The Do Right Hall

We are so WRONG!

2012-01-23T19:38:00.004-06:00

Check us out at Wrong, now.

Phootcamp in Marfa

2011-06-23T18:57:00.004-05:00

Phootcamp came to Marfa. The last night here, Ryan Schude staged a hootenanny in the Do Right Hall and had all 33 photographers participating.
Paul Octavious shot this video.
My favorite part is 1:56.

MothRA

2011-03-29T23:00:00.002-05:00

Last week, Gina and Seth were here. We had a dinner party and as we were cleaning up, this gorgeous moth flew into the house. Gina tried to save it but ... it disappeared. Yesterday I found it in the cabinet, top shelf in a wine glass.
I'm sorry, dear moth. We tried.

Let the Great World Spin

2011-03-29T22:40:00.004-05:00

So I read this really amazing book: LET THE GREAT WORLD SPIN.
I read it during my recent trip to Toronto. It put such a beautiful painful spin on ... living ... trying to figure this crazy place out. As I walked through the O'Hare Airport on my layover, every face had a story and a purpose.
I cried when I finished the novel -- I miss those people.

Visiting Marfa for the first time

2011-02-05T16:37:00.005-06:00

I often wish I could visit Marfa as a first time visitor.
Here's what I'd do:

I'd stay at El Cosmico. Probably in the yurt or teepee.
I'd go to Cochineal and be hesitant about ordering the date pudding but so happy that I did.
I'd climb to the top of the county courthouse and make out with Camp.
I'd go to the Wrong store and buy a Drug Money and a Juicy Steak cutting board.
I'd have margaritas in the Paisano courtyard.
I'd drive down the alleys and look in folks' backyards. Rude!
I'd bring a bike and plan to ride up Highland Ave. in middle of the night and look at the stars.
I'd go to Marfa Book Co. and buy as many books as I could afford from that amazing bookstore.
I'd make sure I hit Livingston Ranch Store and simply smell the interior of the place.
I'd make sure I met Chip Love the bank president.
I'd go to ABC Pump and ask Stella a question.
I'd leave pennies on the railroad track and be sure to wave at AmTrak when they pass through town.
I'd eat at the Food Shark as often as I could and make darn sure I'm there before the specials are gone.
I'd photograph all the quirky fences in town.
I'd mail postcards I purchased from Marfa Book Co. from the sweet Marfa Post Office.
I'd want to meet Buck and Camp and have drinks in their backyard and meet their crazy dogs.

That's what I'd do.

Greetings! Long time no posting!

2011-02-05T16:25:00.002-06:00

Okay, I'm going to try to get back in the habit of posting.
First, it's been butt cold here. -6 degrees on Thursday, Feb. 3, 2011.

That night was our 10 year anniversary. We celebrated by staying home with the pups. We had plans to go to the Gage for the night, but heck, it was too cold to go anywhere.

Camp surprised me with a lovely bottle of champagne and a custom made 10 yr. anniversary ring by Margaret Sullivan.
We unplugged in the late afternoon and had a leisurely evening of fun.

4th of July 2009

2009-07-07T07:04:00.003-05:00

I have not eaten a hamburger in nearly 20 years. But the recent NY Times article about the perfect burger and all its parts inspired us to have a cookout for the 4th of July.

Shelley and I had ribeyes and one top sirloin ground. We mixed this with an organic ground beef. We seasoned with (lotsa) salt and pepper only and dimpled the big patties.

Grill master Rocky cooked them perfectly -- he seared them and then smoke infused 'em. We buttered and grilled the buns.

The result: the best burger I have ever eaten.

Our 15 bestest brought delicious sides, deviled eggs and pies; and with sparklers, it was an amazing 4th.

A Wine Freak-out

2009-06-28T12:52:00.003-05:00

All were fantastic. Buck's favorite was the '88 Lafite Rothchild.

Camp's favorite was the '83 Saint Julien.

It was decided we were probably enjoying the best wine in the tri-county area.

The World's Longest Pasta

2009-06-27T00:16:00.003-05:00

Tonight we tried to make the world's longest pasta. 7.5 ft. long. It was super!

Thanks to Camp's parents for the pasta maker. We love it.

Guatemala

2009-05-31T15:34:00.007-05:00

We just returned from Antigua, Guatemala. Lord, what a colorful country!

We spent Sunday at the Chichi market -- Sunday morning at the cathedral. It was so amazing. There was a huge line of Mayans waiting to have their babies baptized with the Catholic priest. At the same time, several mayan shaman were lighting candles and making offerings along the aisle on altars close to the ground. It was a beautiful moment of 2 different cultures/religions coming together and working as one.

