry is planning on making a mater. 

But... not if Red get's there first!  I suspect Mr. Sunshine will open this little guy before the day is out.  (I'll keep you posted.)

Yep Cranberry and Red are neck and neck and side by side!  The fuzzy bees are buzzing all around and will be happy to help them out this week.

Hey Mater Master and Mater Matic you got any little yellow guys in those "fancy pants" pots of yours??

Hit the Road Jack.. and Don't You Come Back No More!

Mother Nature has officially run Jack Frost out of NC!

It was a gorgeous day here at the Manual Mater Maker, 82 degrees and sunny skies.  After many days and three full nights on the on the front porch, the mater babies were officially ready for their debut into the garden.  (Yes, the Mater Master beat us in... retirement advantage!)  All Super Seven are Sitting Sassy in their Spots.  Of course their name plates were transferred so that we can keep up with them.  

From left to right:
Wildfire, Ruby, Scarlet and Rosie 

Cherry, Cranberry and Red

If they weren't already named with their winning colors... "Lush Ladies" might be a good choice!!  Oooh or "Girthy Girls!!"  Ah it's enough to make Mamma proud.  

Here's a close up of Rosie, what a fine girl she is!  Gonna be tough to beat her - I feel a "rosie red" tomato in her future!  

Mater Buds? Yeah we got that.

Congratulations Mater-Master on your FIRST set of Mater Buds!  From the 3 photos of Rocky I count "4 buds".  Great Job!  This is exciting stuff in the Great Tomato Race!

I suppose I should have been doing a better job checking my milestones, because after chatting with the Mater Master this morning, I went out and checked my mater babies.  

Turns out I have "36 Mater Buds"! 

Which means at this very moment, I'm 9 times more likely to win this competition over the Mater Master!  (Anyone still looking to make some wagers?)  Now the Mater Master wants you to believe that these 36 buds just arrived today and that he's caught up with me in this little competition... but we all know that's not true.  From the size and number photographed here, we know that they've been there for a while now. (Check out the bud above - it's elongated and ready to open up with a bright yellow flower any day now.)

Here's another pic, these cute, fuzzy little guys are everywhere!

In addition, my mini mater plants that were planted a week after the Super Seven also have mater buds... which proves that the Mater Master is still a week behind me... or maybe even more!  (See this baby guy still in his peat pot, yeah he's got em too!)  We have a FULL infestation of mater buds!  

I suppose ignorance is bliss... see I wasn't really looking for them. Never grew mater plants from seed before.  (Yeah, we're a little less technical up here at the Manual Mater Maker.)  But then you guys knew that! 

We do know what gorgeous mater babies look like though...

AND THEM IS IT!