Can You Help Stray Hearts?

Stray Hearts is our wonderful animal shelter for the town and county of Taos. They do such amazing work. I am now a volunteer dog walker and have my own "project" dog. (I am a volunteer animal advocate). That means I work with dogs that need a bit of help before they are ready to be adopted. My new love, Whitney:

Stray Hearts Animal Shelter

2 hrs · 

Stray Hearts Wish List

The shelter can always use donations of the following items:

Paper towels

Canned dog & cat food

Milkbones

Cat treats

Towels

Blankets

Bleach Wipes

Laundry Soap (fragrance free/sensitive skin is best but we take it all!)

Antibacterial Dish Soap

Bleach

Assorted sizes of collars 

Leashes

Easy Walk harnesses

A HOME FOR EVERY ANIMAL

I plan to tell you all about Stray Hearts during the course of the next few months. In the interim, can you help?  Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

My best,
diane
November 21, 2014

Follow me on facebook

Please visit my other blogs
MoseyLove!
napa farmhouse 1885
red or green?

"Cups" A One Woman Play

Ana Chavez, creator of the "Cold as a Witch's Tit" bra

 I had the most lovely day today. After church at St James Episcopal, a group of girlfriends and I met for brunch and then the matinee performance of the wonderful play "Cups".

The description follows, but just let me tell you I literally laughed, cried and loved every minute. And you must arrive in time to see the Bralapalooza Fashion Show, a collection of handcrafted artistic fantasy bras with names such as "horn of plenty", "titty, titty, bang, bang", "cold as a witch's tit" or "teddy pair" to name just a few. These exquisite creations are included in a silent auction with proceeds going to cancer support at Holy Cross Hospital. Want to see the bras? Check out the Taos Onstage Facebook page by clicking here.

Remaining dates for "Cups":  Oct 31st, Nov 1 and Nov 2. I highly recommend this play...Enjoy!

---

Cups

by Joni Sheram

A funny, poignant and uplifting play, Cups traces the milestones in a woman’s life through her bras. Audience members, both female and male, will be able to relate to Nora, the insecure girl who becomes a young mother, a woman betrayed, a cancer survivor. The bras are a perfect metaphor for the changing events that the past few generations have experienced.
The play, though not autobiographical, was an homage to her mother and grandmother.
Bob Bow of the Denver Post said of the play "While this may seem like a 'girls only' show, it isn't. The depth of Sheram's writing transcends gender.”
“Cups” will be among many of the activities during Breast Cancer Awareness month,  and a portion of the proceeds will go to the cancer support services sponsored by Holy Cross Hospital.

In Mural Room at Old County Courthouse

Performance dates:

Oct. 23-26; Oct. 30-31, Nov. 1-2  

Thurs.-Sat. 7:30 p.m., Sun. 2 p.m.

GET TICKETS FOR CUPS

My best,
diane
October 26, 2014

Follow me on facebook

Please visit my other blogs
MoseyLove!
napa farmhouse 1885
red or green?

Early Fall in Taos

Warm, Sunny Days.  Freezing Temperatures at Night. A few Rainy Mornings. Harvesting the Last of the Summer Produce. Pinon Wood Fires in Kiva Fireplaces. Fall in Northern New Mexico. Stunningly Beautiful.

Here is this week's email regarding the Farm Share for our local CSA. (Community Supported Agriculture). Gotta go so I can plan some menus... (Salt Roasted Potatoes and Greens, anyone?)

Greetings from Cerro Vista Farm !

This is week 18 of the  18-week Summer Share,  the final week.  Thank you for being part of the Farm this year !

In Cerro, record warmth trumps record cold any time.  We continue to enjoy fabulous harvesting and planting weather as the trees belatedly turn gold. The gamble with row cover three weeks ago paid off……..Greens have been harvested from the fields for the last two weeks.  The fields are now all harvested-out, except for carrots and turnips, at this point.  We will finish planting winter rye and Garlic in the next few days.  This week Shares will include greenhouse-grown Lettuce, Kale, and Bok Choy.

