The Turquoise Trail and a Star's Moment

The Turquoise Trail is 45 miles of winding scenic road between Santa Fe and Albuquerque, New Mexico. I'd never heard of it until my friend Kim mentioned a town called Madrid (pronounced with a short a - Mad Rid), that the movie "Wild Hogs" was filmed there, and that I ought to go there when at Santa Fe over the holidays. I'm glad I took her advice; it turned out to be the highlight of the trip!

Leaving Santa Fe on Highway 14, you are treated to beautiful mountain scenery - especially with the snow. I can testify that New Mexico is much better at clearing snowy, icy roads than Oklahoma.

Madrid is tiny, once a privately owned coal mining town producing both soft and hard ore around the turn of the century. With coal-generated power, it became famous for its Christmas light show put on by the locals and funded by the coal company. Walt Disney is said to have got the idea for a lighted village (i.e. Disneyland) from the light display in Madrid. Many of the miner's shacks have been revived into shops and restaurants - even a bed/breakfast or two - but they're all still "original", quirky and fun. The craft and art stores feature some really unusual pieces, all from local artists. Breakfast at the Coal Mine featured a bomb of a burrito, all decked out for Christmas in red and green hot sauces. Emphasis on HOT. As in BURNING. The owner of the restaurant was also the waitress, a very nice woman who filled us in on the history of the town and what it's like to live there. I'm envious.

Also along the Trail is the Eaves Movie Ranch, built in 1969 for the movie "Cheyenne Social Club". "Silverado" and John Wayne's "The Cowboys" were filmed there also.

When we'd driven to Madrid, we went around the outskirts of another town that appeared interesting, so we headed that way. Cerrillos (pronounced Ser-I-yos) had a population of 2500 in the 1880's. The miners who lived there enjoyed 4 hotels, 2 churches, 2 stables, 2 general stores, and 21 SALOONS! Fairly obvious how they spent their down time, eh.

Today, there's a couple of antique stores, a B&B, a couple of artist's studios, and a museum. I loved this place - if I go back that direction, I'm staying in this town.

Here's Saint Josephs:

Just in front of the church was this wonderful tree (if you click on "Cerrillos", above, you'll see the "before" version) that had found a new life:

I just love that. I want one.

Down the street, you'd find just what you need in the What Not Shop:

I also want a fence to put a primitive Santa and his reindeer on, just like this one:

There was evidence that Billy the Kid and the rest of his gang had been there. Young Guns was filmed here (and at the Eaves Movie Ranch, I reckon).

We went into a artist's gallery - Lori Musil Western and Wildlife Art. Lori was without a doubt one of the nicest people I've ever met as well as an incredible talent. My Christmas-loving sister benefitted; she's getting the first of a collection of a "painted pony" Christmas ornament. I wish the pictures were as incredible as the real thing:

Lori's gallery and store was the location of Dolly Parton's "Oasis Prostibulo" in the movie "Beer for My Horses" which was filmed in Cerillos earlier this year. Toby Keith, Ted Neugent, and others are also in this movie.

Anyway, Lori told us of a situation she had during the movie's filming. Most days, the extras, stars, and production cast would hang out in the store during breaks in the filming, filling up on pastries and tea. And, as the story goes, pastries and tea lead to needing a place to go....

(2 pages, click to enlarge)


Maybe Toby had one of those burritos down at Madrid.

Greetings from Santa Fe, After the Fact

Hope everyone's Christmas was merry and bright and that Santa came through! We arrived home from Santa Fe yesterday - to a sunny 70 degrees in central Oklahoma. In New Mexico, it snowed about 10 inches the first day we were there and continued to sleet and snow periodically for the rest of the trip. It made walking around a bit scary (might fall and break a hip!) but still, a very nice holiday.

Santa Fe seems to get more commercialized every time I'm there. The plaza is chock full of high-end stores and businesses like travel agents are slowly creeping closer to the Plaza. I've only been there a few times and those times have been in recent years, so if I think the place is losing its charm, I can only imagine what long-term visitors think.

