1. My tiny family. Oh, how I love them.

2. The quiet of snow. When I first typed that, I accidentally wrote “the quiet of now.” That works too.

3. Presents for family in Oregon bought and wrapped and shipped. I’m glad to be done, and I hope the boxes make the trip in good shape and that my people like what I bought them. I also hope they know how much I love and miss them, that I would rather be sending myself to be with them on Christmas.

4. Christmas cookies. There are certain things that even though you could make them whenever you wanted, you only do at specific times of the year. This is a family recipe which has a slight hint of lemon and makes the softest chewiest melt-in-your-mouth cookies. They take two days because you have to chill the batter overnight, and then you roll it out and cut it into shapes and bake them, and once they cool, it’s time to make the powdered sugar frosting and decorate. The process is time and labor intensive, but they taste so good!

5. Time to rest. Wherever and whenever I can get it.

Bonus joy: cold clean water, a hot cup of tea, our fireplace DVD, Christmas music, the smell of pine trees, the crunch of snow, good TV, wool socks, clean sheets, a new bathroom that is nicer than anything I’ve ever had.