candlesWe're  having quite the storm today and it's supposed to get worse tonight, so I have all the candles on a tray along with matches and some lighters just in case the power goes out. That's my excuse, anyway, for spending half an hour today away from my computer and work. When we have winter storms, the days are dark and I didn't want to be searching in the dark for the candles that I'll light around sunset anyway, just to have a warm and cozy atmosphere in the house for everyone when they get home.

The candle that will be the tallest on the tray is one that I just got. I ordered several online at Purple Rose Candles & Gifts located at www.purplerosecandlesandgifts.com, a website that has a lot of beautiful candles and products for the home. I ordered the Pillar Aromatherapy Candle with Peppermint & Eucalyptus Essential Oils after reading that both peppermint and eucalyptus oils are good for energizing and refreshing. I love the scents of both of these essential oils and once I got the candles, I was glad that I ordered several.

We love to have candles burning all year long, but there is something special about burning them on cold, rainy winter nights. I made a big pot of chicken stew this afternoon for dinner that simmering away and the smells in the house are wonderful. Tonight if the power goes out, I'm all set because I have the candles arranged, and we can use our brigher LED flashlights for moving around the house or even reading a book. The candles, however, are setting the atmosphere for what will be a good night to stay inside, especially since the winds are going to blow as hard as 40 MPH with gusts close to 65, according to the weather reports.

It's times like these that we remember fondly in the heat of the summer, even though right now, it is hard to be outside. Having our candles lit on a blustery winter night will give us such a good sense of well being tonight while we're all warm and toasty and eating chicken and dumplings and drinking hot beverages. Soon after lighting the candles, we'll be basking in the aroma of the winter scents we like, especially the eucalyptus and the cinnamon from the hot cider we drink when the weather is like this. All I can say is that it seems rough outside right now, but having the flickering light of the candles will cast a soothing glow that makes up for the bleak weather outside.