(Written for English II... Sophomore year)
Freshly baked cookies can bring smiles and laughter to any person's face. The warm gooey insides and the soft chewy exterior create the perfect combination that nobody can resist. When we sink our teeth into this heavenly combination the feelings can be limitless. A party erupts in the mouth and fills our bodies with a warming sensation, love. The love of a cookie is great, but it can never compare to the times that come with it, and the people that are there. People, atmosphere, and feelings, mixed in the right amounts, can create a perfect day.
A warm wave of spice and love fill my nostrils as I enter the kitchen door. The familiar faces greet me warmly, with smiles of joy and content. Suddenly, my husband's arms enrobe me and I feel a kiss land on my cheek. The cold that inhibited my body seems to have suddenly disappeared. Flavorful drinks, tender and moist cookies, colorful candies, delectable cakes, and fruit filled jellies line the smooth, speckled granite counter tops. Passing over these delectable goodies, the smells of ham drift toward my nose. The gleaming silver oven begs to be opened as the aromas tickle and tease my taste buds. Feelings of comfort fill my being and create an epiphany of happiness. The smells of our cooking have reached the far corners of the house, and the children have now entered the cozy confinements of the kitchen.
Looking through the door of the dining room I see the crisp white pine table nestled on top of the deep red oak flooring. The burgundy walls cast a comforting glow over a table lined with a crisp clean cream colored table runner, a tall glass vase with purple irises, and two tall tapered candles. Food soon joins the table and polishes the scene. Family begins gathering around the table as they engage in the enjoyable duty of conversing and consuming. My husband is seated at the head of the table, and I am at the other. Passing food quickly dissipates into our bellies, which have long since been grumbling from the intoxicating smells. The table becomes empty, but only of food. Though the food has disappeared, the lively fellowship that envelopes the room remains. Colorfully told stories and lively tales of past adventure spiral through the air until they finally reach our listening ears. As the night grows longer the stories begin to fade and people start to slow. The food has taken its toll and the living room now beckons for all to take a break.
Slowly, the living room fills with family and the delicate sounds of cheery upbeat Christmas tunes. The soft green walls seem to dance from the glow of the tree that fills every crevice and corner. The sight of the tree is amazing and marvelous, the glow of the lights, the sparkle of the ornaments, and the one steady star that dawns the highest point of the tree. Beneath the lowest branches of the tree are several boisterous gifts, creating a grandiose scene for the children to enjoy. Many of the kids have found their way to the bottom of the tree hoping to find some minute detail that may hint to what lies behind the colorful papers. When the sun falls below the horizon, we finally turn to open the presents. The excitement, enjoyment, and surprise that permeate the room create the warmest feelings that one can ever experience.
As the laughter and music die down, the children make their way toward their warm cozy beds. Once the children are lying quietly in their rooms I make my way back to the living room. Once there, I see the one person who seems to have been in my thoughts throughout the entire day, my husband! Sitting in our favorite spot, I find my way into his warm and loving arms that wipe every fear, worry, and trouble from my mind. There we sit looking out the large bay window, with the fire roaring, the snow falling, and sipping hot cocoa that fills our tired and weary bodies. The ground seems to sparkle as if the angels watching from above have sprinkled millions of diamonds over the snow laden yard. My entire world seems to grow silent as I lay in the arms of my comfort, best friend, and husband. One last glimpse at the whole perfect scene and my day feels so complete. The fire starts to snap and crackle as it reaches the end of its life and the ashes give off the last faint possibilities of warmth they might possess.
This recipe of people, atmosphere, and feelings has created an absolutely perfect day. This day is like a recipe of perfection, almost like that of a cookie. Something so simple is filled with so much love and can bring such joy to a person that we often forget our worries. Placing chocolate in a cookie is like adding splendor to a scene, and sometimes there are a few nuts that add a little craziness to the whole thing. The cares that usually fill our heads seem to casually slip away every time the delicious morsel dissolves over the top of our salivating tongues. No one in the world could possibly resist a cookie that links to so many good memories, both new and old.