Fall Shares will be distributed NEXT week.  If you purchased a Fall Share I’ll be sending you an email in a few days to remind you about the Fall Share pickup.

     ~ Farmer Daniel ~

Here’s a list of what you will probably receive in your Share this week:

Half Shares:

Lettuce Mix

Carrots

Green Cabbage

Red Potatoes

Kale

Bok Choy

Full Shares add:

Gold or Russet Potatoes

Acorn Squash

Salad Turnips

My best,
diane
October 12, 2014

Follow me on facebook

Please visit my other blogs
MoseyLove!
napa farmhouse 1885
red or green?

Taos Plaza Live (TPL)

One of my favorite Taos summer activities is attending the weekly music fest called Taos Plaza Live. Each Thursday night, from May to September, there is a free concert from 6-8 pm in the plaza. This event is attended by both locals and tourists, adults and kids; the bands are extremely talented, there is dancing...lots of dancing...and everyone has a rockin good time.

This week the featured band is Last to Know a local six-piece band blending the heartiest world rhythms with jam-band passion, while muddying the lines between Americana roots music, disco, funk and bluegrass.*(from their website).  TPL is a "must do" whether you are a local or a visitor this summer.  I'll look for you on the plaza!

Additional information and schedule below provided by livetaos.com.

Taos Plaza Live Schedule – 2014

Performing Next at Taos Plaza Live:

---

Thu

10

JUL

Last to KnowTaos Plaza Gazebo, Taos NM6:00 PM – 8:00 PM – FREE!

---

Now that the weather is warming up, it’s time for outdoor music and fun. Taos Plaza Live always kicks off in mid-May, one of the first real heralds that summer has nearly arrived in Taos. Bringing music and community fun to the heart of town, the 2014 Taos Plaza Live Season gets rolling this week. Concerts are once again on Thursdays during the summer. So put on your dancing shoes, get the kids, some carry-out, the blanket from the trunk of the car, and come out to listen to some of your favorite artists in Taos.

These free music events happen every Thursday from May 22 – September 4th, and start at 6:00pm. The bands are mostly local and regional – you can expect to hear rock, country, folk, bluegrass, blues, swing, and ranchero music (sometimes all in the same night).

Taos County Chamber of Commerce Membership Representative Lindsey Rowlison- Elliott says: “We always aim to get a variety of diverse acts that represent musical tastes of Taos. We have amazing artists in Taos, and Taos Plaza Live is our opportunity to share them with the community.”

Dining & Drinking

The plaza is in the center of town and offers access to many local restaurants and bars. If you would like some libations before the music, you can enjoy some half-priced cocktails during happy hour (5pm-7pm) right around the corner at The Alley Cantina. Or if you prefer to enjoy libations during the performances, get to The Gorge Bar & Grill early and ask to be seated on the balcony. You can also grab dinner and drinks at Mosaic in the historic La Fonda Hotel. Food options located directly on the plaza are a bit limited, so if you would like to get the most out of the night be sure to eat before or plan on eating afterwards.

Seating

Taos Plaza Live has plenty of space to accommodate for the large crowds that come to enjoy the music. There are metal folding chairs set out for those who prefer to sit, but if you want to guarantee your ability to sit, bring your own chair or blanket — or don’t plan to sit at all, because it’s a great night to dance!

Dancing

Taos Plaza Live may be one of the best events for dancing available in Taos. There is a ton of flat brick laid in front of the stage that is left open for dancers. An added bonus is that you are bound to see some fantastic examples of ‘eclectic Taos dancers’ showing off their unique moves!

Weather

Summer evenings in Taos are some of the finest in the country, but you should pay attention to the forecast. Evening showers are common near the end of the season, but are almost always very brief. Taos Plaza Live will go on, so bring a poncho if it looks like rain and wait it out. It’ll be worth it.

For the rest of the summer schedule please click here

My best,
diane
July 8, 2014

Follow me on facebook

Please visit my other blogs
MoseyLove!
napa farmhouse 1885
red or green?


