September 1, 2011

I had a wonderful idea yesterday about turning buttons into brooches that I could use to embellish my bags. I went to the craft store and purchased the brooch backings I needed, as well as a glue gun. I was troubled about having to buy a glue gun for two reasons. First, I have probably a half dozen glue guns in Houston. Second, how have I spent four summers in the casita without a glue gun?

The brooch – made of a large green button with worry dolls
affixed to the top – compliments the colors in the
body of the bag,  as well as the design of the fabric.

It was fun and educational creating the button brooches. I learned that it’s better to work with flat buttons. I had some that rounded up on the edges, so after I glued or sewed the brooch backing to the button, it stood out too far from the purse. Also, if there was a loop on the back of the button, I had to cut it off to get the back as flat as possible. Sometimes I glued or sewed a smaller button on top of a larger one. Sometimes I glued little worry dolls or a stone on top of a large button. Then I pinned the button brooches on about half of the bags and saved the rest to embellish with rhinestone brooches that I have in Houston. I couldn’t get a great picture with my iPhone, so you’ll have to trust me that the brooches are cute as a button (pun intended).

Today I’m creating bags out of wool fabrics. All of the purses I’ve made so far have been out of linen and cotton, but it’s time to switch fabrics and change up the design somewhat. 

August 31, 2011

Sending love to all!

Caution: Soul searching and self-discovery thoughts to follow.

People ask me what I do in Santa Fe while I'm here during the summer. My normal response is that I sew, read, bead jewelry, sample new recipes, garden, watch television, and work with clients – basically the same things I do when I'm in Houston, but I do them in shorts and without make-up. What I don't think everyone needs to know or would appreciate hearing is that when I'm in Santa Fe I also try to discover new perceptions on life. It's so peaceful here and I have fewer distractions, so I have more time and energy to cultivate a healthy and balanced soul that isn't limited or controlled by external powers such as money, food, negativity, fear, jealousy, objects, etc. In my journey for illumination this summer, a special moment came when I was riding in the car with my sage and wise friend Debbie. I don't know what prompted me to pose the question, "What is the purpose and meaning of life?" but she quickly responded, "To love and be loved." Like Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz, did I have the "answer" all the time, but not realize it?

Today I'm creating love in everything I do, and encouraging everyone to do the same. Lead with your heart in whatever you do and happiness will follow. What a beautiful, simple, truthful thought!

August 30, 2011

At the Farmer's Market this morning.
Time to eat more fruits and veggies, and
concentrate on portion control.

I've decided to take a different approach that will hopefully improve my mood. Instead of complaining that I only have two weeks left in Santa Fe, I'm telling myself that I'm beginning a two week vacation. The glass is half full for me instead of half empty.

I had a short conference call this morning and am now reading some magazines. Hey, I'm on vacation and taking it easy. I don't normally buy Town & Country magazine, but bought one yesterday because there are several articles about the Hemingways. Mariel Hemingway and one of her daughters are on the cover. I realize that magazines retouch photos, but her strong, angular features are still gorgeous. It seems she has worked through her demons and chosen to not be part of the Hemingway legacy. Her grandfather (Ernest), two great-grandfathers, great-uncle, great-aunt, and sister (Margaux) all committed suicide. The glass was always half empty for them instead of half full.

Today I'm creating embellishments for the purses I've made. I've gotten some buttons and little jewelry pieces to decorate the flaps. Tomorrow I'll probably set up the sewing machine again and start making some totes. My goal is still to make something out of every piece of fabric I brought with me. Goals are good.

August 29, 2011

Thinking of you today, Mr. B.
Hope your back feels better soon!

The last Monday in August. WOW!

I took Sandy to get on the shuttle to ABQ this morning so she can fly back to Houston. She was hesitant about going back to the heat in Houston, but I could tell she was ready to see her husband, Dave. I'm also ready to see Mr. B, who will be arriving in Santa Fe this coming Sunday. Currently he is suffering through a back ache, which I hope is better before he arrives at the casita because I'm working on a honey-do list for him.

Today I'm creating a list of things to do that will help rid me of my funky mood. I'm not sure if I'm sad because Sandy has left or because I have to clean house or because I miss my family in Houston or because I only have two weeks of vacation left or because I don't have any diet cokes in the fridge. Whatever the reason, I need to perk up.

