MY SWAN SONG

By:

Gypsy Rhapsody

 

Yep, it's time to sing my "Swan Song" to New Mexico. 

 

"Way down upon the Swan-nee River...far far from home..."

Guess that's not really a "swan song"...but it is the only "swan song" I know.

 

We will be back, because we love this state, but it's time to head back

to Texas and Louisiana.  I'm going to share some of the highlights

during our last two weeks. 

 

Vannie and Dave needed to get in one more hike.

I told them to take it easy, and run if they saw a rattlesnake.

 

Vista de Questa Trail

I think Dave was kind of thinking about that

rattlesnake statement I made.

Resting at the top

Watch under those rocks, guys.!!!

Notice the bench...about a two mile hike to the bench

...then they headed back down...very carefully.

 

Picking Choke cherries

(Never heard of these before...don't think they have them in Louisiana)

Angelique's uncle has a bunch of trees with a bunch of cherries.

(Angelique is V and D's boss at the Caribel Condos.)

He instructed Vannie and Dave on the fine points of picking choke cherries.

V said they grow in clusters.

Boiling the Cherries...

...then squeezing the juice out...what a mess..

Dave made Vannie go outside...I was getting little red dots all over me..

Dave said the end results was delicious, but lots of work.

 

V and D and the neighbors, Bob and Jean, discovered an old table

out in a junk pile around the campers. 

Needed just a little paint...and it was as good as new.

After finishing the table, Bob fried up some rainbow trout for supper.

Dave and Bob had to get the New Mexico flag positioned on the top just right.

After trout, Jean and David played the keyboard for our entertainment.

My wheels were just a tappin'.

 

Santa Fe Opera

Vannie said tailgating is a big deal at the opera.

Tailgating at the opera...I thought that was just for football games.

But what do I know???

 

Cousins, Kathryn and Jay Brady, met up with V and D at the opera.

They were celebrating Jay's birthday.

Rigoletto

Makes me want to break into song...

but I just don't know any songs from Rigoletto...go figure.!

 

Check out this project V and D completed

in the housekeeper's bathroom at the condos.

 

Dave painted the whole thing blue.

Vannie painted the hollyhocks.

She calls it..."Peeing in the Garden".

 

This is V and  D's friend, Katie.  Katie works at the

Caribel.  She is giving Vannie a salsa making lesson.

Fresh homegrown tomatoes, onions, garlic, peppers

Dave said it would make your "slap ya mama".

 

Vannie said they can't go to northern NM without seeing this church...

no matter how many times they have already seen it.

San Franciso de Asis Church.

 

Dave said it is just more beautiful every time.

 

The deer just love the flowers V and D planted around the Caribel.

Vannie said they think it is a salad bar.

These little guys kept me company all summer.

 

Michael's Kitchen in Taos

Pinion Pancakes

Vannie, Dave, Bob, Jean, and other friends, Bob and Mary started

their day off with this breakfast.  I bet this meal lasted them all day.  

 

 

Then on to the farmer's market...

 

After that big breakfast, V said walking around the square was the thing to do...

lots of walking...around and around the square...many times!!!

Vannie, Jean, Mary...relaxing listening to the music..

notice the guy in the background...he is the one doing the serenading.

la la la  

What is this?

Squash blossoms stuffed with mozzarella...sautéed in olive oil, garlic, wine.

It smelled delicious...just wish I could have sampled one.

Vannie bought them at the farmer's market.

Gee Whiz...the smell was intoxicating.

 

 

Last day at work...Party Time

Apple Pie with vanilla ice cream

Dave(laundry), Karen (accountant), Barry(maintenance)

FYI...they did wait to the end of the day to celebrate...

Vannie said there was work to do.

How much of that pie did you eat, Vannie?

Are you sure work was a priority today?

 

Closing up shop...

 

Heading down the road...

Next stop...Odessa, TX...overnight with friends, Dot and Dan Jowers.

Then on to Hillsboro, TX...I'll be staying there and visiting with all my buddies, while

Vannie and Dave head on to Louisiana.

Great Niece, Brooke Welch, is getting married,

and everybody that's anybody is going to be there.

 

"Way down upon the Swan- nee River..far far more home"

 

One last "swan song" for New Mexico...

 

Bye Bye for a little while...

 

ps...It was 36 degrees this morning when I woke up.

I'm going to miss that...for sure.