I think I've Found our Hotel!

I've been deep in internet land looking at hotels, and think I've found a good one.  We can get a good group rate at the Inn on the Alameda.  http://www.innonthealameda.com/index.htm

This is the top rated hotel on Tripadvisor (which I have always found to be a reliable source). The location seems pretty ideal (walking distance to the Plaza and to the art galleries on Canyon Road.  

I contacted the hotel and confirmed that they currently have available:

6 traditional rooms with 2 Queen beds, patios or balconies, whose group discounted rate is $207 per night plus tax.  

2 traditional rooms with 1 King bed, patios or balconies whose group discounted rate is $221 per night plus tax.

A selection of more deluxe rooms, but only two of these have 2 beds, and those are far apart from one another.  The discounted rate for any deluxe room is $261 per night plus tax.

These rates include breakfast, free parking and an afternoon wine & cheese reception.

The hotel will hold rooms for me without any deposit for up to 60 days prior to arrival (at which time a deposit is required).  I think we should reserve rooms, and if anything more attractive shows up we can cancel.  SO,  I need to know final room count.

I know that Jodi and RoseAnn both indicated that they wanted to share a room, so I will reserve one traditional Queen/Queen for you.  I want a single, as does Sarah, so I will reserve the two traditional Kings.  

Peg, Kris, Diana & Lalitha all indicated they were flexible.  There are enough rooms available that you could each have your own traditional room (although it would have two queen beds) at $206/night.  Or you could share.  Confer amongst yourselves and let me know ASAP so I can put a hold on these rooms.

Get your Santa Fe Gear together!

Don't forget to pack your Santa Fe style when we head out on our trip.  My daughters and I did not quite measure up in our fashion for the plaza last year.

My Vote

Let's stay put in Santa Fe. Sounds like balloons require too much driving back and forth.

I would rather stay in Santa Fe.  It is a lot of driving back and forth for my taste.  I mentioned to Jane that the Acoma Pueblo is right outside Albuquerque and I would be more interested in seeing that on our way to or from Santa Fe. And,  I actually think we may be able to see the balloons when we are in Santa Fe, but we will have to ask about that.

From the Queen of fast yet nutritious recipes

Minato at Flickr

Ginger and Coriander Carrot Soup Recipe:

Peel and roughly chop one large onion, saute in a pan with chopped ginger (there's no such thing as too much ginger in my book but a one inch piece, peeled and chopped, should suffice) and 1 tsp of curry powder. When somewhat cooked, throw in 1 1/2 pounds of peeled and halved carrots, add one of those free range pkgs of chicken stock (or swansons, two small cans), salt to taste (1/2 tsp) and maybe a little water so the vegetables are just covered, simmer until the carrots are fully cooked. Throw in a handful of coriander/cilantro (washed and the thickest part of the stems removed) and puree with a hand blender till smooth. Add a couple of tablespoons of creme fraiche and puree for an additional 30 seconds and voila, carrot soup. Serve with fresh bread and cheese and baby tomatoes and wine you have one of my favorite meals ever!

vforvelociraptor at Flickr

Salad:

So HARD! Buy a pkg of mache lettuce and another of baby lettuces, rinse and dry (yes, I know it says triple washed but just in case..), add Trader Joes poppy seed dressing (in moderation) and toss.

newyork808 at Flickr

Mascarpone cheese sauce (which I served with the berries):

I pkg Mascarpone cheese (6 oz)

3 tbsps creme fraiche

1/4 cup confectioners sugar

Mix and beat with a fork, serve with berries. I think it's yummy, my good friend Susan gave me this quick recipe.

March Book Club Meeting

The Road Home: A Novel by Rose Tremain

Host: Angel in Love

Date: April 2, 2009

Santa Fe and Big Balloons

To recap our discussion at Lalitha's - We have dates (Thursday October 1st through Sunday October 4th).  We have the destination (Santa Fe), flying into Albuquerque, which is a bit over an hour away from Santa Fe.  We need to settle on accommodations quickly, especially since the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta will be on while we are there (it runs from Saturday October 3rd through Sunday October 11th).  

Notes on the Balloon Fiesta:  http://www.balloonfiesta.com/

The balloon events are either early morning  or early evening events.  By early morning I mean recommended arrival time at the event is 5:30AM!  I think this is out of the question, particularly since Santa Fe is more than an hour drive to Alb.  The better option might be the evening events, which sound lovely anyway (lighted glowing balloons followed by fireworks). Recommended arrival at the park for evening events is 4:00PM.  I checked flights on Sunday and confirmed that there are no late night return flights that would allow us to see the Sunday evening balloons and still fly out that night.  That limits us to the Saturday evening show (opening day).  That's a lot of to-and-fro (Alb to Santa Fe on Thursday arrival, Santa Fe/Alb roundtrip on Saturday for the balloons, Santa Fe to Alb for return flights on Sunday), so I wanted to gauge people's interest in the balloons.  If not everyone is interested in seeing them, I would consider spending Thursday to Sunday in Santa Fe, going to the Sunday evening balloon event & spending Sunday night at an airport hotel in Alb,  flying home Monday morning ( or later in the day if there is stuff to see in Alb).  

Let me know which of the following describes you best:

A)  I really don't care about seeing big balloons and would rather spend Thursday to Sunday chillin' in Santa Fe.

B)  I have a deep desire to see big balloons and don't think it is too strenuous to drive back and forth to Albuquerque on Saturday.

C)  I have a deep desire to see big balloons and would consider adding Sunday night in Albuquerque to make that dream a reality.

D) Both B and C.

E)  I have another suggestion which is (fill in the blank).

Can you tell that I just took my mid-term exam in my Estate Tax Planning course?