Turquoise has adorned the rulers of Ancient Egypt, the Aztecs (and possibly other Pre-Columbian Mesoamericans), Persia, Ancient Greece, Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, and in ancient China.  It was cherished by the Pueblo, Navajo and Apache tribes. The Anasazi are believed to have prospered greatly from their production and trading of turquoise.  In Persia, turquoise was the de facto national stone for millennia. It was later brought to India following the establishment of the Mughal Empire (even being built into the Taj Mahal). Turquoise was (and still is) used extensively in Tibet and Mongolia.  The Egyptian use of turquoise stretches back as far as the First Dynasty and possibly earlier; though most well-known pieces were recovered from…

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The newest issue of Santa Fe Living is here! Below is a letter from Santa Fe Properties President, Liz Cale, on what you'll find in this issue:

 "I know you will enjoy this issue that provides you with some impressive properties along with information on what Santa Fe Living is all about. Inside you will find an event calendar and a map of historic downtown Santa Fe along with Santa Fe gallery and dining information.

As the oldest capital city in North America, Santa Fe continues to receive awards and accolades for its distinctive architecture, lifestyle, art and great food. Whether you live here or are visiting, we want to make sure you enjoy the Santa Fe lifestyle and would like to share a few of these honors.

• Conde Nast Traveler's Readers'…

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One of my favourite places near Santa Fe is the historic Rancho Encantado, or Enchanted Ranch.  I grew up spending every New Year’s Eve at the Ranch with its gracious and inspiring owner Betty Egan.  It was also a preferred dinner post for my family and eventually became the site of my first employment and my sister’s wedding. I worked for the ranch as a wrangler, taking “dudes” out for horseback rides. I have many hilarious stories I could share, but one of the best was the day about 20 horses stampeded down the trail back to the stable.  As we reached the front gates, the horses sailed over them and charged up the main drive to the great surprise of the guests.  It was quite a harrowing sight!


Rancho Encantado‘s history is truly special, dating…

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You may have wondered what the colourful string of red peppers gracing the entrances of homes and offices around Santa Fe is all about.  Today, I am glad to share with you the story of the ristra.  Not only is it a beautiful and festive decoration, but it is also of practical use, as a way to dry chiles and preserve them for future consumption.  

 

A ristra is a string of drying chile pepper pods composed typically of large New Mexican chiles or Anaheim peppers, although any kind of chile may be used to construct it.  Chiles are in the genus Capsicum, which is in the nightshade family, and includes (interestingly) the tomato, potato, eggplant, tobacco and the petunia.  Colloquially, chiles are often referred to as "peppers," however, they are…

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Santa Fe is a community with a vibrant history including Spanish explorers, cowboys, pueblos, breath-taking vistas and transformational art.  The air carries a distinct scent of sage and pinon, and the sky is brilliantly illuminated by shades of red, orange and yellow twice per day.  It is a land of enchantment, filled with the promise of both tranquillity and adventure.

 

This remarkable city offers a wealth of culture, outdoor pursuits and style.  Whatever your desires, they can be satisfied in the City Different.  And with an average of 300 sunny days each year, you’ll be sure you can enjoy them.

 

If I had only 24 hours in Santa Fe, I would check into the La Fonda on the Plaza.  You can’t beat the location – smack dab in the middle of the…

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Photo by Associate Broker Kristin Sargent

November is an exciting moth filled with snow, Thanksgiving and pre-holiday activities. Ski Santa Fe opening is a highlight in the month of November. We have all patiently waited months for snow and it is finally here! Of course we cannot forget the Annual Christmas tree lighting a traditional held by many New Mexicans. The month of November has several fun activities, as we approach the holidays let us know what you favorite activities in November are! 

Ski Santa Fe Tentative Opening
Recycle Santa Fe Art Festival
Christmas Tree Lighting on The Plaza
Contemporary Southwest II
Handmade Paper Lanterns
Fall Fishing Season
Discovery Walking Tours
Tacos & Tequila 
Art Adventure in the SW: Sketching and Painting…

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