all is calm || all is bright.

i stepped outside to-day and collected bits of winter to be put into a glass jar - a tradition established three years long past. as i gathered pine twigs and berries, the wind tugged the loose hairs from my messy braid and viciously pricked my skin. i was reminded in my simple task that as winter progresses, the wind becomes a more wilder creature than ever - a lonely wanderer, soughing piteously, searching every hearth and home for warmth that might be sympathetically imparted.
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these past few days have been tossed by a merciless tempest, howling pitifully while rattling the four walls of our home. the wind furiously swept the shimmering prickles of the evergreens in the midst of the storm, while it excited the icicle lights dripping from the eaves of our cottage. I fell asleep to the lullaby of rain for two nights past and woke up to brooding skies, bleak and despondent each following morning, I was beginning to believe that Christmas was to be a rainy one again. 

spirits were barely effected by the tempest blowing through this little glen o' ours, though, for christmas approached steadily, and even the thought of this holiday is an ever cheery beacon that cannot help but make the iron-cold wintry-ness appear full of warmth. and each evening has been heartened by skyping with beloved faraway friends as we took turns opening handmade christmas presents. but to-day was different. as soon as my eyes opened, soft wintry light diffused a flow of beauty into my room as naught a breeze was stirring - the entire day it has been quiet. hushed. silent. like the night before christmas should be. where there is silence, there is room for pondering and reminiscing and much laughing and merrymaking and the drinking of warm tea and the playing of card games around the coffee table and sipping chocolate by the fireside as we remember the birth of our wonderful Emmanuel.

>> merry christmas, darlings!!! << 

love you {like a lot},
the girl in her wintry wonderland. 
postscript :: some of my wintry thoughts from last year were published in this issue of my favorite magazine thanks to the beautiful miss elizabeth!!!