Our annual village tree lighting was this past week.
Singing carols around the tree and visiting with neighbors as we enjoy hot chocolate and cookies is a quintessential start to the Christmas season.
We line the path to the cookies and hot chocolate with luminaries.
This week there were more mesmerizing skies.
Mike continues to tolerate my obsession with stopping to snap a shot on our long runs. But we are so lucky to run in an area that offers images so wonderful that I can’t resist them.
One morning we awoke to the most gorgeous snowy scenes. The roads were clear so my run was spectacular. It was definitely a photo op day.
I adore cutting and decorating with greens for Christmas.
The turkeys’ presence was evident in the fields when I headed into the woods for more pine.
I bought four new pairs of socks for winter running with a gift card Mike had given me. They are labeled as ski socks but they are absolutely the best thing for running and for wearing with boots. I am in heaven! (FYI-although they are adorable, I don’t run with my leggings hiked up above my knees! This was just so I could show them off in the photo.)
I have decided that beyond the obvious need for family and friends, the three essential creature comforts that will keep me happy during the cold, dark winter are cozy socks, tiny white lights virtually everywhere,
and a constant supply of hot tea.

What are the three things you need to be content this winter? I’d love to see your thoughts in the comments below!
So beautiful! I feel like I would be so much more in the holiday spirit right now if I had some of those cool neighborhood traditions. I LOVE luminaries. There is a development near where I live that does them every Christmas Eve and we always go there to walk around. 🙂
Thanks! It truly does put us in the Christmas mood. Merry Christmas!