We now have a twitter account @dianeintaos. Please follow and I will follow back!  I would love to get to know you on Facebook, Twitter and through your comments on this blog.

4th of July in Taos

Happy 4th of July! There are so many things to do this holiday weekend. My favorite way to start the 4th is attending the parade in the neighboring town of Arroyo Seco. If you are in or near Taos on the 4th of July you should not miss this annual fun, wacky, small town event. Please click here to read my post from last year's parade.

After the parade there is time for eating, barbecuing, sightseeing (if you are a tourist) or just resting up for the evening.  A fun activity is attending our local minor league baseball team's game.  Called The Blizzard, The Taos Blizzard is a Professional Baseball Team in the Pecos League of Professional Baseball Club, a New Mexico/West Texas Independent Professional League that plays from May to August. Other teams in the league include: (Alpine Cowboys, Bisbee Blue, Douglas Diablos, Las Vegas Train Robbers, Raton Osos, Roswell Invaders, Santa Fe Fuego, Taos Blizzard, Trinidad Triggers, and White Sands Pupfish).

4 (4569) Crawford/Padilla (4569) 6:00: SFM /

I wrote about the team last year. Click here for more information on the Taos Blizzard. The games this year are all played at night thanks to lights being installed at the field last winter. The game on the 4th starts at 6:00 pm which leaves just enough time to get to the fireworks show held at the Salazar Road extension in the town of Taos starting around 9:15, or whenever it is really dark.

So... a parade, baseball, food and fireworks. What a perfect way to spend the holiday.  Be safe everyone!
There are so many ways to celebrate the 4th of July. Here are a few options courtesy of Taos.org.

Arroyo Seco – Beginning at 12 pm sharp, this annual parade is considered the quirkiest of the area’s offerings with unexpected floats and unusual costumes. Its participants proudly display their personal philosophies and political persuasions in an often humorous manner to the adoring crowds. The best people-watching is right here. Parking is limited, so come early! Festivities run from 10 am until 4 pm along the main thoroughfare, Hwy 150.

Eagle Nest – With a parade beginning at 2pm and fireworks over the lake after dark (about 9:30 pm), nearly everyone in this small community (and from several of the surrounding ones) participates in these events. The crowd of spectators is swelled by visitors lodged in local campgrounds and RV parks from all over the southwest who come to cheer on the floats and enjoy a fabulous BBQ lunch at the Volunteer Fire Department in town. Activities begin at 11 am until 5 pm. Not to be missed! Call (575) 377-2420 for more information.

Red River – The Annual 4th of July Main Street Parade is a time-honored tradition in Red River. The first parade of the day begins promptly at 10:00 a.m. and proceeds westward down Main Street. After the parade stroll down to Brandenburg Park where you can enjoy an AWESOME live performance by a regional band, delicious food, refreshing beverages, and good old fashioned family fun! For more information call 877-754-1708.

Taos Ski Valley – ‘TSV’ as it’s known to the locals, offers a parade, a rubber duck race, fun games and live music. The rubber duckie race starts at 2 p.m. with the parade, music and other events to follow. It’s all free. Call 800-517-9816.

Taos - While it leaves the parades to other nearby communities, Taos does host an hour-long annual professional fireworks display at the Salazar Road Extension, put on by the Town of Taos Volunteer Fire Department. This prime location allows the show to be seen throughout the area. Fireworks launch once the sky is fully dark, usually around 9:15 pm.

My best,
diane
July 3, 2014

Follow me on facebook

Please visit my other blogs
MoseyLove!
napa farmhouse 1885
red or green?


We now have a twitter account @dianeintaos. Please follow and I will follow back!  I would love to get to know you on Facebook, Twitter and through your comments on this blog.

