The pre-fiesta clock is winding down, and it is now the day for the burning of Zozobra...............

and here he is!! This year he is all done up in a Demons--blue and gold motif.................

My traditional photo with Zozo from my back yard--unfortunately, this year it's not exactly a good shot of either of us..........................

The girls from San Francisco have arrived and they immediately set about helping us prepare for our party in any way they can....................

And now, the girls from Albuquerque have arrived laden with good food, jello shots, blinky light necklaces and more..........................

I was happy to hear Frannie say "Pattie and Kelly are here! Now the FUN begins!"--that's exactly what we would say as little kids when Pattie's family came up from Albuquerque! The family tradition continues........................(That's the girl's, and now OUR, friend Loretta who also arrived laden with gifts--fabulous homemade cheeses)............................

Frannie protects Winston who arrives to check up on all the commotion................

The girls have blessed us with another handmade gift--Kelly MADE this beautiful mirror that reflects the artist herself and is also the perfect mirror to reflect the Fiesta season..................

Thanks girls for EVERYTHING!!...........................

I have to let everyone see the legendary hat from the 400th costume ball..........

On her version of this photo, Frannie had a caption that said something like: "The feather that broke Baby Binky's neck".................

I bet you thought that the mean mother from TITANIC would be dead by now.................

Those San Franciscans check out Zozo on the field.................

And the Flores-Kelly presents just keep coming--this is an art work depicting a "day of the dead" mother with her three daughters--a blonde, a brunette and a redhead. Who does that sound like?.................

Inside this bag are the infamous jello-shots................

Meanwhile the girls get "fiestafied"--between all the fiesta garb I have for them in bins and the large array Sisi has offered them in her tee-pee, these girls are going to rival the fiesta court in finery...............

This is FIESTA, Meekie, not CARNIVAL!...........................

Very artsy..........................

Shannon and Binks are in their fiesta dresses........................

And Keeks is glittery and golden in hers......................

This is Sarah's second fiesta, so she brought her own Zozobra earrings along...................

Now THAT'S what I call a fetching group........................

This is Shannon's first Fiesta and she is really excited...........................

But she has Binky to show her the ropes..................

So, they're ready to PARTY.....................

I think the caption Loretta had on this picture was: "My this is STRONG sangria!".................

The hostess is also ready to PARTY!......................

So let's get this show on the road.......................

And the guests start arriving. These girls work at Democratic Headquarters with Frannie................

Sparkly cousins...................

Elliott flanked by his grandparents...........................

We have two cakes for two brothers celebrating their birthdays.........................

Love my girls--and even love that sneaky little Allison in the corner..............

Ready to rock.......................

And the evening progresses......................

Frannie also has some Zozobra earrings...........................

Another glittery muchacha.............................

The girls mingle with the crowd on the field..............................

Where they meet up with some more Santa Fe friends like Nicole...................

And Old Man Gloom...........................

Allison's boyfriend is visiting from San Francisco...............................

This is a special year for the Fiesta de Santa Fe.............................

I guess these girls already know how to party..............................

And so does Allison's mom!!!...........................

Do you think there are going to be ENOUGH pictures of Zozobra taken?...........................

After the burning, it's back to the party--this is when the jello shots are passed out....................

and classmates like Pauline, in the photo above, and Becky and Martha get more enchiladas, posole, beans and green chile stew..........................

A hug from my favorite--Dude................................

Two golden goddesses...................

That adoreable Fiesta Doll--Miss Isa.....................

Mark looking handsome..........................

Cheers!

So now all our gloom and troubles have gone up in smoke with Old Man Gloom--Zozobra.......................

AND A GOOD TIME IS ALREADY BEING HAD BY ALL!!!

Especially by those revelers who left these two pair of pants that we found in the party clean-up next morning. Just THIS YEAR'S Capshaw Zozobra Party Mystery (There's always at least ONE.)--that shall be revealed in a future post.......................VIVA LA FIESTA!!!