Good day, bloggers.

I can’t believe how fast the last few weeks have flown! The giveaway entry period is almost over — 5 p.m. on Friday, to be exact. What will you do to pass the time until the winner is announced?

Perhaps you will take a trip to fabulous Santa Fe. If so, please go to Cafe Pasqual’s and order the Huevos Motulenos, one of the best egg dishes I’ve ever eaten. The ingredient list – sautéed bananas, feta cheese, green peas, black beans, two eggs over easy and red or green sauce – may seem odd, but trust me, you will devour it. Mmmm … delicious!

Invite Friends to Enter the HGTV Dream Home 2010 Giveaway

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Photo by Outdoor Exposure by Denise

Good morning, bloggers.

Thank you, Heritage Seeker, for inventing and posting the haiku contest. I am so impressed by this talented blogging group. The winning entry, submitted by show me the green, is posted below:

rising sun’s pure light
mountain vistas dawn to dusk
whispered dreams now true

All entries were fabulous and worth a read. I will make sure the winner of HGTV Dream Home 2010 receives a copy of our haiku collection when he or she is handed the keys to the house. My fingers are crossed that one of our very own blogging friends wins this year. Wouldn’t that be fun?

haiku has inspired
dazzled by blogger talent
proud to represent

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Good afternoon, bloggers.

Whew! I love all the activity on our blog. It’s taking me longer and longer to read through the comments, but your passion for this year’s home makes every moment a joy. Thank you for the compliments on my small size. But be aware that closet and hallway doors are super tall. I am a 5’9″ Super Fan!

Here are some answers to recent questions:

Melodie333, the mirrors in the master bath are not medicine cabinets, but the cabinets offer plenty of storage room. There are three bathrooms in the main house (a master bath, a Jack-and-Jill bathroom that connects the guest and kid’s bedrooms, and a powder room adjacent to the home office – more to come on this space).

CLEN, the casita does have a closet in addition to the dresser for storage of clothing, etc.

Joseph L., I love the barn doors and the hardware as well. (They look even better in person, if you can believe that!) You might find something similar by visiting barndoorhardware.com.

Brenda2015, of course I read your post! There is a closet with shelving and a hanging bar in the entry hall (we posted a picture of it in my last blog entry). Each bedroom features a closet to store clothes and linens.

Helen, HGTV Dream Home 2010 features natural gas fireplaces in the master suite and back patio that cannot be converted to wood. House planner Jack Thomasson assures me, though, that the fireplace in the entry hall can burn word.

And what you’ve all been waiting for: info on public tours is now available. Read on …

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Good afternoon, bloggers.

Kate in Kansas suggested that we build a photo gallery dedicated to HGTV Dream Home 2010’s beautiful artwork. Thanks for the great idea, Kate. Mary has worked diligently to pull the gallery together. Take a look.

Helen, I was also able to track down the answer to your question regarding zoning and large animals. My contact at the development said, “The zoning is residential … As you may already know, we love horses here in New Mexico and if you need a place to board the horses there are plenty of places to do so as you relax in the HGTV Dream Home.”

I still don’t have the exact details on public tours of HGTV Dream Home 2010. Please keep checking Dream Home Central and this blog for tour updates.

There are so many questions on closets and storage. Take a look at the picture I took of the recycling room. There are lots of storage cubbies and cabinets in this area. I also took a picture of the closet that is to the left of the foyer as you walk towards the office.

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Good afternoon, bloggers.

Thank you to those who have been pitching in to answer questions on the blog. There’s such a demand for information about this incredible HGTV Dream Home – I appreciate the help!

Here are more answers to recently posted questions:

• * Gbeaupre and Karnie, there is a dishwasher in the butler’s pantry and one in the kitchen. Here is a picture of the kitchen washer, located to the left of the sink in the center island. I also appreciated the storage in the butler’s pantry and the recycling room, which is located around the corner from the kitchen.
• * Caryn in Illinois, San Antonito Elementary School is 5 to 10 minutes away from San Pedro Overlook.
• * Linda, Lorraine and other folks concerned about privacy in the master suite, take a look at the photos my hubby shot of me closing (and peeking through) the double doors that separate the bedroom wing from the rest of the home. Behind these doors you will enjoy your master suite; master bathroom; master closet (which, in case you missed it, is the biggest closet I’ve ever seen); the Sunrise Room; and the Laundry Room.
• * Oh, yes, Linda, I was just at HGTV Dream Home again and wanted to get a snack. It took me about nine minutes to drive to a grocery store! (My husband insists I tell you that I drive a bit fast, so it might take you 11 minutes.)
• * Terabythia, a cash prize of $250,000 was given away with two past HGTV Dream Homes. This year marks the largest cash prize in HGTV Dream Home history.
• * Julie in Tennessee, I just got off the phone with Linda Woodrum and she says the grommet drapes used to separate the master suite from the sunrise room were custom designed by Ethan Allen and displayed using hardware appropriate for the grommet drape style. To copy the look, anchor your drape rod at the very top of your wall, close to the ceiling, and make sure the curtains reach the floor.

