Closing One Door and Opening Another

First visit at the Vet’s office. He was a good boy.

16.6 pounds at 8 1/2 weeks old.

The leash is always attached to him in the house. As you can see Bolo is chewing through it because he doesn’t like that idea.

He managed to escape from his create during the middle of the night.

I can’t even clean up the mess he made.

Everybody look at mommy.

Here he comes!

Now he is tired.

Tome Hill

Good Friday is a day of devotion for hundreds of New Mexicans who flocked to Tome Hill to trek up to the hilltop and pray. The pilgrimage has been a tradition for decades during Holy Week. The climb is a tradition that started more than 50 years ago as an act of faith to honor Jesus Christ’s painful walk to the crucifixion on Mount Calvary.

On Good Friday, like many others, I made a pilgrimage to Tome Hill. It took me 16 minutes, including breaks to hike to the top. Everyone said it would take 45 minutes to an hour so I was surprised that I was able to do it in such a short amount of time.

It was a wonderful day. I am happy for the experience. Check out the pictures below.

Path to the hilltop.

People bought their pets to Tome hill.

Tome Hill

I can never do this enough.

The path down hill.

I’ll be back on another Good Friday.

Spectrum TV

This picture is from the interview I had on “Spectrum TV” as an AmeriCorps VISTA and board member on the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Multicultural Council. We talked about the scholarship program the Council offers to local graduating high school seniors.

Using my background in public relations, I was able to set up various interviews for the MLK Council. It feels really good to be a community servant.

AND, Thanks to products by Qhemet Biologics, my fro looked and felt great!

Albuquerque Magazine

As an AmeriCorps VISTA part of my job is to work as a member on the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Multicultural Council. Below I am spotlighted in the March issue of  the Albuquerque Magazine at the MLK Celebration.

Don’t ask me what happened to my fro. It didn’t look like that in the morning.

Surrounded by Boxes

I am totally surrounded by boxes. My fiance and I purchased a house and I am moving for the second time in less than 12 months.

The last time I moved twice in one year, I was a college student with loads of energy.

The boxes pictured do not reveal all of my stuff. It’s just the neatest pile of things right now.

With working full time, planning a wedding, packing, reorganizing my life, decorating a new house and getting my wisdom tooth pulled, I am surprised I found time to write this post.

As soon as I can breathe a little easier, I’ll be back with a bunch of new updates.

Permed to Natural is Getting Married

I am part of a growing trend in the United States. I will be a first time bride over 40. I am so proud of that. However, over the years, I was often told that I wasn’t going to get married because studies revealed that women in their 40s had a better chance at getting struck by lightning then get married for the first time. Whatever. I never paid attention to that stuff or people who said it.

One reason (actually there are many) I admire being a first time bride over 40 is that I have explored and experienced a lot. I am able to proudly check off many items on my bucket list, and because of that, I believe I am a better person and will therefore be a better wife.

But before someone says something, I am not going to talk about being married because I am not, and that would be just silly. I am going to say that since first time “older” brides are increasing, I feel really good that I am a member of this glorious “Sisterhood.”

Hey, by the way, I am looking for a broom to jump on my big day. Can someone tell me where I might be able to buy one designed for weddings?

At the Kool and the Gang Concert

Celebrating Luminaria

Skiing at Taos Ski Valley

Taos Plaza in Taos, New Mexico.

Valentine's Day

Getting our skin ready for the big day.

Out and About Around Taos

Taos, New Mexico is really a great town. It’s laid back, hippy-like and artsy. Most of the stores and galleries open around 10ish and close around 5ish. No one seemed to be in a rush. The car wash took almost an hour and there were only a few in the line up. Horses, cows, goats and rams were along the road in the middle of the downtown area. I like the feel of this city. So I want to share it. Enjoy the photos below.

Once an historical church this gorgeous restaurant forages their menu regularly. I love places that do that. Make a reservation. This place fills up fast.

My box braids are holding up nicely. Thanks Mom!

Later that night.

Venison. You guys know this was not my meal. Antelope is also on the menu. Their meats are not Wild Game. The animals are raised for this purpose.

