Creating Tuscany in Truchas, New Mexico

Kim and I (see previous post A Very Mini Artist’s Colony in New Mexico) have been watching a lot of Italian and French movies lately—lovely pieces that illustrate a kind of living that I aspire to. In fact I have been pining, for decades now, to travel to Italy. So these movies just add to my desire. I can’t go any time soon, so I decided to create a bit of Tuscany right here in Truchas.

And I started with a table. Yes, a table. Many of the movies we’ve enjoyed had scenes of wonderful outdoor gatherings set around an old farm-type table. So I set out in search of one. And I found it at Stephen’s—A Consignment Gallery, in Santa Fe (see http://www.stephensconsignments.com/). I couldn’t be happier!

First Kim and I hauled some gravel that I already had in the side yard over to a spot we’d selected under a line of old juniper trees (how great to have a friend’s help with that).

Then Kim made a kind of platform there with the gravel and some larger rock. Next we installed the table.

And then I invited Bill and Margaret Franke (see previous post Disparate Pieces) over for dinner. Perhaps I was a tad too eager, this being the monsoon season and all. In fact the inaugural party was rained out, but we had about a half hour out there, which was lovely.

And there will be other occasions. In fact Anna’s birthday is coming up the end of August and you can bet we’ll be celebrating (weather permitting) out in my own bit of Italy, right here in the mountains of northern New Mexico.

Love to you all,
Jeane