It was cloudy during our stay in Albuquerque, but the early morning light was visible as the sun came up. Glad I got up early to capture some color in the sky!
Between the Silos
Spotted at Los Poblanos Farm, Albuquerque
Silos!
The last night of our New Mexico trip was spent on a lavender farm, which Lonnie found online. It was fantastic in many ways- lavender growing right outside our room (which looked like it was decorated by Martha Stewart or Joanna Gaines), peacocks, and a fantastic restaurant to name a few.
I was sold the minute I saw SILOS!
San Felipe de Neri
The centerpiece of Old Town Plaza in Albuquerque is San Felipe de Neri Church- built in 1793 (replacing an older church built in 1709) during the Spanish colonial period. We didn’t get to go in, but I took lots of photos outside.
Baby Love, My Baby Love
We have just returned from an intense 2 weeks in Southern California, where we made a long planned trip to help out our son, Matt after his ACL replacement surgery. It will be at least a month before he can drive or lift 1 year old, 25 pound baby Caleb, so we volunteered to stay as long as we were needed (our daughter-in-law has a demanding job as a pharmacist with little time off). As the date of the trip grew closer, we began to get a little nervous, because Grandpa had pneumonia that just wouldn’t go away. After several doctor office visits and two trips to the ER, he was pronounced all well. But, in the mean time, my seasonal allergy symptoms were developing quickly into something more. By the time we got to SoCal, it was obvious I shouldn’t be anywhere near our son’s family. So the day of the surgery, I was quarantined to our hotel room until Lonnie could get away to take me to an Urgent Care (where I got antibiotics for bronchitis, sinusitis and conjunctivitis). Until my antibiotic had done its job, I stayed at the hotel, and Lonnie was the solo nurse. By the weekend, I was well (and no longer contagious) and able to help out. All was fine until Caleb, who had had a little cough all week, developed a fever and was diagnosed with bronchitis- and then pneumonia. Because he was sick, he obviously couldn’t go to daycare, so we got to be with him all day long all week. Not that I’m happy he was sick, but it was wonderful to have so much time with our grandbaby! I taught him every song and fingerplay I know, and it was so fun to see him soak it all up like a sponge! He is a very happy, bright, and active little boy- a joy to be with! And, of course, every day we were beyond exhausted.
Baby naptime is precious- and rocking him to sleep even more so! My arms feel empty! I took a nap yesterday and dreamed that I was pregnant- and then suddenly wasn’t- a very primal dream about motherhood and grandmotherhood! Both Lonnie and I mourn the loss of our grandchildren (and children) when our visits are over. When you start a family, no one prepares you for how much you will love your children- and then your grandchildren. And then you think about your own parents and realize how much they loved you too.
By the way, I hardly took any cell phone photos and didn’t take out my Nikon even once- the longest I’ve gone without taking photos. No time!
Done for the Day
Another Albuquerque jewelry seller
There is something this that reminds me of Whistler’s Mother!
Local Color
Colorful Albuquerque street scenes
The Entrance
There is something about old doors and windows in towns of the Southwest. I can’t pass one by without bringing out my camera!
On a side street in Albuquerque.
Broken
On display along a street in Albuequerque- a broken wagon wheel.
The Jewelry Seller
Spotted in Albuquerque. I love how the cell phone complements the turquoise jewelry in her display.
Patriotism
Spotted on an old building in Mesilla. I’m not sure about the black lines- unless they are supposed to be folds.
Mesilla Scenes
More from Mesilla
Windows of Mesilla
More views of Mesilla windows-
La Ventana de Mesilla
On our trip to New Mexico, we visited Old Mesilla, near where my grandparents lived in Mesilla Park. Mesilla was settled by families from New Mexico and Mexico, but, after the Gadsden Purchase, became part of the United States. During the Civil War, Mesilla was the capital of the Arizona Territory!
As we walked around, we noticed many references to Billy the Kid and discovered that he had been tried and sentenced to death at the county courthouse. However, he escaped before the sentence could be carried out (only to be shot down later by Pat Garrett!).
End of history lesson!
Here is one of the local shops.
Frida
We stayed in the Davy Crockett room at our Tucson hotel, but it was Frida Kahlo’s eyes that followed us everywhere!
melinda anderson photography 