The snow falls lightly outside as our fire quietly burns and crackles, keeping us warm while we sit together, each with a glass of wine in our hand, catching up on the past few weeks. Holiday decorations are everywhere: vintage Santa Claus pillows, stocking hangers, nutcrackers, wreaths... Garlands with frosted fruit and pine cones cover the mantelpiece and the large doorway to the dining room. Dad just finished putting the lights on the tree and now it awaits us to decorate it with our wide assortment of ornaments.
Outside, the trees shake with the wind, accompanied by a slight whistle, blowing the snow sideways to pile up against the house. Tony Bennett's 'Winter Wonderland' can drown out the noise.
Back at school my apartment is cold, the only fire being one we can order on TV. We rarely turn on the heat in order to save money. We wrap ourselves in sweaters and socks and blankets to keep warm, but still my hands and feet are icy.
At home, where Mom and Dad are willing to splurge for the heat, I am warm and toasty. Their house is what one would imagine when they hear Christmas songs about going home. It's welcoming, festive, warm and cozy, and has pretty much everything you need: good food and wine.
But really I live in California so the whole snow thing is just in my imagination...
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