Over the weekend I cleared out alot of the no good weeds that were growing along my new garden (the one I installed i my backyard last year, which was a bad choice because of last year's drought) and found that I have a lot more room that I thought. This year I plan to create a special section of my yard to plant vines, so I'll get some Pipevies in there. The Sages seem like good plants and will try to find some. I would like to plant bushes that attract butterflies there (in the area I cleared which has Mistflower, Porterweeds, Tropical Milkweeds, and Lantanas). Which ones have worked well for you gardenwebers?

Here's the best two dozen in a slideshow. It's a really photogenic area, amazing vistas and charming small details everywhere. I added descriptions to most of the slides so you might want to change the speed to slow (default is medium speed; lower LH strip). Here is a link that might be useful: Photobucket slideshow New Mexico

Hope this is not too late for you. Santa Fe has fantastic private and public gardens. Simply walk along Canyon Rd. to explore the galleries and see some wonderful gardens. Most restaurants have garden courtyards. There are also private garden tours in Santa Fe. Check out this website: High Country Gardens is not to be missed. They are a terrific resource and you can tour their gardens as well. Each year there is a garden tour: May 11 Santa Fe Greenhouses begins its Summer Garden Tours, held Weds at 10 am and Sats at 10 and 11 am. Led by plant specialists, the 45-minute tours are a detailed look at the more than half-acre xeriscape and Western cottage display gardens at Santa Fe Greenhouses. Free. 2904 Rufina, Santa Fe. 505-473-2700.

Sorry I haven't responded here in a couple of days. I know you all understand, though. Jeanne, your photo is gorgeous! What a lovely walk that must have been. Oh, and I'll have deviled egg appetizers waiting for you when you get here. I love them, too! I have one of those storyteller candles! I bought it years ago when we were in Taos. That's where they make them. I've never lit it, though, and don't ever plan to. Here she is: PartyMusic: thanks! You're more than welcome to jump on the Holiday Bus and come along for breakfast, too. MM: too funny! I get the same way when I see pics of Huevos Rancheros. Most restaurants out here serve it all day, because so many of us love them anytime. Last night when we went out to dinner, I almost had them again but chose Chile Rellenos instead. Mmmmm! Luvs: You are always welcome here! And, scrambled eggs are wonderful with salsa or red chile on them. I always have some on the table when I make scrambled eggs. I hear you regarding Spanish pronunciations! I took 7 years of it as a kid in Michigan. Never got to use it much, because you hear more French there. But, once I moved to NM, a lot of it came back to me. The "LL" sounding like a "Y" throws most people off and so does the "J" sounding like "H" do, too. Funny! As for my seed placemats, I'm really liking them. At first, I was going to take them back as I was worried that they'd be very hard to keep clean, but they're not that bad. I just have to be careful about what I serve when I use them. Drips down between those seeds would not be a good thing! Kathleen, I'm Scot and I love them. I think it becomes an addiction when you move here ;^D When DS was in college, I had to send him chile on a regular basis. The main requests our NM service men & women have from home are canned green chiles and salsa! I can't imagine getting on without it now. OK, I'm making myself hungry! Karen: they sure can be made with scrambled eggs! Do you ever make Breakfast Burritos? You roll a flour tortilla around warm scrambled eggs, crumbled bacon, sausage or ham, add some hash browns, beans if you like, shredded cheese and then salsa or red chile sauce. That's got to be New Mexico's other favorite breakfast! Even the McD's out here serve them. Punk: I'd love to have you come for breakfast! I love the pinecone napkin rings that Jane sent me, too. They look great with three of my dish sets: these pinecone ones, the ones with actual pinecones painted on them and my green Solare dishes. They get used a lot! Glor: Yes, that dip is very popular out here. We usually add diced jalapenos or green chiles to ours. I've had it used as a stuffing for enchiladas and burritos, too. Have you ever had Green Chile Roll-Ups? They're a pinwheel-type appetizer and very popular out here. Luckygal: I don't care for very hot food either. But, what I now consider mild, I find that my Michigan family thinks is medium-to-hot. I guess I've just gotten used to it over the years. OA: thank you :~ ) Yes, that brown pedestal is from HL and was meant to hold a candle, I think. I keep looking for a more rustic one to use on a table like this, but haven't found it yet. I'd love to hear any ideas you might have for a substitute. That pedestal is probably the main thing I don't like about this vignette. The pottery comes mainly from two NM potters, one is my neighbor. I love his work and, as I've mentioned, use it every day. I feel the same way you do about centerpieces! I have several 5x7 frames with easel backs I keep just for adding an interesting card to for a centerpiece. There are so many possibilities out there these days and the frames are so quick and easy to change out. Well, now I'm REALLY hungry for something with chiles! I think I'll go make myself a grilled cheese with green chile sandwich for lunch. Lynn