I must also share that during my recent HGTV Dream Home trip, I witnessed the most amazing – and awe-inspiring – sunset ever. It was rich with reds, golds and streaks of purple that blended in with the clouds. It made me wish I were a painter. In this time of chaos and destruction caused by natural disasters, I find myself closing my eyes to recall that sunset. It helps me focus on my deep gratitude for my life and my family.

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Good day, bloggers!

I see you have been a busy, busy group. Thank you for all of your comments on the blog and a big hello and welcome to all of our new bloggers. We are a happy, dreamy bunch, and the more the merrier!

I had a fantastic trip back to HGTV Dream Home and fell even more in love with it than before. Be sure you check back often for the latest information and videos. Now on to the Question D’ Jour …

Where DID Monica get that beautiful turquoise shawl? She purchased it at a great store in downtown Santa Fe called Simply Santa Fe. Being the super sleuth and fan that I am, I went to the store to check it out. They have wonderful things, but sadly are out of that wrap in turquoise. They had one in red, gray and black. However, I felt compelled to buy the super sassy one that you see in this picture.

Good day, bloggers,

I love to see the intense debates going on right now. I particularly appreciate how well-mannered and poised you are as an online community. Your passion for this home certainly shines through. I will be traveling back to HGTV Dream Home 2010 soon, so post more questions I can investigate during my trip. Hurry – my flight leaves soon!

Here are responses to recent posts:

• Brooke and Dawnzz: You can mail in entries as often as you like. However, Web entries will be accepted only once per day. If you enter multiple times per day, only your first entry will count. (The second, third and fourth will not count against you, though.)

• Susan Carol: I try to respond to your questions as quickly as possible in my weekly blog entries. I also address queries in vlogs. Welcome to the HGTV Dream Home blog – please stay awhile. (Thanks, Coop!)

• To everyone (too many to name) who asked about a water feature/pool: If you want to use some of your $500,000 prize to put in a pool, you must surround it with a wall, according to the community design guidelines.

• DebbieFlorida: Give me a little more time to find the answers to your house mechanics questions. I am on it! I can tell you that my parents opted for a swamp cooler for their Colorado house and it works beautifully.

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Good afternoon, bloggers,

I hope that you are all settling in and enjoying the holidays. I know many of you will spend even more quality time with friends, family and the HGTV Dream Home videos over the next few days.

I am glad you enjoyed my “window” guessing game. In total, there are:

• ● 36 single windows
• ● 5 three-paneled windows
• ● 6 two-paneled windows

… for a total of almost 50 windows in the home! (Though I really appreciate that PFG wants to include the 9 vehicle windows —you guys are way more clever than I.) Did I mention that one window unit in the great room measures 60 inches wide by 144 3/4 inches tall? Talk about an amazing view!

Now that you have toured the home, you understand why Linda Woodrum wanted the furniture and decor to enhance – and not detract from – the views. I think she brilliantly accomplished her goal.

Cheers to my blogging family! I wish you all a new year full of laughter and joy.

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Good afternoon, bloggers,

I am so glad that you are all enjoying the information that I am discovering. I will keep digging to find more. You are all so curious about the master bedroom – it will not disappoint you (unless you don’t like spas, being romantic, taking in a spectacular view, sitting by the fire or nestling down under sumptuous bedding for a great night sleep etc.). And if for some reason you don’t like the master bedroom, you could probably take up residence in the master closet! (Believe me, there is room.) You know where you would find me? In that beautiful tub. I know, I know, I am still teasing you with this information, but December 14 will be here before you know it!

I think that Katydid had an excellent suggestion. (Thank you for the idea.) Where do you think this amazing piece of art is hanging?

  

Your Super Fan,
Gail

Good afternoon, bloggers,

Are you ready for this?? You might want to sit down. If winning the HGTV Dream Home isn’t enough to motivate you to start entering to win, I just discovered another incentive. Well, actually 500,000 reasons!!!

This year’s winner will not only win the amazing New Mexico home, but $500,000!

Can you believe it? I’m so excited I can’t even handle it. “Wooo hooo!” You can probably hear me screaming from wherever you are.

Now, on to your questions:

• ● reneelovesgreen, you will find the fantastic home theater on the other side of the laundry room.
• ● Linda, the front door is approximately 9 feet tall and the exterior color of the windows is wedgewood blue.
• ● Trish, there really isn’t a private helicopter pad for this HGTV Dream Home. But, trust me, when you are there, you really feel like a rock star!

Your Super Fan,
Gail