Some things which bring me happiness

1. Visiting with family.
2. Reading a good book.
3. Spending time with my cat.
4. Writing.
5. Tatting.
6. Frightening creatures.
7. The smell of gasoline.
8. The Lion King.
9. Collecting keys.
10. Posting on my blogs.

A Christmas day

The house was quiet. Peaceful. Paper littered the floor around a decorated tree, evidence of the merry gift giving that had occurred. The dog slept in its bed, the remains of a bone resting near the dog's paws. A cat was curled on a blanket, one paw covering its face as the cat rested after playing with its catnip peppermint stick.
Meanwhile, the family who lived in that house had gone to visit with the extended family. Pleasant greetings were exchanged as those who hadn't seen one another since the year before began to converse. Children chattered with one another, showing off their prized presents.
A fine feast was shared, each bite bringing back memories of Christmases gone by.
More gifts were exchanged, bringing forth exclamations of gratitude and praise from those gathered.
The children raced around, their laughter echoing through the house.
Stories were shared by the older family members, whilst the eldest among the family reminisced of days long past.
As the day grew old and hid of the darkness of night, the families gathered slowly began to leave.
When at last the house was cleaned and the last family left, the elder couple settled down to enjoy the evening.
While at another house, a dog rose eagerly from where it had laid as the door's lock clicked open. The family greeted their pets, tired smiles lingering on their faces.
Their day had been long, but their time had been well spent with those they loved.

Decorations you can make

1. Dried slices of fruit make for a rustic ornament for a Christmas tree.
2. If you have a pine tree in your yard, then you'll probably have a bunch of pinecones laying around. Gather some pretty ones and put some scented oil on them. Then just place them around the house as you see fit.
3. Paper snowflakes. These can be simple or elaborate. My friend made one that had the Tardis and daleks!
4. Using sticks, you could make a little log cabin.
5. With cotton balls, glue, string, toothpicks, and a little paint, you can build snowmen what won't melt! (Just be sure not to get them too close to water.)
6. Salt can be used as snow for another project. You could even trace little snow angels in the salt.
7. Rocks can be painted however you like, and make for a neat decoration.
8. A tissue box can be transformed into a sleigh with a little cutting and painting. You could even make a team of reindeer out of sticks.
9. With leftover wrapping paper and some rocks, you could make little presents.
10. A bar of soap can be carved on. Presents, a tree, or whatever you like can be carved onto it.

The little box

The little box was wrapped in faded brown paper. There was no ribbon. There was no bow. A small folded piece of paper served as the only identification for the gift. The handwriting was shaky, the message short.
For the one who gave.
The little present was forgotten as others appeared. Sparkling packages, trimmed with finery.  They were large and exciting, overshadowing the unadorned present.
Days passed, the children growing more restless as the pile of gifts continued to grow. They knew that this Christmas would be wonderful.
Finally, the anxiously awaited day arrived. Cries of excitement rang through the house as the children opened their gifts to find toys and candy, books and socks. Many of the things they had longed for were there.
But then they found the little gift wrapped in brown.
Puzzling over the message in the note, the children looked at one another. They had all given a present or two, but who could this one be for?
After some debate, the children decided to open it together.
The faded brown paper was torn off, to reveal a plain wooden box. Lifting the lid, they found a note resting on a handful of straw. As one child took the note, they all noticed what had been underneath it.
A wooden heart, painted red.
Unfolding the note, the child read what it said.
"For the one who gave all, I give my heart."
The children looked at one another, then put the note back into the box, closed the lid, and set the box on the table. As the day continued, they thought about the strange little gift. And as night fell, they returned to the table. Lifting the lid, they looked at the wooden heart. Then one by one, each child set a heart in the box. Some were paper, others crafted from clay.
Once the last child had placed his heart in the box, the children smiled. "We remember." They said, looking from one to another. Their parents had told them the reason that they celebrated Christmas.
They knew who the present was for.

