Out in the Middle of Somewhere: September 2006

Thursday, September 21, 2006

A day at the Fair - The New Mexico State Fair

Villa Hispana - The Spanish Village is like taking a small trip to Mexico! Fabulous foods, dancing happy music & good shopping!!

Spontaneous dancing breaks out!! This older couple were dancing wonderfully to everyone's delight - and the music was so infectious that others began dancing as well!! We were all over the courtyard - alone and in various groups - but all sharing the same experience of joy.

Here are two people who were caught up in the moment!! After I took the picture they chastised me - not to show it to their wives!!

Mexican Cantina - not in the village actually - but in the spirit of the village!

The Indian Village entrance. Here you will find interesting food, Indian music, dancing and shops. I had lunch here - an Indian Taco - made with Fry bread as big as a dinner plate! And then layered with green chilies, pinto beans, seasoned beef, lettuce, onions and cheese. Like a Mexican Taco except for the fry bread - an Indian delicacy - and the addition of beans. It does not need sauce - the green chilies do that!! When your eyes water and your nose runs - you know it is good!!

I later had my dessert in the Spanish village - where they were making soapapillas (sp?) and serving them with lots of honey!! One of my favorite things to eat. And totally unlike me, I ate it with my fingers, right then and there! and let the honey run all over the place because it was hot and fresh and so delicious!!

Just inside the entrance are these life sized Indian figures and large pots.

These Indians, from different Tribes in the USA, are competing in the Fancy Dancing Contest - the music - the drums were exuberant and you could feel it in your stomach!

This is only a small sample of the fantastic art work that was in the Fair. They were not too keen on photograghs - so I just got one. In the foreground under the wall hanging - that is done on leather - is a hand carved table and chairs - it was so intricate and detailed - and done perfectly. The swing was the same - all hand made, and rich with carving.

These "horsey guys" were walking all over to the delight and sometimes the horror of the children!

The National Park Service presentation of our beautiful and abundant state.

# posted by Janet Ann @ 7:16 PM 0 comments

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Red or Green?? It is Chili Pepper time in New Mexico!!!

Red or green is the official question of the state of New Mexico - personally I think the green is ahead in the contest - at least for eating. This time of year is very exciting - and definitely fragrant!! When you drive through town - almost any town - the smells of chilies roasting will be wafting through the air! If you are so inclined - and I am - it sends you into a frenzy of desire to eat green chilies!! You buy huge boxes of them - which are reduced when roasted - and then you take them home and remove the skins and freeze them in smaller packages to be used through the year.

Green Chilies from Hatch New Mexico - ready for roasting - the cream of the crop!

A sign of the times!!

Chili roasting in Albuquerque - on 4th Street - old route 66. This happens all over - including such non picturesque
locations as Wal-Mart!!

# posted by Janet Ann @ 9:17 PM 0 comments

Red Chilies!!

Chili Ristra's at Market on 4th Street - Albuquerque

Chilies all in a row!!

And home to hang on the fence!! Chilies hanging on houses, fences, and even in the kitchen are a southwestern symbol of hospitality and welcome

Buffet in the breakfast room

Red Chilies from the garden - some ristra's are inedible - just for decoration - but these from the garden are nice and hot and ready to use in recipes - or roast.