my 2011 christmas love list

Things I love about the Christmas season:
- working on my computer in the evenings by twinkly Christmas tree light.
- the smell of fresh pine
- Christmas at Eastside, my terrific job there and the incredible church family I get to serve with, eat with, hang with at 9 Christmas services.
- Peppermint Bark.
-Trader Joe’s Candy Cane Joe-Joes (at about $2.99 – considerably cheaper than the peppermint bark).
- Flannel sheets.
- Mittens, not gloves.
- The Vince Guaraldi Christmas album.
- Starbuck’s Cinnamon Dolce Latte.
- Christmas cards in the mail.
- The movie Elf. And Christmas Vacation.
- This Harry Connick Christmas album.
- Kettle Korn, when you can get it.
- In southern California, the Christmas Boat Parade.
- My own killer butter rum cake. It’s the best. Ask anyone.
- Conversations with people at the mall who would never otherwise talk to you.
- A fire in the fireplace.
- Hot chocolate with Amaretto.
- The hope inherent in Christmas, that “…All shall be well and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well…”