here's to the cozies.

i have been sick for 9 days. first i got a bad flu bug, which at first appeared to be strep throat and the body aches, but evolved into the stomach flu (worst.), and has since morphed into a bad chest cold. i have drank lots of sprite, ate many a saltine, and cuddled under many a comfy blanket on the couch. i am so thankful that, though i had the first day at my new job on friday the 16th, the office was closed for the week of thanksgiving so i have been able to rest and not feel frantic about missing so much work. but, i am supposed to go back tomorrow, so i'm hoping the worst is over and that i am on the mend, however slowly it is turning out to be.

a blustery wind woke me up today, and it is cold and gray out. i therefore decided that today shall be a day of coziness. i enjoyed a hot mug of cocoa alongside my organic honey o's cereal this morning. since then, i have started a great big pot of stew in my crockpot, which is steadily bubbling away on the kitchen counter and creating a most terrific smell that is beginning to drift throughout the house. frank sinatra is droning out the warmest of christmas tidings from the stereo, and i am gazing with glee at my 3 rubbermade tubs of christmas decorations that we got out this weekend. i am currently summoning up the energy to go to town on those tubs. have i mentioned that i dearly love christmas?

if you are needing a little assistance getting into a spirit of worship and wonder this christmas season, please investigate my current top 3 favorite christmas albums so far this year.
1.'jolly christmas from frank sinatra'
2. 'a merry christmas with bing crosby and the andrews sisters'
3. 'christmas... from the realms of glory' (bebo norman)

i also recommend comfort food consisting of thick soup and french bread, so that even if you have to venture out to your local safeway deli for their hot, readymade soups-to-go, you may have some coziness of your own on this blustery day.