New Mexico - Land of Enchantment

Official Motto: “Crescit Enudo" It grows as it goes

More nonsense Latin: “Semper Ubi Sub Ubi” Always where under where

Two Truths and a Lie

• New Mexico is also called the “battle-born” state because it entered the union on Oct. 31, 1864, near the end of the Civil War.

• Smokey Bear was a real-life cub who barely survived a wildfire in the Captain Mountains of New Mexico in the spring of 1950. His rescue and recovery captured public attention and inspired the iconic character.

• New Mexico’s flag involves a red sun symbol, called a Zia, on a yellow field. This simple yet striking design was declared the best of all the states by flag nerds, also called vexillologists.

The Recipe - Biscochitos

I am going to let New Mexico’s Secretary of State introduce this one:

The New Mexico Legislature adopted the biscochito (bizcochito) as the official state cookie in1989. This act made New Mexico the first state to have an official state cookie. The biscochito is a small anise-flavored cookie, which was brought to New Mexico by the early Spaniards. The cookie is used during special celebrations, wedding receptions, baptisms, Christmas season, and other holidays. It was chosen to help maintain traditional home-baked cookery.

I made the official government recipe, you can see it here. Instead of butter, lard is called for - which I had never used before. Turns out, I hate the taste of lard. So, I adapted the traditional recipe for a vegan diet. These vegan biscochitos may not please native New Mexicans, but they looked authentic and tasted nice. They reminded me of snickerdoodles and paired nicely with a mug of hibiscus tea.

Want to experience New Mexico for yourself? Then Teresa recommends ...

Sadly I have not visited this state. My brother recently camped near Taos and had a great time jumping from natural hot springs into a frigid river and back again. (That experience is now on my bucket list) I have at least read many fantastic books set in the state. “Bless Me, Ultima” is a classic of Chicano literature with some delightful magical realism. And Tony Hillerman's mysteries set on the Navajo Reservation are great. Fast reads packed with an absorbing plot but securely anchored in the land and culture thanks to Hillerman's experience and attention to detail.

Time for the whole truth

Nevada is the "battle-born" state. New Mexico and its neighbor Arizona had an interesting and prolonged path to statehood.

(By the way, you can click on any of the 2 truths and a lie statements to visit the source of the trivia)