To wear boots

1. Rain boots can help keep your feet nice and dry on a wet day.
2. Hiking boots can are useful for traveling across uneven ground.
3. Cowboy boots can help you avoid getting your foot caught in the stirrup when riding a horse.
4. Some boots help keep your feet warm.
5. Some boots help to protect your feet from injury.
6. Boots can provide an added support for your ankles.
7. Some boots are used in sports like skiing or snowboarding.
8. Boots can give you a boost in confidence.
9. The are many cool looking boots.
10. Boots can be very comfortable.

Monstrous caroling

How do you get a group of monsters to go caroling? It is actually rather simple: simply promise that after the last house, they can go pillaging.
And so the little village of Snell found themselves visited by a group of monsters. The villagers cowered in their homes as the silence of the night was shattered by screeches and snarls, wails and cries, roars and chatters.
From house to house the monsters went, led by a little imp. Nothing in the village was touched by the monsters as they worked their way to every house. No villager dared to peek outside to see the careful arrangement of the monsters as they shrieked familiar carols completely off key.
Then at last, the monsters arrived at the last house.
It was a small, shabby abode. Only a few days ago it had been vacant. The monsters knew nothing of the man who had moved into this shack except for the fact that he was human.
The monsters began the first song. Halfway through it, the cracked wooden door creaked open, the hinges protesting at the movement. The monsters were startled, but the imp encouraged them to finish their carols. Only after they were done, would these monsters be allowed their rampage.
The man leaned on a worn wooden staff, one hand resting upon the crystal that rested within the top of the staff. The man appeared nearly as weary at the shack he had claimed as home. The simple robe he wore was faded and torn, his graying hair straggly and thin. Tired brown eyes watched the monsters at his door without fear. Instead he regarded them with bemusement, as if the man was struggling to comprehend why such an odd collection of monsters would be causing such ruckus at his door.
Finally, the monsters came to the end of the last song. As the last not faded into the night, the man slowly clapped.
"An excellent attempt at spreading some holiday cheer, but I am afraid monsters are not welcomed at my door." Straightening as a mauve wolf released a growl, the man gave a cough. "I would merely send you away, but monsters do have a tendency for destruction."
The wolf shot forward. Shouting, the man held out his staff.
A harsh ray flew from the crystal, encompassing every monster within a silver glow. The man banged his staff against the ground twice, and the monsters were brought together as the glow began to shrink.
The monsters shrank, smaller and smaller. Then the silver glow brightened into a blinding light that flashed once before disappearing.
Leaning against his staff again, the man limped out into the snow and picked up a snowglobe that had appeared where the monsters had been.
Looking at the scene of caroling monsters, the man gave the snowglobe a shake as he headed back into his home.

Things that can fit in a shoebox

1. A rock collection.
2. Sandwiches.
3. A determined cat.
4. Socks.
5. Seashells.
6. A lantern.
7. Snow.
8. Books.
9. A puppy.
10. Your pet spider.

Amaranth

The town was silent, the buildings dim shadows in the faint moonlight. Fresh snow covered the ground, its pristine surface marred only by the tracks of a deer. Although the clouds in the sky promised another storm, all was calm within the town.
Until an agonized, inhuman cry from high in the sky broke the silence.
Woken by the sound, a girl rose from her bed and peered out her window. Her eyes widened as the clouds shone a brilliant amaranth, revealing two winged silhouettes locked in battle. The amaranth light brightened as it engulfed one of the silhouettes. The girl lifted a hand and squinted against the suddenly harsh light.
Another cry pierced the silence, and the light went out. Blinking rapidly, the girl thought she had seen something start to fall before the light had disappeared. Listening as she pressed her hands against the cold window, she waited for another sound.
But all was quiet.
Rubbing her hands, the girl turned and climbed back into her bed.
While just outside of town, a herd of deer fled from the newly formed crater. Within the crater was a strange creature whose flesh rippled as it slowly transformed. Snow began to fall as the night grew old. Finally, as the first hints of dawn appeared, a human hand reached out of the crater. Climbing out of the crater, the creature was now a human boy. Looking from the crater to the sky, his shaking hands became fists as the boy let released an anguished sob.
After a moment, he shivered and turned toward the town. Inhaling, the boy crossed his arms over his bare chest and began walking.