Espanola 2015

We love stopping here before heading into Colorado.  We consider the Abeytas part of our family.  We first met them when we camphost at Big Meadows outside of South Fork, CO.  They asked us over for dinner one night and they have been feeding us ever since. We developed a deep love for these fine family.

We parked in Abeyta’s yard Thursday and they took us to Santa Claran Casino for dinner .

No buffet here – take a look at this prime rib and lobster dinner!  And it wasn’t a little 3-4 oz. tail either….oh, no, that was at least a 6 oz. along with a huge prime rib, baked potato and salad.

 

Friday Birdie fed us pulled pork for dinner after we lounged around all day – for me it is getting use to higher altitudes slowly.

Saturday was a big Mother’s Day celebration with family and their friends.  Teddy and Tim watched over the brisket and two racks of ribs.

    

Carla brought this half gallon of fresh salsa…oh, so good

Add in a big pot of beans, red chili, salad and you have a yummy meal.

Paulo and Tim brought Birdie flowers and even brought me flowers too….so sweet…

 

We had four family dogs all together. Here’s Chaps, Chico and Cinch.  Tim has all the dogs mesmerized holding court for treats.

      

We partied till about 7 p.m. and then we gave in to relaxing at the RV.

Sunday Jim made biscuits and gravy while Birdie added ham, eggs, beans and a fruit salad. 

     

 

 

 

Teddy likes to make a tower of food, putting one thing on top of the other.

 

 

 

 

 

I finally had the whole family in the house at the same time so I was able to take a family photo.

Thank you, dear friends, for your hospitality and love.

Remember, you are loved.

Albuquerque and Santa Fe

From Albuquerque we drove Sunday to Cochiti Lake COE about half way between Albuquerque and Santa Fe.  With our America the Beautiful card (old age pass), we pay $10 for water and electric in a newly renovated park. With Santa Fe RV parks charging $35 to $45 a night, staying at this COE has been our choice for many years when we come to visit our daughters and grands.

Sunday afternoon we had a good visit with our grandson, his lovely wife and our great-granddaughter.  They were having a mini-vacation staying in a hotel room and enjoying a pool.

       

Monday we drove back down to Albuquerque to have lunch with our friends, Bernie and Dodo R. who were in the area.  You know how it is with fulltime RVers….if you are within 100 miles you are close enough to meet.

 

We met at the Cooperage which is shaped as a barrel and is known for their prime rib.

 

The restaurant also has a wonderful salad bar. It is imposing sitting right in the middle of the restaurant with the salad fixings in pewter bowls sitting atop huge mounds of ice.

We had a great visit, lingering a while and laughing a lot.

Tuesday we went into Santa Fe to have our visit with our daughters and son-in-law.  Traditionally we meet at our daughter’s apartment, have a meal and watch a movie.  There’s a lot of stopping of the movie to discuss something we saw or to talk about a memory we were just reminded of watching the movie.  There is always a lot of laughter and smiles.

         

Christine made a delicious casserole with pasta, chicken and spinach. 

 

We brought a delectable Tuxedo Cake with cake, chocolate mousse and a thick chocolate glaze.

 

After lunch we drove to a park and took a nap then we went to dinner over to our buddies, Tim and Paulo. Tim does a great job barbecuing and we come over to their house when we drive up to Colorado.

Using new bbq grill	Chaps, Chico and Poncho get treats	Wonderful dinner, onions, chicken & asparagus
Chico balances himself on Chaps to get treats	Jim, Paulo and Tim	Saying good night to my buddies

Wednesday we went back into Santa Fe to take the family to breakfast to The Pantry. It’s a great place that is very popular and at 9 o’clock on a week day, the place was packed!  Food was fabulous with a lot of different breakfast offerings.

We went back to the park and got things ready to move the next day, then drove back to Santa Fe to have dinner with our daughter’s parents-in-law.  We love going over to Luisa and Frank’s home.  Here everyone is helping to get dinner ready and then a photo of part of their creative home.

    

Luisa and Frank are both professional potters and I love to go into their studio and see what they have created since last we met.

This is Luisa’s latest creation	The 5 pieces are hallow inside and nestle together perfectly. Love it!!!
Luisa used cooper wire to get the blackened area	Here are some more of her creations.

Frank is a real master at “throwing” pottery.  Here are some of his creations….just stunning.

Thursday we went to have coffee with Bernie and Dodo, who had moved from Albuquerque to join us at Cochiti Lake COE. 

 

They will be following us to Alamosa next week so we will see them again soon.

 

 

After coffee we took off for Espanola, where we will stay at Teddy and Birdie’s…..Tim’s Mom.  More tomorrow.

Remember, you are loved.