things I love about this time of year...

...in addition to the usual

~ Mail carriers make their rounds wearing Santa hats

~ Small businesses have plates of cookies out for customers and clients (this has included UPS, the doctor's office, and the accountant, to name a few)

~ Christmas lights, however sparse or extensive

~ decorated mailboxes

~ Caroling parties

~ stockings

~ wrapping presents

~ holiday fragrances in the house

~ Christmas music on the stereo while I'm busy cleaning, wrapping, cooking or baking

~ the glow of lights on the tree

~ packages that arrive

~ snow (if only we had some!)

~ nice things people do for complete strangers just because

~ fires in the fireplace

~ and this year, a puppy asleep tucked inside my robe while I type...