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!”
