Light

This morning, I woke up to snow - not much, just enough to cover the ground and make me hunt for my ice scraper, but it was beautiful SNOW and it made me a little giddy! It's been the warmest year on record here in MI, and with all the rain and the temps staying in the 30's and 40's, this winter has so far been more like winter in Oregon. Not a proper midwestern winter at all. But today, there is snow, and it's gorgeous and fluffy and white! Yayayayay!

The snowmen are done! Well, the ones destined for family, anyway. Good thing snowmen are still seasonally appropriate in January, huh? Anyway, E kept me company last night while I embroidered faces and arms. She was sprawled out next to (and partly over) me, and I kept putting scissors and floss on her legs. She makes an excellent work surface. :o)

The llama is NOT done. Hoping to finish the body today, and I should be able to crank the legs out by Christmas morning.

The presents are wrapped, the bills are paid, and all I have left to do is cleaning the bathroom (today, so it's clean when my sister, bro-in-law, and baby niece arrive tomorrow) and making treats for the extended family. I've decided to make red velvet cake balls. I've decided I'm insane. But E's going to be my sous chef, and hasn't even looked at me cross-eyed...well, except to say that we have to dip some of them in regular chocolate coating because she boycotts white chocolate on principle, lolol.

Tonight, I'm celebrating the Winter Solstice for the first time! We've been talking about starting our own holiday traditions lately, and while both of us love Christmas, only one of us is a Christian...and with our combined Scot-Irish heritage and love of introspection and marking the seasons, and since we're doing Christmas Day separately with our families this year, tonight we're going to make a special dinner and eat it by candlelight. There may or may not be hot apple cider and a walk to look at the neighborhood lights as well. :o)

Yay for the days getting longer, for the sun returning, for Jesus, for love, and for friends, family, and all the blessings we have. Happy Solstice!