Last week, my mom came to you, friends, with a plea: To help us settle our grand Christmas Tree Debate this year. Why were we having such a hard time making a decision? I mean, we’ve already got a perfectly good tree in the basement; it’s the same tree we’ve decorated in our living room for the last decade. We should be set, right?

Wrong, apparently, because we were dragging our feet with putting up said tree. What was our problem? Then, my mom came home one night a couple weeks ago with a little tree in hand. She had grand plans to put it on her dresser in her bedroom, to give the room a little merry and bright holiday spirit. And, naturally, it worked. She transformed her room into a North Pole oasis that rivaled Santa’s village. After a long day, it was so nice and cozy to dim the lights and just bask in the glow of the tree! So we started thinking — well, not to be a credit-grabber, but I was the one who first raised the question: What if we got another tree like this instead of dragging the huge one up from the basement? Why haven’t we ever thought of this before? I mean, were we so afraid of any sort of change that we’d prefer to do something that brought us more stress than pure joy?

Maybe this was fate somehow stepping in to save the day? You know, at that moment when we least expected it. Maybe this small, short tree was our answer?

We decorated the tree over the weekend — well, my mom decorated the tree while I watched and worked on some essay pitches — and decided the beautiful tree’s home would be on our kitchen table…AKA, my office!!! It’s the perfect spot, really. All day I can look at the tree, filled with family ornaments that tell our story over the years, and it makes me smile when I think of all the history on that 3-foot tree. It really is amazing, isn’t it?

And look…even Harry and Stella wanted to get in on the action! Both cats seem to like the tree and I’ve even caught them sitting under it a couple times.

As my mom said on Facebook…

Well, we did it! After much discussion, we have simplified…one small tree in my room and one small tree in the kitchen. Got out all our favorite ornaments, and of course, and my childhood manger scene, which has morphed into the 21st Century with three Mary figures, a Joseph, a Santa and a snowman! There is room at the Inn for all!

Indeed there is, Ms. Bear. Indeed there is!

Have you decorated your home for the holidays yet, friends? Do you look forward to this time of year? It sure does bring to mind so many memories from holidays past, doesn’t it? I’d love to see your house all decked out, so go ahead and tweet a pic — be sure to tag @melissablake and #SoAboutWhatISaid too! xoxo

We all thought it would be a typical Monday morning today. We’d been watching the weather reports over the weekend, as the temps dipped lower and lower, and my mom was hoping there would be a snow day. But, as her alarm blared at 5:45 a.m. with no call from school, our hopes seemed dashed. So there’s my mom, trudging out of bed to get ready for the day. Not 15 minutes later, as she’s practically all dressed and ready to go, I check my phone. Everyone on Facebook is proclaiming, “SNOW DAY!!” and sure enough, the call finally comes in…no school today!!

What do I do?? I roll over, pull the covers up over my head (did I mention lately just how freezing it’s been lately??) and start snoozing again; I mean, I already had a blog post scheduled and it was 6:30 in the morning — I bet that would be your natural impulse too, right?

Anyway, my mom is nothing if not pragmatic. As she said, “I could never go back to sleep. I’m already up and dressed!” So while she and Janelle braved the cold to go to the Y for some morning exercise, I went right back to Dreamland. Luckily for me, though, my mom snapped some photos of the scene on the way home. These photos perfectly capture all the wintry days we’ve had so far this year. It’s been pretty, albeit cold and snowy

Besides, I much preferred to enjoy looking at these photos on her phone, in my bed, under my warm blankets. Add a cup of hot chocolate and I’d definitely be one happy camper! And turn on the fireplace while you’re at it and I’d practically be in heaven! Does that make me soft? Possibly, but I’d rather be warm and soft than cold any day of the week!

Are you experiencing Old Man Winter too, friends? Maybe you’ve even got a snow day today…? If so, make sure you’re relaxing and enjoying yourself. Hope you enjoyed these photos and stay tuned — tomorrow, you’ll learn the fate of our Great Christmas Tree Debate! Fun times ahead…STAY WARM!! xoxo