Let it Snow. And Snow. And Snow...

After 3 rainy, foggy, cool days that seemed more like Seattle weather, December 23 was a beautiful day in Los Angeles: sunny and nearly 70 degrees. I spent the afternoon walking around the neighborhood in my t-shirt knowing that that night I would be on a plane headed for the achingly frigid Midwest. After a couple hour delay due to a weather hangover from the previous day's storm, my plane finally arrived early morning Christmas Eve. As I got off the plane and entered the jetway, I felt a cold burst of 15 degree air and my first thought was, "Why do people live here on purpose?" Nevermind that I spent about 30 years in this winter climate...

That being said, as I sit here amidst yet another winter storm - 5 inches of snow so far today and no signs of stopping - it is nice to be home. There is a certain Christmas-ness in the cold and the snow. And the crackling warmth of a fire to come and sit beside after shoveling the driveway is very welcome. And of course it is good to see my family, including my 9-week-old niece who I met for the first time on Tuesday and have since become enamored with. Being with friends and family makes this sojourn to the cold absolutely worth it.

Happy Holidays wherever you may be as you read this. Be it in the snowy north or the sunny south, I hope that you get the chance to be with loved ones.