Settling in

This is at the entrance of our complex.   We just heard from the owner telling us the renter for February had to cancel...anyone want to rent???    We've enjoyed getting settled in, stocking the fridge and taking a long walk.   Tonight we are staying in away from all the crazies out there.   

Moving Along.......

We've had a great Christmas Week with Pat.   She is a gracious hostess and had a lot of fun things planned.   We also got some jobs done around her house so it was profitable as well as fun.  Thank you, Pat.    Now it's time to move along.

A Special Christmas in Santa Fe

I am sure no one will believe me, but Poinsettias grow way bigger here than they do at home.    My goodness, they are huge - I'm sorry you can't get the feeling how big this is, but take my word for it - it's big! 

Pat made sure we got to some of her favorite haunts - the one we hit yesterday for lunch was my favorite so far.   Interestingly, it was a French Place (in this SW city full of Mexican restaurants) called Clafoutis.    To the normal eye this looks like an ordinary salad, but it was far from it.   Some, not all, of the tomatoes were grilled just slightly and the unexpected twist was the grilled goat cheese that was so good.   

Hmmmmmm, what's this?    On our Christmas Day hike we saw this print in the sand.  This is Pat's hand showing the size of it.   

What a pretty area this is with so many formations and colors to see.   I was wishing Frank Karner would have been a long to explain it all.   

It was fun watching Pat with her camera and her eyes constantly going back and forth not wanting to miss a thing.

If you think going with one photographer is bad, try going along with two of them!!!

But the truth is, I loved it and enjoyed being in the warm sunshine,   we were comfortable with light jackets at most and shirtsleeves a lot of the time.    I saw the Grand Forks Herald article about the weather coming their way and it made me enjoy this weather even more.    

Christmas Eve in Santa Fe

Santa Fe is such an interesting city in so many ways.   The architecture must meet certain standards and must be adobe and no more than 2 stories tall.  We took a walk around the Plaza after brunch at one of our favorite places - Chocolate Mavin.

Anyone who has visited SF has seen the vendors lined up along the building selling beautiful things they have made.    Every morning they come to the Plaza for a lottery to see if they get a spot and which spot they will spread their wares.    Pat said she has noticed over the years how much more outgoing they have become and are more willing to share about the things they are selling with possible customers.

The center of the plaza is full of people enjoying a very pretty winter day.    The snow on the mountains adds to the scenery.

We learned of a dress rehearsal concert so popped into it to enjoy the beautiful concert hall and a piece of music written by the taller boy in this picture - he is 12!!!   Awesome.

After a 5:00 Christmas Eve Service we took a walk along Canyon Road (along with 30,000 other people) to experience the Farolito Walk.   There was music and some galleries open to walk through.

People really got into the singing and others joined in with some of our favorite Christmas Carols.

One of the special treats was a surprise visit by our niece Trish.  She was passing through to her ski vacation in Colorado.  It was fun having her join us for the Christmas Eve activities.   This picture was taken in one of the galleries along the walk.  Thanks, Trish for taking the time to connect.

Hawaiian Christmas

It is hard to believe it is Christmas when you go out after dark in short sleeves, but Honolulu City Hall wants you to know it is.  We took a tour of inside and outside the place Sunday night.  The eyes of the kiddos told how excited they were.    

Mele Kalikimaka - MERRY CHRISTMAS

Saturday Morning Excitement

If you read our blogs you saw the entry Vic made of the spotting of a monk seal playing with a yellow fish as we were walking along the canal yesterday morning.    I got a short video of it and thought it would be fun to have this in our scrapbook of experiences.     You can hear Ellie saying "Are you there Seal?"    Mack spotted the red tag on the tail and Vic reported his number to the website that tracks sightings of

 Monk Seals in Oahu. 

It's so pretty!!

A step outside this AM told us it was a beautiful day (again) so why not take a drive to the North Shore.

It was interesting driving by the pineapple fields with the ocean in the background.    They were at different stages of growth. 

Ted's Bakery was on the list of stops.

A silly coconut Santa was hanging in the tree near where we set up camp.

Not your typical November Weekend

This morning we all walked to the Wright Bros. Restaurant to have breakfast.    It was so pretty sitting outside enjoying such an awesome view.   The kids loved running in the grass after we ate.

Yesterday we went to Moanalua Gardens where the Hitachi Tree is located and... 

the summer home of King Kamehameha V

the kids love the fish pond near the cottage.

Arrived on time with no travel drama

Tutu always has a few little things in the luggage that are fun to play with.    What a perfect pair of glasses for a little Hawaiian girl.    The eyes on the parrots move so it makes the glasses more interesting.

Mack had really changed from the last time we saw him.   He got a lot older looking.....and so serious!!

This picture is just to keep track of how they change in the coming years.    It is so much fun being here and enjoying this wonderful 82 degree weather.   It is so green and lush right now and the flowers are blooming like crazy.   
Just like home!!!

Brother Stephen

I have a very talented family - most are quite "artsy".   Just to prove this I am posting pictures of my brother Stephen's work (however, that is not Stephen on the picture).  This railing is being installed in a new home in Fayetteville, AR.

I think it is beautiful!!

Marquardt Gathering #8 - The End

We enjoyed the countryside of Wisconsin.  Maybe it is because it reminded us of Iowa and our younger days.

I've always thought there should be a law that every farm must have a red barn.

Here's where I get a bit jealous - I've always wanted a few chickens in my backyard, but "it ain't going to happen at 3109".  I did learn something from my sisters in law.    You can't easily peel a fresh egg that has been boiled.

On the other hand, here's where I am not jealous - Daniel can have this creature.   Just his look makes me want to run.

Stephen helped me pick a box of concord grapes growing in a vineyard behind D&L's house.   My only regret is I didn't bring more home as they made awesome juice with no sugar added.

Thus, ends this special memory I have of our gathering together as eight of us shared with tears and good laughs of days gone by.