Christmas in Vermont

Christmas in Vermont? Hanukkah in Colorado or Massachusetts is more how I roll. But a good winter scene is truly non-dominational, wouldn't you agree?

Fireplace? Check. Rustic wood floors? Check. Comfortable couch? Check minus. It photographs nicely, but I can't decide if I'd actually want to sit on it. Maybe for a couple of minutes ... long enough to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate.

I'd probably reserve my more long-term lounging for the bed. It looks slightly more welcoming.

Country Living, via Apartment Therapy

Hot chocolate decorating

When it comes to winter, I like my rooms like I like my hot chocolate: Warm, cozy and in various shades of brown and cream.

Hot chocolate with cinnamon sticks:

Hot chocolate with freeze-dried marshmallows:

Steamed milk with vanilla flavoring. Not technically hot chocolate, but they're related:

And the grand finale - hot chocolate made with ghirardelli and topped with whipped cream:

While we're on the topic, would you believe that I drank hot chocolate from a mug just like this for my entire childhood and never even knew what was going on?

I think my parents' version was bears, though. I had friends whose parents had mugs from the same "collection," and I was always sure to point out the coincidence.