My Pretty Little Tree
In the continued effort to change my opinion of the holidays this year, I purchased a new tree. Granted, it came in a little bitty box, and does not smell of pine, but it is in the shape of a pine tree, exudes warm lights and brightens up a corner in my home – and most of all, it makes me happy.
I’m a firm believer in warm lights, as opposed to cool lights, or blue lights, or daylight lights. Those leave me cold and sad. The warm lights feel like they’re wrapping me up in a yummy, fleecy blanket, serving me a cup of hot tea, and putting my fuzzy slippers on for me. I’m also a top investor in battery powered candles that automatically come on and off at a certain time. When the candles come on, so do the jammies.
It has been a busy week, full of delivering holiday gifts to work associates, finishing up year-end work, and puttering around my home. Each day it becomes cozier and homier. My favorite compliment the last time my daughter visited is that it now ‘smells like me.” If you’re not one of my family, you probably don’t realize the level of compliment that is.
Smell is one of my most powerful senses. My daughters also have the ‘nose’. It is a blessing and a curse. I can smell is someone if sick, has been exposed to smoke, or ever wore perfume. From a mile away.
As far as raising children, it is also a blessing and a curse to have the super nose. You can smell if they’re asleep, if they’re having GI issues and don’t want to share, if it is their time of the month, or if they’ve been around someone doing something I wouldn’t approve of. Having to deal with diapers and illness isn’t fun with the super nose. But newborn babies – now that’s a smell from heaven. It’s the same with baking white bread, or cinnamon rolls, or toast. Is there anything better than the smell of apple cider warming on the stove, or a toasted marshmallow? Maybe hot coffee first thing in the morning, or the pine of a Christmas tree?
Hmmm…that’s a thought. Maybe I’ll get a bottle of essential oils and have a little aromatherapy. Or maybe a pine candle is in order.
In toddler news, Arthur is growing by leaps and bounds. It’s interesting to watch his understanding grow, as well as his logic. He’s now putting things together in a much more intentional way, and can identify all his colors and most of his books. Best of all, he knows me and lights up when he sees me. Nothing feels better than seeing his smile or hearing his laugh. We’re all off the next week or so from work, and I can’t wait to create new holiday memories with this precious family of mine.
