they call it "the land of enchantment"

As I mentioned in my last post, Tony and I spent the weekend taking care of business in New Mexico.

Specifically, tending to my FIL's property and personal belongings. It was our first visit there and I was totally unprepared for what we found.

Color. And lots of it.

And beautiful tile work (a recent addition, as we were told by Coke's NM friends). I was BLOWN AWAY by the attention to detail:

From the custom mantel to the copper sconces... and the silver switch plates that matched this dining room mirror:

All so unlike his place here in Minnesota, so unlike HIM... or so I thought :) It was clear his heart was there.

So easy to see why.

Here are several more shots of his home:

More recently added tile work.

Master bedroom and bath (his bedroom was COVERED with images of his children and grandchildren... we'd packed them before I had a chance to photograph the room). Below is the guest bedroom with the second balcony (not pictured is the walk-in closet that rivaled that of the master bedroom):

The second bathroom:

And lastly, a view from the outside:

We also had the most wonderful opportunity to get to know a handful of his closest friends:

We shared many laughs and tears with them. Tony and I saw clearly why he loved it there so much. It was a very special weekend.

Special indeed.