Vacation Dreaming

The snow day Friday made this past weekend feel like a vacation- nice to have after being away for my vacation.

My daughter is off this week and  I am taking today to spend some time with her. It is always a little dicey with a 21 year old who has a boy friend and is away at school for finding some quality time together.

Not sure what is on the agenda, but need to figure that out depending how long a doctor's appointment lasts.

So back to Taos today for some more photos.

My theme today, things would not see in New England.

Cow skulls hanging for decorations.

(Although me being a geeky biology person I might do that)

Cemeteries with so many colored plastic flowers in the snow.

With our old Puritan history here, this much color out-pouring in a cemetery is unheard of. 

Religious nichoes and clay pots in a downtown shopping plaza.

We have speed bumps, not speed humps.

The cool styling on this window grate.

And these neat Navajo rugs.

How about a few more shots since I have a lot more to show you...I took over 900 photos all in all.

No one hangs chili peppers outside in New Hampshire.

I wish restaurants in New Hampshire would offer this on the breakfast menu. 

And we don't have stores selling these bright and fun Mexican blankets.

Wish I bought one for myself.

(Next trip!)

And these cool little kiva fireplaces. They do send out a lot of heat though. 

That's it for today. 

More another time.

Thanks for visiting.

Taos on Dwellable

We Live to Play Again

Another beautiful morning here in New Hampshire. Yesterday was gorgeous- woke up to sunshine and it got into the 50's, I sat outside on the deck and ate my lunch and read a bit too. I love it!
It has been a busy hockey weekend  for Dave and myself, and we'll have another one next weekend. EXCITING! That is the good news, means we lived to stay in 8th place which means we fill the last spot for the Hockey East Quarter finals next weekend.

YAHOO!

Friday night we beat the University of New Hampshire,our rival, 4-3. We controlled the scores most of the game, until the last 2 minutes, when UNH got 2 scores and then the pressure was on. But we held them off and ended up winning, but what an exciting ending. One of those where your heart is in your throat and you're sitting on the edge of your seat until the very last second of the game.

And since the University of Massachusetts lost, we secured our 8th place and so in Saturday's game we wanted a victory for our pride, not for tournament action.

Especially since we lost 4-0 to UNH in the fall back in Orono. That was painful!

Last night we ended up with a tie-4-4 in overtime. I can live with a tie, since we didn't lose. Plus similar to Friday, Saturday was a really good game to watch. Got to love that. I really like a good hockey game and I like it even better when we don't lose.

Means UNH doesn't get to play their quarter final game at home too!!!!

(HA-HA-Always feel a little good to turn that rivalry screw-especially since I work with all these BIG UNH fans.)

So this weekend coming up, we play UMass Lowell,  quarter finals for Hockey East.

Then HOPEFULLY- we move onto the semi-finals in Boston.
Have a great Sunday.

Real Adobe-or More of New Mexico

Life in the cold desert.

Welcome to the neighborhood. Today I have a mixed post for you.

Lots of photos about lots of different things.

Some photos from Taos, New Mexico first.

The adobe architecture is really quite stunning. It seems to belong there- and just melts into the scenery.

From contemporary to old style, it all seems to work.

From private home to old public buildings.

downtown plazas

and it comes in so many colors.

Here's an older building. You can tell by the design.

And more homes on the mesa.

And finally this gorgeous old mission style church. I'll have some photos of this place (along with a few other cool historic churches) another day.

I will say one thing though- I am having major travel withdrawals right now. Tends to happen after a trip. You just want to go some place again.

Right now doing some planning for this summer.

Not sure what will come of any of that, but if nothing does, it is fun to plan.

Don't you think so too?

*****

Taos on Dwellable

Saturday Part 2

Part 2

So since it is Saturday-and I have time to chat, how about a book update?

All these books have something to do with my trip-even if only a vague connection.

My latest read:

Had this on the plane with me, a good little paperback. This is book 3 of this series, am enjoying them.

While in New Mexico, my friend Vicky mentioned this book to me. Can't wait to get a copy and read it.

It is a scrapbook novel.

Love that.

