Click on image to enlarge calendar photo for July 2008.
Click on image to enlarge calendar dates for July 2008.

We're off on a sunny summer afternoon for a very special event....
A special celebration for a very special lady!
Complete with mariachis....
And dancing with her husband of over fifty years.....
Sarah was completely surprised by this party--orchestrated by her children!

There were candles to blow...
And baby sister Veronica was on hand......
As well as Veronica's husband, George, and her son, Christopher.....
Even Sarah's grouchy boss was on hand.....
And daughter Della--one of the masterminds of the beautifully arranged affair.....

Veronica was beaming as she held her brand new granddaughter.....
And there were lots of comely young women....
And very energetic women....
Sarah's friends hang on her every word.....

Crystal--Sarah's best friend from the Capitol--was on hand....

As were all the remaining Grace brothers and sisters.....
I was happy to be included in such a fun party!
Della was beaming....
George was disappointed with the lack luster singing of "Las Mananitas", so he took matters into his own hands and led another sing-along....
With gusto!!!

And on they danced....
These are Sarah's grandchildren....
This is Veronica's daughter, Jessica.....
The grandmother of the lovely baby--this is a repeat, but it is a nice picture.....

Sarah's daughter, Linda...

The Fifteen Carat Club--a group of women who have been meeting for many years for fun and adventure....
And an occasional seance.....
This was one of Dwightie's first ventures out in public since his surgery....
Ooops--the grandkids again...

Oh how they danced--like the night they were wed....

Sarah being Sarah....
And thanking everyone for her surprise!
The entire Bullring Restaurant was empty and the party was on the patio....
Congratulations Sarah!! We wish you eighty more!!
A truly blessed life........

Happy Birthday to Francesca Marquita--our first child, the first grandchild and the pathfinder for the family! You'll always be "first" in our hearts! Hope your day is wonderful!

One pleasant summer afternoon we ventured out for a garden/home tour.....
The first property was on Hillside across from this ancient doorway.....
And up, up the hill....along the way, this inscription is set into one of the retaining walls. What it is all about baffles me.....

Alice leads the way into the garden of this home--listed as "The Vivid Perennials" garden....
First you pass the pool--with a view of the entire city beneath it.....
I could get used to this.....
Then there's a lovely garden.....
Set high above the city with the chaise lounges looking over all of Santa Fe......

Goldilocks found this bed to be "just right"!
A bit of statuary at the doorstep....
A perfect spot for reading....
Some gorgeous light fixtures.....

Lots of fireplaces and lots of art.....

A beautiful painted window....
Sisi is enjoying this gorgeous house....
There are several terraces.....
Then on to the next home in Tesuque....

This one is listed as "A country meadow" because the home with its manicured gardens looks down upon a lovely meadow....

This property was huge--9,000 plus sq. feet--this is just one of several "great rooms"....
It has some great accent pieces.....
A very customized vanity....
Big furniture for a really BIG bedroom....
View off the portal along the living room of the main unit.....

Even the shed area was landscaped.....
The long expanse looking from the dining room is just as long going the other direction....
Sisi appreciates the finer things in life....
Garden statuary.....
The final property was called "Under the majestic cottonwoods". But I guess I was so tired, I only got a picture of three women in the bathroom, Despite this, a good time was had by all!