Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Light as Air

This has to be one of my favorite times of the year. Here in Albuquerque, if you look out your window just as the sun is rising, you'll notice jewel tones filling the sky. You'll hear roaring noises that are floating up above. You'll see people gathering on their porches, in their backyards, and in the street, all staring up at the sky. And for what? This...



The Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta. This world renowned event brings balloonists from all over the world, with balloons of all shapes and sizes to this great city to participate in the World's Largest Balloon Fiesta. The event is a week and a half long and hosts regular Mass Ascentions, Balloon Glows, Special Shapes Rodeos and Glowdeos (Shaped Balloons that fly in the morning and glow at night), and Balloon Races (hundreds of balloon race into the park to grab envelopes off poles that are 15 ft in the air).



If you ever needed an excuse to travel to Albuquerque, this is it. People begin arriving at the park at 5 am and stay all day to see the over 800 balloons take flight. Of course, to get up that early, it requires a lot of coffee, well for me anyway. We woke up at 4:15 to get ready, and by 5:30 I had already had three cups of coffee. And what goes best with coffee?



Cranberry Pecan Biscotti of course! Which was this weeks TWD pick by Gretchen of Canela & Comino. Gretchen actually picked Lenox Almond Biscotti by Dorie, but I wanted to change out the nut and add some cranberries. I just think cranberries have such a "fall" feeling and I adore them in any type of cookie. These were so lite and crisp, and a perfect mate for my little coffee mug :)

10 comments:

Lori said...

awww....i was wondering when the balloon fiesta was happening - rats! we're coming to santa fe in a couple of weeks to celebrate my birthday, flying into ABQ, and i'd hoped we'd be lucky. ah well. it really is special.

and your biscotti look wonderful!

steph- whisk/spoon said...

that is so cool! hot air balloons are beautiful--maybe i'll be lucky enough to ride in one one day. :)

lovely biscotti--good early morning fortification!

Susan @ SGCC said...

Your biscotti look adorable! The cranberries were a great idea!

I've only been to Albuquerque once, but I thought it was a wonderful city! I love NM. It's one of the only places in the world where my hair doesn't frizz! ;)

Engineer Baker said...

Haha - I totally want to see a balloon fiesta, it looks too cool. And yes, biscotti go wonderfully with coffee, especially at such an early hour.

Peggy said...

yum, cranberry pecan. That sounds great and your biscotti look perfect.

Shari said...

Cranberry and pecan sound delicious together. That Hot Air Balloon festival looks like fun!

Bungalow Barbara said...

How lucky you are to live in a city that has such a wonderful festival! And what good luck that the biscotti recipe came during balloon week! Glad you enjoyed them both!

Amanda said...

Your biscotti looks fabulous and the balloon pictures are awesome!

Gretchen Noelle said...

cranberry pecan...sounds like one of my versions...I am sure they were tasty!

AmyRuth said...

Can't think of a better reason to have biscotti at that hour. Way to go. They look delicious.
AmyRuth