Happy 2011 (I'm trying to get ahead since I've been behind for so long........

Well - it's been awhile but I have turned over a new leaf and will slog onword with the words.  2009 and 3/4 of 2010 have been very good.  I still have about 18 posts that were started and not published and I'll get them done.  We are back in Elephant Butte.  We got here September 13.  It has been hot here until today when it cooled down to the 70's.  I have spent most of the day revamping the blog, working on pictures, putting another coat of "stuff" on the cabinet and generally playing catch up.  I'm getting into "winter" mode: up early, going to the clubhouse to visit/work on a puzzle then mozeying back to the bus to tackle whatever the day brings.  Today I saw a coyote leaving the park.  First one I've seen.  Last fall some idiot was feeding them so they spent too much time in the park killing off the quail which made the roadrunners go hunting in another park.  I do, however, like to hear them yip and howl from far away. :)  This morning, just outside the park I found some quail.  Hmmm they don't look like the quail we "snapped" in Oregon.  I wonder if there are more than one kind.  I'll have to wait until Dave gets here to educate me.  It's late - heading to bed.  When we got here Pat met me with "I'm SO glad you're here.  I'm appointing you Social Direct for the winter."  Oh ok.   She gave me her disks for the calendar/poster program she uses along with the template from last year.  Just take care of it was my impression.

Whole Enchilada Fiesta

I was happy to be able to attend the "Whole Enchildada Fiesta" in Las Cruces today.  It was awesome. Here is the recipe: 

Ingredients:

• 750 lbs. of stone ground corn to make the masa tortillas

• 175 gallons of vegetable oil, heated to cook the tortillas

• 75 gallons of red chile sauce

• 175 lbs. of grated cheese

• 50 lbs. chopped onions

The press

Special equipment used in the making of THE Enchilada was designed by Robert V. Estrada.

The equipment includes the press, the carrying plate, the cooking vat and the serving plate.

Dough is poured into this on the press

Technique:

First, we place the carrying tray on top of the press; then we put 250 lbs. of the masa dough on 

top of it. The dough is then pressed to make the tortilla.

From here, the tortilla is carried by about 14 men to the cooking vat that contains vegetable oil, 

The moving is WORK!

which has been heated to 550 degrees (this is a difficult procedure).

The 550* Hot Oil

The tortilla is then cooked and when done, it is carried by the same men, and laid on the serving 

plate (this is another one of our difficult procedures).

Robert V. Estrada will then ladle on some of the chile sauce, then he will spread some of the 

cheese and then some of the chopped onions.

This marks the completion of the first layer of THE Enchilada. The second and third tortillas are 

Adding the sauce

Adding the cheese!

done in the same manner. Then THE Enchilada is ready to be served.

The Organ Mountains

It takes approximately two and a half hours, from start to finish, in the making of the

World’s LARGEST Flat Enchilada!!

GREAT hot day!  

Estes Park and RMNP and what else? ELK!

We 

stayed in Longmont at the Fairgrounds.  With Erick and Vanessa divorcing and in a turmoil we decided it was better this way.  It worked out good as Erick had to be in SC or OK working.  We did have lunch with Vanessa and Hayden.  We've tried to let them both know we are neutral.  We love them both and none of us are going away.  We don't need to be in on the negotiations.  We just need to love them all.  So anyway we headed up to Estes Park and the Rocky Mtn National Park.  You know us.  We've gotta see those elk.  AND it is bugling season!!  Woohoo!!  It was so awesome.  We were raised near the mountains and wild game.  BUT neither of us had ever seen one actually bugle and do "the ritual".  heh, heh  google it.  :)

A lake above Estes Park

Perched "High on the Mountain"

He really isn't behind a fence - Ken is.  A protect the grass fence
which are scattered all around many of the creeks.

The view above Estes Park.  Majestic!

A small little bull fighting with a small bush.  We think he is practicing
to go challenge a bull and his harem farther up the field about a mile.

Nearly at the top of the world 12,000+ feet!

An incredible view from the top.