We went to the Plaza area on Christmas Day. It was a nice time to be there - only a few people out and about and just a few stores open. I've always wanted one of these strings of chili peppers, but I really don't know what I'd do with it if I had it, so I restrained myself, AGAIN.

The buildings had on their Christmas finery and were absolutely gorgeous in the snow.

The Loretto Chapel was closed for the holiday, but it's definitely worth a visit if you're ever in the area.

The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi was open for mass, although the stone building itself is apparently undergoing a cleaning and so we couldn't see the beautiful entryway - but we did take some pictures of the statues in the adjoining park.

And another picture of their beautiful tree.

The rest of the time, we spent enjoying our cool hotel - the El Rey - and traveling the Turquoise Trail (more on that later, including a really "holy" story about a famous Okie).

Thank God Today Finally Got Here

Starting at the end of business today, I start vacation time until the 29th. The last few days before you go on leave around this job are always crazy. I've been feeling about like this guy:

I cannot wait to get in the car and head to Santa Fe! First, a little last minute Christmas shopping and a couple of basketball games Saturday night (OU and OSU both play in OKC), and some early Christmas cheer :) - and then on the 22nd it's to the west I go. Would it be crazy to admit I'm already packed?

Slippin' and Slidin'

I started out to work this morning at about 6:00. The first indication that there might be trouble was when I stepped outside to get the car out of the garage and slid down the steps of the porch. The second indication was the first stop sign leaving my neighborhood, which might as well of been non-existent because I rolled right through it. The weirdest thing, however, was in the next mile, my car window completely iced over. Just the front one, the rest of them were fine. It's kind of hard to drive, though, with your head hanging out the window in 17 degree weather (wind chill factor at like 5 degrees).

The defroster and de-icer couldn't keep up with what was falling, and apparently I wasn't the only one - there were cars pulled off the road and some just stopped in the middle of the street. I made my way to 7-11, with my head all hunched down trying to see out a little hole in the middle of the ice.

It took me almost an hour to go 20 miles. So here I am at work, dreading the trip back home already. Boo.

Last year, this was Oklahoma:

I was home without electricity for 3 days. It was the quietest time I think I'd ever spent; the only noise I heard was tree limbs breaking outside, so loud that if I didn't know better, I'd think someone was target-practicing with a sniper rifle. I ended up in a better situation than a lot of folks, though, friends of mine just 6 miles away didn't have any power for 7 days and there were other people for longer than that.

I gotta give a big shout-out to the four people who have some idea as to how to drive on ice. I was passed by 50 people for every one of those four who must have been going 60 mph (just because you've got that big ol' 4-wheel drive does not mean it won't slide on the ice, Mario-Bubba Andretti).

Yukon's Christmas in the Park Slideshow

Hi, Five!

Sam Bradford became the fifth Heisman Trophy winner from Oklahoma tonight.

Christmas Dinner - Meme

What do you traditionally eat for Christmas dinner?

There's not really a traditional meal; sometimes it's pasta, sometimes it's turkey, ham, or whatever. Last year, we had a baked potato bar and snack food, which worked out really well. My nephew Spencer is the "Cooker of the Meat" so we have whatever he wants to cook. Nobody starves, I can guarantee you.

With whom do you usually gather for Christmas?

Typically I spend Christmas at my sister's house in northwest Oklahoma. I have, however, spent it skiing or in Las Vegas at my brother's home. This year, I'm going to Santa Fe for a few days and go on a photography spree. Julie, an old friend of mine, is going along and she's an accomplished picture-taker, while I'm just a point and shoot type. I'll probably try to steal her pictures.

Do you prepare the Christmas meal?

Oh Hell No. Nobody would want that to happen.

What is your favorite Christmas food?

Well, the desserts, of course.

Do you have any Christmas recipes to share?

