Alice is having une petite fille!

In preparation for Alice’s surprise baby shower in Texas I prepared these pretty Pink Sprinkle Cookies.  They taste as wonderful as they appear! Pink Sprinkle Cookies 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 1 1/2 teaspoons almond extract 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or clear for more pure light colored…

Rose Soirée

This event was an exquisite celebration of 624 Kitchen’s one year anniversary.   Endive and lobster salad was my favorite!   We appreciated this velvety Pinot Noir red that was mistakenly thrown in by the supplier, thinking it was a Pinot Noir Rose.  We are happy that she generously served it anyway.  I especially appreciate this…

Medicinal Mountain Moments

After camping out in Bandelier National Monument at Ponderosa Campground, I hit the road again and experienced the majestic Jemez Mountains and perfect weather. Tierra Amarilla (Spanish for “Yellow Earth”) referring to the clay deposits found in the Chama River Valley and used by Native Americans Mesas of the Pajarito Plateau near Los Alamos, NM A lousy attempt at…

Purple Adobe Lavender Farm

While driving along from Los Alamos to Durango, I made one unexpected stop before Pagosa Springs.  I ran into Purple Adobe Lavender Farm!  This place is magically tucked away off the road with the most scenic setting.  I couldn’t believe my eyes! They even had Adobe Lavendar Lip Balm!  It feels fantastic on my lips….

Adobe Central

About noon, I made it to Taos!  Even better, I didn’t even get a speeding ticket! I got a goat cheese+raspberry+chili dark chocolate truffle here and checked out the pricey cashmere at this charming little shop tucked in the trees. I stopped in here for a little snack.  The kale salad was scrumptious but wasn’t…

Durango Unchained

Almost there! Streets are all cleared in preparation for the legendary mountain biking race called Iron Horse Bicycle Classic. Baby Bicycle Classic: this was just moments before this toddler on the right crashed as he was attempting the turn and balled his little lungs out, haha…I mean poor little fella.           Dead on this end.  All the…

P.S.

The Springs Resort and Spa are home of “The World’s Deepest Geothermal Hot Spring”. $24.50 gets you a day in the springs to try out each pool with varying temperatures sure to please your heat preference.  The “Lobster Pot” was barely tolerable at a steaming 111 degrees: I only lasted about 6 minutes.  I found…

Boiling Springs SP

About two and a half hours later I arrived to relax and rest for the night before my long day of driving to NM tomorrow. The campsite I chose for the first night of my 5 day road trip backed up to some great running trails. My all time favorite koozie made the trip. Peaceful…

Gloss Mountain SP

Who knew OK was the home of such an amazing site as Gloss Mountain has to offer!?  This place surrounds the highway with easy access to take the trail through these glossy red dirt mounds and “mountains”.                  

Nothing Bundt Cakes

I ran across this bakery in the Dallas area and stopped in to try these delicious treats.    On the way over to my friends to stay as a house-guest for the weekend, I decided the Pecan Praline and Chocolate Chocolate Chip mini bundts would be perfect desserts to present my wonderful hosts for all…