TORTILLA MAKING LESSON

By:

Gypsy Rhapsody

 

The night was crisp and cool.  I was feeling as cozy as a Betsy Bug.

Vannie and Dave told me that Mrs. Gonzales, their landlord, had

invited them over to her house (it's right next door) for a tortilla making lesson.

How fun is that!!!! 

They said, "See ya later, Gypsy.  When we come back, we'll be

tortilla-making fools." 

 

Vannie and Mrs. Gonzales

Oh my goodness...Dave said that the last time he saw that much lard was

in Vannie's mom's kitchen.  Mama Madge used lard by the bucket making

lard icing for birthday cakes, wedding cakes, etc.

Then comes the flour...V said Mrs. Gonzales just measured with her hands.

 

...a little salt

 

...and baking power

...enough water to feel right

...mix and mix and mix

 

 

 

..come on Vannie...getting it going

V said Mrs. G could pop that little ball of dough right out of her hand.

It was like magic...how she do dat?

 

Then came the rolling...

...and the cooking...just a little more lard on the grill

 

There was some left over dough...

so sopaipillas..

 

...more lard

Viola

 

V and D could barely walk home.

Remember Mrs. G's house is right next door.

Dave said he thought he was going to have to get a fork lift.

 

...but it was all good.

 

Vannie was wondering out loud the next day...

"I'm wondering if I can use coconut oil instead of lard."

Dave said, "Heck, no...I know it won't work."

 

But what do ya bet...she tries it.!!!

 

 

 

 

 

 



DAVE'S BIRTHDAY 2015

By:

Gypsy Rhapsody

Here's the birthday boy...ready to start a full week of celebrations.

Just on a side note...Please notice the reflection of the petunias in me.

Reminds me of that Barbar Streisand song from Funny Girl..."His Love Makes Me Beautiful".

You are the beautiful reflection

Of his love's affection

A walking illustration

Of his adoration

Yep, Vannie and Dave "adore" me...and I'm reflecting that "love".

All right...All right...I'm getting too mushy.

It's Dave's birthday...I need to keep on track.

First birthday destination

Santa Fe with Kathryn Green Brady

Cousin Extraordinaire 

Kathryn and her husband, Jay, have just sold their home in Creststone, CO

and are renting this wonderful little bungalow on Canyon Road in Santa Fe.

Canyon Road is THE art mecca of Santa Fe.

This is a beyond cool place to live.

The house was build in the 1800's and is just adorable.

This is the living room with this adobe fireplace.

They are still in the process of moving...hence the cardboard boxes and camp chair.

A walk down Canyon Road was a must.

V was standing next a metal sculpture.

It kind of matches her shirt.

Like I said...Art Mecca

Kathryn could not resist feeling the smooth surface of this seashell sculpture.

Peek-a-boo

Dave can only go so far before he has to have a snack.

Dave said these were delicious blackberry empanadas...a small fruit pie. 

After the nice nap...we went out on the town right down the street.

Kathryn introduced us to this great little Spanish restaurant, El Farol, 808 Canyon Road.

Tapas were their specialty.  Sooooo, guess what we ordered...Tapas.

Chef's Choice Tapas and Cheese Tapas

Deeee.!

I know...I know...this picture is almost the same as the one above.

The one above is at that crazy angle, and this one shows more of the table.

I couldn't make up my mind which one...so I just put both.

One of the tapas dishes.

Tapas are a wide variety of appetizers or snacks.

Our table was full of the most delicious delicacies imaginable. 

Looky...Looky

The birthday boy was greeted to a plethora of humming birds when 

we arrived back from Santa Fe.  I had been watching them buzz around while V and D were gone.

Kept me company.! 

Next Celebration

Neighbor's Bob and Jean Plemons had us over for rainbow trout, beans, and French fries.

Notice the candle...the vase that the candle is in was given to Vannie when she retired from 

teaching school at Broadmoor Elementary.  Special.!

Next....

V and D were surprised when these friends drove up to our campsite in Questa.

