My family, like all families is made up of individuals with their own quirks, fancies and talents. Does this make an enchanted New Mexico home? Well, combined with our gorgeous environment in the Manzano Mountains…I’d say yes!
First, Allow me to Brag about my Grand kids…
My 10-year-old grandson is passionate about Spiderman, music from the 1960s and photography. He is also one super creative kid, making perfectly proportioned masks of T-Rexes and models of starships from cardboard and colored markers. And every day, he makes sure to give me at least one giant hug.
My youngest granddaughter (12 years) creates video games, has piles of stuffed animals divided into family groups (all with names) and is diligently working extra chores so she can purchase her own filly to add to our small horse herd.
My eldest granddaughter is enthralled with the night skies and is incredibly knowledgeable in astronomy. Luckily, we live in one of the best dark sky areas in the USA. Most every night the Milky way is an enormous swath across our sky, with what seems like billions of stars studding the rest of the blackness from horizon to horizon. Ada has her own telescope gifted to her from my amateur astronomer brother Jeff. And it is well used!
A Typical Weekend at Rosenfield Ranch…
This mid-January weekend has been a busy one so far…David is creating a platform so the kids can hop onto the zip line he recently installed between 2 huge ponderosa pine trees. A gift from their doting Aunt Katherine in Florida. But earlier this morning I heard strains of his latest melody drifting downstairs from his and Diana’s room. My son also plays guitar and writes incredibly beautiful songs. (As well as being a talented photographer) A few short years prior to joining us in New Mexico he toured the US, playing gigs and doing radio shows for almost a year.
Diana is making her famous chocolate chip cookies and working on a line of hand painted watercolor cards for her lucky customers. She is an artist in her own right, as well as a businesswoman. Do you have a new baby, or have a friend or daughter expecting? Check out her amazing website!
Even the horses had activities. They enjoyed their first “pedicure” since they’ve come to live with us. David and Diana have a good friend who also happens to be a farrier, so our “big girls” now have beautifully trimmed hooves.
Our cats had an eventful Friday night – the throw rug in the kitchen was bunched up in the corner, possible evidence of a mouse hunt. Or just crazy cat play (more likely).
And I am working on MY latest design… Have I told you yet? I’ve already made 5 new Magic Zoo creations since Christmas. They are at the caster will be appearing soon. No spoilers, but I think you might enjoy them!
What I Love to Do…
One of my all-time favorite daily activities is hiking our 20 acres by myself. We have a ravine in the back of our property, and I meander along a different route through the pinons, junipers and pine trees to reach it most every day. When Ed and I first walked our property line, this beautiful, peaceful ravine was a complete and wonderful surprise to us both.
The grandkids sled down its gentle slopes on snowy days, and on warm days I bring my lap dulcimer with me, sit on a favorite log and sing a few traditional Appalachian melodies to the pine trees. Before heading back, I sometimes put my arms around one of these trees and give it a good sniff. Why? Most of the pines on our property smell remarkably like butterscotch!
This Ancient Land…
I believe the most beautiful trees on our property are the alligator junipers. This one is an old and especially gnarly one…alligator junipers are known to live for 2,000 years. I expect this grandpa is several centuries old, and was probably a youngster when the conquistadors were roaming our land.
I’ve found several arrowheads on our land, and not far from where we live are ancient petroglyphs carved into stone, and pictographs painted into overhangs where they are protected from the weather and sun.
I invite you all to come to New Mexico…it is really a remarkable place, with remnants of some of the oldest civilizations in our country. Who knows, maybe I’ll invite you to our home for a cup of tea and a homemade cookie at Magic Zoo Central!
Tell me some of your favorite things in your neck of the woods… This planet is full of surprises, and since my customers inhabit many of its zones, I’d love to hear your stories!
Your Animal Loving Artist,
Merry
Patti Bach says
Well, I made chocolate chip cookies out of the blue last night! Must be something in our mountain air! Love reading your blog, Merry!
Merry says
Absolutely there is! Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Patti.
Jonni Ricard says
You painted a beautiful picture of your slice of heaven! I can’t wait to go for a visit!
Merry says
And we can’t wait for you to come! Give me a call so we can work out a time…
Nancy Forrest says
Love this blog and especially the photos. I can tell that you all support each other and treat each other with love. Wherever people do that, it makes a good life.
Merry says
We do have fun together… And it is a good (tho sometimes challenging) life out here in the country!
Susan H Johnson, DVM says
Paul and I have a 20 acre horse ranch in McDade, Texas which is about 45 miles East of Austin. 20 years ago, we were considered “rural” but with the population explosion, I feel more and more encroached. I loved reading about your slice of Heaven and especially about those star filled skies— I miss them so much! Take care and thank you!
Susan
Merry says
Dr. Johnson, So sorry the suburbs have encroached on your own slice of heaven! Since NM is pretty underpopulated, I think we should be safe, but I certainly don’t take our property for granted. I do really love it here. – Merry
Elaine says
What a great blog! You painted the story so beautifully and completely. I can picture you playing the dulcimer and Ada looking at the stars.
Congratulations on building such a wonderful home.
Merry says
Oh, thank you, Elaine! I hope you can see it again in October…hopefully will have my new studio by then!
Cheri E Hall says
Love hearing what all of you are up to !
Merry says
Thanks, Cheri!
Lynn says
So interesting to learn about your family and property. Sounds like a magical place for creativity. Thank you for sharing.
Merry says
Hi Lynn! Yes, it really is quite a spectacular location.