Lanterns Light & Love Package (with chocolate)

The Chocolate Room (print available; see below)

Here in southwestern Pennsylvania, February days are short and grey, and even the overcast sunlight lies around, listless and tired. The weather is one thing, but my internal climate has been downright glum for a few days. January and February are not easy on the psyche, but I'm determined to get back my joy this month.

In case you're having a similar bout of the blues, I've decided to pour some honey on these slow, gloomy days by offering a sweet treat to infuse your mailbox (and heart) with light and love. First of all, copies of Lanterns: A Gathering of Stories are on sale for $15 each (normally $18). So if you've been waiting to get this six-by-six-inch square of goodness, now is a great time. Lanterns is 50 pages of gorgeous black and white photography, inspiring poetry, and encouraging prose. This curated collection takes an honest look at  living the creative life and celebrates the art-and-soul-sisters who help to light our way.

But here's the icing on top of the cupcake: If you (or someone you love) need an extra dose of sweetness and light, check out the new Lanterns Light & Love package. For just $20, you'll get this lovely bundle:

• one signed copy of Lanterns: A Gathering of Stories;
• one 5"x7" color print of "The Chocolate Room" (see photo above);
• an audio recording of the book's opening poem, "Oceans Vast: A Blessing," by Rachelle Mee-Chapman
• a handwritten love note; and
• a sweet treat, all thoughtfully packaged.

This set includes a print of the photo at the top of this post, which I took during a visit to Brooklyn to see Lanterns contributor Jen Lee. This cozy "chocolate boutique and dessert café" is home to the best chocolate cake I've ever eaten. Jen's daughter, a sophisticated first grader who knows what she likes, called the treats there "delish." When a six-year-old uses words like that to describe chocolate, you know it's good.  And just look at this place: even the counters are like warm, rich slabs of chocolate drenched in caramel. The photo is good enough to lick.

But don't lick your screen. Head on over to the shop to get your helping of light, love, and chocolate.