December is always a little intense for me—closing all the projects at work keeps me busy—but I still try (as much as I can) to protect my slow living rhythm. In this video, I show what that looks like in real life: creating coziness with Christmas décor, lighting candles in the evening, and cooking comfort food like every day is a holiday. I also share a super easy salmon pasta (sauté onion, add smoked salmon, finish with cooking cream, and a little chives or parsley), because it’s the kind of dish you’ll easily find on an Italian Christmas table. Then we get into Italian holiday fish traditions: marinated anchovies in lemon and orange (they need at least 4–6 hours in the fridge), seared shrimp for a fresh salad that cuts through heavier dishes, and easy cod fish balls (or any boneless white fish). I even admit I might have exaggerated with the portions—hahaha!—and I remind you: pasta comes first in Italy. To finish on a sweet, cozy note, I bake an apple pie with cinnamon-spiced apples (yes, I forgot the rum!) and make a tart cornelian cherry sauce with balsamic vinegar and honey. It’s beautiful on desserts, but also incredible on fish and meat—like seared tuna. And as I light up the house, I share a little dream coming true: the library where my own book will belong.