When we moved to New Mexico two decades ago as newlyweds we arrived on the *five year plan*. Neither of us had ever stepped foot in the state before, we had no idea what to expect, and MOST people who move here from other places around the country end up trying to survive major culture shock and want to leave as soon as possible.
We loved the wild terrain, the gorgeous brilliant blue skies and the friendly people. We've raised our boys on a dirt road near the Rio Grande where they ran around like wild things, built tree houses, rode dirt bikes all over the cottonwood forests and I taught piano and wrote and wrote and wrote inspired by this wild and enchanting - and very different state. My mother thought we were crazy and had moved to the end of the earth.
We quickly embraced the many Native American tribal cultures as well as the Spanish culture and adopted the cultural traditions of Christmas - a far cry from my boring suburban childhood when my parents moved us away from the very interesting center of San Francisco so we could have better weather and a pool - which was GREAT, of course, since we were swimming maniacs and bicycle loving kids and we did have a meadow on the end of the street where we built forts and played hide and seek and kick the can on hot summer evenings and school was within walking distance and all that good stuff, but I'd never lived in such a culturally diverse spot until twenty years ago.
So let me share a few New Mexico highlights of Christmas Eve . . . We eat dinner by candlelight:
We create and eat homemade steamed tamales: 
And 7 Layer Bean Dip with tortilla chips: 
And Drink Martinelli's Sparkling Cider: 
Our whole neighborhood spends the day folding paper bags and adding sand and 12 hour candles to create thousands of luminarias: 
We go walking in the cold night air to see the lights and go caroling with the neighbors: 
And then we go home and build a roaring fire in the wood stove: 
And Read the Christmas Story from the Bible: 
Frantically wrap the last of the presents! 
And fall into bed exhausted for a long winter's nap . . . 
MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
6 comments:
Lovely! I lived in NM for many, many years....don't forget the Biscochitos!
Miss the luminarias. (We do them her in SoCal for Dias de Los Muertos instead...)
Happy Christmas!
Shelley
Hope I didn't make you homesick for NM, Shelley!
Adding Biscochitos to my growing list . . . :-D
Have a wonderful, blessed week!
sounds lovely!
I love New Mexico. When I was a teenager I lived in Silver City for a year. I even wrote a book about a girl who moves to Silver City and is astounded by the beauty of the desert. Quite an amazing place. Your post makes me miss it.
What a lovely post, and a lovely life you lead. I'm so happy you found your niche. I went through something similar - always knew I was a small-town gal even though I'd spent my life in big cities. As soon as I could I moved to a small town and fell in love. Have been here ever since.
Why, thank you Suzette! How sweet of you and Bethany to comment here. I've thought before how interesting it is that my hubby and I both grew up in big cities but have spent most of our married life in small towns. Big cities are exciting, but for home-town life and raising kids, small towns are great. :-D
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