Christmas Angel

My Christmas preparations are well underway earlier than ever thanks to a Christmas angel and a gift of a sweet artificial tree.

I'm really not a fan of fake, but this tree speaks to me. It's been adorned and adored at my daughter's house over the years and I've always loved the size of it. It's easy to decorate, simple and slim, and looks like it came straight from the woods behind her house.

Little Lu was excited to help decorate and I was impressed with her 6-year-old energy and expertise. She accompanied me to Reny's to purchase new strings of lights, berry-flavored chapstick and a mermaid coloring book, then we went to the grocery store to buy "soft bread" for "gloppity" peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. After lunch we got down to business,and in no time at all, the tree and the rest of the house had been Christmas-ized. After fitting in some yoga and meditation, we moved on to baking gingersnaps for our annual cookie swap.

It's amazing how a small child can add sparkle and glitter to the day just by being themselves.

As I began the supper preparations, Lu exclaimed, "I have an idea! Let's build a fire in the fireplace and eat in front of it!" So that's what we did.  The ottoman was spread with a beach towel and pressed into service for a table. A meal of chicken, rice and broccoli was savored before the fire, followed by a warm lavender bubble bath, a cup of chamomile tea laced with honey, and a spicy gingersnap.

We both slept well and long that night, our dreams filled with snowflakes, candy canes, twinkly lights and silvery fairies; our hearts filled with delight.