The Little Fireplace

Cold, winter evenings like tonight remind me of so many memories...memories of sitting by the fireplace as child, listening to the crackling and feeling the warmth. Of cuddling up with a blanket next to our fireplace, listening to Christmas music and staring at the glistening lights on our mantle. Of "camping out" with my siblings next to the fireplace where Mom would read us Christmas books before we fell asleep.So many winter memories involve the little fireplace in our living room. Hardly a cold evening went by without someone building a fire in the little fireplace. Winter events at our house were always complete with a fire. And on snow days, the handful of ashes under the fire became a heaping mound. I even remember the Christmas when the oven was so full with other food there wasn't a place inside for the Challah bread to rise - so the fire in our little fireplace came to the rescue. (The bread turned out wonderfully, by the way!)
The little fireplace is still being used. Just not by me.

As I sit here typing, I'm listening to Christmas music ("Chestnuts roasting on an open fire...") and enjoying the glistening lights on the tree. But I'm wishing I could curl up next to the fireplace with my blanket, some hot cider, and a good book.

Instead, I'm off to go make Chili and my Mom's famous Butterhorn Rolls. Maybe a bowl of steaming chili will warm me up.