This past Saturday, we finally got a taste of New Mexico's monsoon season, with torrential rains for an hour and immediate drying afterwards.

We even had a little bit of hail.

After a slow start, the rain clouds burst open and delivered a thorough soaking.

It didn't take long for the rain to puddle and accumulate.

Within a couple of hours, all the standing water had been soaked up and it was difficult to imagine how much water had accumulated.  It was a sight to see!

One of the things that I love doing here is going to vintage and thrift shops and finding old furniture that I can repurpose.

I recently bought an old dresser and nightstand that I wanted to distress with milk paint, for the guest room.  After a few challenges with the drawer pulls, I got them done today and put in the guest room.  They're not perfect, but I'm learning as I go.

​Before:

During the process:

And, the finished project:

And here is the little reading nook:

Roofus the Roadrunner stopped by last night to say hello, and did so again this morning.  But this time, he brought a friend/mate with him.  They spent quite a bit of time in the front yard, posing for us.  Sorry for all the pictures, but they insisted.

P.S. Roofus' name has been changed.  They're now Ozzie and Harriet.

In New Mexico, monsoon season is July and August.  This is a time of changing winds, afternoon thunderstorms and wondrous lightning shows.

Since we've been here, monsoon season, other than winds, has been pretty much a bust.  Rain has been non existent, and although we've seen the storms and sheets of rain fall further north, we've not seen a drop.  Until last week.

I've already learned to measure my rainfall in minutes, rather than inches.  Coming from East Tennessee, this has been a bit of a culture shock, but I have to admit that I love the constant sun.

Anyhoo, last week, we had rain twice.  The first time, it lasted over an hour, and two days later we had rain for about fifteen minutes.  It may not seem like much, but we'll take it.  Our water bill will thank us.

​The first storm:

The second storm:
​

Of course, the sunset was even more spectacular after the storm:

I always brag that our New Mexico sunsets are incredible.  Tonight, after the rain, it was even more colorful.  Sorry to bore you with another group of sunset pics :)

We made a trek to Albuquerque's Nob Hill district this morning to scope out a vintage shop that was going out of business.

It was our first time exploring Nob Hill, a funky and eclectic part of downtown ABQ.  We marveled at all the international restaurants, of course.

Our visit to the vintage shop was also a worthwhile adventure.  We found a beautiful hand carved Indian side table, as well as a very unique shadow box/wall hanging.  I'm not sure what it's original purpose was, but it looks great on the wall in the guest room with some of our miniatures on it.

I was invited to a high tea yesterday by Monika and friends and we had a great time!  St Anne's Tea Room is a beautiful casita that used to belong to Olga's mother until she died.  After, Olga and her family transformed it into a beautiful, feminine tea room.  

The menu is extensive, depending on your wishes.  It includes savory dishes, sweets, teas and delectable desserts.  Our salad was served in a bone china tea cup!  Everything was so well planned out and beautifully arranged.  We even had Italian music to serenade us.

Olga, the owner, loves to cook and bake and it shows.  Her scones were incredible, as were the chocolate covered strawberries and the various herbal teas she served.

I can't wait to go back soon and try other menu choices.  She switches them up every season, so we would never get tired of anything.

​High tea in New Mexico.  I love our life here!

This area has a multitude of Farmer's Markets to go to, just about any day of the week.  This morning, Lydia took us to the market in Bosque Farms, a short drive away.  While small at this time, it was rich in produce, honey, plants and goat milk products.

We came home with fresh squash and zucchini, as well as honey. I scored a great bottle of raspberry vanilla goats milk lotion and a miniature red rose bush. Dave also got a San Pedro cactus that's actually illegal in some countries.  Ask him about it.

I know, another set of sunset pictures - but it never gets boring!

We've gotten a few more projects done.  The front patio is starting to take shape.  There's still half of it that needs work, but I did get one half done.

Next up was the garage.  We ordered some shelves and a cabinet and have everything organized.  Dave even had an empty table.  I'm laying bets on how long it stays empty.    He's got his mancave.  His poker table, and a dartboard is on the way.  The dresser will be out of there as soon as I refinish it for the guest room - that's my next project.