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There are two places in the world I love....two places that take my breath away when the sun fades into its evening sleep and the colors of periwinkle, lavender and copper invade my senses.

To stand, side by side, with someone you love and observe the earth in her timeless and glorious rotation is perhaps the closest I will ever be to finding faith outside of religion.

Montana and Baja....the sunsets....

.....they hold the same beauty....

.....tell the same story......

.....complete in the stillness of the wind.....

....each with a scent of its own demise....

THE BAJA BLONDES...A Lifestyle Reality Show

BAJA ANIMAL SANCTUARY PUPPIES

We are so anxious to go to a loving home. Is there room in your life for one of us?

Puppies In Peril

Can you even imagine what life is like on the streets of Mexico for a lost unwanted puppy? Believe it or not, some do survive and continue the crisis of unaltered dogs who breed every cycle creating packs of wild starving dogs whose lives usually come to an end on the side of the road. I have seen them. They roam the street begging for food, scraps of anything. The puppies follow the older dogs, cowering, dodging the cars, sleeping in the dirt. Most the dogs are eaten alive by mange, weakened by broken bones and covered with fleas. Some limp so badly they have to drag dead limbs from trash can to trash can in search of scraps. The wounds don't heal...especially the ones we can't see. And yet, I have approached some of these dogs in Rosarito and reached out a hand to them. Not once has any stray dog been aggressive toward me...a complete stranger. Their eyes look into mine, begging for help, wondering if I might be the one to rescue them. Their tails start to wag slowly. As they approach, they seem to drop their heads in humiliation, as if embarrassed by their broken and brutal life. They are sweet, helpless and homeless.

But there is hope. The Baja Animal Sanctuary located in Rosarito saved and place more that 720 dogs and 61 cats last year. Founded by Sunny Benedict with only $180, she has created a safe haven with a "no-kill" policy just 22 miles south of the border. She brings the healthy dogs and cats to San Diego each weekend to various locations for adoption. If they are too sick, she treats them at the BAS until they are well enough to be adopted. Please help. Please go to www.bajaanimalsanctuary.org They need everything....but mostly, they need you. A rescued dog can be the most loving and loyal companion in the world. (Cats I wouldn't know about, but surely they feel the same....but you know how cats are!)

FOR EASTER SERVE A PINK MARGARITA

Yes, we all love pink! Pink is everywhere you look these days. Pink kitchen gadgets, pink bowls, pink luggage, pink phones, cameras, condoms, computers. You get it. Pink is definitely in and definitely sexy! And we've all had a sip or two of pink champagne, but have you tasted PINK TEQUILA??? Well, listen up people.....this blushing cactus juice is to die for.

AsomBrosa 100% de Agave La Rosa Reposado is not only delicious and smooth as a pink velvet ribbon, but it comes in a very...humm..how shall I say it....passionate bottle. (The bottle is actually fashioned after an 18th century crystal Milleflore decanter called "Thousand Flowers.") And, where does it get its beautiful rose color? AsomBrosa is aged in French Bordeaux wine barrels to acquire its romantic glow and unique smokey flavor. This luscious liquid won the Gold Medal at the SF World Spirits Competition in 2008. The purist in me suggests this as an elegant sipping tequila to be shared during rustic romantic romps and pale pink sunsets, but for Easter, I decided to make this Pink Margarita just in case the Easter Bunny hopped by for a breather. Hiding all those silly eggs can run a rabbit ragged.

2 1/2 parts AsomBrosa La Rosa tequila
1 part Triple Sec
Juice of two fresh limes
Splash of Damiana (look it up...it's considered an aphrodisiac)
Crushed ice
1 tsp. of Rose's Grenadine (this is what really brings out the blush)


Pour all ingredients into martini shaker, serve with lime slice in chilled martini glass.

C'MON BABY LIGHT MY FIRE........

You know that it would be untrue, you know that I would be a liar, if I was to say to you.....that Baja is the same. Well, let's face it. It's not. A darkness has come to town, and there's an eerie hush on the streets. No young spring-breakers kicking back shooters, no joyful mariachi tunes drifting out of the open-air bars and restaurants. Empty taxis line up along the streets, tethered like horses, waiting for the tourists who have all but disappeared. The heart of the city beats silently into the night longing for the love affair with America that once was.....

It's insane! Rosarito is safer now than it's ever been. There are policia everywhere you look. Not to mention the Rambo-never-looked-so-good Army brigade ready to take out an entire cartel if necessary. What more do Americans want? And there are the tourist police - a special force created just for, yep, that's right.....you guys, the tourists.

Let's not let the light go out....it's wonderful, it's safe, it's beautiful and it's more affordable than ever! Now get down there, all you chickens....cluck, cluck...drop some cash, drink, catch some rays, drink, swim, get a facial, eat, (did I mention drink?) and feel the warmth of these gentle, generous people.

