Church-ABC WEDNESDAY-"C"

Saint Elias Greek Orthodox Church is a small elegant church in Eldorado. Looks like it's in another country, doesn't it??

To see more ABC Wednesday posts, go here.

Tapestry Weaving #3

Yesterday I posted some tapestry in various stages of development.  Today you can see the hands of the weavers at work learning how to thread the warp with wool thread.

Tapestry Weaving #2

Here you can see three tapestries in various stages of development.  This activity takes place during a class in the Senior Center in Eldorado, New Mexico. The class is being taught by Lynne whom you met here.

Tomorrow I'll show you how the students begin.

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Charlie as a Camera Critter

While checking on an order of allergy dog food for Maggi at a local veterinary clinic we watched Charlie, a very obedient Boston Terrier, being weighed on a floor scale before his appointment.  

“If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.”
― Will Rogers

To see more Camera Critters, go here.

Eectroforming on Ceramics

These pots are a result of  a process of electroforming that allows a heavy layer of metal to be deposited on the ceramic surface without heating it.  Robert Coyle, the artist, experimented and developed the process for his ceramics.

Meet the Artist

I met Bob and his wife Lynne  at a small but very cool gallery in Eldorado, New Mexico.  Both of them work together to produce Southwestern style artwork. Bob, the ceramist, has been strongly influenced by the style of the Southwest culture and pottery. In his own words, Bob said, "My desire is to learn something new from each piece, and to use that knowledge to then produce a different, better work of art."

You met Bob's wife here with another of the pieces they did together.

The Bell Tower: ABC Wednesday-"B"

Where it all began for me! My first introduction to Santa Fe was at St. John's College in the summer of 1984 where I attended a 4-week seminar  with other social studies and English teachers from around the United States. We were housed in the apartments shown below. Since that fateful summer, I've been traveling back and forth to this magical city from my home in St. Paul, MN.

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY  posts from bloggers around the world, go here.

Tapestry Weaving

Both Lynne and her husband are artists living in Eldorado, NM. I visited the art gallery  in La Tienda Shopping Center and was able to chat with both of them.  The ceramic mask was created by her husband, Bob,  but Lynne did the weaving  on the art piece.  Soon she is giving a two-month-long class on weaving, and altho the class is full, she invited me to visit, to watch, and to take some photos.

I do believe that I will buy this piece before I leave New Mexico or one of the others I showed you here.

Ranchos Plaza Grill

 These two murals are painted on the dining room walls of the Ranchos Plaza Grill in Ranchos de Taos.

If you like AUTHENTIC Mexican food, take a ride north of Santa Fe, view spectacular scenery on the High Road to Taos and stop in this cafe for a delicious meal.  

Robert Coyle Art

All of these works by Robert Coyle of Eldorado, New Mexico really appealed to me.  I would like to buy one of his masks.  On Thursday, I'll introduce you to the artist!

There is a large open field that is next to La Tienda Shopping Center in Eldorado, NM that has quite a number of these wooden figures facing the parking lot.  No one seemed to be able to tell me why they were there.  Initially it is a bit startling, but I found the entire set-up pretty amusing.  Not exactly PC, but I enjoy the view... guess "the Indians are coming!"

ADDED LATER: A new acquaintance sent the following information to me, which is a

background information on the installation of these cut-outs.  Worth a look!

Local artist printmaker

Jack McCarthy is an artist who lives in Eldorado, NM.  A skillful printmaker with a sense of humor, I met him in a gallery in Eldorada  that exhibits work of local artists.  I found at least three of his prints that I would lovingly hang in my own home and many more that I would like to own.  His prints have a whimsical sense of humour that appeals to me.

Go to Jack's website to see some of his prints! The gallery of his prints is definitely worth a look!

Anna-ABC Wednesday "A"

Anna is the owner of Nina's Closet, a clothing store of both new and consignment merchandise, in the Agora Plaza in Eldorado, New Mexico.  She does a terrific job of merchandising all the apparel in her shop. She helped me find a wonderful cowboy hat and gave me a little history of the designer.  I'll definitely be back!!

To see more ABC Wednesday posts, go here.

Reuben Again!

I ran into Reuben again!  I first met him here (you gotta check this one out!) in April, 2010 and was quite taken with his appearance and coveted his jewelry.  As DH and I were going into the LaFonda for breakfast on Sunday morning we ran into him.  For relative strangers who see one another once or twice every couple years, we greeted each other warmly.  He is a delightful man and certainly quite colorful!!

Sunday Services

The chain link fence kept me out, but I wonder if services will be held this Sunday?!

Our Maggi

Maggi drove with us from St. Paul, Minnesota to Santa Fe, New Mexico, her second trip here. She is very adaptable and is a good traveler.  She likes to sneak on the couch and the cushion we brought along is not as comfortable as her dog bed at home, which we should have here instead of this puny little thing.  But, she looks comfortable enough!

To see more Camera Critter, go here. (But, Maggi is NOT a critter!)

A vendor from Santa Domingo Pueblo

Christopher Chavez from Santa Domingo Pueblo is one of the vendors selling his jewelry. As I walked among the tourists looking for some interesting photos, he greeted me with "Welcome Back!"  Turned out that last summer he and I had had an interesting discussion about Pipestone, Minnesota, a source of some of the stones he uses for his designs. We also had a bit of a chat about Indian law, treaties, and some of the current case law about Indian land.

