The best thing about the snow -- beside the fact that Elaine can happily tromp around in it indefinitely -- is how much brighter it makes everything. The sunlight bounces off of the snow, making the dark Seattle winter easily twice as bright.

Another thing that's great, but even greater because of something on top of it, is cookies. We made cookies tonight. A wonderful activity. But, when it comes to eating holiday cookies... Well, let's just say that I eventually transcended the actual cookies. Frosting applied directly to chocolate chips and sprinkles, skipping the whole tedious sugar-cookie part, is much tastier.

So, there you have it: snow and cookies. Both great. Sunlight bouncing off of snow, and gooey gobs of frosting holding together masses of chocolate chips? Even better.