Enchanting December

Posted by Michelle Dompierre Southern Dec 6, 2006

Right now the snow is falling gently from a cloud-covered sky. I've got soft holiday instrumentals playing, instead of a blaring television. Candles are lit all over the house, scented wax with romantic names like "Warm Wishes" and "Crackling Fire" are melting in their homey ceramic burners. I've just spent a goodly amount of time sitting on my purple couch in the front room, staring out of the big bay window at the huge pines and flurries, sipping a raspberry chocolate coffee. It's that time of year again, the four hours out of every winter that you can actually enjoy the winter season.

I have all of my shopping done, and the "hard" stuff like making lists and deciding on gifts and fighting traffic and crowds and finding parking spaces is over. Now all I have left to do is the fun part: making cookies with my kids, compounding my special mixes in the kitchen, wrapping up baskets of goodies and treats for friends and family, spiffying up my new house with Christmas decorations, visiting and partying and sipping and eating and indulging.

Of course, there's always the horrible part of the season to look forward to, with the things I won't mention because they will descend on you soon enough (and anyway, who really looks forward to the horrible parts of winter?). But for now, if you haven't already, pour yourself a hot cup of mulled cider or cocoa, put on some soft music, stare out the window, and allow yourself to do nothing at all. Nada. Zip.

Doing so will serve you well in April, when you reflect on how much you used to love winter when the snow was fresh and the sky still blue, and the season of peace was upon you.

~ Michelle Dompierre Southern

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