A getaway Saturday in New Mexico

Do you sometimes feel bored with your home town?  Been everywhere, done everything?  That is how I felt on a recent autumn Saturday morning in El Paso, Texas.  Fortunately, El Paso is located on the tip of Texas, right on the border with both Old and New Mexico. I decided to stop complaining and drive the 45 minutes or so that would take me to Sunland Park, New Mexico to Ardovino's Desert Crossing.

Ardovino's is many things - a great restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating, a convivial lounge, a music venue, and a showcase for arts and crafts fairs.  This Saturday morning, Ardovino's was hosting the farmer's market that is a weekly event during the warmer months.

Booths had been set up in the large parking lot by local vendors selling fruits and vegetables, baked goods, and arts and crafts.  I bought a package of powdered red chile to mail to a family member who lives on the East Coast and a ripe-smelling cantaloupe for my supper.

A typical produce booth

It is harvest time in the Desert Southwest, and the variety of locally grown produce enticed buyers.

Tempting produce

I interrupted my shopping for a late morning coffee and pastry while doing some very interesting people (and dog) watching.  I love the relaxed dress and demeanor of Saturday shoppers.

Filling the coffee urn

My next stop was a little further north into New Mexico.  A leisurely drive on NM28 took me to Sierra Vista Growers, a plant nursery.  Here's where I had to really hold on to my pocket book.  I wanted one of everything.  Don't they say the fall season is for planting?

An outdoor pumpkin display set the shopping mood

I'll admit it.  The massed geraniums in the greenhouse seduced me.

How could I resist the gorgeous colors?

 This is the geranium that went home with me to live in a hanging basket under the grape arbor.

I was drawn by the unusual color and pattern.

I filled my car with plants of all descriptions and headed home.  It is always amazing to me how our yard seems to gobble up plants.  The new plants look so big in the nursery and so little once they are in the ground.  But the new acquisitions have given me another reason to walk in the garden to see if they like their new homes.

The Saturday morning jaunt to New Mexico (involving food, plants, and beautiful scenery) certainly cured the blahs for me.  Now I can start daydreaming about how to enjoy the Desert Southwest next weekend.  Any suggestions?

Please note:  southwestloversblog is going on vacation and will return on October 30.