Lyn and Joyce Conners from Jennings, LA

Lyn and Joyce are in the same airstream club as Vannie and Dave...Acadiana Airstream Club of Louisiana.

After visiting for a while, they headed down to Ranchos de Taos to Old Martina Hall.

More yummy food...

Right across the street from the restaurant was

San Francisco de Assisi Catholic Church.

This church is the most photographed and painted church in the world.

Absolutely beautiful...

Not again...

Yes..Joyce and Lyn invited us in to their camper after dinner for...

...more empanadas...blueberry and peach.

They had shopped at the farmer's market in Taos that morning, and bought these pies.

Dave was in hog heaven.

Dave is another year older...

another year smarter...

another year sweeter...(especially after all those pies)

Time to put him to bed now...

Good Night

AUSTIN, TX COMES TO RED RIVER, NM...2015

By:

Gypsy Rhapsody

Here's Vannie and me...patiently waiting for the Austin, TX group to arrive.

Daughter, Emilie and grandkids, Vincent and Maddie, were coming for a week's visit.  V and D were going to stay with them in the condo in Red River.  There is a teeny weeny bit more room in the condo than inside me...so I am going to be happy for them....or at least I am trying.

As soon as they hit town, a hike was in order.

The Red River trail right in the middle of town was perfect.

Vannie said it was rugged enough without being dangerous.

Looks like Vincent is got it going on while Emilie snaps a picture.

Next on the agenda was the playground in Brandenburg Park right on Main Street.  Cute kids and Blue Skies...ahhhhh

Back at the condo...and the ducks were hungry...

hopefully.!!!

Vannie had saved plenty of old bread for the kids to feed to their heart's content.

Dave said that Vincent tried desperately to catch a fish.

Did it happen?  No

Did he have fun trying?  YES

Finally, one afternoon Vannie said that a man took pity on them and gave them 6 big rainbow trout.  Vincent watched Vannie clean them and cook them on the grill.  He then enjoyed eating them for dinner.  Dave said that seemed to satisfy his "need to catch a fish".

...and there was the Pioneer Flyer.

Remember V and D did this on Vannie's birthday.

Vincent just squeezed by on the height rule.

...tubing in the mountains

To get to the tubing adventure, Emilie and Vincent had to ride the ski lift.

...and down they came...wheeeee

S'mores at the Community House

Sticky...Gooey...Messy...Delicious

Hiking the Columbine Trail

Dave said that Vincent was "King of the Trail".

Maddie got a little pooped.

Dave (T-Pop) was making sure no one fell in the creek.

Swimming after a long hike was a must.

The Caribel Condo has a heated pool.  Perfect.!!!

Is that an halo on Maddie?

Can you see me out the side window?

I was so glad they dropped by to check on me.

Daddy's here.!!!!

Son-in-law, Roy, flew in to Denver on Thursday...rented a car...and drove into to town around 3:00 pm.

Do you think everyone was glad to see him?

This picture tells it all.

They have THESE kind of cars to rent?

I had no idea.

A beautiful red Camero...NICE.

Vannie and Maddie got to have a little alone time.

The rest of the group went on an ATV tour.

Those grocery store horses are always a must...just one quarter makes for loads of fun.

Go, Maddie.!!!

They even came by to see me.

Just the girls...Vannie, Maddie, and Me...

Relaxing before they head up the mountain to Red River.

Go Carts...Looks like Roy and Vincent are pulling ahead of Emilie and Maddie.

Come on, Girls...Pedal to the Medal

What.???  

Roy had to try out the pool.

Happy Birthday, Roy

Vannie said that she and the kids had stirred up some cupcakes

for the festivities.

Ride 'um, Cowgirl.

Up the mountain on horseback...

I bet there were some sore behinds after this adventure.

Vincent got to ride a horse all by himself this year.

Hot stuff.

Playing in the park..

Vannie and Emilie had escaped to Taos for shopping and lunch.

...just a little play time with dolls...stuffed animals...and snacks.

V and D loved every minute of being with family.

Coming back down the mountain late in the evening...quite, peaceful. happy.

I can tell by the pictures everyone had a wonderful time making memories.