A White Christmas

I hope you had a beautiful holiday! Christmas is always a cherished time in my family. Growing up on a rural horse farm in Vermont, our childhood Christmases were absolutely magical. The heavy snow would begin to fall late October and by December, the whole landscape was blanketed with thick snow. As kids, we would spend every bit of daylight outside sledding or playing pond hockey. If we were lucky, my mother would hitch up the old sleigh for a ride through the pine forest. Every Christmas on the farm was quaint and old fashioned. My mother liked to keep it traditional in decorations and activities. With the roaring firing, the kettle singing, and the twinkling gold and silver lights from the tree, it feels like a scene out of a Dickens novel. Our Victorian farm house quite simply at Christmas is the most charming and cozy sight.

The festivities begin with baking some delicious family favorites to cutting down a tree from the property. For as long as I can remember back, we cut a second tree down for our dining room which is set right by the fireplace. We layer up, pull on our boots and grab an old barn sled to find that “perfect” tree. Perfect doesn’t quite describe it as it usually it is a poor tree that was knocked down by the wind or a snowstorm. Regardless, we like to find one that is already down rather than cutting down a fresh new one. To be fair, they aren’t the most beautiful, but it comforting in a way knowing that the little tree will have a beautiful purpose and end rather than rotting away in the frozen ground. It takes a few hours or so to find the right one, but we are usually lucky to find one before dusk. We haul it back in the barn sled with ease in the falling snow. Once it’s decorated with glittering baubles and lights, it looks so wild and beautiful next to the fire. You can almost feel it stand proud in its new home.

This Christmas was no different. I can never imagine spending Christmas without snow. It’s apart of who I am and I feel uneasy and anxious if there’s just muddy grass and dirt. Even living in a tropical paradise, I will always choose a snowy Vermont Christmas. The snow makes everything feel so quiet and clean, as if time has stopped. When the snow falls in fat flakes like a thick white curtain, it is incredibly peaceful and calming. Although, winter is long and often quite depressing to be honest up north. The days are very short and when the skies are gray day after day or rainy, it can dampen your spirit and energy immensely. Those bright and blue winter days are absolute treasures of the season. If we are lucky, we would wake up to one for Christmas day (although they usually are the coldest!)

Our wood stove was working overtime baking up these English Muffins. This recipe from King Arthur Flour is a family staple and they also make lovely gifts. You will never want to eat a store bought one again! There are very simple and perfect for those cozy mornings watching the snow by the fire.

I hope you had a beautiful and peaceful holiday season (with fresh snow of course!)

Alanna

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