Merry Christmas

 The cats are trouble, but the tree is up.  And yes, I got my hair cut last month.

 

Busy season

 Eight of nine performances for the month done, with only a caroling gig at the botanical garden on Tuesday left.

First snow of the season

 It's late this year, but pretty in the morning sun.

Saloon update -- continued improvements

First snow of the season today, and while the saloon wasn't exactly warm inside, it kept most of the wind out! We've started to accumulate tchotchkes suitable to an old saloon, and I've got plumbing roughed in and framing for the sink. A counter top and tile is yet to come. I got a second batch of beer made, and some new beer plumbing on the way so I won't have to heave big kettles of hot liquid any more. Also a diesel-fueled heated, the little electric one just isn't enough.

 

Prints

 A few things from the block printing workshop I recently took.  Now I just need to get the Christmas cards done.

Hooligans

I know they are plotting.

Northern Lights

The northern lights were impressively visible even here in New Mexico tonight.  I spent quite a while freezing up on the roof where the view off to the north was good.

Cicoma Mountain

We finally headed back to Cicoma Mountain to find our way up to the top through the deadfall.  I am happy to report success -- a little strategizing about the route based on the satellite image paid off! 

 

Saloon update -- open for Halloween!

 We got things put together enough to invite the neighbors over for a little festivity! We even were able to enjoy the first batch of homebrew cooked up in the new space, featuring "neomexicanus" hops grown by our neighbors.

Looks like something out of a movie set...

As does the bartender!

Prickly-pear margaritas were the cocktail of the evening (we harvested about 10lb of prickly pear "tunas" at the end of the summer)

The patio is a lovely place in the afternoon.

The "brewery" side is still a work in progress, but it's working!

Guard Pig.

Resident Ghoul.