Girly-Bits

Our last full day in Santa Fe was absolutely lovely. We started with a fabulous breakfast of chai, baguette, brie, jam and fruit at the Teahouse.

We then proceeded to the Museum of International Folk Art. Kind of interesting, but we neglected to get a guide, so it was all a bit of a mystery. And no photos allowed in the galleries, although we did take some nice ones outside.

After shopping a bit on the Plaza, we stopped at the Ore House for some yummy guacamole and stew. Les looked quite fetching in his cowboy hat.

We had hot baths and then went on to Tulips Restaurant. A very unsatisfying experience that you can read about here on Les’ blog. The service and food were so bad that we decided we’d rather play with our food than eat it:

But even a terrible meal couldn’t spoil the perfect holiday. Now we’re back at home in our snug and comfy bed with our bowzers around us.

Happy New Year!

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Les and I agree. We’ve never had a better one. On Thursday, after another visit to The Pantry, (Santa Fe’s meeting place since 1948!), we made sidetrips to Target and Trader Joe’s. Then it was on to Ten Thousand Waves, a marvelous Japanese-inspired spa just south of downtown Santa Fe. We sat in a bubbly hot tub surrounded by trees and sky while it snowed big, fat snowflakes on us.

That was followed by an hour and a half massage for me and a sauna and herbal wrap for Les. Of course we had to go back to the Anasazi and nap after that. Then we went to Aqua Santa with Leon and Pamela. (The link is to a New York Times review of the restaurant, registration required.) We forgot to take pictures of our food! But the food and the company were great. I had a bitter greens salad and Sweet Georgia Shrimp. I’m not sure who else had what, but I know that there was quail, chorizo and sea bass on the table. The tiny restaurant was crammed full of tables, but the food and ambience were so great that we didn’t mind the close quarters.

Friday, we finally made it to Cafe Pasqual’s, the famous and popular breakfast spot. The wait was only 25 minutes, which is half of what it is usually. I had my favorite Santa Fe breakfast: Polenta with corn and red chili sauce. Mmmmmmm.

The we headed out to Bandelier National Monument, about an hour out of Santa Fe. It was a beautiful clear day with blue skies and snow everywhere. We took some pictures and wandered on the nature trail.

Then we finished the day with a meal at Geronimo, probably the best restaurant in Santa Fe. We had a cozy table by the fireplace, which was topped by a massive set of moose antlers. We had a great view of the other diners and the entrance. Our waiter was excellent, and also a movie buff, so we talked about Sexy Beast, No Country for Old Men and the Cormac McCarthy novel, Blood Meridien. The food was exquisite. Les had a ravioli appetizer and their famous elk tenderloin, while I had tuna and salmon tartare followed by a rosemary-infused ribeye. The restaurant was too dark to get good pix, but we did snap our dessert: lemon mousse.

Updated pictures of the vacation here. Tomorrow it’s breakfast at the Teahouse, the afternoon at the Plaza and the Folk Art Museum, and dinner at Tulips. Our last full day….

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Oh yes, Christmas Day we couldn’t find anything open but a bar on the edge of downtown, Del Charro. After a traditional Christmas lunch of nachos and a margarita, we headed back to the Anasazi and hung out until dinner. We got an awesome corner table at the Anasazi Restaurant that felt very secluded on a very busy evening.

We had lobster and quail appetizers, sea bass and duck entrees and yummy desserts. Truly a lovely evening. Here’s a bit of Les’ duck in lavender-maple glaze.

We slept quite late this morning and decided just to have brunch at Zia Diner. We wandered around until it was time for our afternoon train ride on the Santa Fe Southern Railway’s Holiday Hotshot to Lamy. We thought it would be a bit more scenic, but it was still a nice couple of hours chugging through the desert landscape.

When we got back to Santa Fe we wandered the Plaza and made a stop at our favorite candy store, Todos Santos for some chocolate truffles.

We ended the evening at La Cantina, where the waiters sing Broadway show tunes between serving dinners.

All the Santa Fe Christmas pictures so far are here. Tomorrow… Cafe Pasqual, Ten Thousand Waves and dinner at Aqua Santa with Leon and Pamela.

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Wherever you are….

