Happy Cinco de Mayo!

Well...we took Colette with us out to celebrate Cinco de Mayo! She had a great time.

When we got to the Cantina who did we find but Filipo being entertained by a Saloon Girl!

Unbeknownst to all of us Carolena's father had arrived in Taos unannounced.

He stopped by the Cantina for directions to the Hacienda. He caught one look of Filipo and marched up to him to give him what for. In his drunken haze Filipo pulled his six shooter out thinking it was some cowhand trying to get between him and the Saloon Girl.

The waiter tried to calm everyone down.

Once Filipo's gun was drawn the Sheriff had no choice but to shoot him to protect the unarmed man in the sombrero.

Now Carolena's father had the unenviable task of proceeding to his daughter's house with the news of her husband's demise.

Take it easy when you fiesta this year amigos!. xox CM and Colette and Co.

and a special Gracias to the staff at Chevy'sWalnut Creek who helped us with everything, even the plot!

(oh and to anyone who was there and goes home and says "Really! There were these little people on the bar! Really" I'm here to tell you... there were.)

The visitor from Mexico City

Charlotta is presented to her great Aunt from Mexico City. Her Tia lives in a grand Hacienda in Mexico City.

(1890 engraving of Mexico City Museum) in the Public Domain

Carolena and Abuela were so proud of Charlotta. Her Tia Juanita sighed and thought how much her brother would love to see his granddaughter.

She hated to bring up the topic of education but Charlotta would have to leave Taos for schooling and return to Mexico City with her.

La Familia de Carolena

Carolena's paternal aunt was living in Mexico City.








After 3 years she came to Taos to visit her niece.








Tia Juanita had a melancholy character she shared with her brother, Carolena's father.



Mantle clock and
birdcage soft metal. made in Mexico.








Family resemblence.

Carolena inherited her mother's sunny spirit.

As did her daughter Charlotta.

Tia Juanita was stiff with anger as she heard Carolena talk about her life in Taos. Carolena did not complain but her aunt learned Filipo stayed in Santa Fe gambling and seldom came to the Hacienda. Juanita decided to telegraph her brother in Germany as soon as she returned to Mexico City. Carolena needed rescuing from her tedious life.

Charlotta is a sunny child

She helps Abuela, is neat and tidy and always cheerful. Her father wanted a boy.

Carolena's Parents were the perfect couple

Her Father was serious, her mother merry.
Together they complimented and assisted each other.


When I first got this house I was looking for unique dolls for it. I liked the male doll's clothing as it was velvet with gold rickrack. It had a big dopey cloth face so I removed it. The doll body is old and filled with sawdust for stuffing. I glued a comtemporary head to it, which is a miniature milliners bust. (I used the female form for his sister) That is why it looks waxy, it is supposed to be a mannequin. I like his morose look.

The female doll is an antique celluloid. She is smaller than 1:12 scale but I loved her skirt. CM

Unpacking

" What do you think"? Phillipe asked Carolena? gesturing at the empty adobe walls.

She thought the Hacienda would need a lot of work but being a sunny person she turned to the task at hand. Unloading her trunk.

Unknown age antique trunk, antique tobacco felt rug.

Carolena carefully laid her new baby Charlotta in the cradle in the sparsely decorated bedroom.

Wooden furniture is vintage Shackman made in Japan. Bed, antique with old hankerchief it came with for spread.

When Charlotta woke up Carolena introduced her to Abuela the older woman who worked on the Hacienda.

Wood furniture Starr Company, ca. 1890's

Contemporary resin fireplace from Hobby Supply catalog.

Silver 1920's Mexican, green Glass contemporary found on ebay.
antique Mexican pottery found on ebay.

Carolena held back tears as she thought of her parents back in Germany. That seemed like a lifetime ago. "Well it's getting dark" said Phillipe, "I think I'll go to bed".

The long journey had tired him. Carolena was glad to have him out of her sight as he was accustomed to being waited on and didn't really help.


She worked late into the night unloading her precious belongings.

It had been a long time since there had been a baby at the Hacienda and for Charlotta and Abuela it was love at first sight. Someone had found a happy home.

Filipo is a Horsman doll, Carolena and Abuela contemporary imports (MUTTs manufacturer unknown @ this time) Baby Charlotta is an vintage hard plastic doll in original clothing.

Vaya Con Dios!

We catch up with Phillipe and Carolena after the birth of their first child, Charlotta Carolena Georgina Mascabesa Hacker.

Carolena loved the baby instantly. For Charlotta it almost makes up for her unfortunate marriage.

It is the late 1850's in the New Mexico Territories which comprise what are the states of New Mexico and Arizona today. The Hackers Hacienda is near Taos and on the route to California from Missouri.

The terrain is dry and covered with sage brush and Sugaro cactus.

There are Apache Indians but the hacienda is near a Fort. The turmoil of the Civil War passes the Hackers by as they are so remote. The Confederate Army tries to conquer Southern Arizona with the help of sympathesizers. Hoping to capture California and Colorado gold mines they are defeated ultimately by Union Soldiers in the Sangre de Christo Mountains southeast of the Hacienda.

Spanish is the main language spoken and Phillipe is now called Senor Filipo. He has outfitted himself in Western garb and carries a sixshooter.

Carolena is happy with her new baby and very greatful her Aunt Amelia Hacker gave her this bonnet for her journey as the sun is hot in Taos. The little family arrives at the Hacienda tomorrow.

Bonnet by Honey and Bee found on etsy