Giving Thanks

Thanksgiving is a couple of days away and as most people, I like to reflect on all the wonderful things in my life that I'm thankful for.  Trust me, I am so very thankful each and everyday but this time of year I make my list just to reinforce all of my blessings!  Here is my list in no particular order-

~My family, how very lucky to have so many loving people in my life!

~Friends, which are my second family, people that know are only a phone call away.

~Of course I am so very thankful for my health, in fact I am now cancer free for 5 years!

~This wonderful life I have found here in New Mexico! So much beauty which I never tire of!

~The new people that have come in to my life here in New Mexico. So warm and kind.

~This blogging community . . . where I am fortunate enough to share my thoughts with so many wonderful, caring people and learn about others and their lives.  So cool to feel connected with people I have never actually met face to face!

Thankful for the awesome sunsets!

Thankful for these little beauties!

Thankful for being lucky enough to see this!

Thankful for being able to experience  a hot air balloon ride! 

Thankful for these beauties!

Thankful for friends' visit and sharing a warm fire!

And finally . . . thankful for the miles of  hiking trails!

Photo Blog Today

Today is a photo flash back of sorts . . . I thought I would share some of photos of some of my favorite things!  I really love looking back, the memories are like experiencing it all over again!

A Road Runner hanging out where we like to hike!

Signs of fall, on the hiking trail! 

Views from the hot air balloon ride from last week!  It was truly an amazing experience!

The beautiful Sandia Mountains!  The red hue comes from their name . . . Sandia means watermelon!

Brew and Blues Festival!  Gorgeous day and great music!

Looking Down . . . Instead of Up

 For almost a year and a half since moving to New Mexico, I have been memorized by the beauty of seeing hot air balloons soaring through the sky!  Many mornings, I look up and see these beauties floating ever so slowly creating a magical picture I never tire of!  Of course Balloon Fiesta is the icing on the proverbial cake. I thought about taking a ballon ride, wondered if I ever really would and then friends came out to visit and said it was on their bucket list and well we decided why not?! The experience was so much more than I imagined it to be. It really is like floating, floating ever so slowly  overlooking breathtaking views and the only sound is the propane firing to keep the balloon soaring! While I will continue to look up in awe at the beautiful balloons . . . the experience of looking down was in one word AMAZING!

Setting up the basket

Heating the envelope

My sister and cousin helping to keep the envelope steady

Our friends with my cousin, sister and me  . . . getting ready to fly!!!

Floating over the Rio Grande!

    

Mimosas at the end of the flight!

                                         

                            

                                 

         

Another Visitor Post

This has been an exciting month with so many visitors!  Two of my granddaughters just left after a too short of a visit . . .but all visits are too short!  We were able to fit in a few of my favorite activities and I'm happy to say they loved them as well.  A visit to New Mexico would not be complete without a visit to Petroglyph National Monument as well the tour to the Acama Pueblo City in the Sky.  We had beautiful weather which is always great with outdoor activities!  The balloon picture is on the way to the airport . . . thought it was going to land on the road!  

Right off the road on the way to the airport!

The City in the Sky . . . the views are amazing from  on top of the mesa!

One of my favorite rock formations at the Petroglyphs . . . the big heart!

Peek Back on My Friend's Visit

The month of October has been and will be quite busy for us.  Our home will be a revolving door with visitors!  Our first visitor Jayne, came for Balloon Fiesta and luckily both times we went the weather was perfect!  We had a great time visiting and as always time flew by.  Here are some photos of her visit.  Our next visitor comes in on Thursday . . .

I promised Jayne beautiful sunsets in our backyard and the sun gods did not disappoint! 

A very early toast for the balloons!

               

Each morning during Balloon Fiesta there is what is called the mass ascension. Over 500 balloons fill the sky for what can only be described as amazing!  This year we decided to try something a little different.  We went to one of our favorite wineries for the mass ascension.  They offered breakfast, mimosas and a beautiful view of the balloons.  Two balloons actually landed right in front of us and were given a mimosa as well.

No trip would be complete without a visit to Petroglyph  National Monument! 

The ride through the Jemez Mountains to another one of my favorites . . . the natural hot springs!

High up on the Acama Pueblo  . . . The City in the Sky!

The evening "glow" at Balloon Fiesta!  The balloons stay tethered on the ground and fire up to make  the glow!