The other photo I'm posting today is almost a cliché of Santa Fe's Plaza.  I
often wonder if the Indians get tired of the tourist, but I'm afraid to ask since I'm not a citizen myself.

Student from Minnesota

While checking out the Plaza for some interesting photos, I met Zach.  Another coincidence; he was visiting from Mounds, Minnesota.  He told me that he'll be staying here for a short while because "his lady" moved here and is working at St. Vincent's Hospital  Shortly, tho, Zach all be returning to Minnesota to resume his nursing studies at the University of Minnesota- Mankato.

ABC WEDNESDAY-Z-ZOWIE, THE RANCHOS CHURCH

 Anyone who admires the work of Georgia O'Keeffe knows this church! It is reported to be the most photographed and painted church in the area. I really should have taken a photo of the front as this is the rear of the church...next time!

"The church is fortress-like, with adobe walls four feet thick and enormous buttresses. Light plays off its enormous sculptural form to reflect the change of line, time and space. The church's surface holds the community's history—generations of hands plastering and replastering the adobe walls. For many Taosenos, the church provides a place of worship on Sundays and holidays, for others it provides an anchor in the landscape."


 If you click here, you will learn a great deal about the construction of the church, its history and ties to the community.

To see more ABC WEDNESDAY photos from bloggers throughout the world, go here!

Aubade #2--6 A. M.

6 A.M. in Eldorado, New Mexico, January 9, 2012 outside my living room portal.

What a hat!!

When I went to the Farmers' Market on Saturday I indulged in one of the huge gorgeous chocolate croissants that one of the vendors was selling.  As I sat at a picnic table eating it,  I notice the lovely young woman across from me wearing a spectacular cowboy hat.  We chatted and I learned that Louann who is from California is considering moving to Santa Fe.  Just another person enchanted by this magical city!

The other hat is the one I just recently bought for myself.  It's very different from Louann's hat, but it is spectacular in its own way.  Instead of felt, it is a soft, pliable leather, made in Santa Fe by Gina. If I were a resident here, I would buy another hat--a classic black felt cowboy hat with a silver band.

I told DH that I found men who wear cowboy hats very sexy; wonder if he'll buy one??

El Sanctuario de Chimayo

An important church close to Santa Fe is El Sanctuario de Chimayo, a place revered by many New Mexicans. El Santuario de Chimayo is a tiny shrine that is built on the site of what many believe to be a miracle associated with the crucifix of "Nuestro Señor de Esquipulas" (Our Lord of Esquipulas). El Santuario de Chimayo is also the site of "el pocito" the small pit of Holy Dirt which many people attribute as possessing remarkable curative powers. To learn more about this place, go here.

As you can see, the church and courtyard is still decorated for the holidays with a Christmas wreath and firolitos.  I couldn't decide whether I liked the photo in B&W or color so I posted both versions.

Camera Critters--Not a lot of bull!

Have you ever been followed around like a dog by a creature of this size?  This big guy wandered freely around the grounds and parking lot of the Sanctuario de Chimayo...a startling sight to our dog Maggi, who despite their differences in size this strange creature still aroused her curiosity.  The steer ignored all of us, occasionally staring us balefully in the eyes.  I was a little worried about our dog, but we all made it back to the safety of our car.

To see more camera critters, go here.

Aubade

Early morning light from mi casa's veranda!

HARK! hark! the lark at heaven's gate sings,
   And Phoebus 'gins arise,
His steeds to water at those springs
   On chaliced flowers that lies;
And winking Mary-buds begin
   To ope their golden eyes:
With everything that pretty bin,
   My lady sweet, arise!
   Arise, arise! 

                                Wm. Shakespeare

A Road Trip

Yesterday DH and I took a road trip from Santa Fe to Ranchos de Taos.  It was a grand and glorious day as we wound our way along the High Road to Taos.  On our way home we took the shorter route on Hwy 68 which is very scenic in parts, especially along the Rio Grande.  In summer it is full of fun-seekers on rafts, but during the winter it's free of revelers.  Its beauty can be see in the two photos below.

New Camera? Old Camera?

Guest Photographer: DH decided to try his hand at photography.  He's not as enthusiastic as I, but he gave it a whirl using my old Canon. Maggi didn't seem to want to cooperate, but she posed with a little help from me.  Not bad for Jim's first photo, don't you think?  Do you like the hat?

Meet Randy!

Randy is a rarity in Santa Fe...a native New Mexican.  Born and reared in Albuquerque, I met him in The Camera Shop across from the historic La Fonda Hotel on San Francisco Street.  I just got a new Canon Rebel camera and was having some difficulties with some of the new, unfamiliar settings.  Within a few minutes Randy had solved the problem with skill, expertise  and graciousness.  He spends half of his time in Santa Fe and the other half in Albuquerque, working and attending school where he is majoring in Interior Design and Photography.  Because of his personal characteristics.  I predict success for this native New Mexican!!

PS.  This is NOT our Randy on CDP!

New Year's Eve

New Year's Eve at the Plaza was filled with colorful scenes.  We ate next door to the Inn of the Anasazi (pictured above) at Tia Cocina on the second floor of the Hotel Chimayo, which was previously photographed here by Randy. The food was delicious; I had broiled trout covered by cornmeal.  Jim had a combination Chimayo plate with the classic Southwestern blue corn tortillas, covered with green chili.

These are the first photos I have posted, using my new camera.  Boy, do I have a lot to learn.  Rob, get ready for some tutoring!!