Happy New Year—from a place I never expected to call home! A quick switcheroo brought us to Santa Fe, where we have been enjoying the special magic of the holidays. Christmas Eve found us on the Canyon walk along with 30,000 of our neighbors, enjoying the warm glow of thousands of farolitos—or are they luminarias?—lining every building on the street.

People gathered by the dozens around the little bonfires in the street, called luminarias—or are they farolitos?—to warm up from the chilly night and to sing carols.My favorite gathering was the brass ensemble, about half a dozen horns plus a sax or two, leading “It Came upon a Midnight Clear” in expert style while people around the fire sang not just one or two but all four verses, reading from their sheet lyrics. Then the band broke the solemn tone with “Chicken Dance,” complete with motions, explaining that this was indeed “a Christmas chicken!” while we all chicken-danced in the street.

Everybody now—”I don’t want to be a chicken . . . “

Our move to Santa Fe came about unexpectedly, but in hindsight it makes perfect sense. An opportunity opened up to rent a house in this city I have loved for twenty years, and being self-employed, we were free to turn on a dime. The move took place, start to finish, in about six weeks, the idea arising just days after my last blog post. We’ve been here half a month. My head  is still spinning.

I love being in walking distance of the Santa Fe plaza. I love the beauty that catches the eye at every turn.

 I love the history of handcrafting everywhere displayed.

Adobe architecture has long made me drool—and now I get to live in it! (This is not our front door, but it’s nearby.)

Sending warm good wishes to each of you, and may you dwell with your loved ones in peace and beauty this year.