LYLE

2009-05-31T15:31:00.002-05:00

Lyle Lovett was in Marfa last night for Ballroom's big weekend.

He's a great performer -- several sweet shout outs to locals.

He makes you love Texas.

Please do not cross black line.

2009-05-17T16:00:00.003-05:00

Adam Bork's video installation at the Do Right Hall is amazing.

It's like being in church. We never expected the hushed voices and quietness. It was lovely and so appropriate for the space. Thank you Adam.

The Rappin' Cowboy

2009-03-03T22:36:00.005-06:00

If you can get the Rappin' Cowboy to do a house party for you ... DO IT!

He's the real deal.

What a week it's been!

2009-03-03T22:31:00.003-06:00

Hi.

We've had an amazing week in Marfa.

Allison V. Smith had a show @ the Thunderroom (as Vance calls it.) We hosted a cocktail party for her and 60+ of her/our friends from Dallas and Marfa. The Rappin' Cowboy played a house party for us. As you can see, it turned into a dance party and a very long night.

Photo courtesy of Holly Jefferson.

Happy Valentine's Day

2009-02-13T18:44:00.002-06:00

It's our favorite day of the year!

Love to all.

Marfa Bar in NYC?

2009-02-07T17:22:00.002-06:00

We need an update on the new bar/restaurant.

Lux Interior

2009-02-04T21:46:00.002-06:00

We are very sad about Lux. We loved The Cramps.

Facebook

2009-01-30T18:10:00.002-06:00

This Facebook phenomena is bizarre. We have to say, WE LOVE IT. Not sure why it works so well but it does. It could be the excellent communication skills of Facebook. "They" are quick to let you know of any change to anyone's status. We recommend it!

Art Books

2009-01-30T17:42:00.004-06:00

While in Baltimore, we went to the American Visionary Art Museum. They have an excellent book store/gift shop called Sideshow. The owner is so fun and nice.

We purchased 5 books we'd like to recommend:

Cine Mexicano: the graphics and illustrations are so worth it!

Crop Circles by the Alexanders. You cannot believe these images.

Sublime Spaces and Visionary Worlds: Built Environments of Vernacular Artists

Hundertwasser Architecture : kinda wacky stuff, but inspiring.

and

H.C. Westermann: and here's something we found out from the book: He was close to Donald Judd and bought a house in Marfa in the last 70's. We are on a quest to find the house he purchased.

Center of the Universe

2009-01-23T19:35:00.001-06:00

on January 20, 2009:

Mass Exodus

2009-01-23T17:00:00.005-06:00

One of our very favorite moments of the Inauguration day ... was leaving. We headed down the Mall and toward the Lincoln Memorial. The crowd forced us out by way of 18th Street. You really had no choice in what direction you wanted to go because it was so tight with people going north -- you were forced into this one direction. I kept asking people: "where are you going?" or "where are we going?"

But what was cool was how joyously happy everyone was. It was a helpful, sweet crowd. Guys were climbing on buses to take photos of the street of people and everyone would cheer or scream "OBAMA!"

As far as you could see in any direction or street, it was filled with people walking. No one was moving fast or could move fast. Just a slow march to the millions of destinations. Not sure we will ever experience anything like it again.

We headed to Brasserie Beck on 11th and K St. What should have taken us 20 minutes took 2 hours. We had a celebratory lunch with wine, lamb, french onion soup, salads and more cocktails. It was a wonderful follow up for the day.

And warm!

On the Mall the day of the Inauguration

2009-01-23T16:54:00.008-06:00

We have a lot of crowd shots. Too many for posting. One of the cool things we could not capture on camera was before anything started, a plane left a big "O" contrail above the Washington Monument. It was too big to capture but it was pretty darn cool.

Going to the Inauguration Part 2

2009-01-23T16:45:00.004-06:00

We went down this street and through a tunnel to the Mall. One man's voice started singing out and then everyone joined. It was wonderful.

But as far as you could see in front and behind us were people heading to the Mall.

This man was so interesting:

Going to the Inauguration

2009-01-23T12:13:00.002-06:00

We rode a water taxi to the Inauguration. Thank you, Eric! It was a blast. And, from reports about the Metro, it was the best way to get there. It was warm and we had a bathroom!

On The Mall the night before

2009-01-23T12:03:00.006-06:00

We were on The Mall the night before the Inauguration. It was packed! Thousands of people were out there. People were hugging each other and so darn happy.

We had dinner at Jaleo (thank you Rocky and Adrina.) It was great.

Below are random shots of the evening.

Carousel ride on The Mall in DC

2009-01-23T11:54:00.002-06:00

I rode the dragon and afterward learned it made a young boy cry because he wanted the dragon.

I wish he'd asked me because I would have given it to him.

