Love bein' home

I love to come home. It's a very different place now than it was when I lived here, and I love it still. When I come home at Christmastime, it's even magical. My mom decorates to the nines--fresh greenery, lights, candles, the tree, presents, fabulous food, luscious scents and random festive paraphernalia (most of which I wouldn't buy for my own home but which I like perfectly well when I'm here because it's, well, here). All this decorating and festive-making is a ton of work for her (and that part I don't like), but she wouldn't be my mom if she didn't decorate for Christmas, and this wouldn't be "home for Christmas" if she didn't do all the doin's. It really does make for a special time and space. And when 4 of the 6 people you grew up celebrating the holidays with have passed on, it's a cushiony comfort to have sensual delights around every corner in which to indulge.

Of course, this being Atlanta, I cannot say that the magical snowy frostiness of winter is a dependable part of the deal. Today, for example, it's 65 degrees. I like me some cold, and I LOVE me some snow, but I gotta tell ya--I love me some warm weather in December. A southern gal takes all the warm days she can get when winter is her least favorite season.

It also helps to have trips to Central America (or other warm climes) during winter. I've been lucky enough for this to be the case each winter for the last 5 years or so. In 2006 I went to Nicaragua in January, and then to Brazil in February. Beautiful, both of them. 2007 will find me in Guatemala and Mexico in January, and Florida and Puerto Rico in March. Ahhh.... Those trips will literally get me through the winter. Like Mom's Christmas decorations, I think they need to become a tradition.

What's special for you about this time of year?

What helps you get through winter?