I have been, on some previous posts. Strangely enough, they're all desserts.

Just had a revelation - I think I'll try to find the recipe for "under-the-sink" wine that I found in an old cookbook and post it sometime. Another "strangely enough" moment - best I remember it was a church cookbook. It involves a gallon jug and a balloon, specifically, a 10-cent balloon. According to the recipe, it must be made under the sink. It'll sure enough give you a buzz and later, a splitter of a headache.

Betty

Meet my friend Betty. Betty worked for the same agency that I do until she made the big move a few years ago and RETIRED! I'm not sure how many years she had spent with her nose to the grindstone but I can guarantee you that everyone knew, and had a good healthy fear, of Betty, because SHE KNEW HER STUFF! One of the agency executives just told me the other day that if he could have only one employee, he'd pick her every time.

I've been fortunate enough to remain friends with her since she started her new life of leisure. She and her husband travel each year to Europe, she enjoys her grandkids, and does some volunteer work. She's just one of those people that you can always count on and you don't have any doubt about it.

Betty lives in a home that perfectly suits her. She and her husband have collected many things from their travels and they're displayed throughout her house. She likes vintage things - especially chairs. Her dining room table is HUGE and all the chairs are antiques - not matching antiques either - and it seems to work perfectly. When you're sitting at her table, you can look out the big windows to the deck and then to the creek down below. It's the best of country living in a big city!

Her big old cat, Elvis, is generally lurking around, probably waiting on his next nap or meal. I like Elvis' outlook on what's important.

Yesterday, I found this box on my porch:

And inside the box, I found this:


There's jam, cake, chocolate, MOOSE MUNCH, cheese, and my house is full of the most wonderful scent of pears ever. I love it! I am so grateful - the only problem is, it's so pretty I just can't bear to eat it - I think I'll just admire it.

Here's to you, Betty, I TOLD you I was going to make you famous!
But you know you already were in my heart. God Bless Ya.

Boston Cream Fudge - YUM!

This stuff is so good, I can't even explain it. If you like "Aunt Bill's Candy", this is very similar - but it doesn't take all that sugar stirring and melting. It's a wonderful alternative to chocolate fudge this Christmas season. Try it!


Boston Cream Fudge
3 cups sugar
2 cups light cream (whipping cream)
1 cup white syrup
pinch of salt

Combine all ingredients; cook over medium heat until the mixture is at soft ball stage (it will be a pretty golden color). Set aside until the mixture starts to cool. Beat well, and when it loses its gloss, add 1 cup chopped pecans and pour into a buttered pan or cookie sheet and roll the candy into a long rope shape. Let the candy cool and slice into small pieces.

This recipe is one of many found in the American Legion Auxiliary Cookbook, Hatch-Vincent Post #63, Freedom, Oklahoma. It was published in 1977, and is loaded with recipes that are good ole' Oklahoma cooking. The Dedication reads:

To the Veterans, Living and Dead,
Who Served Our Country in Time of War.

They gave their TODAY for our TOMORROW.

That is forever true and never to be forgotten, and could not be any more appropriate than at this time.

Christmas Mail - Meme

Did you mail out holiday cards this year?

No, I haven't mailed out cards for a number of years. It always seems like it's just another added expense or I don't get them done in time or... some other excuse that I can't come up with right this second. I guess I just don't like to send them. I love to get them from other people, however.

Do you plan to?

No (see response #1).

Have you shipped Christmas gift packages to loved ones?

Didn't have any to ship, through the mail that is. I have some gifts that I'll be sending home with my nephew this weekend when he and his family are in town for the OU basketball game. So I guess I'm calling him my own personal Fedex.

What super free shipping offers have you discovered this Christmas?

