Our adobe and pitched-tin roof home on the Rio Chupadero is in a perfect location for a country Thanksgiving and entertaining. The house is like new with all the amenities for comfortable living and it oozes northern New Mexico charm.
There is a woodburning stove in the living room and a fireplace in the master bedroom for added winter ambiance. We have two bedrooms, two and one-half baths, and a large-screen TV in the upstairs family room. We have no TV reception but we love to watch Netflix and other DVDs. We have a pretty good selection. If you will be renting a car,we recommend a 4-wheel drive vehicle as winter snow and mud could bog you down in places. There are wonderful places to hike and walk in all directions from our house, starting with the seven acres our house sits on. The well known village of Tesuque, with its popular Tesuque Village Market, is a favorite place for any meal [their blue corn pancakes are memorable]. It is just a 6 mile drive on your way into Santa Fe from our home.
Santa Fe is a spectacular place to visit during the holidays. The old buildings are lit up with farolitos [candles in paper bags]. Various Pueblos have Native American dances that they open up to the public. This is a special time in northern New Mexico with unlimited events and visual feasts.
Our pets are the heart of our lives. 'River' is a lovable and very calm 5-year old male black lab mix. He is used to going everywhere with us and is generally an indoor dog. He is spoiled yet very well-behaved. Though he never sleeps on our bed, he is used to being where ever we are.
Cara Grand is our new adoptee. She is also a five year old and ia a mix of Shephard and Charpee. Her name means 'big face' in Spanish. Her owner was a dear friend who was recently killed in an auto accident. Cara Grande survived the accident but her pack mates [our friend and another dog] did not. It is new for us the mix of two dogs. They are doing very well. Cara Grande is roaming, however, and teaching River the joys of adventuring. We will have installed an invisible [electric]fence by the time we leave on our trip. Both dogs will have been trained to it. This should solve the problem. Cara Grande still suffers from anxiety around the trauma and losses. We are very gentle with her. Ellie is our 5-year old black and white, short- haired cat. She is very independent and used to being indoors and outdoors equally. During the winter, she will probably remain indoors. She cannot be outdoors after dark as there are wild things that like to eat cats here. She is very sweet but not much of a lap cat. All three animals are well conditioned to human ways and are very easy to live with.
We have a few houseplants that need watering; otherwise, life here is simple and easy. We have a housekeeper who cleans for us from every Thursday.
If you choose to pet and housesit for us, we know that you will love it here. Our first priority is the well being of our pets. If you think that you can do Santa Fe with a nod to lots of loving up our dogs, then this might be a match.