So Long New York . . . Hello Sunny California!

At this writing I'm back in New York for what may be the last time for a long while!  My sister and I are here to help my niece pack up her apartment.  In a few short days she will be moving to start a new job and a new life in California!  She is looking forward to the new challenges ahead but, as anyone who has moved away from home knows, (she has been there for ten years) leaving friends and the life you are used to is very difficult. The good news is she is now closer to her brother, also a very good friend who moved to California a few years ago and of course a short 2 hour plane ride or 12 hour car ride from us! I can't help but remember all the wonderful times we had here, enjoying all that the Big Apple has to offer.  A great city for sure!  However, I'm so looking forward to discovering the "gems" of the southern California area!  I couldn't be more proud of my niece and know great things are lying ahead for her!

New York comes to New Mexico!

If you read my blog you know that each time we go to New York to visit my niece we spend at least one night with the "girls" . . . the girls have been my niece's friends since they were all freshmen at NYU.  The girls have become family over the last 11 years so having them come to New Mexico to visit was a real treat.  Their visit was just a long weekend, but we made sure to enjoy every minute!  What fun it was having the house filled with 6 young women!  We laughed, chatted, ate good and shared numerous bottles of wine!  On Saturday we went to one my new favorite places, the theraputic hot springs and followed it up by a visit to a winery.  Sunday, was a hike at the Petroglyphs!  Monday the girls decided to soak up the sun and swim before leaving on the red eye back to New York.  The visit was a little bittersweet because two of the girls are leaving New York . . . my niece accepted a new job with great opportunities in California (she wanted to be closer to us and her brother) and another one of the girls is going to start a Master's program in her home country of Canada!  Although their lives may be moving away from New York, their friendship will continue because after all, there is always reunions in New York and New Mexico!

The Garden

It's been about 20 years since I have had an in ground vegetable garden.  I would grow vegetables and herbs in large pots but honestly it's not the same.  This year, we decided to make a couple raised bed gardens and grow our own organic veggies and herbs.  My husband built the frames and then we filled each with good organic soil and planted some of our favorite veggies.  It was great digging into the soil, imagining the tiny plants fully grown yielding an abundant crop!  The day inspired a little poem!

Tiny plants begin spreading their roots

Abundance of sunlight and water helps ensure high yielding fruits

Taking in nutrients to grow and thrive 

Along with loving care so each one survives!

Pesticide free and non GMO

Are the only type of plants I will grow!

Moms . . . The Toughest Job!

On a recent trip while waiting at the gate to board the plane, a young mom with her two small children came and sat next to me. I began chatting with the mom and learned the girls were  2 and 5.  The mom was prepared with books, toys and plenty of snacks but as we know, sometimes that isn't enough for a two year old.  Prior to boarding the plane the two year old had a small meltdown and as all moms know, sometimes there just aren't enough words to calm down a two year old.  Once on the plane, I noticed they were sitting across the aisle from me. I commented to the mom how well prepared she was with all the "tools" to keep the kids occupied. She smiled and and seemed to appreciate that I had noticed.  The 2 year old was definitely getting tired and in a matter of seconds she started crying and then sceaming, refused to get in the seatbelt and threw herself down on the floor. The poor mom stayed calm and tried to reason with her but, as moms know, there is no reasoning with a 2 year old!  I noticed the people around us were rolling their eyes and all I wanted to do was wave a magic wand to help her. I wanted to tell the people that were annoyed by this that sometimes a child,  a really tired child can't be reasoned with. Long story short, after about 30 min the little girl finally calmed down, and fell asleep.  The mom was looking lovingly at her and gently rubbing her face when she caught my eye. I was smiling and I again told how patient she was and what a great job she did with the situation. A few simple words that can make another feel so good!  And I was glad I was there to say them :-) So, I guess the moral to this story is, next time you see a mom with a sceaming child, try not to judge as she may be doing the best that she can.

Garden Club at the "Young People's Home"

I got in very late last night from Las Vegas after attending my cousin's daughter's wedding.  However this is not what I am slicing about today because my pictures aren't ready so, it will have to wait.  Today I write about another volunteer day?  Garden Club at the "young people's home".  . .  There is a lovely patio we sit on most days we visit with my aunt, however it needed a bit of color . . . Soooo The Garden Club was born!  Although we had a huge crowd, a lot of the residents chose to be the observers.  The worker bees were amazing!  We put on the garden gloves, a few sun hats, handed them a pot, some dirt and flowers and off they went! Watching them was so fun, and listening to the stories of the gardens they had, I really learned a lot from them!  Again, I love the feeling of giving because what I get back is priceless!  Enjoy a couple photos!

Let the planting begin!

A few finished beauties!