Just a short while after returning from The Assemblage Studio in DePere, WI, I accompanied my husband Dale to New Mexico. He would be there on business and knowing how much I love the area, he invited me to join him. We arrived early and had two blissful days in Santa Fe before his business engagement. The weather was brisk but sunny and there is nothing that compares to that beautiful New Mexico sky. Here we are riding on the Santa Ana Pueblo in Bernalillo, just outside of Albuquerque. Dale's conference was in Bernalillo, at Tamaya, which was beautiful beyond our expectations. Dale was pretty busy most of the time, but on our last day there we arose early and took a hike along the Rio Grande, followed by a trail ride.
After our morning ride, we drove into Albuquerque and visited a few bead shops. I first discovered beads while visiting New Mexico in the early 90s. I don't think there are more bead shops anywhere else in the country, but my absolute favorite is Glorianna's in Santa Fe, where the mother and daughter proprietors are always friendly and welcoming, and oh the beads!
While in Santa Fe, we visited several museums, among them the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, where we caught the Art & Materials exhibit. On display were some of her brushes, paints, pastels and sketch journals, as well as the natural objects that she collected and represented in her paintings. Rocks, shells, twigs and even bones were part of the exhibit. After her death in 1986 I read about her many collections of natural objects and felt a strong connection to this earth-centered woman.
Outside of the O'Keeffe Museum.
In the museum shop I purchased this photographic postcard of Georgia O'Keeffe, taken by Maria Chabot. O'Keeffe was a woman with true grit. On a previous visit to the museum, I caught another exhibit, The Poetry of Things, and brought home the exhibit catalog which was also a biography of sorts. I remember a passage that described the simplicity of her home. There was very little ornamentation but among those few items was a sculpture of a Bodhisattva right hand, the gesture which means to go without fear.
The high desert plains and adobe architecture of New Mexico are very different, and why I had a difficult time passing up the opportunity for a visit.
Outside the Santa Fe Art Museum.
A courtyard inside the Museum of Art in Santa Fe, with just a glimpse of that beautiful sky.
Trying to capture a typical street scene in Santa Fe, shrouded by that exquisite blue sky.
A perfectly blissful end to a magnificent week in the high desert plains.
What a beautiful place!!! The bead shop and the museum sound terrific. Glad you had such a wonderful time.
Posted by: Barbara | 06 December 2010 at 01:57 PM
Catherine I love that your darling hubby and yourself live life to make everyday count.
Wow what a fabulous beautiful adventure "together".
Thanks for sharing,I loved everything.
Riding on horseback dreamy,pinch me...
YOUR SO AWESOME..
Big Hugs,Laura. xoxx
Posted by: Laura Haviland | 14 December 2010 at 02:31 PM
Happy New Year, Pet.........
I love the photos of you and your darling man on horseback......and oh, how I love Santa Fe....it holds very special memories for me and long to head back, especially when the aspens turn gold.
I am also excited over your newest release of stamps, my friend...and am going to brag about them right now on Faerieluna...of course, I had to pick up a few plates.
Hugs x0x Rella
Posted by: rella | 01 January 2011 at 06:50 PM