That’s my new favorite Christmas song by Mindy Smith. I downloaded it today to my brand new iTouch that Les got me for Christmas. We’ve had a lovely time in Santa Fe so far.

We landed Sunday afternoon and checked into the Inn of the Anasazi…

And then had afternoon tea and scones at the St. Francis Hotel.

Later on, we walked over for dinner at India Palace.

Monday morning, we headed over to the Santa Fe landmark restaurant, The Pantry. It was packed with people, but we were seated quickly and had a wonderful breakfast. I had the Buenos Dias which is their famous green chili sauce over eggs and hash browns.

After shopping on the Plaza for the afternoon, we had guacamole and a margarita at the Ore House:

And then napped before going over to Leon’s house for hot toddies before the Farolitos Walk.

We roamed around the Plaza after that, and the only restaurant open on Christmas Eve was Cowgirl BBQ! Maybe barbecue will be our new Christmas Eve tradition.

We ended the day with a nightcap of Delamain Reserve de le Famille Cognac Grande Champagne (for me) and a non-alcoholic beer (for Les) in the Anasazi bar.

This morning we had breakfast at the Anasazi restaurant after opening presents and then hung out in the Living Room in front of the fire for awhile.

Tonight… a fabulous Christmas dinner! Here’s one more shot of the incredible sky from our balcony. And the rest of the photos so far are here.

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This Sunday, Les and I will fly to Santa Fe for a fabulous week of snow, cold, mountains, guacamole, luminaria, chile peppers, massages, hot tubs, photographs and restaurants.

We will stay at the above pictured Inn of the Anasazi. About 13 years ago, I started going to Santa Fe. On my first trip, my boss happened to be there as well. I was sharing a room with a girlfriend at the Plaza Real, a moderate hotel on the Plaza. Meanwhile, my boss was next door at the Inn of the Anasazi. Scarlett O’Hara-like, I swore to myself that someday I would be able to afford to stay there.

Monday night we’ll be joining our friends Leon and Pamela for some holiday cheer and the Christmas Eve Farolitos Walk. We’re also planning some fun daytime activities while we’re there: Christmas Day at Tesuque Pueblo, a trip to Bandelier National Monument, hot tubs and massages at Ten Thousand Waves, a ride on the Santa Fe Railway, and a side-trip to Trader Joe’s. We also have reservations at Geronimo, Tulips, Aqua Santa, and for dinner and a show at La Cantina. And best of all, Christmas Dinner at the Anasazi Restaurant.

Our hotel has wi-fi, so the laptops are coming and photos will be posted.

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What am I saying? We are the old folks. Our friend Howard’s birthday was yesterday and our friend David’s band happened to be playing at the Stoneleigh P, so we all toddled down for some greasy food and blues by the B Street Band. Festivities seen here.

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Nick got a most unfortunate haircut from Pet Love this week. They are one of those services that come by your house and groom your dog. Les wanted them to clean up Nick’s muzzle a bit, and I guess they got kind of carried away. He looks like a ferret now. He seems vaguely humiliated. Poor thing. Merry Christmas Nick! I got him 16 years ago this Christmas.

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Philip and Craig moved to Maple Terrace Apartments, an iconic old building in Dallas. The decorating, of course, was superb. Craig can really put a lot of furniture in a small space and have it look good. Although he does suffer from “chair build-up”, occasionally. The food was delish and they served champagne exclusively. I’ve noticed that lately champagne has been very popular again… served by the glass in restaurants and served exclusively at parties. And I’ve also noticed Prosecco and sparkling chardonnays and syrahs at Central Market. Hooray for fizzy wine!

Pictures of the yummy apartment and shindig here.

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From the Tower Club, 48th Floor of Thanksgiving Tower in downtown Dallas. The clouds enveloped the building most of the day, which was a shame. Our ears actually popped going down on the elevators. We had our monthly meeting and Holiday Luncheon there today. I got a silver bracelet from my Secret Santa, a lovely engraved leather notebook from my bosses, and a photo book of our retreat in Gunnision, CO from Amy… about 15 months later. Altogether a lovely day that reminds me why I work 24/7. Because… I believe!

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New York Times… check
Fire… check
Hot Tea… check
Laptop… check
Slipper and Robes… check

All the ingredients for a perfect Sunday morning.

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