The Spirit of Santa Fe

When the Van Hoosier family of Ft. Worth, Texas isn't working hard around the DFW area, they can be found relaxing at their Santa Fe home. Located a few blocks from the Plaza, their vacation residence offers a welcome respite for family members who gather throughout the year. Talking. Laughing. Cooking. Back to more laughing. Long, happy days are spent at the "The Santa Fe House". A simple, yet perfectly descriptive name used by a young granddaughter. It's stuck ever since. Personally, I've had the pleasure of visiting Santa Fe, New Mexico several times. Every moment more special than the last, especially at holiday time. One Christmas Eve was spent strolling along Canyon Road. It was the most magical night-before-Christmas I've ever experienced. Snow falling lightly, cold penetrating deeply. People stuffed into mufflers and scarves milling in and out of toasty art galleries. Yes, I said mufflers. There were plenty of them. Though I hadn't seen a real muffler in use in, well - ever. Scents of hot cider filled the air, visions of farolitos - those luminous little bags of candles - flickering all around. Really, is there anyone out there who doesn't adore the town? It would not be a safe bet to make.

Recieving the call to put together a crock for the family was an honor. But where to begin? If you think about it, a theme of Santa Fe could be executed many ways. There's the local nature aspect: hiking, snow skiing, gorgeous river adventures. But the town itself is known world over for its colorful shopping, jewelry buying, artists, studios and art galleries. Hmm. Being advised that Roma, the family matriarch, appreciates the arts and jewelry aspect, I decided to go down that route. Also including the local Indian heritage which makes the area so vibrantely unique.

Incorporating real turquoise and loads of jewelry onto the pot was just plain fun. Around the upper-area I strung an entire necklace. I contemplated cutting it up, using the beads one by one, here and there. But then thought, what the heck? Why not adhere the whole necklace intact? Indeed. One of my favorite touches are the cascading charms and jewels coming off the top knob. It was reported to me on receiving the pot, Roma exclaimed, "It's beautiful! I can't possible use this. It's going on display." Oh Roma, please do both! Use it, and keep it out. The mosaics on these pots are very durable; they are created to be put to work!

I look forward to our family's next journey to Santa Fe. It's been much too long. My most delightful discovery on our last trip was the Georgia O'Keeffe Museum. Located right in town, the place is painless to visit. Well worth any effort. Even a non-museum-lover could live to tell. The layout is not too big. Not too small. But juuust right. I myself, could've roamed the place for days. Tantalized is a word that comes to mind. I was stopped short however, interrupted by a phone call reminding me that fine dinning was going on without me. Southwest enchiladas and margaritas. Whoops. Gotta dash!

www.okeeffemuseum.org
217 Johnson street / Santa Fe, NM / 87501
505.946.1000