i’ve been doing everything right to welcome the spirit of christmas.

skipped the frenzy that can be found on black friday.

waited until after thanksgiving for the christmas music–but played it most sincerely ever since.

tried to be thoughtful and mindful of each recipient as i have gone about my month of simple service and also as i have considered everyone’s christmas wish lists.

but i still wasn’t feelin’ it.

in fact i was starting to wonder if my who heart had hardened or my old ears grown too deaf to hear the jingle of that magic bell.

i believe!

sure, there is the obvious answer. the true meaning of christmas isn’t really found in any of that. it’s all about the one for whom the holiday is named.

but honestly, we should be Christ-centered, mindful of and grateful for that every month of the year.

because really, i believe!

what i was searching for is something far less profound and sacred than that and yet still real enough and necessary for the festivity and tradition to resume its rightful place in my heart.

i was still waiting.

this morning i discovered what was missing.

it was the snow.

since moving from my childhood home in the pacific northwest where rain was plentiful but snow was so rare we canceled school for a mere skiff, i have become accustomed to the sparkle of crystallized water reflected in the sun. the magic of the dreary winter grey transformed into white. dull turned bright.

like pavlov’s dogs, i have become conditioned to only fully turn on the warmth of christmas in my heart when the cold of snow arrives.

and now i know that as much as i love to visit there, i could never move further south. and as much as i would love to see so many wonderful places in the southern hemisphere, i could never live somewhere where christmas is celebrated in the middle of the summer.

because the world in my snowglobe is not truly christmas-y without a little snow.

so tell me, what does it for you? a log in the fire? the scent of a freshly cut pine? sipping cider through a straw? presents scattered underneath the christmas tree? jingling bells? your favorite carol? the nutcracker ballet? dicken’s a christmas carol? eggnog? gingerbread?

what puts you in the mood for christmas?

i don’t really know what a decemberist is–i’ve heard it in terms of a russian revolt and a rock band from the pacific northwest. but i was born in december and i liked the sound of it for a post about the month of december.

last month i blogged every day of the month. yay me.

in the spirit of the season, i’m want to do something different during the month of december. i realize i spend a good part of my days working, cooking and sometimes even cleaning for my family. it mostly goes unnoticed. and such is life. it’s all good.

but this morning as i was cleaning the downstairs bathroom (which is also where we keep the bird–because where else are we going to keep it…in the kitchen?) that is mostly used by my son i decided what i want for christmas this year.

i want to dedicate each day of december to doing some small (ok or large–trust me, cleaning that bathroom is no small thing) task or act of service for a member of my immediate family. i will decide each day what it will be. it won’t be part of the regular daily grind. it will be something deliberate and specific for that particular person in my family.

my gift may be so small, so simple, that the recipient of that gift may not even notice it.

but no worries.

no strings.

in order to accomplish my goal (and to compensate for filling your google reader list every single day during the month of november), i’m taking (ok so maybe most of) the rest of december off.

may your chocolate be hot, your days be merry and your children be bright.

happy holidays!

best–

p.s. pray for snow!!!

Hope you’re HAVING FUN. WISH YOU I WERE tHERE.

So my friend Suedonym went to Disneyland for spring (and I use that term lightly) break (and I use that term quite literally)…

While I stayed home to work, do my taxes, and enjoy a little Utah spring.

Before (more like in the beginning):

After:

yeah. it’s broken. this is the same tree that really took a beating during that last big windstorm (lost a quarter of the tree). don’t know how much more it can take, but we’re going to leave it standing as long as it’s still kicking out those beautiful pink blossoms

this one pains me something deep–these trees are probably 30 years old…

not sure how well you can see it, but I’m pretty sure the top one is the power line to the house and yes, there is at least one branch draped over it

at least i always know that after the storm the skies will clear and the sun will come out again

Where Are You Winter?
(to the tune of “Where Are You Christmas?”–you get that, right?)

Where are you winter?
Why can’t I find you
Why have you gone away
Where is the co-old
You used to bring me
Why can’t I wear my boots and gloves

My world is warming
Skiers aren’t swarming
Why is it seasons change no more

Where are you Winter
Do you remember
The years you used to snow
You’re not the same one
See what the climate’s done
Is that why Provo feels like San Die-go?

*sigh*