Happy New Year, & Checking on Parents

Hey it's 2019, and I'm slowly updating my blog.  So please, excuse any buttons which may not be functioning nor work properly.  My blog is a work in progress!!!

Happy New Year, Blogger Friends!  My motto: "2019 will be good to all of us!"

I'm sharing  a video created when Bulldog Man and I went out to New Mexico, not too
long ago, to check on his parents.  They're getting up there in age; and we hadn't physically put eyes on them in a while. You know how it is when you talk to your parents on the telephone; "We're fine." We drove down to the southern-most part of New Mexico to surprise them (really to check on them), and to see if there were any chores where they needed help.  Good thing we went; we took down a large Willow Tree, it was dead inside, but still standing.  It was a potential widow maker.
Bulldog Man's parents were so happy to have us visit (aka: check on them).

Fast and Furious

Bulldog Man and I took a nice trip to Southern New Mexico last week, to surprise his parents.  We realized it had been 2+ years since we last saw his parents.  Where did time go?  It flies so fast, and before you know it, years have passed by.

Pronghorn Antelope all over the place.

The trip was fast and furious.  We had two days to travel to and from home, and 3 days to take care of anything Bulldog Man’s parents needed help with.

We had so much fun catching up, and just being with his parents.  Every time we visit them it’s so relaxing and enjoyable.  Their home sits in a basin of the desert surrounded completely by mountains.

At night you can see stars and planets everywhere.  The first time I visited Bulldog Man’s parents, I felt as if I were in heaven.  I ventured outside and looked up at the sky.  I felt as if I could reach out and touch the stars.  This was the first time in my life where I had seen so many stars, and had this natural calm instantly come over me.

When traveling out West and in the mountains, you must drink plenty of water, due to the elevation changes, to keep hydrated, and not miss out on any authentic Mexican food.  Yes, that’s right…..Bulldog Man and I took his parents out to eat, and had REAL Mexican food at Si Senors.  The food just melted in your mouth.  And don’t forget to order yourself up a plate of Stuffed Sopapillas with honey.

Not only did we fill ourselves up with great food, I learned how to knit from my MIL. Bulldog Man spent time with his Dad at his Men’s Bible Study group, and we caught up with dear friends.  

Now that we’re home, it’s time to get back to work on the homestead, and find a place to hang 2 beautiful wind chimes my MIL made out of wine bottles.

Life is good!!

Star Picture Source: http://www.newmexico.org/stargazing/#article93592

New Mexico - Cervantes - Sacramento Mountain Weavers - ***WARNING LOADED W/PICTURES***

We’re back home, and Tank did a mighty fine job taking care of the house and animals.

 

 

 

 

The first part of our trip, we drove cross-country to Albuquerque, New Mexico, to attend a formal retirement ceremony of one of Bulldog Man’s military friends.  Bulldog Man’s friend retired as a Colonel from the USAF, with 32 years dedicated to our country.  He’s a damn good doctor and pilot.  Now a civilian, he will enjoy life to its fullest, and travel the country with his lovely wife.  This was the first time I actually meet Bulldog Man’s friend and family.

After the retirement ceremony, Bulldog Man and I went back to our hotel to change, get in comfortable clothing, and head to downtown Albuquerque to play tourists.  We stopped at this wonderful Mexican restaurant called Cervantes, on the corner of Gibson and San Pedro.  If you ever get to Albuquerque and want authentic Mexican food, I recommend you try this place.  The food is out of this world, the service is totally awesome………..guaranteed you’ll need a forklift to help you out the door after eating this wonderful food.

Once done eating, we asked a waitress where she recommended going if you’re looking for gift type items, and she suggested Old Town.  Bulldog Man and I drove to Old Town and walked the entire area.  This is a place to visit if you’re looking for gift type items.  We came across this store called Sacramento Mountain Weavers.  Throughout the store there were handmade rugs, shawls, hats, scarfs (made with the triangle and standard looms), jewelry, art, and many other items on display.  We met this wonderful woman, Pam Schrode; she runs Sacramento Mountain Weavers and makes Chainmaille jewelry.  Everything in this store was made on the property.  Bulldog Man and I purchased this beautiful picture of an owl, and earrings made with turquoise.  I would recommend you visit Old Town if ever in Albuquerque and stop in Sacramento Mountain Weavers. 

 

Pam Schrode Working Hard On The Triangle Loom

Pam Working With The Standard Loom

 

Grape Vines In The Courtyard

Old Catholic Church Inside Old Town

On Friday, we drove 200 miles south to Tularosa, to check on Bulldog Man’s parents.  They had no idea we were coming, it was a really nice surprise.  Both Bulldog Man and I were very happy to hear his father has recuperated from cancer and radiation treatments and is doing very well.  As for his mom, she was just diagnosed with skin cancer on her ear.  Both were very pleased we came for a visit. 

Below are more pictures of the countryside and sky passed while traveling.

 

 

 

Lava Rock From About 800 Years Ago

Dust Storm Starting With Winds Over 60 MPH We Are Driving By

 

 

Prairie Home From Late 1800's

 

 

Rainbow Starting

 

Storms Brewing When Entering The State Of Oklahoma