I haven't really bought anything that qualified for free shipping. Most of the offers I saw were "free shipping if you spend $100" or something like that. It didn't seem to me that most of the stores were really worried about whether or not they'd have a profitable Christmas shopping season. Maybe they're not worried about the shoppers, more worried about their possible bail-out package or something. I read somewhere that Target was suffering a little and Wal-Mart was benefitting from their suffering. I know a lot of people just despise Wal-Mart and refuse to shop there. Not me; I'm all about the cheapest laundry detergent, and if it's at Wal-Mart that's where I'm headed. Might be that people who hate Wally World and boycott them are only hurting their own bank accounts, I don't know.

Describe (or show) the best Christmas card you have received.

This one came from by boss. It's very glittery and shiny.

Meme Express - December 10, 2008

Have you finished your Christmas or holiday shopping?

Well, yes. I really don't buy many Christmas presents; I don't have any kids and that's what I think Christmas presents are really about. I usually buy for my two great-nephews who are mentioned in my posts, and for a couple of people at work. I like to go shopping during Christmas and just "window-shop" at all the fascinating stuff that people scoop up like crazy and don't even need. Like toe socks.

What is on your own Santa wish-list?

This year, I'm going to spend Christmas in Santa Fe (New Mexico), on a hang-out and do nothing trip with an old friend. We plan to wander around and take lots of pictures. That was my Santa wish-list so I guess it's coming true!

Looking back, what is the best gift you have ever received?

I think the most fun gift I ever received was a gift from my sister a few years ago. It was a basket with a gift in it for each month of the new year. What fun! My other favorite gifts are things that are hand-made. Last year, Austin made me a snowman out of a tube sock and rice. It's sitting on top of the refrigerator right now. It's never been put away. A couple of years ago, I received a phone call shortly before Christmas from a very good friend of mine who was deployed to Iraq. That was one of the finest gifts ever.

Was it a Christmas gift?

All of them were.

What does Christmas really mean to you?

I think Christmas should always mean what it stands for - not the commercialism that it has been reduced to. Christmas should be about Christ and religion, family, friends, and reflection. I think the best gift that a person can give themselves at Christmas is peace, whatever that might mean to the individual. I'm disturbed with the notion of people that want to take "Christ" out of "Christmas" and call it the "holiday season" or "seasonal celebration" or whatever, but then sure don't mind benefiting from the Christmas holiday, with presents, time off work, etc. I guess they don't remember that the day wouldn't exist without faith in Christ.

Around my house, we say Merry Christmas!

It's Their Favorite Christmas Dessert

My mother was one of nine children who were born and raised in northwest Oklahoma.

They are pictured above - the front row is Grandma, Jimmy Max, and Grandpa; the middle row is Dixie and Bill; and the back row is Nola, Carl, Vera, Laura (mom), Lloyd, and Alfred. Jim, Dixie, Bill, and Carl are still living. For as long as I've been alive, we've had a family reunion at least once a year. These days it's always on Memorial Day weekend - but when I was a kid it was always at Christmas. The main activity at the reunions is.... the food! There's also a lot of visiting and a lot of kids, but for the majority, it's all about the eats. This recipe, for Date Pudding, is one of the family favorites, and is still requested by Uncle Jim. It's rich and gooey and pretty darned good. It's really no wonder that we're not fashion-model thin. In any generation.



Date Pudding


1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 1/3 cups water


Place the brown sugar and water in a saucepan and bring mixture to a boil. Meanwhile, mix the following ingredients in a bowl:


1 cup white sugar

1 cup milk

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

pinch of salt


Beat well. Add:


1/2 cup chopped dates

1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans are best)


Beat again. The mixture of brown sugar and water should be boiling at this point; remove from heat and pour into a 9x12 baking dish. Pour the date/nut batter mixture in the middle of brown sugar liquid.


Bake at 300 degrees until the center of pudding is firm and an inserted knife comes out clean.


This is especially good with some homemade whipped cream or ice cream. Of course, most desserts are better with some high-fat, sugary dairy topping. I know that.

Shut Yer Mouth

I really heart this song.