And since I am missing that New Mexican food- I ordered myself a couple of used cookbooks off of Amazon. Not that my home cooking in New Hampshire will be the same, but maybe I can catch a small whisper of that southwestern flavor here in the snowy (but hopefully soon very spring like) Northeast.

and

and finally, another Southwestern flavored book that I borrowed from my friend Vicky.

Vicky is a weaver and she has a bunch of books to inspire her. I borrowed this one because I am going to design some scarves using the patterns in this book.  I bought a bunch of assorted colored skeins of hand dyed yarn while in Taos- the colors were just bright and fabulous. If I really get into this project I will get a used copy of the book, it is a very cool one. I'll show you my projects once I get to them.

This week went fast but it was busy and I have still been adjusting to end of trip.

Finally for you, how  about another card?

Hopefully this weekend I will get my journal photographed for you.

It is a pretty basic card. The BIG postmarks are from Ma Vinci- don't even know if she is still in business, but she has a great sheet of giant postmarks.

The envelope and words are from Unity Stamp of the Week.

But for such a simple card it is fun.

I love the envelope image and saying.

You can't see the sparkley effect of the butterflies in the light of this photo either.

Well, think I have added enough to this post.

Have a great Saturday- and go MAINE-

another big hockey game this afternoon.

We need a win-

will fill you in later.

Thanks for visiting- I appreciate when you stop by.

Art Journal

Since I'm home with the snow today, I had time to photograph a few journal pages. Thought I would add a post for Art Journal Every Day.

This page is bright and cheery. Me wanting spring!!!!!

Can't help but wanting to dream big on a day like this.

I made this page by first prepping the page with gesso. Then a plain bright blue background. The dots (I love dots) and made by using new Tim Holtz Distress paints. I just dabbed the top down. Perfect dot. I used a few bright colors.

Then I used a black Sharpie to "decorated" a few of the dots.

I die cut the butterflies (Sizzix) and then sprayed them with orange Dylusions spray ink. I glued them down and then added some orange Viva paint pen to make the dimensional designs on the butterflies. Once dry, I outlined them with black Sharpie and then splashed pink paint all over the butterflies to 'tone' them down just a tad. Pink and white spray  for the flight trails, to cover the orange Viva paint pen spray just a tad. Love how you get a bit of peak-a-boo orange through the pink.  Finally, the saying- one of my favorite stamps- Dream Big by River City Rubber Works.

Hope my page makes you smile as much as it does me.

Hope you aren't get snow dumped on you today too.

Thanks for stopping by.

10 Things Friday

10 Things Friday again.

This week, 10 more photos from my trip.

Some colors and flavors of Northern New Mexico.

1.

Love these Mexican clay pots.

2.

Very cool tile wall design

3.

Cool relief on a stone wall

4.

Wall mural to look like a Native American clay pot

5.

Bright cheery window painting. There's that turquoise again.

6.

Talking with an artist painting in a parking lot. Here's his palette.

7.

If you don't have a window and you want one, just paint it on your wall.

8.

Door and rug outside of a weaving shop. I noticed too that I got a reflection of this great historical church reflected in the window of the door too.

9.

Can't forget I was in the wild west. This horse mural is a good reminder.

10.

And finally

How about this cool mural in the window of a bookstore.?

We're getting snow today-snow day. Who'd have thought? Was hoping for a delay, but I'll take a snow day-4 day weekend for me since I am taking Monday off-I have an intern and Katie is off and home for spring break- she has a drs appointment...then we'll do something together-I could use a little recharge after traveling during our break.

So this is the final weekend of the regular Hockey East college hockey season. Maine is hovering in 8th place out of 10, and we could still drop to 9th place, which would mean we wouldn't get into the play-offs. And this weekend we're playing the University of New Hampshire- our local university where the daughter goes. Not only the rivalry at home but the big rivalry in general.

We have tickets for the games tonight and tomorrow. Hopefully, we'll win both nights, but when we play UNH, all bets are off.

Will fill you in tomorrow how tonight's game goes.

Thanks for stopping by.

Taos on Dwellable

A Couple of Cards for You

I am behind on snapping photos of my art work...been tired this week getting back into the swing of things after a vacation and a trip. Actually, I finally made it into the studio the other day, after being gone for a week and then trying to get back into the swing of real life. But I have a bunch of cards I haven't shown you yet so today, here's a couple. Today's theme, funky designs.

