A Beach Cottage dream

Ah, more weather.  Winter for sure!  We are only in the first month of the year and everyone is ready for this to be over!  We are desert rats after all.  I read a lovely blog from Australia called a Beach Cottage

http://abeachcottage.typepad.com/my_weblog/   They are in the middle of summer and I read her blog and dream of a white cottage by the sea....

Here we have no sea, no summer in sight, no white cottages...We do have clouds looming, mesquite smoke in the air and bare trees awaiting their time to bud...

This horse is at the Mountain View Riding Stables, waiting along with us.

Roadrunner

I spotted this guy this morning while stopped at a stop sign.

The Roadrunner or Chaparral is our state bird.  They eat all sorts of things, most notably, snakes.

He paused long enough for a couple of snaps.  I think they are gorgeous.

He has noticed me....

And off he goes...

Johnson House

 This old home is in the process of being torn down and an new home built.  The home is the old Johnson house and 11 kids were raised here...

The lot has newly planted trees and shrubs, even before the demolition is complete.  I like that, new life beginning as the old ends.

This is next to the old Johnson house, the area is being regentrified slowly and it is looking so much better!  Some old homes like the Johnson house are making ways for new structures and others and others are being rehabed. 

Zia Mosaic

Not much going on here today.  The clouds hung low and mist-like covering the mountains and stopping at the basin.  It was eerie to have them veiled yet a clear sky above. 

Another ode to our state symbol.  I love discovering the different ways that people use and portray the Zia.  I changed the look of the blog by adding the post titles to the side.  I am not sure if I like it, so if you have any opinions, let me know!

Windmill Morning

Another windmill morning.  Today I saw a bird on top, fluffed against the cold.

Closer

Not sure what he was, but he had a great perch...

Laborcita Canyon

Inn of the Mountain Gods

I took this photo a couple of days ago.  I know I have mentioned the Inn before, but it is worth mentioning again!  The Mescalero Apaches own and run this and it is nestled in the mountains, almost a suprise when you view it.

This is the view from the back of the Inn, really not the best view by any means.  You can see the statues of the Mountain Gods which are amazing, but the true beauty is the view of Sierra Blanca.

I have mentioned that this mountain is sacred.  If you look just above that tall pine in the center of the photo you can see the feather.  Only visible in winter with snow.  There are other images, but this is the easiest to see.