Candy Cane Saves Cocoa

The sun was sinking beyond the pines as Snowelle made final preparations for her renowned Cocoa Christmas Party. 

“Decorations are done, and there’s an extra for me!” Snowelle popped a candy cane into her mouth.

Passing the tree’s twinkling lights, ducking under mistletoe and prancing through the poinsettia path to the kitchen, she imagined her friends gathering to make merriment with her famous hot cocoa.

Snowelle warmed her hands at the stove, stirring the milk and chocolate together. She sniffed the vanilla before adding it in. “And where is the sugar?”

Snowelle sukced her candy cane as she searched…and searched. “Humbug! Out of sugar. Well, how bad can it be?” 

She poured her drink and lifted it to her lips. “Yuck! This will not do. I’ll have dump it all out.”

DING-DONG!

Snowelle jumped. She set her mug down in such a hurry that the candy cane was sent flying. It landed with a splash in her mug. 

Snowelle hurried to the door to find her friends caroling with rosy cheeks and fluffy earmuffs. 

She welcomed them with warm hugs. 

“Time to cozy up with your famous cocoa!” Holly picked up Snowelle’s mug and took a sip before Snowelle could stop her. 

“Wait, it’s no good. I didn’t have any -”

“Deeeelicious! And a hint of peppermint - my favorite!” Holly licked her lips. 

Snowelle peered into the mug to see the last bit of candy cane melting away. 

“Perfect! Candy cane garnishes to save the cocoa, and my reputation!”

Yo-ho-howl-oween!

A pinch of toad lips. Check.

A sprinkle of ground spider. Check.

Cauldron simmering on medium-low. Check.

Have a sip of sludge, Boo, and I’ll have the pet I’ve always wanted! 1-2-3, a howling werewolf you will BE!

“Yo-ho-ho!”

I said a howling werewolf you’ll be.

“Shiver me timbers, it’s dank in here. And what’s that smell, Matey?”

It’s sludge. You aren’t hairy! No fangs?

“You don’t like my gold teeth?”

I’d better check the recipe. Tombstones! It calls for smoked spider. 

“And your toad lips are expired.”

Can’t you at least howl?

“Yaarrrrrgh!”

Sigh.

A Witch in a Bind

I’m a witch with a problem.

A witch in a bind.

I put on my hat

and what do I find?

A hole! Yes, a hole.

And a big one at that.

In the worst of all places,

My pointy witch hat!

I shiver at the thought

Of howling wind upon my head.

I’d rather this big hole

Be in my cauldron instead.

By Goblins, I’ve got it!

I’ve thought up a way,

I just need a mirror

And lots of hairspray!

It’s pointy perfection!

I do look a fright.

I’m finally ready

For Halloween night.

A Valentine for Leaf

This is my contest submission for "With Hopeful Heart" 3rd annual Valentiny Writing Contest:


A Valentine for Leaf


Leaf had been dangling alone from a branch all winter. He watched his friends get called down to the earth one by one. He trembled in the wind, hoping for his chance. Would the earth ever call him down?

“I can’t believe I’m still up here. I hope Earth wants me at all,” He thought with a frown.

Leaf spotted children on their way to school. They held paper hearts and cards. “Happy Valentine’s Day!” they shouted to the mailman across the street.

“Valentine’s Day? We’re half way through February!” Leaf imagined all the leaves snuggling with the earth, whispering sweet nothings to one another. He was losing hope.

He pitied himself for the next few hours. Suddenly, he felt a breeze. And then a snap! Leaf was floating down. He was being called!

Leaf smiled as he picked a spot to land. “What’s that? A heart? A Valentine just for me!”

Sure enough, there was a gray heart moving across the earth below Leaf. The heart got smaller and smaller until he landed right on top of it.

“Oh, Earth! What a special Valentine you gave me! You do want me after all!” Leaf closed his eyes and nuzzled the Earth in a big hug. “I never gave up hope! Happy Valentine’s Day.”