Our tree is tiny and simple — sparkling silverΒ and white and blue, with an exquisite little porcelain doll my best friend brought back from Russia.Β The tree’sΒ not huge, or even made of real tree, but it’s tucked away under the blue-light-wrapped windows, on a white woolen rug that looks like snow, and makes Aveline so happy.
To me, that’s perfect.
(Do you remember this feeling as a child?) 


“Shaggy branches curve / Down to the heads of children / Beads shine richly / Overflowing with lights…”Β “ΠΠ½ΡΡΡΡ Π²Π΅ΡΠ²ΠΈ ΠΌΠΎΡ Π½Π°ΡΡΠ΅ / ΠΠ½ΠΈΠ·, ΠΊ Π³ΠΎΠ»ΠΎΠ²ΠΊΠ°ΠΌ Π΄Π΅ΡΠ΅ΠΉ / ΠΠ»Π΅ΡΡΡ Π±ΡΡΡ Π±ΠΎΠ³Π°ΡΡΠ΅ / ΠΠ΅ΡΠ΅Π»ΠΈΠ²ΠΎΠΌ ΠΎΠ³Π½Π΅ΠΉ…”Β -Raisa Adamovna Kudasheva















This is the pretty face that stares at me while I stare at her…and my cup of coffee.

