Days 2 & 3: Santa Fe

April is the most beautiful time to visit Santa Fe, with cool crisp mornings and warm lazy afternoons. Only no one was lazy the last two days. We got in our steps visiting the sites, strolling around the adobe buildings in historic old town, and, of course, walking from restaurant to coffee shop to bar back to restaurant again.

One of my favorite sites is Loretto Chapel, erected in 1873 in the style of Saint Chapelle in Paris. It really is a calm and inspiring place to rest and contemplate how lucky we are to be alive right now.

Charlotte deep in thought in front of the double helix spiral stairs, which are said to be made with only wood and wooden pegs by an itinerant carpenter who appeared in town, took six months to build the stairs, and the immediately left without payment. 

Most of the day was much less sacred. We climbed all around Meow Wolf for hours. You can learn about it at www.meowwolf.com. Here we are enjoying sopaipillas, fried dough pillows with honey.

Spring blooms

Outside the art museum

La Conquistadora

Spanish antiques

The dining room in our hotel.

Charlotte and Sean

And the ever fashionable Hannah

Tomorrow, we head north. More to come…

Los Poblanos, Los Ranchos de Albuquerque

I have found my haven at a boutique farm outside Albuquerque in New Mexico. This is our starting point for a family reunion with Hannah, Charlotte, Sean and his family and friends who live near here. Yesterday was spent touring the grounds, swimming, relaxing in the sun and enjoying a fantastic gourmet meal at the farm to table restaurant, Campo, all amidst the call of the peacocks, tall bird filled trees, and the fresh scent of lavender and high desert air.

L to R are John, Hannah, David, me, Brody, Kelly, Charlotte, Sean, Barbara and Dave. you probably can’t see the plates, but the food was so so good.

The amazingly beautiful lobby.

Classic dried chilies in front of a hacienda.

Rose Greely garden, first designed and planted in 1932. Greely was the first female graduate of Harvard’s landscape and architecture program. 

The Spanish revival style borrows elements from the Alhambra, including pebble designs inlaid in the walkways and Spanish style tiled fountains.

Hello. 

Today was alpaca shearing day. The alpacas weren’t all that happy about it.

The library in the original La Quinta Cultural Center designed John Gaw Meem. We could hang out here for hours, but the sunshine beckoned.

Finally our bedroom, with its little kitchen…

Romantic four poster bed…

And simple elegant bathroom

Morning visitor.

❤️❤️❤️❤️

Cactus League

 John and I took a mini road trip this week to catch the Dodgers spring training in and around Phoenix. We also did some desert hiking, discount shopping and saw Vicki for a brief visit. And we ate some good stuff, too.

Jorge Soler signs autographs. I got a high five.

Day game: Dodgers at Angels at Diablo Stadium in Tempe.

Night game: Reds at Dodgers at Camelback Ranch in Glendale.

Shohei Ohtani at bat.

Self-driving cars are all around town.

Mormon Trail hike. 

Desert saguaro.  Sun.  Good times.

January 2025

We lost Allan this month. He was 92 and lived a full, rich and meaningful life. We are grieving, but also living his philosophy to always look forward. In that spirit, I hit the road again this week, and am finding lots of joy out here.

First stop: Fresno State for a reading of a new TYA play called Lemonade Stand inspired by the multi-ethnic agro community here. So proud of the budding actors who brought the story to life for an appreciative audience. 

 I was in Fresno for Chinese New Year, so I couldn't pass up dim sum for dinner.

Pork buns

Shrimp dumplings

I left Fresno this morning and drove two hours southwest to Paso Robles (Path of the Oaks) for R&R in the wine country. I am listening to music and enjoying the view tonight at Blanc et Rouge Farm, nestled in the hills among the oaks and vineyards. The cottage is gorgeous and comfy.

My first wine stop earlier today was at Loma Seca Winery. The vineyards are not irrigated and pesticide-free, which makes for robust flavors. I tried six varieties (Primitivo, Grenache, Garnacha, Mouvédre, Petite Syrah, and one blend) while sitting outside and enjoying the spectacular view.

After the purchase of several bottles and a visit to Vivant Cheese Shop to pick up provisions, I'm settled in for a relaxing night. Everyone I love is with me in spirit tonight. I feel so very blessed to be living this good life. Oh, and there are chickens here. 

Thankful for my Midwest family

 Hannah hosted the holiday in Madison  

Delicious and fun!

Now I know the benefit of having kids… so they grow up to do the work!

John was on pie crust duty.