Steven and Victor

New Year’s Eve 2018

Our first New Year’s Eve in the house. We decided to celebrate with quiet reflection by a fire, completing 2017 and creating a prosperous 2018 for all. We were joined in this moment by our beautiful cousin JJ.

Hike through Plaza Blanca Canyon

A New Truck… Sort Of

After many months in the shop, the “free” truck we acquired has finally come home.

The 1984 Ford F-150 is totally rebuilt, from new brakes to a replaced engine. We fondly call it “Frankie”, since it was Frankensteined together so well by our mechanic. It was a bit of an investment, but it’s purring along nicely and has already hauled a load of furniture from our shed to the house.

Hey, what’s a home in New Mexico without an old ranch truck?

A New Casa

After years of planning and trying to decide what to build on our property in northern New Mexico, it turned out that it was much easier than we ever anticipated. Our wonderful neighbor Annette decided to sell her home this year. This was an opportunity to bypass the stress and expense of building a house, as well as a chance for her property to be returned to Victor's family.

Originally owned by Victor's Grandpa Adan, the land was purchased by Annette in the 1980s. She built an amazing house and has lived in it for many years.

Now she has sold it, and we are the lucky buyers.

We are pinching ourselves every day at the blessing it is to be able to live in this lovely house, built on the land Victor's Grandpa owned so many years ago.

Here are the first photos of Casa L'Azotea:

Next Door Neighbor

Our next door neighbor Annette is a lovely lady. At 88 she is energetic, vivacious and sharp.

In addition to all her accomplishments as a nurse, pilot and flight instructor, not to mention mother of five, only seven years ago at the age of 81, she wrote a children’s book called The Fountain That Uncle John Built about a fountain in her backyard that was built by her son John.

“The Fountain That Uncle John Built” by Annette Spelman

Even though we’ve owned property next door to her for many years, it wasn’t until the end of last year that we’ve gotten to know her and discovered what a beautiful person she is.

We visited her in her home, which we found to be very earthy and warm. She built it in the 1980’s on seven acres she purchased from Victor’s father.

Technology, the Small Town Way

This area across from one of the local cemeteries is one of the only spots in Chimayo where we can get a decent cell phone signal. So we go there often, staying in touch via technology, and saying hello to Victor’s mother and great aunt who are buried across the road.

A Bouquet From the Land

Collected with love.

Lava Rock Hunting

Pulling over on the side of the road in the Mojave desert so Victor could go collect black lava rocks. Yum!

Migration Begins

We’ve loaded the truck and will begin driving to New Mexico shortly. This is our first load of stuff that were bringing out there. Though it’s bound for storage, it’s fun to begin to imagine all this stuff in Casa L’Azotea.

Hindu Temple, Taos, NM

Could we manage a garden like this one? It looks easy.

Walking through the temple grounds.

Holy Hole

What kind of creature created this new hole? Maybe they’re for hire to help build the house.

Rain Talk With a Neighbor

Victor and our neighbor engage in a riveting dialogue about the number of inches it’s rained within the last week.

First Supper at the Casa

The 4th, Steven and Victor style.

Mica Hunting

Victor hikes in the hills near our land, by the telecommunications towers. He’s on the prowl for pieces of Mica which will make our fireplace sparkle (when mixed in with the plaster for finishing it)!

5 Minutes From Home

Panoramic view on the way up to the big hill with the signal towers.

Relaxing

Sunset in our living room.

Our Latest ‘Breaking Bad’ Experience Begins

Trailer delivered (borrowed from Aunt and Uncle). A perfect way to begin spending days and nights up here. No drug dealing, we promise.

Shed Delivery

And the shed arrives…

Shopping for Sheds

Thanks to Victor’s dad, we can temporarily keep a shed at his place until we move here long term. It is a great way for us to begin to store things we use when we come here- tools, tents, folding chairs, hoses, etc. We went shopping for sheds and found a pretty good one. They’ll deliver on July 3rd.