Up the Stairs for a cup of Tea

Yesterday we had a fresh layer of snow that blanketed the area hiding all the imperfections below. It is always so beautiful the hours right after a snow storm. Of course my daughter seeing this wanted to go out an play in it. Although I may have lost some of my zeal for snow play, seeing her excitement, throws kindling on my embers of desire. She gets all dressed up with the snow pants, boots, gloves, hat, and jacket, reminding me a bit of the stay-puft marshmallow man. Just as we are about to leave the door she reminds me " Daddy you need to put your jacket and hat on."

Soon enough we find the sled and embark on a journey around the "Arctic Circle" (our property) Sledding down the hills and being pulled up the hills by me. There is always the pitstop to make snow angels , the token face plant in the snow(with a few tears) , an attempt somewhere to make a snowman ; which never works well with powder and after our long ride we always end up at my daughters house to warm up and have hot chocolate.

First we walk up the front stairs and go inside which I always seem to hit my front head on the lintel. Then my daughter closes the doors and turns on the stove . She then walks out the back door to get wood brings it inside,closes the door and puts it in the stove and lights the fire with a match. We both warm our hand as we see the flame getting warmer and larger, at which time she points out that the smoke goes out the chimney (which she is pointing at ) the same one that St Nicholas will come down next year. She then gets some milk and chocolate mixes them together on the stove and serves the piping Hot Chocolate to me and we sit together in front of the fire. She then points out where all the appliances are in her house and how we have to stay in to keep warm .

We then leave her house and travel back to our house for actual warmth and relaxing in front of the real fire or So I hope. But the reality hits. "Mom I'm hungry " or" I need a drink " or " Can I watch a movie?". Other duties await us when we come back inside. I must say I do so much enjoy the hospitality she shows me when we venture off to her house through the snow. Although it is all in her imagination, sometimes I can go there too