And there it was.

I'm a sucker for the holidays. Although Christmas isn't my favorite holiday of the year, I enjoy it immensely. My favorite thing about Christmas is the store displays that sucker you into believing that the time of the year is truly magical. I love the whimsical forms of skinny supermodels with snow and colorful lingerie who decorate the sprawling Victoria's Secret store. I love the icy forms of snowflakes made from fine crystal at the Swarovski store. Most of all, I love the frenzied feeling that I get when I walk up and restrain myself from pressing my nose against the glass of the Williams-Sonoma.

"Williams-Sonoma? That's for serious cooks," said a dear friend.

"Yes, I realize that because it says it on the plaque on the door," I replied.

"See, I didn't even have to read the plaque to know that it's for serious cooks."

But I couldn't help myself. I was so engrossed in the magical display of professional Kitchenaid mixers, which I will most likely never need, despite how beautiful it would be, covered in flour on top of my kitchen cabinet. As much as I was attracted to the mixer, I was equally attracted to the small patch of fake dough with a cookie cutter on top of it. So I bought the stylized copper ballerina and thought of how I would decorate her skirt and bodice with white icing.

Until I actually begin baking gingerbread cookies and using my new cookie cutter, I have to do my least favorite domestic task: cleaning. I hate to clean. I am probably the messiest person that you know, but I am getting better. Until I actually clean the kitchen, I can't bake. Until I clean the living room, I can't have company. Until I clean the bathroom, I can't have a nice relaxing bath. I've been working hard on the house, so that it doesn't look as if 25 frat boys share this house. I'm leaving for Maine soon, so the amount of posts will be even fewer.