A Spring Hike- The Elliott Barker Trail

We decided to take Mosey on a hike last week. Mose is our beloved golden retriever who was diagnosed last December with cancer. In January the Radiologist gave him a prognosis of one to two months. The Oncologist said  "Who knows? He has a slow growing tumor. It could be months or even...if we are really lucky...a year or two." Six months in he is doing ok. The only symptom is heavy panting when he is a little bit winded due to the mass that surrounds his heart, lungs and esophagus. So we took it really easy the first few months...scared he was going to die any minute. Now we are taking more of a "bucket list" mentality. Making smart choices but finding activities that he loves and modifying to make it as easy as possible. Hiking is an example.

Mosey has always loved to go on hikes with us...but he just cannot do anything strenuous any more. So when we read about the Elliot Barker Trail in the Taos News a few weeks ago we knew we found a winner. As described by the paper:

"Climbing high above the Moreno Valley, the Elliott Barker Trail offers spectacular views of Angel Fire and Wheeler Peak. This system of trails was built through the cooperation of a citizen group from Angel Fire and the Carson National Forest. Connecting old logging roads and animal paths, the trails provide hiking, biking, and horseback riding opportunities through the ponderosa pine and aspen forest.

There are a variety of choices from the trailhead, which is located at approximately 8,500 feet, at the bottom of Palo Flechado Pass on US 64. For a short hike and a good picnic spot, continue from the trailhead straight ahead across the meadow and through the opening in the wooden fence. A small pond is visible just ahead."

Meadow? Short Hike? Picnic Spot?  Sold.  We went...We enjoyed...Mosey found the pond and two seconds later was happily swimming with a huge smile on his face. What a perfect day.

This is a beautiful hike. Late May delivered grass, wildflowers and warm temperatures. One day we will complete the entire hike (approximately 5 miles) to see more of the beautiful views. The article states:

"To continue higher, turn right and climb into the forest. There are aspen trees leafing in this section and signs of elk. Views of Angel Fire and the Moreno Valley open to your left and the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial is visible in the valley. Back over your shoulder are views of the Wheeler Peak ridge to the north. After a total of three miles from the start, the trail crosses the Bull Springs Meadows at 9,500 feet."

To read the complete article which includes the trail's history click here. And, whether you live here or plan to visit check out this beautiful hike. I sent these photos to my parents and my Dad said "Pine trees? Grass? Lots of green? This is not what I think of when I think of New Mexico. I think sage."  Well we do have lots of sage but this is Taos too. Everywhere you look it is beautiful. Hiking around Taos is the perfect way to enjoy the varied terrain.  Come and see for yourself.

DIRECTIONS

The trailhead is located 19.6 miles east on Kit Carson (US 64) from Taos Plaza. Go over Palo Flechado Pass. At the bottom of the hill and after mile marker 274, turn right into the trailhead. To start out from the top of the pass, park near the Palo Flechado historic sign and cross the highway to enter the trail area.

My best,
diane
May 30 , 2014

Follow me on facebook

Please visit my other blogs
MoseyLove!
napa farmhouse 1885
red or green?


We now have a twitter account @dianeintaos. Please follow and I will follow back!  I would love to get to know you on Facebook, Twitter and through your comments on this blog.

Taos Pizza Out Back

Taos Pizza Out Back is one short block from my house. This is a really good thing because I can walk over whenever I crave pizza. And, because I can smell the dough baking each morning, this is a frequent occurrence. The pizza is amazing but so is everything else on the menu. The slices are huge!! (I promise you won't need more than one), the salads are delicious with an impossibly good pesto dressing, and perfect pasta is always on the menu. The ingredients are local and organic and the atmosphere is Taos cool, Taos funky. Really a perfect place for lunch or dinner.

Recently Curbed Ski voted Taos Pizza Out Back one of the Top 14 Best Ski Town Pizza restaurants in the country. They said:
"Opened in 1999, Taos Pizza Out Back has impressed everyone from locals to the New York Times, so it's no surprise it's a fav after skiing. The slices are huge and the pesto salad dressing will keep you coming back for more."

