I love settling in to a new home whether temporary or permanent.

In one week we have found our stride in Santa Fe.

Amazon has been dropping by daily with kitchen supplies because one must have the correct tools to create fabulous food fare.

I have reconnected with friends from years past and they have been generous with local tips.

A shout out to Jaclyn for sidetracking me from Walmart and opening my eyes to Smith’s which has a plethora of Charmin Ultra Soft and Bounty.

We never would have thought you get find gold so close to home.

Our fab friend, Josh, turned us on to his  delightful cousin, Mayme who with her husband, Jacob, own Bread Shop.

I openly admit to being a Bread Head and this tiny bakery in Santa Fe on Lena Street is all about flour power…Mayme and Jacob don’t loaf around.

The bread is outstanding.

The Green Olive and Lemon focaccia is heavenly. Sour dough is their specialty, but it was sold out yesterday by noon…fret not, we selected the amazing Seedy Rye.

Bread Shop is open Thursday-Sunday from 10am-2pm. Order online so you are not disappointed.

Our charming friend, Fede, who is well informed on local, state and international must sees, turned us on to Dolina Bakery & Cafe on North Guadalupe Street.

Thankfully, Fede also included hiking adventures to download the pies from our thighs.

The Chocolate Walnut Oatmeal cookie and freshly baked croissants are sinful and tonight we will indulge in the Meyer Lemon Shaker Pie.

Dolina offers delectable breakfast and lunches daily along with their baked goodies, many inspired from recipes the owner’s mother made at her childhood home in Slovakia.

The Pantry, another local spot on Carrillos Road and serving Santa Fe since 1948, is a place we sussed out ourselves, serving brisket quesadillas that rival my favorite at El Camino in Delray Beach, Florida.

I won’t be able to spend the holidays in Delray this year so this makes me feel the warmth of a scrumptious quesadilla.

La Choza serves up delicious New Mexican food although my favorite is their Green Kale Salad with Parmesan, roasted pecans, dried cranberries and a wonderful vinaigrette dressing. It is huge and only $8.50.

Their pandemic curbside pick up system is to be admired.

A walk thru cappuccino and creative Humita Empanada with fresh corn, sauteed onions and cheese at Argentina inspired Cafecito within moments of our abode in the trendy Railyard district is another appealing local option.

Friends have provided great hiking trails and we are lucky to be literally enveloped by the Santa Fe Trail allowing us to explore nature early each morning.

We are so fortunate to have each other, surrounded by fabulous local finds, gorgeous outdoor explorations and tantalizing takeout.

Enjoy your weekend…my daughter is such a genius that she was able to set up my NFL Sunday football package on the Smart TV in our rental house…for me that’s almost as good as 4 carats.

Covid free to date, great food, superb company and football…surprisingly and in light of the terrible pain and rampant Covid suffering going on under our present oppressive regime (47 days and counting) our lockdown life in Santa Fe is damn good.