MARCH GOES OUT LIKE A "LAMB"      

As was hoped for--March stormed in and is ending with the earliest and most beautiful display of blossoms that I can remember........gorgeous weather too.....

 Click on image to enlarge calendar photo for March 2012.

Click on image to enlarge calendar dates for March 2012.

FIESTA SUNDAY--2011

 Sunday dawned sunny and bright and we are ready for the last day of Fiesta 2011.....

 Dwight looks pretty chipper (and patriotic) for someone who got up at 3:00 am. to park our car along the parade route--stuffed with chairs, eats and a cooler of drinks......

 Once downtown we meet up with the other Fiesta goers.....

 And head to the plaza for our last green chile burgers and for what is becoming a yearly Sunday photo with the Cathedral in the background........

 These New Yorkers really know how to get in the Fiesta spirit....

 Having learned from the pros..........

 On the plaza there is a patriotic display going on......

 And Binky and Michael are primed for the parade........

 So, armed with out umbrellas, chairs, eats and drinks......let the parade begin...........

 Of course, this is basically the SAME parade every year, but I will show a few highlights, like members of the DeVargas staff..........

And La Reina of the fiesta herself.........

 And a protective soldado.....

 Some teenage beauty queens--THESE girls need some protecting.....

 A wagon with a paper wheel and a paper horse.....

 A cool low-rider for the Democrats.......

 And the democrats themselves.......

 And the highlight of the parade--Miss Frannie emptying out her candy bag for the squealing fans.........

 The cathedral becomes mobile..........

 Beautiful horse and beautiful stagecoach..........

 Photo-op with a break in the parade..........

 A message from that famous blockhead, Charlie Brown.  Mr. Block did finally resign, but has seen no jail time to date........

 The hula girls are actually teenage Latina beauty queens........

 Everybody's favorite Physician assistant with the St. Vincent's float.........

And at parade's end, more posing............

 Of course, some do it better than others........

 With Fiesta coming to an end, it becomes the sad time to say goodbye to all our lovely visitors--it ALWAYS tears Dwight up to say "Goodbye" to Binky--and Sisi is getting Goodbye hugs from Michael in the background.......

 I'm tearing up thinking how I'm going to be missing all these cheery young folks.........

 It has been a total pleasure to have them all around for a few days...........

 The remaining Santa Fe folk pose one last time--as Waymon seems totally beaten down by the splendor of the womenfolk...........

 "How about one last revolution around the plaza?".............

 And off we go............

 Where we meet up with Frannie--back from the parade.............

 And Toesette shows us one last time what Fiesta is all about........

 So goodbye to Fiesta 2011.................

And we'll all be back next year for the fun and craziness that is La Fiesta De Santa Fe!!

Fiesta Pet Parade--2011

 Despite dark skies and cold weather, the children and the adults as well, made it up for the rather early morning Desfile de los Ninos............

 The pets are heavy on the dogs and cats, but there are lots of exotic entries too--like these geese....

 Don't quite know what the "budding scientists" are growing....

 A patriotic Miss Liberty...........

 A Mei Toy look-alike struts her stuff......

 ALICE THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS?........

This Pied Piper seems to have attracted an adorable Elliott type........

 If you've got a hot 50s car, you have to speed.....

Especially if the Coppers are in hot pursuit......

 I was hoping to get a better picture of this little showman who had his top hat, tap shoes and cane and quite a bit of talent............

 "I beg your pardon, do you have any Grey Poupon?"...........

 Some of the folks having the most fun were the adults........

Because we were up too late to get our usual spot near Sena Plaza, we watched from Marcy and Washington--Smurf City..............

 Finally, some new Franciscans for the Cathedral........

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your long hair--or whatever...."

 Too Cute Little Red Riding Hood.........

 This young lady will probably be fresh as can be after the parade, Mama might be hurting though, after trapezing through town in those stripper boots.........

 The family that "lady bugs" together, beats off  thugs together.....

 Quite the believable little clown.........

 The man in the jeans better hurry, his blackbird is targeting right in on his butt........

 I don't know who they're supposed to be, but I DO know who is doing all the work.....

 The boy in white, and yours truly, as well--can't figure out how this young rock star is maneuvering right on top of his speaker.........

The Kung Fu Pandas.........

 Such indignities for such a noble breed.........

 And Of course, no Pet Parade would be complete without Zozo!........

Chinatown, San Francisco has a gorgeous Chinese Dragon as the finale of the Chinese New Year Parade, in Santa Fe, we settle for a giant earthworm......

 A pretty girl sitting on the curb............

The Montoya Clan is laying claim to our after-parade corner in front of The Guarantee.........

 Where Louie seems to be getting the "evil eye" from his wifey.......

 And when you get "eviled" by Sisi, you STAY eviled...........

Sisi feels so lucky to have her little daughter, Toesette, here for Fiesta........

 Just as we are lucky that Frannie is back in Santa Fe--Johanna too.........

Louie is amazed at the powerful yell from his wifey............

And seems quite impressed with the fantastic job of "braining" that Sisi has accomplished--Grandma too.........

 Well, when you learn from the Master............

 Despite the cold, the festivities continue on the Plaza.........

 We ran into our little showman from the parade, and he obliged us with a repeat performance.........

And even posed with his pet.  When he is a HUGE STAR, remember that you saw him first on this blog...........

 Later, we joined some friends at the Del Charro grill for food and drinks........

 And lots of good conversation--these are all folks who have met on Facebook sites like "You Know You're Old School Santa FeWhen...." and "Voces de Santa Fe", and who are all devotees of the history and culture of our hometown..........

And a grand time was had by all!  QUE VIVA LA FIESTA!