On behalf of my family, we wish you and yours a merry holiday season and New Year. We know that the hardships of 2020 have continued for many throughout 2021. In this season, we hope you find peace for 2022 and comfort from those that bring joy to you and yours.

As we move forward into the new year, New Mexico and our communities have the opportunity to harness the possibilities of potential and create an even more vibrant and thriving state while maintaining our deep, rich cultures. We will find time to discuss how we continue to combat the continued effects of the pandemic, diversifying our economy, retaining industries that drive our state, and capitalizing on investments that...

Through the years, our family has adapted traditional Christmas and New Year traditions.  They slowly change with the changes in our family.

One Christmas tradition we have is to make Gingerbread Houses.  That was always fun, but after Christmas we still had ruins that we had to toss out before they got put on an historical preservation list.

One New Year tradition we have is to make Cheese Balls for our celebration … always tasty and quick to disappear.

Several years ago as we were watching a cooking show where the chef showed how to combine the two traditions:  A cheese house complete with decorations.  Wow, what an adaptation.  The first year we made this, we...

I’d like to share my favorite special occasion recipe – Rum Chocolate Mousse. This recipe is modified from an early edition of the “Joy of Cooking” cookbook.

I have been making this for 50 years. Once, while working on a ship in the lower English Channel, I made this for the entire crew.

This is an incredibly smooth, rich dessert that takes about 45 minutes to prepare – with certain precautions as noted below.

Start by stiffly beating two egg whites. Note: be sure the egg beaters are completely dry or the eggs will not whip.

Separately, Whip one cup of whipping cream to make two cups of whipped cream

Cook over very low heat until dissolved, but not brown in color

1/4...