The QBs

One of these guys is probably going to win the Heisman Trophy. It's hard enough to choose one based on their athletic ability and this season's statistics.

It would be even harder to pick one based upon good looks. Good Lord Almighty, they did not make them like this when I was in college.

The Very Best Candy Balls, Ever!

These things are absolutely the best. I finally got the recipe from my friend Julie, who makes them every year. I live for them.

I'm making them this weekend. I'll try to get a picture if they last long enough......

Julie's Crack Balls

1 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter

2 Cups Graham Cracker Crumbs

1 Container Store-Bought, Ready-Made Chocolate Frosting

Mix the three ingredients together. Form small (1") balls. You can roll the balls in chopped nuts, in graham cracker crumbs, or you can dip them in melted chocolate.

My advice at this point is to hurriedly give some away; otherwise, you'll gain a personal understanding of why Julie calls them "crack".

Big XII Champions! NCAA Record!

62-21

First and only NCAA team to score 60 or more in 5 straight games.

Halftime

38-7

Layla's Birthday

Layla-also-known-as-Loo turned 3 Sunday. She was very excited to get a FISH and a whole bunch of NEW TOYS!

A brown-haired Barbie, and her red-headed friend Stacy (yes there really was a red-headed friend named Stacy) attended the party. Ken and Skipper were no-shows.

The little mermaid was also at the party. She was swimming in a pool of frosting and cake. Really really sweet frosting and cake.

Layla's Mom, Kelsey, and her Grandpa Kent helped her out with the candles.

Layla found the day just a little overwhelming. One day she'll get to one of those birthdays in double digits that end in a zero, and then she'll REALLY be overwhelmed. Like 40. At 3, it's all about the cake and presents. At 40, it's all about the cake, presents, and the liquor. Sniffle.

The Hair Wreath

This is a picture of my great-aunt Mamie, who I remember from when I was very young and she was very old. Mamie, at that time, lived in Wichita, Kansas in an assisted living apartment. Her husband, Carl, had passed away and they didn't have children. She gave me a big tin pan to use as a bed for my puppy. Unfortunately, I don't know much else about her, other than I remember visiting her that one time.

The wreath in the picture is crocheted of human hair. I'm not sure, and it seems that nobody knows all the details any more, whose hair it is. I imagine that Mamie made the wreath when she was young from hair she collected from her and her sister's hairbrushes. I guess it was a common practice back in the day. There's even a museum that just has hair wreaths. The crocheting is very intricate and delicate, all done in different flower and leaf shapes.

It's beautiful.

It also makes me cringe a little when I really think about it. :) I mean, that's HAIR! From people who are long DEAD! Argh!

Game Day

Finally! The BIG Big XII Championship Game day is here! First, though, my friend Regina and I are heading out for some Christmas-looking at a craft show, Bass Pro, and maybe a few other stores yet to be determined. I'm thinking lunch at haunted Galileo?

For the game, I plan to be right here at home. Superstition says I have to sit in a particular place and text back and forth with one of the biggest Sooner fans, i.e., maniacs, that I know. It seems to work - once we started that, the Sooners have been on a roll. I don't want to be responsible if it's TOO DAMNED COLD up there and things go inexplicably wrong. Not me.

Once this game is over, then I have to start worrying about the Heisman Trophy. It appears to be between Colt McCoy (Texas) and Sam-the-Man (OU). I would really like to see OU get another Heisman winner and add a statue to the Heisman park, but then again, superstitious people say that the Heisman winner doesn't win the national championship, so if that's true, I'm all about the "Go Colt". I also think that whoever wins it will probably go pro, and I'd rather keep Sam than Colt. Hmmm, I'm just torn. Of course, the voters might pick someone else entirely and show no love to the Big XII. You never know.

Synchronicity

The way a team plays as a whole determines its success. You may have the greatest bunch of individual stars in the world, but if they don't play together, the club won't be worth a dime.

~Babe Ruth