It's a cold December morning. The big ice storm has come and gone. We only lost power for a few hours. My friend in New Hampshire still doesn't have electricity. It's now been 3 days....going on another 3 days perhaps! They've been bringing in buckets of water from the stream behind their house. And they've been keeping the wood-burning stove crankin' in the basement for heat which has also kept the pipes from freezing. It's December mornings like these that make us appreciate the basics...like snuggy socks and sweaters, long flannel nightgowns, warm woolen throws against comfy pillows, and, of course, candles!