winter evening

It's been snowing outside all day long. The backyard is beginning to resemble a winter-wonderland with it's dusted trees, bushes, frozen creek, and rolling white hills (or hill...). Meanwhile, inside, it's quite cold. Not exactly how it should be; the kitchen, in particular, makes me shiver to the core. But at night, when all is dark (save for the light that floods across our front yard from Home Depot's parking lot), we turn on our lights and the Christmas tree in the living room glistens with dancing color. Instead of building a fire in the fireplace, we light candles that emit a soft glow. There is really nothing better than wrapping up in cozy blanket as we lounge on the couch and chairs by the fireplace, sipping hot cocoa, munching on holiday treats, and watching some random episode from a British murder mystery tv show we came across at the library. As Christmas day draws closer, those murder mysteries often turn to holiday movies (How The Grinch Stole Christmas, Charlie Brown's Christmas, Muppet Christmas Carol, and It's a Wonderful Life are my favorites).
During moments like these, it's easy to forget the squabbles, the fights, the bickering, the yelling, the anger so often expressed in my home. Maybe that's because the three youngest, who most often vent these feelings, are in bed by this time. Or maybe it's because we all enjoy being together, relaxed and comfortable. Or maybe there is another reason. Whatever that may be, however, I'm glad it happens.

No moral of the story type post, but I wanted to share.