Me Tarzan!  Hear me roa.....BUGLE

We kept seeing signs about parking and long lines for event, etc.  When we got to Estes Park we saw the reason.  It is the Scottish Festival and were they expecting crowds.  We were happy to miss the lines and vowed to come up another way tomorrow.  Yes, we are returning tomorrow.  There was a HUGE bull standing on the side of the road.  He paid US no never mind.  We didn't have the right (or wrong) scent.  And he was getting into "that fighting" mood.  We saw several other small herds.  We think we are a little too early and have marked the calendar next year for Sept 15 at the earliest.  Then we saw off to the left this guy getting ready to clean some clocks (so to speak).  I let Ken out to get some pictures then found a parking spot.  No easy fete.  I found Ken peeking out from some brush taking this video.  EWWWW did it smell.  It was dark when we got home.  Incredible.

We FINALLY found some slow turkeys.
It took us three states to do it.

Why oh why did I think I could beat that big guy?  Why?
Man am I ever wiped!!  Show me the way to go home....lalalalal.

KaCe First Day of School and goodbye time

KaCe is all ready for his new pre-school with a new backpack and eager to go.

And he is wearin his Dora the Explorer shirt

He no longer has his fingers in his mouth with a pensive expression on his face.  His world is safe and he is content. 

 Gosh it is wonderful to see his smiling face.  He is growing up too, too fast.  This move has been good for all of them.  They are making their own place in town with no help from anyone.  We are so proud of Travis and his decision to care for his family and protect them.  Good job Trav.

All we have to do is open the door........

No first Grams has to take a picture of his backpack.

 Wow what a great room!  And look there is your name.

 It didn't take him long to find his spot (with no help) and he was pretty much done with us.  We can go now.  :)

 Ethan on the other hand is thinking this is NOT good.  He wants to stay also.  Dad is expaining (again) about the age difference and HE gets to stay with us and go see Baby Andy.  Ok he guesses.

 Beautiful Andy is Mike and Rachel's child.  She is so precious and is great granddaughter #2.

 Whit, Grandad and Rachel fills their plates at Mike's Brithday Dinner.

 

 We're gonna have a sleepover; we're gonna have a sleepover.  The boys love to stay in the bus with us.  KaCe always takes my chair and Ethan always fights for Grandad's.  They often sit in my chair together.

Uncle Kevin gave Ethan some bubble wrap and showed him how what a wonderful sound it makes when it pops.  Thus he is SO busy.  He is talking very good and we are understanding him. I don't think that has anything much to do with Eth and much to do with Ken and I being with him long enough to get on his wave length.    Love you Ethan!  Keep popping those bubbles.

 

 Sure will miss these little guys and Andy this winter.  We will have to use Skype a lot.  And Whitney calls, sends us pictures and videos all the time so we can be a part of their lives.  They know they can call us whenever they want and it is often their idea to call. 

We will leave here on the 8th.  There is little need to plan on spending much time in Ft Collins as Hayden's world has exploded and her mom and dad are separating.  We will stay in touch with Vanessa as we can see her and Hayden when we go through.  Erick has a different job and won't be in town so won't see him this trip. 

50th Anniversary for Ron and Bev

Smile brother!  Smile Sista!
Daughters: Ronita, Tanya & Robin

Dinner's ready..come and get it.

It was SO good to see Melody again.
She fly in from Las Vegas just for today.

Hey! None of that now!

Wake UP dude!

Granddaughter CeeJae and fam

Grandson Dustin 

Daughter Ronita and fam

Visiting with Rhonda.  The subject had
to be horses I'm sure.

SIL Joe

Yup - swimming in the horse pasture.

Fifi loading the cream can.

GSIL Steve

Gdaughter Crystal

A beautiful day to celebrate.  Tanya and Pete built a dancefloor out in the garage/barn and we all relaxed for the day.  Travis and Ken did a cream can dinner.  I supplied the video memories of their lives and the girls provided lots of music nostalgia.  Good time. Dancin', singin', storytellin' and eatin'!  What a time!

Beautiful Gdaughter Kayleigh!

Daughter Robin

GGdaughters
 and GNephews

SIL Pete

Gnephew KaCe

Dancin' with Robin

Robin and Joe

Dancin' with Ronita

Gdaughters: Heather Anne, CeeJae, Crystal

Gdaughter Nicole and fam

Melody from Las Vegas!  

Daughter Robin and fam

Daughter Tanya and Pete

Gdaughter Heather Anne

Gdaughter Crystal and fam

Gnephew Ethan & GGdaughter Rylee