Oh yeah, don't forget the taxis......

Yes, there IS a wine bar in Baja. LA VID is located directly across the parking lot from the Rosarito Beach Hotel. This sweet, unpretentious little wine bar carries an impressive selection of Mexican wines from the Baja Guadalupe Valley wine country. Owners Norma, Jorge (the handsome young Sommelier pictured here) and Norma Jr., have worked hard to create a wine bar with a special ambiance. Crisp white table clothes, candles and fresh flowers adorn the small tables to create an intimate wine tasting experience. Romantic Mexican music drifts softly from behind the bar. Olive oil and rosemary bread along with organic salsa is served with your wine. Wines from Baron Balche, Bibayoff, Adobe Guadalupe (see photo), Santo Tomas and L. A. Cetto are offered by the glass and bottle, and since LA VID buys directly from the wineries, the prices are amazingly affordable. So, drop in, drink and browse the adjoining art gallery at LA VID. Tell Jorge that Robin sent you!

Welcome to Texas! I found this drink a few years ago in Austin, one of my favorite cities. It's called a Texas Martini...and since then, it's really the only way my husband will drink a margarita. In Texas, everything is big, right? (Let's hope so.) This drink is served in a large martini glass along with a full size martini shaker so you can pour your "own" as the night lingers. Try it, and don't forget the jalapeno-stuffed olives!

(This receipe is for one cocktail, but you can certainly double the ingredients and rock the night!)

2 parts Tequila
1 part Triple Sec
Juice of 2 limes
Large martini shaker
2 jalapeno stuffed olives
splash of fresh orange juice
Float of Grand Marnier


Mix in shaker with lots of cracked ice. Pour into large cold martini glass, gently swirl a float of Grand Marnier on top. Add olives and serve.

P.S. I don't drink much Tequila anymore because the last time I imbibed , I saw Jesus.

SPA, SPA, SPA......and more

Recently, my good friend and I drove down to Rosarito for a day of wine tasting, facials and a massage. Excuse me, but this is important for the growth and education of the female soul.

We booked our "treatments" at the Rosarito Beach Hotel Spa...a beautiful addition to the hotel built a several years ago. Unlike the new, Euro-feel tower recently completed (see photos), the Spa still has that Spanish/Moorish feel with lots of hand-laid, hand-made tile and high domed ceilings.

After wrapping ourselves in traditional Spa robes and booties (a new experience for my friend as she said "I've never taken off my clothes for a facial," to which I reponded "get used to it, honey") we were led to the "relaxation room" where cucumber water and soft chocolate brown lounging couches awaited us. Here, I drifted off into my own world while my friend mumbled on about some upcoming city hall issues. Finally, the misty light and heavenly silence swooped down upon her as well, and we each sank into serenity for a good 15 minutes. Nothing rushed here.....

After a luxurious facial for me, and a soothing massage for my friend, we waded into the warm spa water 'till our toes turned pink and wrinkled. After that, we drove to my beach house and watched the last of a winter sun sink into the sea.




* The hour-long treatments including our lovely Baja wine tasting across the street, was less than $75 each. Do it, do it!

The New Addition at Rosarito Beach Hotel

If you haven't been to the new addition of the Rosarito Beach Hotel (19th Floor) you are really missing out on something beautiful! This will be the location of a new film festival "Films On the Fringe" which in is the works for this summer. I'll keep you posted!

My favorite wine from Baja...the Double Blanc from the Baron Balche Vineyard.

First, I love the color of this wine. Held up against a Baja sunset, it ignites with pale gold hues swirling with rays of lemon and ruby.

Then, a promise of honey and cinnamon, yet not sweet, it destroys any desire for a chardonnay you may harbor. It's a very special wine....and, as you can see, I couldn't resist a sip.

The minute I cross the border, something in my brain shuts down.

I zoom west along the toll road, bypassing Tijuana altogether, and head toward my humble little beach house just north of Rosarito. The road veers south to the toll booth, and a vast view of the ocean opens up. It is here where I take a deep breath and let my shoulders sink into surrender. The beauty of the wide open sea as far as one can see is more than just a moment for me. It's a transition: a smile slides across my face, one eyebrow arches, my mouth waters for juicy green limes and smoky corn tortillas filled with feta, sweet jalapenos and mole. Ah, yes, I'm not quite there yet, but I can already taste it.

This is my Baja. And, I love it. All of it. The sweet, earthy smell of something always burning. The colors of bright pink and turquoise; red, green and gold. The dust lined streets with various arrows always pointing in the wrong direction. The people, the food, the music....even the wild packs of dogs that roam the streets looking for food, yet never seem vicious or aggressive. This is the world of Baja, and I hope you'll enjoy my musing about my travels down there.

It's a whole new world....