The Sweet Style Of Santa Fe: The Adventures In New Mexico Continue

 

Being in Angelfire, with the mountains right outside our door, they seemed to beckon us each morning to join them for a nice, long hike.  With the cool, crisp air and the beauty all around us it was much more a pleasure than a work out.

On one of our many 2 1/2 – 3 hour hikes we decided we wished we’d had a fanny pack for food, and being the innovative chicks that we are, we came up with what we called our very own DIY: redneck fanny pack! 

Yes, we took a grocery bag and filled it with snacks ….

Tied it on the belt loop on Barbie’s behind….

And voila……

When it was time to eat…..our food was ready!  Innovation at it’s finest! (I know……embarrassing that I even shared it with you, huh!)

After another glorious day of hiking we decided to take a day off and go to Taos.

One of the places we stopped to see was this beautiful Catholic Church, St. Francis of Assisi.

This beautiful church has been a source of inspiration for a great many artists, both travelers passing through, as well as natives.

The village of Ranchos de Taos was settled by the Spanish in 1716 and this magnificent church was completed in 1815, almost 100 years later.  It is said to be one of the best examples of “Franciscan Old World architectural ideals combined with New World building techniques”.  The fortress like adobe walls are four feet thick. So cool.

Love these doors.

This beautiful pot of flowers was taken right outside the church.  Looks kind of like a piece of art don’t you think?

After touring the church we did what we do best – shopped.  Love this little courtyard store. (Yes, my friends are hamming it up for my picture.)  The arch with the gates, the brick floor – love that!  I want it in my backyard!

Of course, coming from Texas we were mesmerized by the greenery and the flowers everywhere.  I want this in my backyard, too!

Love all the colors and patterns in “Santa Fe” style decor.  So fun and festive.

Lots and lots of color.

I was intrigued by all the colorful, detailed woodwork.

These wooden folk saints are a very, very popular part of the culture.

Cute little orange peel boxes.

Fun bench.  Great style, great colors.

This was a charming little outdoor area filled with quaint shops and restaurants.

Great fashions there!

And, isn’t this old door great that they used to display this piece of clothing on?

(I got my granddaughter a cute little dress like these in red.)

And, of course, everywhere we went – the flowers were amazing.

I really like this cool wheelbarrow packed with greenery and geraniums, my friend, Cindy, is standing next to. Wish I had a place for something like this.

After another wonderful day we decided all we wanted to do was rent a movie and snuggle down in the house that night with a glass of wine.  For some reason we decided a vampire movie was in order – very out of character for all of us – but it was a girls trip so whatever!)  Unfortunately the movie store was only open from 3:00-6:00pm, which we were unaware of. (By the way not only do they sell movies there, but you can get your nails done and even buy a giant pickle! – Who knew!) But, since it was closed when we got there Cindy suggested we go to the local fire station to see if we could “borrow” one of theirs. Yes, she really did.

So we thought, why not?!!! When we got there we ran into State Trooper, Officer Hicks, out front and asked him if he knew if they had movies in the firehouse. He said it was the first time in fourteen years there that anyone had the “moxy” to ask him such a thing.

He found out that the fire station didn’t keep any at this location, but was nice enough to offer his own movies to us. (Yes, he did.)

So we followed him outside town and into the mountains to his home…..

Where we were greeted by a half dozen or so dogs he had roaming around his, very dark, isolated place….

And just when we were convinced we had followed an undercover axe murderer into the dark unknown like a bunch of idiots – he actually brought us several of his own movies – two of which were vampire movies!  Too cool!  

(Of course we happily returned all his movies to his box at the firehouse with a little goody bag filled with dipped doggy bones for all his dogs.)

I must say it was a very good day!

Happy Decorating!