Just give the Chef notice and a delicious vegan meal will be prepared for you. Rice, quinoa, broccoli rabe, spinach, squash and tomatoes. Deeelicious!

I purchased this Tomahawk at the Taos Pueblo village. I wish I had pictures to post. I was not allowed to use my camera or cell phone and I respectfully abided by their wishes. On January 1 there were dances for tourists throughout the day. Personally I did not like the dance. The men in the village made one motion during the entire routine. I thought it would be more, but then I thought, maybe that performance was for tourists only. True traditional dances are probably kept secret within the tribe as they should be. The village however was spectacular. There were mud houses with colorful doors and straw roofs, a grave yard, a half frozen running river, dirt roads and so much more. This village is considered a world heritage site as well as a national historic landmark. The photo of the village below is something I found on the internet. I wanted to give you something to go by.

There are people rafting in the river. Can you see the red boat in the water?

During my trip I moistened my hair naturally in the shower and applied my homemade hair cream daily to my scalp and braids.

Taos Ski Valley

I went skiing for the very first time at Taos Ski Vally in New Mexico! I screamed. I fell. I couldn’t get up the slope. I was afraid to go down the slope. I was ultimately a hot mess. But at the end of the day – I had FUN!

Check out the pictures below.

There is no satin or silk lining under this hat. I knew better.

With my ski instructor, Hank.

I told him not to let me go.

Okay, honestly, the only reason I fell was because I lost my balance when I turned my body to look behind me.

I am a pro after only one lesson and ready to sign up for the Olympics. Look how (wrong) I am holding those skies.

Taos, New Mexico – Casa Europa

During New Year’s Eve weekend I went to Taos, New Mexico to ski for the very first time and experience another treasure (the city of Taos) in the state of New Mexico.

During the next few days I will post pictures from my trip. I’ll start with the fabulous Casa Europa an adobe style Bed and Breakfast that highlights 18th Century architecture. The owners Lisa and Joe are gracious hosts and I truly appreciate Lisa going out of her way to shop for and prepare a vegan breakfast for me each day I was there. Lisa you’re the BEST!

Check out the pictures below!

Private entrance to the Spa Suite. This is where we stayed.

Jacuzzi.

All natural snacks purchased for me to eat.

Dinning area in the main house.

Lisa trying to hide from me as I took pictures of her kitchen.

Lisa and I.

Miss Dash, I called her Mommie, should win an award for Best Acting Skills by a cat. She is the owners’ pet and loved to run into our room whenever the door was open. The absolute pitiful look as if she lacked food and love took its toll and on our last day we gave her a bit of rice. 

Well after eating the rice Mommie jumped in the trunk of our car and was ready to come home with us. It’s a good thing we saw her before we pulled off.

Casa Europa; 575-758-9798; www.CasaEuropanm.com

Luminaria

Long before there were twinkling Christmas lights, the humble luminaria paper bags, filled with some sand and a candle in the middle, lit the way to the door of houses each Christmas Eve.

New Mexico’s luminarias are part of a southwestern tradition that has its roots in the 1500s, when bonfires were lit along roadways to light the way to midnight mass. They started as a Christian tradition, commemorating the birth of Christ, and the journey of Mary and Joseph as they found their way to the stable.

In the early 1800s, people began to use inexpensive paper bags instead of building bonfires. These small lanterns (called farolitos in northern New Mexico), have become a Christmas Eve tradition.

On Christmas Eve night I participated in a New Mexico holiday tradition and visited an area known as “Old Town” in Albuquerque. Below are photos of the luminaria lights and Christmas Eve performance.

Luminaria lights – paper bags filled with sand and a candle.

Sand and candle.

San Felipe de Neri Church is a historic Catholic church located in Old Town. Built in 1793, it is one of the oldest surviving buildings in Albuquerque.

San Felipe de Neri Church’s performance of Jesus’ birth.

Goats were part of the performance.

Permed to Natural wishes you all the Pleasures of the Holidays – filled with Warmth and Blessed by Peace!