Some pictures require no explanations.  This set is one of them, evidenced by Luna's look in the last picture.  Yep, she's met her match.

I post enough sunset pictures to bore anyone, but the sunrise this morning was spectacular.  It wasn't about bright colors.  It was more subtle - a unique cloud that I've never seen, peeking out over the Manzanos.  A serene way to start the morning.

  Last Thursday, I was fortunate enough to head for Sandia Peak, on the Tramway, with Lydia, Monika and Gerda.  The Sandia Peak Tramway is an aerial tramway located adjacent to Albuquerque. It stretches from the northeast edge of the city to the crestline of the Sandia Mountains and has the world's third longest single span. It is the longest aerial tram in the United States.  It took about fifteen minutes to get to the top, which is over 10,000 feet.  There are two trams and they balance each other, so one is always on top while the other is at the bottom and they meet in the middle.

The ride up and down were absolutely beautiful.  We even saw a few pieces of wreckage from the TWA flight that crashed into the canyon decades ago.

The new Restaurant 10-3, was wonderful.  I enjoyed the best cuban sandwich ever and the general consensus was that the food was outstanding.

It was another day of learning more about this enchanted land we've joined.  Unfortunately, the pictures don't do it justice.  My camera battery was dead and I took these with my phone.

So I post too many sunset pictures.  But there's a storm brewing tonight and I've never seen the skies as beautiful as tonight.  We had to stop what we were doing and just appreciate nature's beauty.

We've been working on our projects this week.  I've finally repotted all my succulents and they're outside getting some Sunny D.  

Dave has been working on his clocks.  The work he's doing is amazing, so I'll save that for its own blog post.  Stay tuned!

I'm starting a new project.  We need a buffet in the dining room to house Dave's grandmother's china and silver.  We can't have anything tall because of the niches in the wall.  So, I've been scouring thrift shops and antique stores looking for just the right piece to refinish and place there.

I found it yesterday at Bethlehem Trading Post, our favorite thrift store.  When we walk in, we're greeted with hugs and pecans.  Dave got a mission clock working yesterday and I see a great partnership ahead for them.

As for me, I found my piece outside on the porch.  It's probably been there for a long, long time, so I got it for a song.  I love it because while the original style is mid-century modern, the overall lines can be vintaged more with the right paint and new drawer pulls.  I love the clean lines of this piece.  Dave will need to cut a couple of new shelves in the doors, but that won't take long.  

This will be my most challenging project yet, but I'm looking forward to bringing it back to life.  Wish me luck!

Today was a road trip day with Lydia and Pete.  Our first stop was Magdalena, where we had lunch at the old Magdalena Cafe'.
According to Wikipedia, ""The Lady on the Mountain" is a rock formation on Magdalena Peak overlooking Magdalena. Spanish soldiers saw the profile of a woman on the west face of the peak.
Magdalena continues to be a ranching community while strengthening its art, astronomy and geology venues. The reopening of the Magdalena Hall Hotel (circa 1917) and the renovation of other historical buildings allow visitors to connect to the past. The Magdalena Public Library and Boxcar Museum are housed in the old railroad depot. Several rock and mineral shops have been around since the mining boom days. The ghost town of Kelly and two festivals, the "Open Studio and Gallery Tour" and the "Old Timers Reunion and Rodeo", bring tourists to the area. The "Enchanted Skies Star Party" in early fall brings astronomers and astro-photographers together under its very dark skies.
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The Very Large Array lies 24 miles due west of the community. The Magdalena Ridge Observatory lies 25 miles southeast at an elevation of 10,600 feet. Magdalena is located 26 miles west of Socorro, New Mexico."   As a side note, the VLA is where the movie "Contact" with Jodie Foster was filmed.

The drive to Magdalena was beautiful and awe inspiring.   As we climbed up, the terrain changed and reminded me of South Dakota, especially after we passed the Continental Divide and drove through the Alpine Meadows.

Nest stop, Pie Town.  Yes, there's a Pie Town in New Mexico and yes they make the most sinfully decadent pies I've ever tasted.  Its name comes from an early bakery for making dried-apple pies that was established by Clyde Norman in the early 1920s. Pie Town is the location of a "Pie Festival" on the second Saturday of each September. Pie Town is also located immediately north of the Gila National Forest and not very far west of the Plains of San Augustin, also located along U.S. 60.  It gained recognition again when Kathy and Stan started making and selling pies at the "Pie-o-neer.  

Guess who loves to play among the flowers?

Yesterday, we celebrated the birthdays (gotcha days) of Chacho and Max, Lydia and Pete's baby.   Lydia made a beautiful cake for them that everyone enjoyed.  Even Bella, who was consigned to the crumbs had a great time.

Lydia tried to put a birthday hat on Chacho and he soon let her know that wasn't happening.  But he did enjoy the two or three helpings of cake he had!  Who wouldn't love cake topped with bacon?

After their feast, it was naptime for everyone!

​Thank you, Aunt Lydia, for making that wonderful cake!

Hi, I'm Bella.  I was adopted by this family two days ago and it's been fun so far.  I have lots of yard to run around in, gates to try to sneak out of.  It was fun to watch my new Daddy try to find a way to keep me in the yard.  He calls me an escape artist.  It must be funny cause my new Mommy keeps laughing.

I have new siblings here, a brother and a sister.  My brother, Chacho is older and he just wants to be left alone.  He gave me some strange looks the first day, but now he just lets me know if I get too rambunctious for him.

My sister Luna is a different story.  On my first day she just kind of watched me to see who I was.  After my first night, she started to realize that I was staying around.  Yesterday, I was still a little unsure of my place here, but today, I feel at home.  Mommy calls me a mini-me of Luna.  She says I'm just as wild and crazy as my older sister.  Which is good, cause she has someone to play with.  Chacho said he's just glad he gets left alone, as long as we don't gang up on him.

I'm learning the routine here.  I'm already very good at doing my potty stuff outside.  I like to climb up the mountain to the roses to poop - my way of helping to fertilize the rose bushes.  Today, after my evening constitutional, I decided to stop and smell the roses.

After coming back in the house, it was time for a little roughhousing with my sister.  Chacho just watches us.  I think I'm going to like it here.  But Luna will have a surprise when I'm as big as her :)

We were sitting in the study when we heard Roofus call out.  Sure enough, we looked outside and there he was, on the sidewalk.  

​This time, he brought his girlfriend to visit.  He decided to remain anonymous behind the Desert Willow tree and had his girlfriend pose for us.