Aspen Beauty

one gold
  aspen coin
woodland currency
for a priceless
moment

Mandy Haggith

I love fall in New Mexico and one of the reasons is the changing color of the aspens. This past week as I ran errands I could see the mountain turning yellow and knew that I had to get up there this weekend and have a closer look. So this morning Thomas and I had breakfast in town and then headed up Hyde Park Road. We drove all the way up to the ski basin and then back down. We stopped along the way to admire the beauty and to take pictures. We went on several little walks in the areas where the color was the most vibrant. It was a wonderful way to spend the morning. Here are some pictures that I took along the drive.

Rooftop Balloon Fiesta Breakfast

Thomas got an invitation through work from Wilson & Company to attend a rooftop Balloon Fiesta breakfast. He was also able to bring guest, so myself and a friend of ours went along with him. We left Santa Fe around 6:00am and arrived at the breakfast a few minutes before 7:00am. During our drive to Albuquerque it drizzled most of the way and we thought that the balloons probably wouldn't got up. But when we arrived the skies were clear and the Dawn Patrol was up. On the second floor of the building they had breakfast set up. There was a variety of breakfast burritos, fruit, muffins, pastry, french toast and juices & coffee. It was actually a delicious breakfast. We sat and visitied with other poeple and people from the company came around and greeted us. We also got a balloon breakfast pin. After eating we went up to the roof and watched the balloons take off. We loved it! Usually we go to the field and watch the fiesta - this was totally different and incredible. Seeing the balloons from atop a roof gave a whole new perspective. It was an incredible morning. Here are some pictures from the fiesta. The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta is one of the reasons that I love the Fall in New Mexico.

My Favorite Time of the Year

Fall in New Mexico is my absolute favorite time of the year. This morning when I was sitting on the porch drinking coffee and reading the news I was loving the crisp coolness in the air. There are so many things I love about this season . . .

Zozobra and Santa Fe Fiesta
New Mexico State Fair
Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta
the smell of green chile roasting
the smell of pinon wood burning in fireplaces
the chill in the air
the changing colors of the aspen
anything pumpkin
Halloween
hot soups and stews
all the autumnal colors
wrapped in a blanket reading a book

“Autumn...the year's last, loveliest smile.” ― William Cullen Bryant