Read the entire article at Best Ski Town Pizza: Because Pow and Pies Just Go Together



Here are sixteen reasons to try Pizza Out Back. My favorites are The Taos, Greek and Southwest. The Shredder and Ranchero are family favorites (I am talking to you Peter and Eric) but, trust me, you can't go wrong. And, whatever you do, do not skip the salad...with the aforementioned pesto dressing. If you are like me you will probably order some of the dressing to take home! Check out the menu for all the offerings.

OUTBACK SPECIALTY PIZZAS:
Slice (huge)	12," serves 2-3	14," serves 3-4	16," serves 4-5
THE TAOS - Mushrooms, black olives, black beans (yup!), onions, green chile:
$6.95	$17.95	$20.95	$23.95
THE VEGGIE - Mushrooms, black or green olives, onions, bell peppers; we’ll make reasonable substitutions:
$6.95	$16.95	$19.95	$22.95
CARNIVORE SPECIAL – Any FOUR of the following meats: Italian sausage, pepperoni, genoa salami, Canadian bacon, copocollo, marinated chicken breast:
$8.95	$21.95	$24.95	$27.95
SANDY'S SPECIAL - Marinated strips of chicken breast, bell peppers, pineapple, and a rich bar-b-cue sauce in place of traditional pizza sauce:
$7.95	$18.95	$21.95	$24.95
PIZZA VERA CRUZ (or Pierre’s Pizza) - Marinated chicken breast, bell peppers, onions, garlic, in a honey chipotle chile sauce, covered with smoked mozzarella:
$8.95	$21.95	$24.95	$27.95
WHITE PIZZA - Ricotta, fresh tomato, fresh basil, parmesan, mozzarella-no sauce:
$6.95	$17.95	$20.95	$23.95
GREEK PIZZA - Fresh spinach, feta cheese, fresh basil, Kalamata olives, roasted garlic, fresh tomatoes:
$7.95	$20.95	$23.95	$26.95
PIZZA PRIMAVERA - Mushrooms, artichoke hearts, black or green olives (or both), sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese, toasted walnuts:
$8.95	$22.95	$25.95	$28.95
PIZZA FLORENTINE - Fresh spinach, fresh basil, sun-dried tomatoes, chicken breast, mushrooms, capers, garlic - all sautéed in white wine:
$8.95	$22.95	$25.95	$28.95
THE SHREDDER - Smoked mozzarella, fresh tomato, green chile, mushrooms, choice of meat, topped with house dressing:
$7.95	$20.95	$23.95	$26.95
VINNIE'S SPECIAL - Basil pesto, sun-dried tomatoes, gorgonzola:
$6.95	$16.95	$19.95	$22.95
PROVENÇALE - Basil pesto, Kalamata olives, feta, sun-dried tomatoes, fresh thyme, fresh oregano-no sauce
$8.95	$21.95	$24.95	$27.95
THE ALFREDO - Marinated Chicken breast, green chile, mushrooms, fresh tomatoes, & alfredo sauce:
$8.95	$20.95	$23.95	$26.95
RANCHERO - Italian sausage, sun-dried tomatos, smoked Mozzarella, green chile, red onions
$7.95	$20.95	$23.95	$26.95
SOUTHWEST - Basil pesto, feta, green chile, smoked Mozarella, roasted garlic, tomatos-no sauce:
$7.95	$20.95	$23.95	$26.95
THE BOTTOM LINE - Mushrooms, black or green olives, bell peppers, fresh tomato, onion, pepperoni, Italian sausage:
$7.95	$20.95	$23.95	$26.95

Pizza Out Back

712 Paseo del Pueblo Norte
Taos, New Mexico 87571
(across from north branch of Centinel Bank)
575 758 3112 Call for to-go orders.

Enjoy!

My best,
diane
March 21, 2014

Follow me on facebook

Please visit my other blogs
MoseyLove!
napa farmhouse 1885
red or green?


We now have a twitter account @dianeintaos. Please follow and I will follow back!  I would love to get to know you on Facebook, Twitter and through your comments on this blog.