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Thursday, November 03, 2011

Winter's Silver Lining

It's been an interesting week. Hard to believe it's Thursday already. The Jackster started acting like a boy with a cold on the weekend, and by Monday was coughing up a storm. We spent the day at home - mommy was starting to feel not so hot herself - but we did make it out for some trick-or-treating. We weren't going to miss out on ALL of the fun. Since then we've pretty much been in quarantine.

I guess it's that time of year again - cold season. It has me feeling nostalgic for the previous less infectious seasons of fall and summer. Winter is on the horizon. Snow is in the forecast. It would be easy to be glum. BUT, I have decided that, since it would serve little purpose to be gloomy about the colder weather, darker days and stuffy, coughy, watery-eyed weeks to come, I will instead look on the bright side.

There is plenty to enjoy about winter, if we choose to see it.



What I Love About Winter
Fires in fireplaces and in firepits by a frozen lake.

Skating on that frozen lake.
Pretty snow-capped trees.

Reflections of street lights on crisp white snow.

Hot cups of cocoa. Big wooly mitts.

Roasting marshmallows to distract ourselves from the chattering of our teeth.

Cozy hand-knit sweaters and hats. Pretty scarves.

Never having to decide what shoes to wear - it's boots season! Now, which boots to wear?

Christmas lights on houses and trees.
Pretty pine boughs and wreaths.

Heaps of fresh snow piled on shrubs and trees.

The dampening of sound.
The crunch of snow beneath our feet.

Snowshoes - what a fun way to travel!

Giggling children with rosy cheeks.

SNOWBALL FIGHTS!!!

Sharing a warm drink with friends.
Extra snuggly hugs.

Darkness warmed by yellow lights.

Hibernating family-style, with cozy blankets, sugary treats and a feel-good flick.

TOBOGGANING! Wheeee!

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Please share your pros with me - I can use all of the silver lining I can get as the winter months drag on.... and on..... and... sigh. I'd better read this list again.


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I'm linking up - ultra late - with Stasha of NorthWest Mommy for Monday Listicles (I think there are at least 10 things here), and with Rach of Life Ever Since for Life's Lessons.


34 comments:

  1. I love winter cause I don't have to decide on shoes too.
    And big sweaters!
    No sucking in my belly.

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  2. ...and only having to shave if you are heading to the pool (even then....).

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  3. You know... winter isn't my favorite time of year, but I do have to say everything you mentioned does remind me how much fun it can be! And it can be beautiful! I will say... I do love my hoodies so that's a def bonus of winter time!! :^)

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  4. Oh, hoodies - yes! I have about... oh... 27 of them. :)

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  5. Winter I LOVE. Tobogganing an skiing, cannot beat that right? Your list made me want winter to start right NOW!

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  6. It's winter in the mountains - less than an hour from my house to the nearest ski hill. You're welcome anytime! :)

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  7. Never had winter over here, never will. Looking at your list, it sure sounds like a great season. Would love to experience it one day.

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  8. G, you would probably love it, because you don't have years of 'ugh-snow-shoveling-driving-ugh' attitude built up! :)

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  9. trekking through the woods to find the perfect Christmas tree, is one of my favourite winter past times.

    road hockey -- best neighborhood bonding past-time ever!

    snow angels (just help me back up, kay?)

    sleigh rides (yes, must have horses AND jingle bells!)

    no judgement for adding Bailey's to your morning coffee on Christmas day....and I have kids so that is by 6 am :)

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  10. Rory, those are AWESOME reasons to love winter! I can't believe I forgot snow angels, which are even more fun after a little coffee and Bailey's! :)

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  11. You know what i love about winter? Being able to admire beautiful snowy pictures like these from hot and sunny (and currently rainy) singapore. I'm quite a wuss when it comes to cold weather. :p

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  12. Where I come from, winter only really lasts for a few weeks and it doesn't snow. With summer months getting as hot as 45C, the few weeks of winter are always a welcome reprieve :)

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  13. I love the quiet of falling snow, the beauty of ice on the tree branches, hot chocolate, and snuggling under the down comforter.

    Winter is not my favorite season, but there are definitely some reasons to love it!

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  14. June, I'm seriously jealous! Wish I was somewhere warm admiring photos of snow! :)

    Pink Musings, I often think I'd take the hot, hot summer if I could do without the cold, cold winter... but it's hard to know without having lived it.

    Christina, I totally agree. If it weren't for the sometimes treacherous driving conditions (like today - stuck at home), I would love it a whole lot more.

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  15. I love winter because of snow and Christmas. Hate driving in snow but love playing in it. I hate the flu season too and am not looking forward to it. It's already hit our house though, first me and now my teen. Yikes!

    Looking on the bright side like you though. It'll help to get us through :)

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  16. Bruna, yes, looking on the bright side helps. And a little apple cider with brandy never hurts! :)

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  17. I love looking at these pictures! What I love about snow is captured in your answers: there's an opportunity to just sit and be at peace with what's inside, instead of wondering what's being missed outdoors.

    There's little likelihood we'll see snow here, but snow did just fall in the mountains today. I'm thinking of taking Li'l D to catch his first glimpse. :)

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  18. I'm terribly sorry, I cannot think of anything positive about snow.

    Except maybe that I can camouflage my belly with large sweaters. So there. There's that.

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  19. That will be fun for l'il D! Jack always gets very excited about the first snowfall.

    S'alright, Julie. I hear ya! We went for a walk in the snow today, and were all very cold by the time we got back home.

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  20. Christmas and everything about it!

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  21. Amanda, so true. Christmas is not the same without winter!

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  22. Love your photos...and your list makes winter sound like the best time ever! Hope your family feels better soon.

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  23. Thanks Jacqui. If it weren't for this list, and wine, I'm not sure I'd make it through! :/

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  24. Down here in the sunny South, winter is more like your fall but I still like it because... 1) there's the thrill that it might snow 2) it's a great excuse to drink hot chocolate and 3) it contains my favorite holiday - Christmas!

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  25. What a great list - I'll need it, in fact I already need it - I really don't do well in winter. We usually spend most of it sick, too which doesn't help. I am a summer person. Long live summer! But I will remember your list next time I get the winter blues...

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  26. The moon shining so bright on the snow, Christmas music (already) on the radio, My middle child's birthday, more days off work.

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  27. Ado, that's mostly where I'm at, and it gets worse with age, but I try to enjoy it, especially with kiddo - don't want him to develop my disdain for cold weather.

    Signingcharity, those are great reasons too! I have fond memories of the moon reflected in clear ice at my family's cottage.

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  28. I love full coverage winter clothing, especially turtlenecks and corduroys. And yummy hot chocolate.

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  29. Katie, there is something to be said for full coverage clothing, for sure. No matter a person's shape, anyone can look good!

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  30. I love to make it all cosy and warm at home in winter. Lots of cushions and blankets on the couch, lighting up candles and lanterns in the evening.

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  31. Ahhh. Mirjam, that sounds deee-lightful!

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  32. Ah, big sweaters and hot cocoa....love it!

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  33. Barbara, I love them too! It's the 'get cozy' season! :)

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