New Mexico
Archived Posts from this Category
March 21, 2013
A Day in Santa Fe
Shopping, Sculpture and Frivolity
We weren’t the only ones kicking up our heels in Santa Fe today. We met these high steppers created by Jim Agius at Ventana Gallery on Canyon Road. We stopped at the venerable gallery to see the whimsical watercolors of Tom Noble and enjoyed the works of numerous other artists. Memorable to Bob where the mixed media creations of Debra Corbett.
Shopping started with a quick visit to a true Santa Fe original - Jackalope. We didn’t wander the multiple buildings and acres of pottery and “stuff”. Our purpose was the broad selection of World Music. New CDs play as I write.
Bob always likes to stop at Books and More Books to check out the shelves of used art books. Brushes and a book by artist Nancy Reyner were purchased at Artisan on Cerrilios Road.
In the afternoon we drove out to Tesuque Village for a leisurely stroll through the sculpture gardens at Shidoni Foundry and Galleries. The variety of styles, materials and creativity never ceases to amaze. We note numerous additions since our last visit seven months ago. A great way to spend a sunny spring afternoon.
New to us, but certainly not to the locals, was dinner at Andiamo! in the Rail Yard District. The highly recommended crispy polenta in a rosemary gorgonzola sauce did not disappoint for a starter. The well-dressed Caesar Salad was fresh and enough for both of us. Bob finished off his eggplant Parmesan with tomato basil spaghetti. As much as I liked the linguine with spicy grilled shrimp there is a box of leftovers going home with me tomorrow. We passed on dessert, however, the tiramisu looked most promising. Next time.
The big decision of the evening is a choice between relaxing in our favorite room at Inn at Vanessie or drinks and jazz piano next door. Frivolity anyone?
March 18, 2013
Posted by Nancy Yackel under
New Mexico,
Travel Leave a Comment
A Day in Albuquerque
We start the week with a typical Yackel “vacation” day – on the go.
-
-
R.L. Cox Fur & Hide
-
-
-
-
-
Romero Street Ice Cream 
-
-
-
-
-
-
After a bit of shopping for projects at home the day was too beautiful to spend inside museums. Instead, we head to ABQ BioPark. The Botanical Gardens was fairly new the last time we visited; interesting to see growing maturity and development. Plantings show springtime promise and the garden’s expansions include a Heritage Farm. Children’s enthusiasm radiated throughout the aquarium, “Mommy, the shark has BIG teeth,” from a bug-eyed three year old or a ten-year-old explaining about blue blood of the horseshoe crab used in medical research. The circular tank of Moon Jellies mesmerizes visitors of all ages.
Nearby Old Town attracts us for our next stop. We like seeking out unique shops tucked in quiet courtyards and patios. A find this trip was Yucca Art Gallery a showcase for Albuquerque’s oldest artist co-op. Works of forty local artisans include jewelry, pottery, weavings, woodworks and a wide variety of painting media and genre.
Next destination – the rural village of Corrales, a historic adobe church and another co-op art gallery. After a brief stop by our hotel we’re off to dinner and more shopping before capping the day with a frozen yogurt. Time to rejuvenate for tomorrow – another “vacation” day.
March 17, 2013
Ah, New Mexico!
When an attitude adjustment is needed we find it easy to change scenes with a trip to New Mexico. Bob said he needed to get away, relax, enjoy good food and take pictures. After an easy Sunday drive we’ve settled into a Staybridge Suite in Albuquerque where we’ve spotted green willows and blooming fruit trees. How refreshing after a series of snow storms in Denver.
Picture taking today focused on an old adobe church east of Santa Fe. Bob’s successfully completed watercolors of Nuestra Senora De La Luz at Canoncito. We’ve never before been here in early spring before the trees have leaved. Perhaps a new painting will soon be in the works.
We stopped in Las Vegas, NM for lunch. Trip Advisor list’s Charlie’s Bakery and Cafe as the #1 restaurant in Las Vegas. We’d been here years ago and it was time for a revisit, we weren’t disappointed. Old timers remember Charlie’s as the “Spic & Span” az the sign on the building still attests.