First of all I used a very blue painted page and then used an Impression Obsession backgrounder stamp in white embossing powder. Gives this cup a bit of depth and pop. I did a bit of outlining in black Sharpie, and I colored and used Stickles on the inner tea part. I added a little bow, some little red stamped stars and the saying from Hot Off the Press.

And here I used a gelli print which I die cut into an oval. I added the sheep, but before that I used some of Tim Holtz's watercolor markers to outline the oval. Then I wet brushed them to give that slightly fuzzy diffuse look. On the sheep I added the words (Hero Arts).

Simple, but I love the way the Gelli print oval gives the card a big pop. And the colors are springy too, which I can certainly use at this time of year. Especially since we are getting snow!!!!!

Again.

We already have a good foot on the ground and it is time to get rid of that. Since February began we are in the snow zone...I don't like late winters.

Man oh man.

Thanks for stopping by!

Are they Real?

You see these flying saucers on a lot of cattle crossing signs along the roads of Taos.

I think they were stickers put on the road signs.

I wonder who put them there-because they are ALL over the place. 

I bet I saw at least 100 streets signs with these.

North of town, south of town, east of town, west too.

So what do they mean?

Are the cows really aliens?

Are the aliens looking for cows?

Do you see the space ships in cow fields?

What is the association?

So are they real?

Aliens that is.

I don't really believe in them but look what I found lurking in my bed.

So maybe? 

See you next time.

A Few Views of Taos

A few "artistic" photos from my trip to Taos.

Lot of turquoise- it is painted on door and window frames to ward off evil.

And the red of these chilies really pops out.

And that green really makes this doorway POP!

So mix the turquoise and the red chilies, wow-more great color.

Hope you enjoyed your views.

Taos on Dwellable

Guess What?

Today is my birthday.

I won't tell you how old I am.

And I am going back to work after a week off and my fun adventure in New Mexico.

Oh don't I wish I was there right now.

But it is back to reality.

:(

I am going to wear one of the new pieces of jewelry I bought on my trip-

I was bad- bought several pieces-

nothing super expensive but Taos and Santa Fe are silver jewelry lovers paradises.

This morning I need something fun to give me a little boost -

I would rather be doing this-in my bed!

Someone is VERY happy to have me home and he will be crushed when I have to head out for work.

I am crushed too-ha-ha.

And since it is my birthday, here's a sort of celebratory card. I made this before I went away.

The cute little beer steins are from Paper Smooches.

It is very simple card except that I added this St. Patrick's Day pin that I had in my stash. Going to drop it in the mail out to my daughter-the college girl who is able to go out this this year since she is now 21. St. Patrick's Day isn't all that far away. And that means it isn't all that long until it is SPRING!

I love that.

Thanks for stopping by. Time to get this sad state of a body off and ready for another day at school.

I'm Home

I'm home from my fantastic little adventure in New Mexico. 

What a great state that is-at least the northern part where I was.

Hope to get back there sometime too.

Like maybe next winter-if I get invited out again I will be be on a plane and traveling.

I laughed a lot, had some absolutely delicious food, saw some cool things, shopped a lot, got some new knitting projects planned out, got to know my friend Vicky's husband Bob better and took some fun photos.

Will be posting those in the next several weeks.

It was sad to leave my friend. But I am happy to see my family.

Today I am in travel decompress mode- feeling sad and happy. Am tired, dreading having to go back to work bright and early tomorrow.

All in all it was a great trip, busy but relaxing.

I just unloaded my photos and haven't had any time to do any de-greying or touching up, but here's a couple to show you.

A beautiful sunrise view from the bedroom window.

Look at this beautiful breakfast burrito.

It tasted as good as it looks.

I don't ski but got a little trip up to the Taos Ski Valley.

Love all the adobe buildings out there. They have such a cool sensual shape to them.

We had mostly blue cloudless skies-it was cold-chilly too- but I was prepared for that at 6000 feet in this photo.

I have lots more photos to share with you. Should start seeing some later this week.

Thanks for stopping and taking a peek.

Taos on Dwellable