Yes, I made Kelly and Sean ride this. I love carousels!

The Black Tie and Boots Ball

2009-01-23T11:45:00.003-06:00

We went to the Black Tie and Boots Ball. Truly, the highlights were Dale Watson and The Kilgore Rangerettes. We are pretty sure the Rangerettes are Republicans but they had high kicks. We are glad we went to an Inaugural Ball but it's probably our last.

Camp wore his "BDAY" suit and it was the hit of the Ball. Everyone wanted a photo of it.

Headed to DC

2009-01-23T11:43:00.003-06:00

Here we are with the Colorado Governor. Headed to DC!

Lucky, indeed!

2009-01-15T15:52:00.002-06:00

Not only were we given 2 tickets to Obama's swearing-in, we just received 2 tickets to the Black Tie and Boots Inaugural Ball. The Obamas and Bidens are expected to attend. We are so thankful to Marfa Public Radio and the Halperns for their generosity. We are running on excitement over here!

Dinner with friends is the best!

2009-01-11T13:34:00.005-06:00

Menu:

Carne Asado

Green posole with roasted poblanos, white beans, mushrooms, tomatillos, jalapenos, cilantro, scallions.

Socorro's enchiladas

Black beans

Spanish rice

and all the fixin's for the posole and or tacos.

Malbec and tequila. (Diana: we used the blue glasses for the Malbec!)

It was one of those dinner parties where everyone was so excited and happy to be with one another that we all talked at once.

And later, we pulled out the "raft" for our fireside gathering.

The Lovebirds are having babies!

2009-01-08T16:02:00.000-06:00

You can't believe how tiny they are.

A Thank You to Dave

2009-01-08T16:01:00.001-06:00

for letting us ride with dolphin and being our friend.

Camp's latest/greatest.

2009-01-08T15:57:00.002-06:00

Better photos coming -- I'm so excited about it though.

Welcome home dinner at Harry and Shelley's

2009-01-06T08:33:00.003-06:00

Shelley is a rockstar.

Pork tenderloin.

Roasted veggies.

Spinach with garlic.

Black-eyed peas for luck. And cornbread.

Mac & cheese.

A killer salad with Green Goddess dressing.

And 1983 Bordeaux.

I did ask her to keep it simple. Oh well.

More Mexican pottery for the collection

2009-01-06T08:30:00.002-06:00

We love these nesting pots. We found them in Bisbee.

Bisbee has great antique shopping.

Shells for Jayne

2009-01-06T08:21:00.010-06:00

Treasures from the beach:

Home.

2009-01-04T09:48:00.000-06:00

We are home. Our trip to Mexico was super.

Douglas, AZ and new friends

2009-01-04T09:27:00.006-06:00

We had a fantastic day in Douglas, AZ. Thanks to Hunter, Harrod and "Moose."

If you pass through that area, knock on their door and check out the upcoming Art Car Museum.

We had a tequila at the Gadsden Hotel's Saddle & Spur Tavern.

And, Hwy 9 from Rodeo, NM to El Paso is beautiful. The highway almost touches Mexico. There were cairns on the Mexico side. Some as tall as a person and incredible. We are so curious who did these and why.

Dolphin video here.

2009-01-02T18:50:00.002-06:00

Back in the USA!!!

2009-01-02T18:40:00.002-06:00

We are back in the USA!

And, we want everyone to know it is so easy to drive/travel in Mexico. This was the year we received the most warnings from folks and it was the easiest year yet. Not one single problem. Our wait at the border (Naco) was 19 minutes. Driving south from Tucson into Sonora is a No Hassle Zone. They mean it, too. No paperwork needed.

We took a different route home. We went over the Sierra Madres and it was a 2 laneR with no room for error. But high desert with oaks, saguarros, organ pipe, sotol and copper mines.

We are staying the night in Bisbee, AZ. We have dinner reservations at Cafe Roca. We remember it as being very good -- we went years ago with the Fishlocks.

Riding with Dolphin

2009-01-01T21:13:00.002-06:00

Bahia de Kino in Watercolors

2009-01-01T21:05:00.007-06:00

New Year's Day lunche

2009-01-01T19:31:00.003-06:00

Posole. It was so good. A woman from a corner cart was selling it. She sold us the last of the pot.

The final sunset of 2008

2009-01-01T14:40:00.000-06:00

Shell Feet

2009-01-01T14:38:00.000-06:00

This is the area where we found a whale bone. It's coming home with us.

A perfect New Year's Eve.

2009-01-01T14:32:00.003-06:00

We swam with the dolphin. (Video coming when we have a better connection.)

We had black-eyed peas at midnight and took a walk on the beach at 3 a.m.