August 28, 2011

My pork tenderloin dinner last night at
Coyote Cafe. I've always said, "Presentation
is everything," although there were so many
delicious flavors in my plate of food!

It's a late night blog for me because I've been out and about today, Sandy's last day in the Land of Enchantment.

Before getting to today, I have to mention dinner last night at Coyote Cafe. So incredible! We began with cocktails. Sandy's beverage of choice was a Senorita (margarita). I had a Pink Lady (cosmopolitan). The best part of each specialty cocktail was the topping. The Senorita had a whipped topping of lime, salt and foam. My Pink Lady was topped with cranberry juice and foam, which was as light as air. Then we had wonderful salads, followed by spicy shrimp for Sandy and pork tenderloin for me (see photo). If you're in Santa Fe and want an over-the-top delicious and expensive dinner, Coyote Cafe is the current "in"spot.

Even though I swore last night when we got back to the casita that I was never going to eat again, this morning I made my specialty brunch, which includes eggs scrambled with turkey sausage, onions and red peppers, topped with avocado. Also on the plate were orange segments and half of a toasted, buttered cinnamon, raisin bagels. After brunch we toured the Tesueque Flea Market, which is located outside of Santa Fe on an Indian reservation. Then, after some afternoon stops (I think Sandy was able to decide on a beautiful piece of art for her Houston home), we went to the movie before beginning the cocktail hour at Pettita Casita. We sat under the portal drinking wine and listened to rain softly bouncing off the metal roof. Dinner consisted of heirloom tomatoes drizzled with high quality balsamic vinegar, EVOO, sea salt and parmesan, complemented by wonderful breads I got yesterday at the Farmer's Market. The girls (Roz and Rose) will miss having Sandy tomorrow when she leaves the casita. She has been a delightful guest. Mr. B arrives late this coming Sunday, so we won't be alone too long.

Today I'm creating ideas for embellishing my bags. Although many of the vendors have closed their stalls at Tesueque Flea Market because this is the end of the high season in Santa Fe, I was able to find some embellishments for my bags. After I clean house tomorrow, I'll pull out the sewing materials and equipment, and start working on the finishing touches for the bags I've created. Only two weeks left in my adopted home state.

August 27, 2011

Sandy squeezing some tomatoes
at the Farmer's Market.

Sandy and I have arrived at the casita to rest our tootsies before going out to dinner tonight. Around 10 a.m. this morning we went to the Farmer's Market. The heirloom tomatoes tasted fabulous so we got some for dinner tomorrow night. I also bought some fresh garlic pesto bread. Looked and smelled incredible. After a walk about the Railyard District we went to the Georgia O'Keefe Museum, one of my favorite places in town. We had a delightful lunch in the museum cafe after looking at the artwork and watching the film. The ice tea served at the cafe had pineapple in it for flavoring (very thirst quenching) and the crab cakes were just the right size. Good flavor, but mine are still better! Finally we went back to Canyon Road. For people not used to the altitude (such as Sandy, who had knee surgery at the first of 2011), walking all of Canyon Road on one day can be too much. So we did the lower portion yesterday and the upper portion today. I think she is trying to decide between four pieces of art to buy.

Listening to the weather channel about Hurricane Irene, I'm thinking that the people on the east coast are babies — at least when it comes to storms. Hurricane Irene is a Category 1 storm, yet residents are being told to evacuate. In Texas, we are told to shelter in place unless a Category 3 storm is threatening. I just heard someone on the weather channel tell people it's time to "hunker down" is they haven't already evacuated New York City.

Today I'm creating more fun with Sandy. We're having a great time, and I'm not even spending money.

August 26, 2011

Quick blog today. It's my turn in the shower before we head out.

I picked up Sandy from the ABQ airport and made the hour drive back to Santa Fe. I made us a yummy lunch from a Cooking Light recipe before we headed out for some retail therapy. Back at the house, cocktail hour began around 4:30 p.m., beginning with Skinnygirl margaritas and finishing with white wine. Yes, we did save time to eat the leftovers from lunch, which were even better after a few hours in the fridge. But we couldn't get the DVD to play, even after a call to Mr. B for a tutorial.

Today I'm creating another day of fun. As soon as we're dressed, it's off to the nearest convenience store to get a Friday paper, which lists what's happening this weekend in and around Santa Fe. On my walk with Rose this morning, I found a grab apple tree and picked one of the little green apples you see pictured today. Do not adjust your screen, it's really is that tiny!