While we had the roof torn up, we replaced an aging, badly placed skylight in the kitchen. It always feels a bit scary to me to cut holes in the roof. The top photo shows the new placement of the skylight from the top side. You can see the patched-in area at the top of the photo. We moved the skylight about 2 feet from the interior wall to the center of the kitchen.

The second photo shows NM blue sky through the hole in the roof. Better to see blue sky than thunderheads until the skylight is in place and the roofing installed!

The final photo shows the kitchen with the completed skylight and the patched ceiling. I'm loving it!

The monsoon season of afternoon rains is about to begin in the Placitas/Albuquerque area. Many people who have lived in New Mexico for any length of time joke that the monsoon rains begin on July 4 between the time you’ve eaten your picnic lunch and the time the fireworks start! The afternoon thunderstorms can be intense and dramatic, but generally last less than an hour and cool down the temperatures for a pleasant evening outdoors!

It's a beautiful day in Placitas, NM! There are 58 homes listed for sale and 183 pieces of vacant land. Call 505-867-8000 and talk with Janice about real estate in Placitas, Albuquerque, Rio Rancho, Bernalillo or the greater Albuquerque area! Check out our website www.placitasrealty.com

Purple asters bloom in late summer in New Mexico. They are blooming everywhere now! They start around the same time as roasting green chile and last beyond the State Fair and into the Balloon Fiesta. Autumn is a great time of year in New Mexico. Mild, sunny days and cool crisp nights!

Wow! I must have had my head in the clouds all summer! I haven't been blogging, but have kept myself busy. We've had wonderful late summer rains. Here is one of the terrific thunderclouds as it is building to the east of Placitas. Check out climate data at http://www.usclimatedata.com/climate/placitas/new-mexico/united-states/usnm0547

Snow on the mountain, sun in the sky

New Mexico at its winter best! I love it all year 'round. The temperature is a little nippy today, but the sunshine is delightful! Put on your hat and gloves and go for a walk. This photo is taken in Placitas about 2.5 miles east of I-25.

Taos and other NM skiing open! http://www.onthesnow.com/new-mexico/skireport.html

Snowy day, Green Chile Stew

We still have lots of snow on the ground and a cold wind blowing through Placitas. This would be a good day for green chile stew!

My favorite way to make Green Chile Stew: brown 1 pound ground turkey in a large, heavy saucepan. add 2 or 3 cloves of finely diced garlic and continue browning until the garlic is soft. Add 2 or 3 large potatoes, peeled and diced in large chunks. Add enough water to cover potatoes (just barely). Cover and cook until the potatoes are cooked, but not mushy. Add one pound of frozen chopped green chile and simmer until the kitchen smells great and you're really hungry! Salt to taste and add a bit of dried oregano, if desired. Serve with sliced or grated yellow cheddar cheese on top and hot homemade flour tortillas on the side. Yum!

How wonderful it has been to have the rain!