Preparing the Santa Fe Garden

Spring has sprung and that means it is time to prepare the Santa Fe garden for a robust display in summer. Although temperatures are rising and there is a feeling of renewal as the season changes temperatures can still fall below 32 just before dawn. Typically potted flowers and annuals in beds need to be planted no sooner than May 15 to make sure that the tender vegetation doesn’t get nipped by the cool Santa Fe spring temps.3352f735-fbb6-4a69-b5ea-15f582cf9e9awallpaper

However, before we can reap the benefits of blooming gardens we need to prepare them for best results. The end of March and the month of April is the prime time to get things ready. In Santa Fe, this is the time to prune back perennials, start regular watering and most importantly apply fertilizer. Due to the moderate temperatures, altitude and high elevation, I prefer to fertilize with a product call Yum Yum Mix. It was created by a Santa Fe landscaper and is especially formulated for Santa Fe gardens and can be purchased at Paynes Nursery.

After you have pruned, watered and fertilized, it is a good idea to add a fresh layer of mulch to insulate the plants for optimum growing. Now, sit back and watch your garden grow!

Ski Santa Fe 2013

January not only rings in a new year but in Santa Fe it rings in the new ski season as well. Ski Santa Fe typically opens a week or two before Christmas depending on the snow.

Just a short 16 miles north of the famed Santa Fe Plaza, the base at Ski Santa Fe is just over 10,000 feet. The summit at the top sits at just over 12,000 feet and views in all directions can be enjoyed far and wide. Boasting a multitude of ski runs for the beginner as well as the expert there is fun for all.

New for 2013 is the expanded base lodge featuring a larger ski rental shop, expanded shopping at the sports shop and the totally new and improved food court. For those interested in adult libations, Totemoff Bar and Grill is a great hangout further up the mountain.

As you can see from the photos below, my friends and I recently shared a great day together skiing the mountain as well as enjoying food and spirits in front of the fire at Totemoff’s!

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Santa Fe’s 24th Annual Aid Comfort Gala!

Aid & Comfort 2012There are more worthy causes to support then one person can possibly keep up with and Santa Fe is no exception. You name it and there is sure to be an event where the City Different is committed to raising funds. The community kicks off the Thanksgiving-Christmas holiday season with the Annual Aid & Comfort Gala. Sponsored by Southwest Care Center, the gala makes sure that HIV/AIDS is given priority when it comes to funding and awareness.

Heralded as one of Santa Fe most spirited and energetic parties, this year’s two day theme was Burlesque!  Friday night kicked off with a celebrity chef dinner at La Posada de Santa Fe hotel in the ballroom. Red lights lined the walls while centerpieces crafted of red burlesque feathers adorned the white linen covered tables. Several of Santa Fe’s top chefs created a multi course dinner with wine pairing for each course which was followed by a live auction.

Saturday night the burlesque theme carried over to the Buffalo Thunder Resort and Casino. A scrumptious buffet and several flowing bars kept the guests entertained while perusing the silent auction.  On the main stage was a full burlesque show that would have made the Moulin Rouge proud. After there was no more clothing to shed, the bawdy performers turned the dance floor into a party where guest lost themselves into a night of frivolity while raising funds and awareness all for a good cause.

 

2012 Farmers’ Market Fall Fiesta & Gala

Every year the Santa Fe Farmer’s Market hosts their annual Fall Fiesta & Gala. This event is held each year to celebrate the local food, farmers and the community. The charity event raises vital funds each year to expand its support of the local agriculture.

Held in the main pavilion, over three hundred people attended the operatic themed gala. 001As we entered through the doors, we were greeted by costumed server swith trays of long stemmed glasses of Champaign and trays of hot appetizers. We then were quickly ushered through the check in process to get our auction bidder’s number and table assignments.

For the next hour and a half, we meet and greeted with many of the other attendees, chose items from the silent auction to bid on and perused the live auction items that would be auctioned off later in the evening.

Once the silent auction was closed, we took our seats while the harvest dinner was served. Santa Fe’s top local chefs were credited with the fall feast that was served at our table. We dined to jazz music from the live band and finished the evening with the live auction. Truly a splendid way to embrace autumn in Santa Fe.

Yeehaw! The Santa Fe Gay Rodeo Was In town!

Santa Fe wasn’t voted the #2 Gayest City in America by Advocate Magazine for no reason. Not only do we have the monthly Friends of Dorothy happy hours, gay retirement centers, drag shows at the Silver Starlight Lounge as well as a tolerant gay-friendly culture we even have a gay rodeo!

252433_1805090768281_115866_nEach year, the New Mexico Gay Rodeo Association produces the Zia Regional Rodeo, a premier fundraiser and the state’s second largest LGBT event. In the past, the rodeo’s profits have been donated to New Mexico AIDS Services, New Mexico Breast Cancer Coalition, New Mexico Domestic Violence Hotline and People Of Color AIDS Foundation, to name a few.

Previously held in ABQ, Santa Fe was honored for the 2 nd straight year to host the event and it didn’t disappoint.