baby, it's cold outside

Well, it's freezing (literally). I seem to have some rare seasonal condition called "Winter Amnesia" because when January rolls around and it inevitably gets colder than it has been, I become indignant like it's some bizarre fluke of nature. Sadly, it is not, it's simply winter in Belfast. So, last night, after a catch-up with the Kuhlas and a brave (I think) jaunt into the snowy cold to catch my two buses home, I came into my house determined to create some warmth. Andrea had loaned me her amazing microwaveable-aromatic-houseshoes while she's away on holiday, so I warmed em' up, put 'em on and then got a hot water bottle and nice big cup of chamomile tea in the awesome mug Jessi sent me and curled into bed with a copy of Vogue (also a gift from Jessi). So, my glimpses of grace from yesterday are:

-Combatting the cold with the following: warm slippers, tea in a thoughtful mug (it somehow tastes better when there's love in it coming to you), a hot water bottle, several blankets and dark chocolate (helps everything).

-The crunch of snow under my feet and the way it somehow makes the world quieter, stiller.

-Teaching Andrea & Tilmann my very limited knowledge of Italian for their trip to Italy and reveling in saying all those "rrrr's." "Buon giorrrrrrrrrrrno!"

Wishing you warmth today!