A Bit of Southwestern Serendipity

The restaurant reviews in our local newspaper, The El Paso Times, are tailor-made for readers like me.  I love to try out new restaurants, not so much for the food, but more for a different dining experience.

"Indulge your taste buds in Las Cruces" read the article's headline. So much the better, I thought. Here is a good chance to travel to a neighboring city and really try something new.  Las Cruces is located in the state of New Mexico, about 60 miles from my home town of El Paso, Texas. During the hour's drive, the mind relaxes as farms, pecan trees, and homes built with pleasantly rounded corners come into view.

We located the Indulgence Bakery and Cafe in a small shopping center on Main Street. The newspaper article mentioned that the Indulgence had risen from the ashes of a former popular bistro on the same location.  I heard several locals complimenting the restaurant manager and giving best wishes for continued success for the bakery.

The article also mentioned that the Indulgence is like being in a friend's home. I felt it was very much like relaxing in the kitchen of a friend who was a very good cook.  The Indulgence's varied menu made ordering a challenge, a very different experience from eating in chain restaurants that have proliferated in our area, where food is often pre-packaged and, well, boring.

The Indulgence decor was unique as well.  A chalk message on the wall gave a mouthwatering list of baking ingredients, as well as a slogan, "Mind your own biscuits and life will be gravy."

  

The walls were attractively decorated with copper pots and pans

and a old-fashioned coffee poster.

We ordered coffee and made our decisions from the menu.  A new restaurant experience called for a fresh breakfast choice, so I threw dieting to the winds and ordered strawberry blintzes.

My husband, Wayne, the traditionalist, went for biscuits and gravy served with scrambled eggs and hash browns.

The bakery counter had a steady stream of customers.

Maybe it was the cream puffs that were the big draw?  The two lemon ones we ordered for dessert were, in a word, luscious.

I liked the atmosphere of the restaurant, with all types of local customers.  The waitress was friendly and found time to chat with us.

"Serendipity"  (what a great word!) is defined as "good luck in finding things not sought for."  At the Indulgence, we found not only breakfast, but also a relaxing, memorable place to return to soon. Getting out of one's rut is good for the soul!

Escape to the Renaissance Fair

On a cold, blustery November morning, the last thing I wanted to do was leave my warm bed to drive an hour to Las Cruces, New Mexico from my home town of El Paso, Texas to attend the Renaissance Fair, now celebrating its 45th year. And, as is usually the case, I'm really glad my husband, Wayne, and I decided to attend, because the fair provided an afternoon of great escapism (much needed nowadays!).

The Fair was held at Young Park, a spacious, green area set up with numerous booths and pavilions. A dragon in the charming center lake put us in a festive, playful mood.

Dragon in lake

What to do first?  We followed paths around the park to investigate offerings, giving food booths a wide berth so we could maintain our slimming plans.  I  had to avoid booths selling seductive funnel cakes, although I did give in and buy one small bag of cinnamon cashews.

I was impressed by the high quality of arts and crafts offered by local area artisans.  We purchased an attractive French butter dish which allows butter to be kept out of the refrigerator for a whole month. You may be wondering how having softer butter supports our diet plan.  Good question!  We must have been carried away by the spirit of fun that the Fair offered.

Arts and crafts vendor

One of the highlights of the day was the parade which wound its way through the park around noon. The sounds of bagpipes and drums sent our minds drifting to the Highlands of Scotland, one of our favorite vacation spots.

Empyre Pipes and Drums

 Well-dressed pilgrims, and especially their classy dogs, were getting attention from the crowd.

Parade participants

  Some re-enactors were very serious about staying true to their characters.

Authentic parade participants

Others risked life and limb by walking on stilts to provide a wow factor for the admiring crowd.

Parade participants on stilts

The jousting contest was another highlight of the day.

Principal combatants in jousting

My champion was the gentleman standing with his hand on his sword, representing the side dubbed  "Chaos."  He encouraged his supporters to yell unchivalrous phrases like, "Cheat to win, cheat to win."  Female counterparts of the jousters entertained the crowd as well, sparring vigorously with swords.

Female jousters

The crowd watched as the combatants raced menacingly down the field toward each other, mounted on beautiful horses.

Combatants on field

As the day was drawing to a close, we reluctantly located the shuttle bus to take us back to our vehicle and modern day life.  Often we seek escapism from the cares of daily life through travel to other places.  The Las Cruces Renaissance Fair transported us not so much to another place, but to another time, centuries ago, which now lives in myth and legend.   And it was a delightful, relaxing experience.