About Santa Fe County, NM

If you grew up in Santa Fe you grew up on Frito Pies from the local Woolworth's on the Plaza. They were made by slicing open a Small Fritos bag along the side, adding a wonderfully spicy mixture of ground beef, chile and pinto beans, sprinkle on some onions and some grated mild cheddar cheese. Mmmmm those were the days. Well Frito Pies are still popular in Santa Fe and they are sold at games, school fundraisers and they are served in quantities at some of our local MLS tours. I have had great success when I advertise them - lots of hungry realtors coming to see the home.

Frito Pie by the dozens

2 Large bags of Original Fritos, 2 Lbs ground beef, 2 Lbs of canned Pinto Beans (NOT refried), 3 Tablespoons of flour, 1/4 cup Red Chile Powder (less or more depending on how spicy you wnat it), 2 teaspoons garlic powder, 2 teaspoons salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, 3 cups of water. 2 cups grated mild cheddar cheese for topping. Chopped tomatoes, onions and lettuce for garnish. In a large stockpot cook the ground beef stirring constantly to break apart. Add flour and red chile powder and garlic powder and mix well. Add beans with their juice and mix. Slowly add water until mixture is the consistency of thick soup. Add salt and pepper to taste. In small bowls place a handful of fritos, top with chile and sprinkle on grated cheese. Garnish with onions, tomatoes and lettuce.

Upper Canyon Road - The Neighborhoods of Santa Fe, New Mexico

by Michael Umphrey on July 16, 2009

The sky shines with an evening sun that turns the Sangre de Cristo (Blood of Christ) Mountains the color of watermelon. Tonia and I were married in the gardens of the Randall Davy Audubon Center at the end of Upper Canyon Road. 12 years later our son, Nick, became a camp councilor there. Fed by the snowmelt, three reservoirs serve as some of the city's drinking water and spill into the Santa Fe River. Just 3 miles from the Santa Fe Plaza and bordering the Santa Fe National Forest is a 190 acre urban preserve run by the Nature Conservancy. Willow trees and cottonwoods, beaver and birds paint the landscape along the trailhead of the 20-mile Dale Ball Hiking Trail. A series of ponds and wetlands make this neighborhood first choice for our family's regular hikes. These photos speak volumes. Homes For Sale On Upper Canyon Road

Michael's Bit of Real Estate

5 ways to speed up your sale:

1) Together we'll set the right price. A correctly price home will always draw attention from buyers.
2) Get your house market-ready before you begin showing it so your family can get used to keeping your home clean and beautiful.
3) The more frequently your home is shown, the faster you will find buyer. Keep your home clean and staged so you can be ready to show your home on short notice.
4) Decide in advance what price and conditions you will find satisfactory.
5) Don't refuse to lower your asking price. Consult with me to keep your home priced realistically.

My Business To Business Referral

Each week I bring present to you an excellent business. Let me introduce Dr. Mark Seredowych. He is a general practitioner and has been our doctor for 10 years. His care and bedside manners are contagious and he is a person I can put my name to. Mark can be reached at 505.982.4276 and his address is 1650 Hospital Drive, Suite 200, Santa Fe, NM. Let him know I referred you and he will take extra special care of you. If you need me for anything feel free to call my cell at 505.470.4180

I'm looking forward to seeing you in the neighborhood.

Michael

Santa Fe is known for our culture, restaurants and scenic beauty. One of the most enchanting parts of Santa Fe is the summer fun and music. You have the Santa Fe Opera, free afternoon and evening music on the Plaza, and then there is the St. Johns free concert series on Wednesday and Sunday evenings. Bring you blanket, your chairs, a picnic dinner and a few bottles of wine and some good friends - and your set.

One of the Top Five Cities in North America!

Travel and Leisure names Santa Fe in the top FIVE of Places to Visit.!

Travel and Leisure Magazine's announced on the Today Show with Matt Lauer (you know the really really good lookng one) that Santa Fe is in the top 5 of all cities in the U.S. and Canada!

The others cities joining us in this wonderful destinction of travel destinations were New York City, San Francisco, Quebec City, and Charleston, SC. Our Santa Fe visitors appreciated the city's diversity and the ability to connect with the locals.

The August 2009 edition of Travel and Leisure will feature Santa Fe and the four other top destination cities in North America.

In 2008 Santa Fe was #8 in the top 10, and now we've increased our ranking to the top 5!

We were also recently named to the Top Ten cities to appreciate over the next ten years by US World and News Report.

I just love my beautiful and diverse city!

Are you feeling like me - working, working, working, and occasionally feeling like your just spinning your wheels?

Well - that was me last week. Today - I am bright eyed and bushy tailed as they say. Full of vim and vigor. Re-energized! I took the weekend off. I went out of town, left my business in the hands of my trusty office mates and headed up the road to Denver.

First stop was at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs for a wedding and reception at the officers club. Lovely, lovely, lovely.

On to Denver where I attended a Colorado Rockies game on Sunday - If nothing else and you can't get away for the weekend - just go to a baseball game. Great game - tied at the bottom of the ninth, two on bases and two out - Triple hit. Game won - Colorado!!!!! Anyway sleeping in, dinner out, and shopping. What a relaxing weekend. One I highly recommend. And like I said if you can't get away - just pretend. Go out to dinner, a movie, sleep in --- But Whatever You Do Take Some Time For You!