An Old Fashioned, Cozy Christmas in Vermont

Christmas is one of my favorite times of year here in Vermont. When I was growing up my parents would help my sister and I make decorations from the forest where we live. It's still one of my favorite parts of the season to this day. The towering pines that surround my house draw bounties of pine cones each autumn and these make beautiful sustainable decorations. Dipping them in wax gives them a mystical snowy look and turns them into a perfect fire starter for the wood stove when the holiday season is over. They look gorgeous on the tree or the mantle, on a desk, or in a basket on the table. We typically have snow here in Vermont for Christmas but this year we really have snow. Around two and a half feet of powder to be exact. I've been loving it. The snow has transformed our little corner of the woods into a place that looks quite like Narnia. We could hardly wait to trek out to the nearby farm and cut down our Christmas tree. For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll talk a cup of kindness yet for days of auld lang syne. And here's a hand of mine, trusty friend, and here's a hand of thine, we'll talk a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne, for auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll talk a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne. Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind, should auld acquaintance be forgot in days of auld lang syne, for auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne, we'll talk a cup of kindness yet for auld lang syne. For auld lang syne. This time of year is so special here in the woods. It's peaceful, snow blanketed, the flakes falling gently from the sky by day, the moon glittering over the ice by night. This is a season of rest, a time to pause, to breathe. As I sit by the crackling wood stove at night, wrap up a copy of one of my books as a gift, or wade through the deep snow to gather firewood, my heart is warmed in spite of the howling wind. I deeply feel at home in the shadow of these mountains. And I hope that this little film sends you a small piece of this mountain stillness with love from Vermont, in hopes that in some small way, it will warm your heart and act as a gentle reminder to look for the brightness, even in the gray days, to listen for the soft whispering of hope on the edge of the winter wind, to slow down, breathe, and savor this moment. Here and now, one of the greatest gifts we can receive, the present. Quaintains be forgot and never brought to mind. Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne, for auld lang syne, my dear.