February 13, 2013
Haven't had a critter report for a while. I came in from doing my bit at the Cancer Resource Center where I volunteer each Wednesday morning and just happened to look out through the patio glass doors. I was amazed to see this rather large bird sitting in our desert willow tree. I called Doug to come take pictures and as we both stood there, this hawk was not the least bit disturbed by us. I even opened the sliding glass door so Doug could get a better shot of him and he just sat there posing and looked directly at us several times. We knew he was a hawk and had to do some research including asking some birders to look at the picture and tell us what kind he is. The conclusion: a young Cooper's Hawk.
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| Immature Cooper's Hawk |
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| He is just stunningly beautiful |
February 15-17, 2013
A sister member of our Red Hat New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter, Rosa Rico Fernandez and I registered to attend the Queens Council of Las Cruces FUNvention titled "Way Down Yonder in New Orleans" held at the Hotel Encanto de Las Cruces. It was indeed a fun filled weekend almost as good as being at Mardi Gras in New Orleans. We met Red Hatters from all over the State of New Mexico and even some from El Paso and Lubbock, Texas. There were costume changes for each event (if you so chose) which made it even more fun. Red Hatters as a group love to play dress-up as you will see by the photos.
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| Hoop dress lined with red pantaloons and she made it including the hat and purse |
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| Imagination abounds when it comes to attire and hats |
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| Ambassador Carla, representing Miss Kitty's Social Club as a saloon girl |
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| Queen Judi, Ambassador Jean Everett and one of her chapterettes |
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| Can you believe they made their hats out of bug nets? Far out idea! |
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| Rosa Rico Fernandez of New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter |
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| Jean and one of her chapterettes who has a great sense of humor |
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| Another beautifully created hat-very Mardi Gras |
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| Notice her sign--see next photo |
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| She wasn't kidding! |
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| Very stylish Red Hatters and lovely too |
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| Couldn't have a Mardi Gras without at least one Carmen Miranda, her own creation |
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| These two gorgeous gals have a knack for making hats out of netting |
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| Kimberly Gugliotta aka Queen Curvy of Mountain Merrymakers of Cloudcroft, NM |
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| Didn't catch her name, but isn't she adorable?? |
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| One of the entries in "Most Beautiful Hat" which she created |
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| No Mardi Gras would be complete without a Carol Burnette "Tara" costume made by herself and lady on right created her Theme Hat |
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| This hat featured a complete Bourbon Street scene and I believe she won first place in "Theme Hat" category |
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| Another theme hat created by this lovely Red Hatter |
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| L to R: Unknown, Clara, and Leah Vesely from Rio Rancho, NM |
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| Contestants in "Most Beautiful Hat" competition. Pink Hatter won this one. These had to be created by themselves. |
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| One half of the group in the "Theme Hat" contest |
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| The other half of "Theme Hat" contest |
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| Another group of fun ladies |
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| We had a pirates luncheon and this is a perfect example of what to do with the hat in your membership kit |
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| This chapter came in matching costumes |
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| Excellent entertainment from dancers |
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| Rosa and Judi |
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| Pink Hatter with Queen Pam of A.L.I.E.N.S of Roswell, NM |
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| Three charming and elegant Red Hatters having fun |
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| Winner of "Most Outrageous Hat" created from a red bra (Yours truly) |
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| Carla aka Queen Ladybird, NM Roadrunner Chapter, on Queens Stroll Down Bourbon Street |
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| Clara from Rio Rancho, a very new Red Hatter and lovely person |
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| Shot this just to get a side view of "Most Beautiful Hat" winner on right |
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| The chefs made Bananas Foster and Cherries Jubilee right there in the dining room. Yum! Delicious! |
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| More flavor of New Orleans |
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| What a Queenly looking Red Hatter in her gorgeous hat |
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| Kimberly aka Queen Curvy in her "Theme Hat" looking beautiful |
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| Leah Vesely on left and Clara on far right at Tea Party |
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| A wonderful jazz band entertained us "Oh when those saints go marchin' in" |
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| The ladies with their net hat creations in Mardi Gras colors |
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| Stunning look and so colorful |
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| Ready for some Latin action! She sure could dance too! |
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| This was a huge jazz band and they were geat |
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| After a lovely breakfast, we played pass the balloon |
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| We also played "sit on the balloon and pop it". Much harder than one would think. |
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| Leah is such a tiny lady, she had quite a time trying to burst the balloon |
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| Leah with a new found friend |
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| They honored the Veterans among us and Rosa is one of them (2nd from left) |
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| She is our supreme hostess Queen Dale Schickedanz, Queen of Las Cruces Cactus Flowers and Queen of Queens Council of Las Cruces |
We were kept busy the whole weekend having fun at every turn. These ladies outdid themselves producing this FUNvention, making so many lovely favors and providing great prizes for contests. Thanks to each and everyone of you and especially to Queen Dale Schickedanz for making this event so successful.
Special thanks to Rosa and Kimberly for sharing your photos. Especially since yours truly would have missed out on being in any of the pictures.
This is all I have to say for now.
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