The Christmas lights were turned on during the annual holiday ceremony yesterday. The Plaza is just magical now at night. Enjoy this video from the Santa Fe New Mexican of the lighting of the Plaza lights.
Winter arrives in Santa Fe
It’s been awhile since I’ve posted. Santa Fe received its first snowfall a few weeks ago. Right now the snow is only up in the mountains and Ski Basin. But I found a great video slide show that shows what Santa Fe looks like in the winter. Enjoy!
Santa Fe Indian Market
Lots of activities as well as art
SWAIA’s Santa Fe Indian Market is coming Aug. 22-23. It is one of the largest art markets in the world.
While you can see and buy a huge selection of Native art from incredibly talented artists, there are also many other activities during the Market. I love the Santa Fe Indian Market because of the diverse activities — films, fashion shows, entertainment and Native foods.
Check out this SWAIA video of a market in the past.
Rancho de Chimayo
Stopped by during this 50th anniversary year
Last weekend I stopped by Rancho de Chimayó Restaurante. I love to return during the different seasons. In the summer you can enjoy sitting outside on the patio or in the sunroom. In the winter, I love to sit by one of the fireplaces.
Sopaipillla relleno
I’ve been going to the restaurant for many years and there are several dishes that are among my favorites. I am particularly fond of the sopaipilla relleno (stuffed sopaipilla).
When I moved to New Mexico many years ago, almost all of the New Mexican restaurants served sopaipillas with their meals. Now most places usually serve chips and salsa, but not necessarily sopaipillas.
Hot sopaipillas
What I love about the sopaipillas at Rancho de Chimayo Restaurante is that they always come to the table hot. So you’ve got to put on local honey while the sopaipilla is still warm. I have friends who also love to add butter.
Flan
Of course, a meal is not complete without dessert. I recommend the flan. And yes, I get it with two spoons so I can share it! After the sopaipillas there’s not much room for dessert!
While I know I can’t cook the meals as well as they do, I couldn’t resist buying a copy of the Rancho de Chimayó 50th anniversary cookbook.
The book was first written by Bill and Cheryl Jamison for the 25th anniversary and it was recently updated with spectacular photos and additional recipes.
Click on the cover for details on ordering this gorgeous book.
Miss Fortune’s fun and funky art
Devin Vasquez shows at Contemporary Hispanic Market
The Contemporary Hispanic Market was the same weekend as the Spanish Market. There were dozens of contemporary artists showcasing their work on Lincoln Street in Santa Fe.
I enjoyed visited with the artists, but particularly had fun talking with Devin Vasquez. All of Devin Vasquez’s work just makes me smile. Her enthusiasm for her pieces is also terrific.
She had fun showing customers the ins and outs of her recycled art pieces. Check out the slide show below of both sides of one piece of art and the inside too. I think collectors should keep an eye on this talented teen artist and her business Miss Fortune Couture.
Young santeras
Youth artists
Retablos by Ana E
Simona’s Saints
Youth artists are mentored by adults and participate in the Spanish Market. Two young women were eager to show their artwork. Many youth artists sell out on Saturday, the opening day of the market. The prices are reasonable and it’s a great way to support the young artists. Many of the young artists will jury into the adult market when they get older.
Santeros of Spanish Market
The Saints Come Marching In
Santero Nicolas Otero of Los Lunas
Perhaps, one of the most sought after items at Santa Fe’s Spanish Market are representations of saints. When they are painted on boards they are called retablos. When they are carved figures they are known as bultos. When men create the images they are known as santeros. Women are called santeras. I stopped by to chat with several of the well-known santeros. If you get to the last day of the Market, tomorrow on Sunday, July 26 take some time to talk with the artists about their processes. See more of Nicolas Otero’s art.
Santero Carlos Rael of Ranchos de Taos loves to go out searching for the raw materials for his pigments.
Santero Carlos Rael makes retablos and bultos.
Santero Carlos Rael has an eye for color and loves to go hunting for the ingredients of his natural pigments.
The Ranchos de Taos artist says he doesn’t leave home without a shovel and pail.
He has a special place in Questa where he retrieves some of the raw materials for his pigments.
Take some time to visit with this artist to learn more about his dedication to traditional painting methods.
He makes both retablos and bultos.
Santero Ruben Gallegos of Albuquerque
As you peruse the Spanish Market you’ll notice that no two santeros create their art in the same way.
Ruben Gallegos of Albuquerque creates bright, vivid retablos.
He’s also know for his eggshell art and his fine miniature paintings.
There are many more talented santeros and santeras. Saint Cecilia, the patron saint of music, is one of my favorites. Do you have a favorite?
Spanish Market on the Plaza this weekend
Spanish Market & Contemporary Hispanic Market
This weekend visitors to the Santa Fe Plaza can enjoy both the Traditional Spanish Market and the Contemporary Hispanic Market. It’s more than two art markets. It’s like a small Fiesta on the Plaza. Listen and dance to Spanish music and stop at one of the food booths to enjoy tasty treats.
Let me know if you’ve ever gone to Spanish Market before in the Comments section below.
Here’s a video from The Santa Fe New Mexican newspaper of a previous Market weekend to give you a sample of what the markets are like.
Night at the Opera
Enjoy the glorious views and amazing music
This past weekend I went to the Santa Fe Opera. While the music is wonderful, so is watching the views and the people attending. I especially enjoyed seeing the people tailgating and having a picnic supper on the picnic tables on the grounds. Here are some random shots I got before the production of Salomé. Bulgarian soprano Alex Penda sings brilliantly in the role, but be prepared: This opera is set in 1905. I thought she dances an extraordinary contemporary dance, but I did miss the “seven veils” in the “Dance of Seven Veils.”
Do you enjoy opera? Share your thoughts with me in the comments box.
Zuly’s Cafe in Dixon
Enjoying chile in Dixon
It was a cold overcast day last Friday when I and some friends gathered at Zuly’s Cafe in Dixon. Since it was overcast , it was a pleasant temperature on this July day for enjoying a meal outside. There was enough chill in the air to enjoy a hot meal. At the counter, I asked what their specialty was and the answer was enchildas.
The place is friendly and the food is terrific. They serve breakfast and lunch. Besides their enchiladas, they are know for their specialty coffee drinks. Yes, an expresso bar in Dixon! If you’re traveling up north to Taos, make a point to stop in. Warning, though, they are closed on Sundays. Check out more about the cafe on Facebook.
Artist Fritz Kackley enjoys a green chile enchilada at Zuly’s Cafe.
Embudo resident John Harvey and artist Rosanna Hall enjoy red enchiladas at Zuly’s Cafe.
Resident artist Fritz Kahkley is a fan of the green enchiladas.. Our group was split between red and green. Of course, one can always solve that dilema by ordering Christmas (both red and green.)
Right now, I loved the green since it was so fresh and just roasted.
But two of my friends prefer red.
Experience Santa Fe with Emily 