Red Hatters Day Trip to Iris Farm in Hondo

Saturday, May 26, 2018

Members of New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of Alamogordo, New Mexico and LOCO Red Hatters of New Mexico Chapter from Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico took a day trip to the Iris Farm in Hondo, New Mexico. It was a wee bit late for the Irises but other flowers were blooming and they've added an absolutely delightful "Fairy Garden" which we all enjoyed immensely. There is also a lovely shop owned by Alice Seely (a fabulous artisan) on the grounds and it seems I can never visit there without buying something. The clothes and jewelry are not to be found anywhere else!

These beautiful flowers shall go unidentified

A colorful area for photographing wedding parties

Some of the fairy homes made from logs

Another look at the wedding area

A lovely bench to take a rest on

Fairies riding unusual creatures

An old creel basket made into a little home

I thought it was important to note this

AND, this is the Fairy Ring

An interesting grouping

These fairies have created a space above the crowd

This is the fairies golf club "The 19th Hole"

This an Indian themed fairy encampment

A gathering of fairies

A couple of fairy homes built into the tree

Another charming fairy home being inspected by a bird

Just beautiful in miniature doses

This is the fairy Feed and Grain Store

A fairy artsy park

The home of an artistic fairy

Fairies and butterflies

Fairy Flying School

Fairy Ballerinas

Another individualistic fairy's home

Yet another fairy art park

The fairy Feed and Grain Store #2

A fairy rocket ship titled "Fly Me to the Moon"

I believe this is a fairy potter's house

This little fairy is out for a swing

An interesting fairy garden character

Another fairy home built into the tree

Fairy Dew Drop Oil

This is one of trolls on the troll bridge crossing the creek from the fairy garden

These lovely flowers are some type of lily

The last beautiful purple Iris of summer

Red Hatter Martha Chavez from the LOCO RH Chapter (Their members are from Alto, Nogal, Alamogordo and Ruidoso Downs, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas. The Chapter Name LOCO refers to Lincoln and Otero Counties in New Mexico.)

Trudy Reese with Queen Jean Walthall (LOCO RH Chapter)

Margaret with Lu Mattson of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter

Gail Swineford, Royal Scribble of NM Roadrunner Chapter

I hope you weren't bored with all of the fairy photos, but I wanted you to get the full flavor of our visit. It was like being kids again just immersing ourselves in the moment and ever so much FUN. We left the Iris Farm and drove further up the highway to the Silver Dollar Saloon for lunch.

Lu and Martha

Gail and Trudy

Martha and Queen Jean

Carla (Queen Ladybird) and Lu (our birthday girl)

Lu with her gift and card

We sang "Happy Birthday" with our Kazoos and Lu appeared quite pleased with her 20th Anniversary Red Hat Society coffee mug and her card.

On another note: We will not be returning to this restaurant. They have new owners and the food was very disappointing. Two of us ordered cheeseburgers "done" and they came out charcoaled. I ordered a 6 oz glass of red wine. The waitress said "We only have "Lohrs" and it is our house wine." To which I replied, "Fine." When I got my bill, that 6 oz glass of wine cost $18.00. I complained, but they just looked at me like I was a bother. Between the burnt cheeseburger and the $18.00 glass of wine, I was not a happy camper!

This is all I have to say for now.

Red Hatters and Guests Explore the Iris Farms in Hondo, New Mexico

May 14, 2016

Members of the New Mexico Roadrunner Chapter of the Red Hat Society in Alamogordo, New Mexico took a day trip to the Iris Farms in Hondo, New Mexico. Visiting as well were, Eveline and Gerrit of The Netherlands, friends of Queen Ladybird aka Carla Kerr and her husband, Doug. They came to celebrate Doug's 80th birthday and to see Carla in a play at the NMSU-A Rehovec Theatre on the Hill in Alamogordo.

I took many pictures of the flowers, but will only post a few here so as not to bore you. There was late snow in the mountains where this farm is and many of the irises had not as yet bloomed. However, as you will see, there were plenty to see anyway. I have tried to identify their names where possible.

The group traveled back to Tularosa, New Mexico where they dined at a new restaurant, Grill 49, and were pleasantly surprised at the remodeling  that had been done which made the place full of light and made the ambience very pleasing. The food was delicious and the service impeccable. I'm sure we will visit this place again in the near future.

Joyce Terry

Bold Look Rebloomer

A pair of Robin Redbreasts frolicking in the grass

Clarence Rebloomer

Victoria Falls Rebloomer

Allzees

Stepping Out

Mega Bucks

One of many beautiful flower beds

Interesting rock formation with flowers called "Devil's Poker"

Red Poppies

Pink Honeysuckle Vine

Gerrit, from The Netherlands, checking out the pond

Eveline, from The Netherlands

Red Hatter Jean Courtier taking a break with Gerrit and Eveline

Gerrit capturing a scene with his camera

L to R: Jan, Jean, VQ Donna, Flo, Alice and Margie ready for lunch at Grill 49 in Tularosa, New Mexico

L to R: Flo, Alice, Margie and Eveline

Jean and VQ Donna signing birthday cards

Jan, Jean and VQ Donna visiting with others across the table

VQ Donna celebrating her birthday with Queen Ladybird aka Carla (Photo by Florence Dean)

VQ Donna beautifully models her new fascinator and enjoying being serenaded with Happy Birthday on kazoos, our Red Hat official musical instrument

Several bought Irises to bring home to plant or as gifts for family members. Several made purchases in the art and clothing store on the premises thus indulging in the Red Hat Society's official sport, "Shopping". It was a great day trip and everyone had a grand time.

This is all I have to say for now.