Feliz Navidad! from Santa Fe, NM

It's Christmas Eve Day and after 3 solid days of being snowbound it was critical to finally get out and shop for food. For the first time ever, shopping for presents was finished early, so now it was just a matter of survival; the basics, like chocolate, ice cream, chardonnay, and cat food.
The first task of the morning was weighting down the back of my little car with 100 lbs of rock salt. Even with my new studded tires, the car is so light that it needs extra weight to get traction in the snow. And then off to my new local favorite restaurant - Los Amigos, for breakfast.
From the outside the restaurant looks like a dive, but inside is all understated elegance mixed with neighborhood charm, a kiva (corner) fireplace, and local art. The food is excellent and the ambience is warm and welcoming. The clientelle is even better. This morning two very real cowboys sat at the table next to me and I got a Christmas wink when they finally left. I really have to be braver about asking if I can take people's pictures because there is so much real character here. There is a reason Santa Fe calls itself the "city different."
With grocery shopping done, BB King's "Merry Christmas Baby," playing on the stereo, and a sip of Southern Comfort to inspire, I send warm holiday wishes to friends that I have been fortunate to meet from all over the world. In every language possible, I wish us all peace and goodwill.
Warm Regards from Ramblin Me.

Holiday Memories of Friends

Multiple decades ago I visited Scotland while on a business trip to England. I was staying in beautiful Edinburgh when I saw a sign advertising a music festival at the Firth of Forth (Sp?). I blindly took a cab to the festival not realizing that (1) no cab would ever come to the festival to pick me up and (2) the temperature would drop 40 degrees while I was at the festival. An incredible family instantly adopted the bumbling tourist from America and made sure that I was warm, fed, imbibed, and transported post festival back to my hotel. They were the kindest people I have ever met and I immediately felt like a welcome part of their family. Every Christmas since meeting them, I have received a Christmas card from Isobel and Jim letting me know how they and their family are doing. I keep telling them that they should be getting a commision from the Scottish tourism Council because they are living proof of the welcoming hospitality of Scotland.
As I gaze out at my snow covered driveway here in Santa Fe, I wish you all warm memories of good friends during this holiday season.

First Christmas in Santa Fe

For the first time ever, I have a 30 ft ceiling in the living room. Despite the little internal voice telling me not to be crazy, I bought a 16 ft tree. This also meant buying my very first step ladder. Decorating was great fun and filled with memories. All of the old ornaments from decades ago reminded me of wonderful friends that I don't see anymore and life cycles that I've passed through. A tiny red cloth Volkswagon purchased the year I bought my very first car - a 69 VW with 4 smashed fenders. The year I took flying lessons was commererated by the 10+ airplane ornaments. Multitudes of skiing and kitty ornaments evidence these two loves. One of my favorites ornaments is a boat in a bottle labelled "Marion's Folly" from dear friends who talked me out of buying a boat to live on. Thank you thank you thank you.
And Happy Holidays and profound nostalgia to everyone!

Should I Do This?

I caught this picture of a neighbor actually shovelling snow from his roof. I'm almost too embarrassed to ask if I'm supposed to be doing this. We all have flat roofs. Is there a problem if there is too much snow?

Remember That Snow I Was Wishing For?

Well, it did snow again - and I was completely unprepared. I tried to drive to the local tire store but didn't make it 5 blocks before doing a 360. Very carefully and very slowly I returned home. 5 days later it melted enough for me to buy snowtires with studs. Now it feels like I'm driving on gravel all the time - but I'm ready!

Sanctuario de Guadalupe

A beautiful part of the Santa Fe historic area

Doorways of Santa Fe

Doorways of Santa Fe

There are entire books dedicated to the unique doorways of the city. On a recent icey day I explored the historic area close to the Santa Fe River and Guadalupe Street.

Mountains North of Santa Fe

The city is nestled in mountains that change, almost by the hour. A dusting of snow gives the skiers hope that the season will be here soon.

Nambe Officer

On the final stretch to the Nambe Pueblo I was stopped by this gentleman, an officer with the Nambe tribe who warned me about taking pictures. I charmed him into letting me take his picture, but I behaved during the rest of the trip on the reservation. Like the previous pueblo, the Nambe Pueblo was arranged around a central dirt covered square with the oldest part of the pueblo on one side. The church was much smaller than the Teseque pueblo church and was tucked into a corner. The homes on the other 2 sides were larger and newer. Even so, it felt like stepping back in time. It was completely still and silent, with no one in sight.

Sacred Heart Church, Nambe Indian Reservation

Continue travelling north from the Teseque Reservation and you will run into the Nambe Indian reservation. As you drive into town you are greeted by this beautiful Catholic Church at the top of the highest hill. The town is beautiful with modern adobe homes everywhere. Again I continued on, searching for the Nambe Pueblo.

Trip to Teseque

Take the highway north toward Taos and you will travel through at least 3 Indian reservations. Teseque, the closest one to Santa Fe, is near the Santa Fe Opera House and is host to a huge flea market on weekends. During any visits to the Flea Market or any of the Indian Pueblos, cameras are strictly prohibited. If you are caught taking pictures the cameras will be confiscated.
The flea market covered several acres and was a treasure of artwork (both local and international), carpets, jewelry, clothing, furniture, food, etc. Everything seemed to come with a story. A table I looked at was expensive because "it was used in a covered wagon coming across the US." The stories were priceless.
Driving on to find the Teseque Pueblo was an adventure. The sign on the main highway was huge, but once I took the exit, any signs disappeared. I spent an hour driving back roads (many of them dirt) before I finally found my way to the pueblo. In general, pueblos are usually multistory adobe dwellings built around a central courtyard. The Teseque Pueblo had a beautiful Catholic Church as one side of the square and another side was the original ancient two story adobe building. The other two sides were newer adobe homes. I walked through the center square of swept dirt to get a good look at the Church and was struck by the absolute silence. I didn't see or hear anyone. Dogs were sleeping near each of the houses but none made a sound. In a way I felt that I was intruding in a private part of the lives of the people who live there.
Tomorrow the tribe will hold a special dance at the Pueblo and I'm hoping that I can find my way back there. This time the public is invited.

Chile Rules

Any request in any restaurant will come with chiles. The only question to answer is "green or red?" I have never been a fan of anything hot, but as a matter of survival, I am learning to eat everything with chiles. At the Farmers' Market the following came with Chile, whether requested or not: bread, quiche, goat's cheese, Christmas wreaths, every flavor of jelly, and peanut brittle. Take it from me - peanut brittle with chile is an other worldly experience.

My Favorite Sign at the Farmers' Market

The Place to Be on Saturday Morning

Wonderful Homemade Breads

Farmer's Market

During the winter months a Farmer's Market is held every Saturday at the Rail Yard. All the veggies are homegrown and all products are locally made.

Amen

Bumper sticker seen at the grocery store parking lot today.

Paws Drying

after first walk in snow.

Neighbors Snowbound

Lovely Desert Snow

Back Indoors....

for hot cocoa and marshmellows. This was taken from my second floor balcony in the back of the house.

Zuni Methodist Down the Street

Even the Sun Was Covered in Snow

Neighborhood Walk