Happy Hiking

Now that enough snow has melted and temperatures have risen significantly above freezing, we have happily returned to hiking after a winter hiatus.  Despite the current warm spell, we still found icy patches hiding in the shadows where wildflowers once bloomed, and we spotted plenty of white blanketing the upper parts of the mountains.  Look below for photos from our coolest, as in least scorching, New Mexico hike to date.

This never gets old.

See the snow?

Having Fun (It's what we do.)

Molding the Perfect Snowball

Southwestern Winter Wonderland

As the night went on and hours passed, the snow continued to fall and fall.  This morning small flakes were still drifting down from above, and a beautiful blanket of powder was covering all of Cruces.  Shucks, that meant a snow day was in order... for me and Kyle.  Make that 3 snow days!

Powder Blanket

10 Degrees This Morning

Thankful for 4WD

Snow Pups

So handsome and ready for his business breakfast.  After that, he was all mine!  Aren't I lucky?

Snow for Jo

I got word this summer that Las Cruces gets snow, only light dustings, but snow nonetheless.  Since then I've been dying to experience a New Mexico snowfall, despite getting buried under last year's Snowpocalypse in Maryland.  We missed a couple flurries while visiting family for Christmas, so I was afraid we wouldn't get another chance at a southwestern winter wonderland.  

You can imagine my surprise and excitement when snow popped up on this week's weather forecast.  Although Kyle was skeptical, I was E-C-S-T-A-T-I-C and overly optimistic.  I even promised my students that we'd play outside the instant anything resembling snow fell from the sky.  We were all hopeful, but there was no sight of precipitation 'til later this evening.  

I was all smiles and Kyle and the dogs didn't mind the flakes either!  Now I can officially say that I've enjoyed my first New Mexico snow shower.  Put simply, it was delightful.

Lola's practically ready for the Iditarod.  Well, almost.

I finally convinced Kyle to come out in the snow for a quick photo.

Tiney thought New Mexico snow was DELICIOUS!

Gorgeous

"Ring Out the Old, Ring In the New"

 






As we welcome 2011 and reflect upon the past year, Kyle and I would like to share our "top ten list" of the most notable happenings in our life during 2010.

1. We said goodbye to my beloved first car, an Acura Integra that I'd driven since I was 16.  After losing control of my steering and spinning across four lanes of traffic last spring, it was time to find my trusty Integra a new home.  We replaced it with a much newer and safer SUV, which is ideal for the rocky, desert terrain of New Mexico.

2. Without looking back, I left the realm of special education to give general education a whirl.  I lucked out with a first grade teaching position and am loving the joys and challenges of the switch. 

3. Kyle also obtained a new job in 2010.  He's now employed with a leading technology consulting firm that supports the US government.  

4. In March, Kyle and I made a commitment to live a healthier lifestyle.  Along with eating better and exercising, we lost over 50 pounds  (and counting) combined.  We're hoping to reaffirm this commitment for 2011, although it will be rather challenging now that we're surrounded by tasty Mexican cuisine in Las Cruces.

5. I officially completed my alternative teaching certification program, which means two mandatory years of teaching special education and taking Praxis exams, college courses and seminar classes are behind me!  As a result, I acquired Maryland teaching certification, which was transferable to New Mexico.  So, I got certified there too.

6. Frankly, I'd be remiss if I didn't mention our precious pups!  This past year Tiney and Lola did a lot of growing up.  Now that they've both passed the one and a half year mark, they're both full grown (weighing in at a whopping 7 and 8 pounds), and they've graduated to adult dog food.  Although puppy love is sweet and one-of-a-kind, we're pleased to be parting with the following adolescent nuisances: unnecessary chewing, biting, leash pulling and most of all, accidents. 

7. This Christmas Kyle and I gave each other the gift of bicycles.  Although I've never been much of a cyclist, Kyle took up long distance road biking in college and has been itching to get back into biking ever since.  So, I finally gave in and am looking forward to a lot of quality biking time with my hubby!

8. Since we're now living in a college town, I decided to return to school in pursuit of a masters degree.  I applied and was accepted to graduate school at New Mexico State University in Las Cruces.  I'm hoping to begin taking classes next fall once eligibility for in-state tuition kicks in.

9. We left our east coast roots and moved all the way across the country to little Las Cruces, New Mexico, a place we never imagined we'd visit, much less call home.

10. A new hobby has kept me busy lately and helped me keep in touch with long distance friends and family like you.  Yes, I'm talking about blogging!  I entered the fun and addictive world of blogging and began avidly documenting our adventures in the southwest.

With that, I'd like to wish you and yours a very happy and blessed New Year!  Cheers!

Celebrating New Year's with Cory and Anne

Christmas in Cruces

It's Christmas in Cruces, and the town's southwestern flare is as alive as ever!  In lieu of lighted holly and candy cane designs, chile pepper decorations hug downtown lampposts.  Greetings on community signs read "Feliz Navidad," not "Happy Holidays" or "Season's Greetings" as you might expect. 

Although new to me, "Dónde Está Santa Claus" is a popular carol played on the local Cruces radio station, and tamales is a traditional dish served at Christmas celebrations and dinners.  Other favorite holiday eats include green and red chile stew, posole and New Mexico's official state cookie, the biscochito.

Tamales

Biscochitos

The temperature frequently drops below freezing in Las Cruces, but limited moisture allows for only light dustings.  However, a gentle flurry would be a welcomed change to the feet upon feet of snow we got buried under during Maryland's blizzards last winter (¡Ay, caramba!).  So, we've got our fingers crossed in hopes of catching a mild, yet gratifying New Mexico snowfall soon.  

Although rare, you may come across small bonfires blazing along roads and mountainsides in New Mexico during late December.  These bonfires, or “luminarias,” as they’re called in Spanish, were commonly lit during the 1800's in honor of the Mexican Christmas celebration called Las Posadas.  Symbolizing the epic journey of Mary and Joseph on the night of Jesus' birth, bonfires were built to light a path to midnight Mass. 

In later days, luminaries replaced bonfires.  The small paper bags holding a candle set in sand are known in Spanish as farolitos, or "little lanterns."  A procession of Catholics playing the role of pilgrims would sing carols and carry luminaries as they traveled from house to house in search of lodging, while neighbors acted as innkeepers.  Today, luminaries are used to line many a driveway, street, roof and sidewalk, creating gorgeous, glowing displays in New Mexico cities and neighborhoods.

 

My recent Cruces residency has put quite a unique twist on my traditional and rather routine idea of Christmas.  It has been very interesting to see how they "do" the holidays in the southwest.  Nevertheless, I'm really looking forward to the Christmas I've lived and loved every holiday season in Florida since I was just a little girl.