Charlie’s is open until 3pm, both the breakfast and lunch menu were available. We both chose the “Fluffy” – a handmade sopapilla stuffed with fluffy eggs and your choice of meats (bacon, ham, chorizo or sausage, steak for $1 more), smothered with either red or green chile and served with either hash browns or pipits. While we waited we watched a very busy lady making the fresh tortillas served and sold at Charlie’s. Our plates were delivered hot and so enticing I failed to think of taking a picture. The serving was too large for travelers needing to spend a few more hours in the car so we both have boxes in the hotel frig.
At the cash register I ordered two of their iced sugar cookies shaped as shamrocks for St. Patrick’s Day. Bob had his immediately and I wolfed mine down while Bob was filling the car with gas. The best sugar cookie I’ve had in a very long time! We were temped to go back for a dozen but we resisted. But, I will remember the next time we’re anywhere near Las Vegas, NM.
July 29, 2012
Posted by Nancy Yackel under
New Mexico,
Travel Leave a Comment
Taos Gates and Doors
What’s behind the adobe walls of Northern New Mexico? Almost as intriguing are the doors and gates that allow entrance behind those adobe walls. From ornate to functional the entryways display individualism and originality. We find elaborate carvings such as those in the Fechin House and others that seem to have survived years of neglect.
Color adds to the interest and appeal. Blues predominate in many shades and tints. The label Taos Blue is often applied but there seems to be no agreement as to the exact hue.
There are no rules or standards, neon green or cherry red, arched or perfectly squared off, anything goes. These doors and gates lead to public and private gardens, homes, shops, restaurants,galleries, museums, and churches. And, for some we don’t know what’s behind the adobe walls.
Slideshow
This slideshow requires JavaScript.
July 22, 2012
Posted by Nancy Yackel under
New Mexico,
Travel Leave a Comment
2012 Fiestas de Taos
July 20-22
Century old traditions continue in Taos Plaza July 20-22, 2012 with Fiestas de Taos. Parades, music, royalty, music, food, music, dance and more music. Opening ceremonies for Fiesta Mass at Our Lady of Guadalupe on Friday evening.
Colorfully clad children Parade Saturday morning. Families spread blankets to claim shady spots for the day of kid activities, shopping, entertainment and festival food. A dozen musical groups throughout the day until the Plaza closes at 10pm.
Sunday morning begins with the St. Francis Choir at 9am. The Historical Parade at twelve noon on Sunday brings Taos traffic to a halt.
A historical carousel known as Tio Vivo has been a key part ofFiesta every year since 1939. The only one of it’s kind active in the United States, the 19th-century “Flying Jenny” first arrived in Taos in 1896
.
The Taos Lions Club maintains the priceless treasure that they feel belongs to the children of Taos. The club covers the large maintenance costs and hours of volunteerism so that children attending Fiesta can enjoy free rides on Tio Vivo .
July 18, 2012
Trading Post Cafe
Ranchos de Taos
We joined friends Dolores and Orell for dinner at the Trading Post Cafe tonight. Unbeknownst to any of us the Italian restaurant offers Mangia Festa, 3 course meals between 4- 6pm, Tuesday – Thursday for only $12. Such a deal!
The Mangia Festa features a cup of soup of the day, salad and the choice from six pasta entrees or pizza of the day. Pasta offerings include farfallel primavera, pasta bolognese, fettuccine alla carbonara, angel hair pasta with chicken and mushrooms in gorgonzola cream, portabello mushroom raviolis and penne arrabbiata.
Tonight’s soup was a chilled cream of avocado which Bob (surprisingly) really liked. Next was a fresh green salad with creamy Italian dressing. Bob and I both ordered the carbonara, on the advice of local friends, and were not disappointed. Dolores and Orell had the angel hair pasta dish. The servings were not large but the three courses were a very nice balance.
When Bob and I had dinner here on Saturday night we indulged in the marvelous flan. Because I baked a peach and cherry crostada today we bypassed the Trading Post desserts – with regrets.