Happy New Year.

Where the desert meets the ocean.

2008-12-31T20:52:00.001-06:00

Music this evening:

2008-12-29T20:43:00.002-06:00

Bob Marley

Creedence

Sandman (from South Dakota and we love him)

Shelleyan Orphan (just for Kelly)

Sinead O'Connor

We are stuck in the "S's".

And, Camp told me he always holds my hand when the plane takes off because of Sinead.

Anyone else?

Dinner tonight.

2008-12-29T20:25:00.004-06:00

CRAB sauce.

So, I bought this thinking it was CLAM and I could do a Vongole sauce. I kept saying "clam" and finally Camp corrected me and said, "Buck, it's crab." He also informed me that I often confuse words like January and June. Oh well.

I googled crab and found this recipe:

http://www.italianchef.com/lingbluecrab.html

It was superb.

Mexican radio

2008-12-29T19:59:00.002-06:00

Actually, we've been listening to the A-Pod on our Tivoli.

When we first bought our i-Pod, Camp would get confused and frustrated and say: "Damn this A-Pod." It's been the A-Pod ever since and we are trying to pass it on.

Headin' out:

2008-12-29T19:57:00.002-06:00

These are the fishermen who head out every morning. We just heard that in 1 week, shrimp, crab and everything else will be hard to come by. The local fishermen are going on strike to protest gas prices and corporate fish greed. Down with the man!!!

Our gate to the beach

2008-12-29T19:54:00.000-06:00

Lucy, Wind And Waves.

2008-12-29T19:53:00.002-06:00

Christmas dinner:

2008-12-27T14:50:00.002-06:00

Thai soup with:

Coconut milk, ginger, lemongrass, shrimp, sea bass, cilantro, curry, jalapeno and love.

Our tv:

2008-12-27T14:43:00.002-06:00

Just out side of our cabin is this dock. Boats come and go all day long. What's crazy is that ANYONE would back their trailer off this dock. It's narrow. It's crumbling. It's a deathtrap. But, sure enough, the fishermen come and go all day long.

Camarones de ajo.

2008-12-27T14:42:00.001-06:00

For Julie:

2008-12-27T14:33:00.006-06:00

Self portrait at sunset.

2008-12-27T14:31:00.000-06:00

Peyote the Coyote on the sofa

2008-12-25T20:52:00.000-06:00

Yep, we are reduced to posting photos of our dogs.

Lucy chasing seagulls on the beach.

2008-12-25T20:43:00.003-06:00

Camp's latest acquisition

2008-12-25T20:16:00.004-06:00

and the artist who made it:

More sunrise/sunset in Bahia de Kino.

2008-12-24T17:00:00.003-06:00

Our neighbor.

2008-12-24T16:58:00.001-06:00

Ain't that pretty? Can you say ATV? Can you say dog on a chain?

He called the policia about OUR dogs. Can someone please tell him it's Mexico and no one cares?

Chinese Lanterns

2008-12-24T16:54:00.002-06:00

So, I was trying to think how long I've had these Chinese lanterns ...

I bought them at Legacy Trading Co. about 16 years ago. I've never used them once until Kino. I can't believe it's taken me this long to bring them and find a use for them.

Jay and Jaegermiester are back!

2008-12-22T16:33:00.001-06:00

Peyote's first find

2008-12-22T16:28:00.004-06:00

A squid! Saul used it as bait.

Mexico electricity

2008-12-22T16:26:00.001-06:00

can't be safe.

Fun with Duct Tape

2008-12-22T16:25:00.000-06:00

Camp's Booze.

First beach find.

2008-12-22T16:24:00.003-06:00

Fountain pen?

Our first sunset/sunrise in Bahia de KIno

2008-12-22T16:18:00.011-06:00

We made it to Kino -- easier than ever.

Having a blast. Wish you were here.

Stage 1 of our new walk-in closet

2008-12-19T11:40:00.001-06:00

Holiday at Cochineal and the moon

2008-12-16T20:04:00.006-06:00

We shared a holiday dinner with Callie at Cochineal:

Gnocchi.

Crabcakes.

Pork.

Salmon and the best potato salad.

And, on the way home we took this silly shot of the big ass moon

and the Marfa National Bank.

Throwing our shoes, too.

2008-12-15T09:52:00.000-06:00

Today, we are sending 2 pair of shoes to the White House.

Happy Camp

2008-12-13T13:46:00.004-06:00

I took this photo of Camp on Thanksgiving.
Just as I took this photo, he told me he was the happiest he had ever been in his entire life.
He loves his shop.

Our first post

2008-12-13T13:27:00.001-06:00

We live in the best town in America. We love Marfa.
This is a shot from the top of our church.