Feliz Navidad! from Santa Fe, NM

It's Christmas Eve Day and after 3 solid days of being snowbound it was critical to finally get out and shop for food. For the first time ever, shopping for presents was finished early, so now it was just a matter of survival; the basics, like chocolate, ice cream, chardonnay, and cat food.
The first task of the morning was weighting down the back of my little car with 100 lbs of rock salt. Even with my new studded tires, the car is so light that it needs extra weight to get traction in the snow. And then off to my new local favorite restaurant - Los Amigos, for breakfast.
From the outside the restaurant looks like a dive, but inside is all understated elegance mixed with neighborhood charm, a kiva (corner) fireplace, and local art. The food is excellent and the ambience is warm and welcoming. The clientelle is even better. This morning two very real cowboys sat at the table next to me and I got a Christmas wink when they finally left. I really have to be braver about asking if I can take people's pictures because there is so much real character here. There is a reason Santa Fe calls itself the "city different."
With grocery shopping done, BB King's "Merry Christmas Baby," playing on the stereo, and a sip of Southern Comfort to inspire, I send warm holiday wishes to friends that I have been fortunate to meet from all over the world. In every language possible, I wish us all peace and goodwill.
Warm Regards from Ramblin Me.