They have an excellent pastry chef and there are many selections each day. If I’d known we were going to the Trading Post Cafe I would have put off my baking until tomorrow. Although that might not have worked because Bob says he’s going back tomorrow night for round two of Mangia Festa!
July 17, 2012
Posted by Nancy Yackel under
New Mexico,
Travel Leave a Comment
La Loma Plaza
Taos, New Mexico
Pasturelands once separated the town of Taos and the defensive village of La Plazuela de San Antonio – The Little Plaza of Saint Anthony. Renamed in 1964, La Loma Plaza, a few short blocks from the center of Taos, is designated as a National Historic District. La Loma Plaza sits on a hill west of Taos Plaza.
Spanish families began constructing adobe homes in 1796. The homes connected to each other. Windows and doors faced the interior plaza forming a square fortification to project themselves and their animals from Ute and Comanche Indian raids.
Today the core of many La Loma structures date back to original construction, some even owned by direct descendants of the first settlers. Entering La Loma Plaza, a narrow lane off Valdez Lane passes the diminutive San Antonio de Padua Capilla, circa 1875.
A low stone wall encloses a small flagstone park. Trees shade benches and chairs – a welcoming spot to relax and note architectural details of the surrounding plaza.
Several homes on the quiet plaza are available for vacation rentals. The pink adobe with heart motif gate immediately caught my eye, Casa Pajaro. From Internet research I learn that the interior and much of the furniture has been painted my iconic Taos artist Jim Wagner. Known for bright colors and folksy style, Wagner captures a whimsical view of the Northern New Mexico character. Ever-present, chattering magpies populate many of Wagner’s works.
I would love to see the interior of Casa Pajaro, perhaps it will some day be our vacation rental location. Meanwhile, I have to appreciate historic La Loma Plaza from outside the adobe walls.
July 16, 2012
Art & Photos
Bob started the Stephen Kilborn week-long painting workshop today. Visit Art by Robert Yackel to follow the week’s workshop activities.
My favorite Taos restaurant was tonight’s destination, hard to believe we’d been in town and hadn’t had our first Orlando’s fix. We studied the menu over salsa, chips and guacamole even though I knew before I left Denver what I would order – the shredded beef burrito smothered with green chile with sides of beans and posole.
Bob selected the shredded beef chimichanga. Orlando’s shredded beef is not for the weak of heart or tastebuds – it packs a real punch. So delicious. Smooth flan soothes any lasting zing.
Evening photos were on the agenda after dinner. Stopped by Ed Sandoval’s studio of pictures of his antique trucks.
As the sun set we strolled the historic mabel Dodge Luhan complex, lots of ideas for future paintings. Just as the pigeons flock in to roost for the night we head to the casita. Day is done, gone the sun.
July 15, 2012
Posted by Nancy Yackel under
New Mexico,
Travel Leave a Comment
Restful Day
Taos, New Mexico
Are we getting old or wise? We did the unthinkable today with a slow paced day in our charming casita. Bob did some sketching, looking for inspiration for the coming week’s workshop. Nancy did some baking, writing and gazing into space.
Stephen Kilborn held an orientation session for workshop participants in the late afternoon at his gallery in Taos. The group shared a bit of the bubbly and an overview of the week ahead.
We join friends for a yearly tradition of dinner at Doc Martin’s in the Taos Inn. At least once during a Taos visit we need to have Doc’s Chile Relleno. The cheese stuffed Anaheim chile is coated in a blue corn beer batter, smothered with traditional green chile, topped with pepitas and goat cheese cream with salsa fresca on the side. I dug in so quickly I didn’t remember to take a photo of the attractive presentation. Maybe next time.
We spend a marvelous summer evening on the patio of the enclosed courtyard listening to Doug Montgomery piano CDs and planning for tomorrow.
July 15, 2012
Posted by Nancy Yackel under
New Mexico,
Travel Leave a Comment
Church Doors
Northern New Mexico
As we travel the roads of Northern New Mexico visiting some of the historic adobe churches I’ve started noticing the gateways and doors. Some are finely handcrafted and well maintained while others are simple and barely functional. They all open as welcoming arms and embrace worshipers. Enter here.
Next Page »
