 Little lights: Luminarias or Farolitos :) by kymbanm | Learn the local customs of Santa Fe. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Santa Fe locals. Santa Fe Map |
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 A Pinyon Tree by VeronicaG
After searching the internet for information on this tree, I found out some interesting facts. New Mexican Pinyon trees are widespread, usually growing below the elevation of 7500 feet. They do not often grow beyond 20-30 feet and can be wider than they are tall. These trees commonly live 350-450 years, not producing cones until after 100 years old.
The pinyon tree which grows in New Mexico, provides edible pine nuts to much of the American Southwest. It was a major food source of the Native American indians who lived in this area. Since this nut nourished animals, too, numbers of nuts buried for later use often germinate. In this way, the pinyon pine relies on these creatures to help the species spread.
Early Europeans credit the pinyon nut for preventing their starvation. The Pinyon Jay and the tree seem to benefit each other--one provides the nuts and the other's beak has evolved to expertly pluck the nuts from the cone. However, some seeds fall to the ground and eventually are covered over, enabling them to grow.
This bit of info. came from an article by Stuart K. Wier on earthlink.net
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 Delightful Prickly Pear
Lemonade by VeronicaG
Our delicious drink was made from the Prickly Pear cactus, which comes from the genus 'Opuntia'. The dictionary describes it as having "flattened, usually spiny stem joints, yellow, orange or reddish flowers with ovoid, often edible fruit."
I would highly recommend trying this unique lemonade--you might also want to taste some prickly pear jelly if you happen upon it on your travels through the southwest.
Rancho de Chimayo served up our drink with a slice of orange with a pretty paper flower stirrer.
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 Ristras by VeronicaG
The ristras come in all sizes and some can be quite long. In January, we found them in circular shapes, which ressemble wreaths. We were told that these can also be brought into one's kitchen to add a little color and cheer to the house.
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 Sopaipillas by VeronicaG
Sopaipillas are flaky puffs of fried dough that can be used to sop juices off your plate or as a dessert drizzled with honey or cinnamon and sugar.
That first bite was telling...I knew I would have to seek these little treasures out wherever they would be. My sopaipilla was with honey, but anyway they come I'm willing and anxious to try them again.
When you're traveling to the southwest, search for these tasty treats!
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 Sol Beer by VeronicaG
SOL BEER is an import from Mexico and is light and bubbly, like champagne. The first barrel, produced by the Cuauhtemoc Brewing Company in the late 1890's, won first prize at the Chicago and Paris World Fairs.
The Moctezuma Brewing Company of Monterrey acquired the original company in 1985 and now has breweries in Tecate, Navojoa, Guadalajara, Toluca and Orizaba, Mexico. I've read that SOL is also available in Texas.
Both the brewery and beer garden can be toured--visitors receive a free glass of draft beer.
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 The Road Crew by VeronicaG
Coming from the Northeast where there are BIG snowplows and cinder trucks, these seem too small to do the job. But, they must accomplish what they set out to do because the roads were perfectly passable after an afternoon and evening of snow.
Please click to see the entire picture.
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 The Burning of Zozobra by VeronicaG
Will was one of the 'Cinco de Pintores' who settled along Canyon Road in the l920's. He got the idea to celebrate Autumn and the end of the tourist season. The bonfire has evolved into quite a spectacle and coincides with opera season and Fiesta de Santa Fe.
This painting represents the burning of Zozobra, which has become an important part of the Fall social scene here in Santa Fe.
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 colorful ristras by richiecdiscLeave a Comment
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 Prickly pear cactus near Santa
Fe, NM by karenincalifornia
Prickly pear is a common ingredient in Southwestern dishes. There's no limit to the types of dishes this cactus will end up in. You can find prickly pear cheesecake, cookies, jelly, salads, salad dressings, shrimp and beef dishes, breads, candy, salsa, or you can coat them with cornmeal and fry the s**t out of them. (Remove the spines before cooking.)
I wondered if the prickly pear flowers were edible as well, so I went to the internet, the most reliable source for everything you want to know. I found this statement by an "expert":
Now as far as I know just me and some other guy are the only people who have eaten these flowers. The other guy is dead. So this is more a query than a recommendation. I like prickly pear flowers. Do you? E-mail me at www.humannatures.com and let me know. They have the texture and mouth of yucca flowers. I've heard there is a lost tribe that imbibes almost totally on these blooms. But I have no substantive material on their safety and edibility. So unless you are a fool like me I cannot recommend this flower. All fools please e-mail me your comment. Leave a Comment
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 even in practicality, Santa Fe
is colorful by richiecdiscLeave a Comment
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- Dancing Ground Of The Sun
711 Paseo De Peralta, Santa Fe, NM - Econo Lodge Santa Fe
3470 Cerillos Road, Santa Fe, NM - La Posada De Santa Fe Resort
330 East Palace Ave., Santa Fe, NM - Motel 6 Santa Fe
3007 Cerrillos Road I-25 at Exit 278/Cerrillos Rd (3 mi), Santa Fe, NM - Holiday Inn Express
3450 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM - Inn on the Alameda
303 E. Alameda, Santa Fe, NM - Hotel St. Francis
210 Don Gaspar Ave., Santa Fe, NM - Cities Of Gold Casino
10-A Cities of Gold Road, Santa Fe, NM - Fairfield Inn By Marriott Santa Fe New Mexico
4150 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM - The Santa Fe Suites
3007 S St Francis Dr (formerly Camel Rock Suites), Santa Fe, NM - Bishop's Lodge
1297 Bishops Lodge Road PO Box 2367, Santa Fe, NM - Luxury Inn
3752 Cerrillos Rd, Santa Fe, NM - Travelodge Santa Fe
646 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, NM - Inn of the Five Graces
150 E DeVargas Street, Santa Fe, NM - Inn Of The Anasazi, A Rosewood Hotel
113 Washington Ave., Santa Fe, NM
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