warm glow.

I'm convinced Cedar knows how cute she is....
she's currently sleeping under the tree with Josef, making the cutest snore I've ever heard. 

the slow pace of christmas day -when you fight for it!- is glorious, isn't it? 

this morning the rains finally swept in.
bringing christmas cheer and a cozy quiet afternoon.
the warm glow of the sun is just now shifting under the clouds while he descends.
the amber light of the sun after a rainfall is gorgeous here in the northwest.
all the droplets on the evergreens light up in the reflection.
a nice treat for christmas day.

the husband went off to work recently- the real world doesn't pause for us, does it?
that's ok.
we'll carry our christmas days into tomorrow, while we pack up and head to the ocean for a few days of a quiet, solo retreat. We weren't expecting to go, but the trip fell into our laps and we just couldn't say no.
the time for quiet reflection is just what I need.
as a christian, you get so much emphasis in your life on the death of chirst-
but i find the birth to be meaningful. the start of something beautiful.
god made in flesh, and, a most likely 12 year old, girl saying yes to his design.
i wish i had that kind of courage.
mary doesn't look 12 in my nativity set.
She is pushing 30 at least.
shame. : )

well. today i'm going to spend these quiet hours watching my new season of big love that was waiting under the tree this morning. And sit in the glow of my new lovely Himalayan salt lamp. I love these lamps- putting out negative ions. Negative ions are produced in mass quantities near waterfalls, the ocean, or by evergreens- they create that peaceful, restful and refreshing feeling we get when we visit these areas. The lamps are made from a giant salt crystals from the Himalayan mountains, and when heated by the light bulb, they put off negative ions- refreshing the air, and creating a peaceful feeling. It doesn't hurt that they are gorgeous too. : )

My camera is dead, so I found this photo of salt lamps from Tibetan Salts:

When the amber glow of the sun ceases tonight, I'll snuggle up near my lamp.
thank you, husband, for the gift (and big love! woohoo!).

wishing you all a lovely and beautiful christmas.
drink something hot. snuggle up with the coziest blanket you can find. and find the joy waiting there.
christmas is a beautiful warm glow.

xo, laura emily