Baby It's Cold Outside - what do you like about winter?

SoWal Guide

Jan 4, '10 · 5:55 PM5,3491

after the holidays, after the celebration of the New Year.. things get quiet in SoWal for a while. the pace of life slows a bit. the days are short. the weather can be quite cold and dreary at times. it can even be depressing after a few months - even in paradise.

But, there are wonderful things in winter too! I find the time to do a lot of things I never seem to find time for, plus there are some things unique to winter that I absolutely love.

jewelry making or photo albums, start a new hobby, volunteer at school, etc.
finally find time to just sit on the sofa and enjoy a warm, cozy fireplace
movies movies movies - at home and the theater
playing cards or monopoly or chess or scrabble
wonderful warm comfort food
a walk in the sun on a cold day will waken all your senses!
catching up on all those magazines piling up in the living room
a wonderfully long novel
a warm wonderful bed with down blankets and pillows
a warm wonderful long bath
supper with friends with candles, fireplace, wine, and good food!
a drive or walk out on the beach to see first hand the beauty of the winter land and seascapes - with just a few people who are out and about (no tents or trash - for just a few months)
a relatively quiet community - but not too quiet! the locals are all out and about enjoying the wonderful winter that brings warmish days every week or so.
jeans, boots and sweaters!

yes, winter is a wonderful respite from summer heat - it will be here by May along with hordes of visitors to the beach!

yes, by March, I'm ready for some warmer weather. and by the time I'm tired of the quiet and the short cold days, spring arrives and with it comes a whole new kind of beauty and wonder. :wub:

I love how each season offers unique weather, holidays, special occasions and traditions.

Please remind me of the beauty and wonder of high summer in SoWal when July 4th rolls around. sometimes the heat and the traffic and all the crazy stuff happening around here can make me feel overwhelmed. But, its wonderful in its own way too.

Winter 2008 (January) - oh gosh the kids were tiny babies!!! (and it was not warm that day -kids don't care!)

post your winter activities and/or pix here.

Edited Jan 4, '10 · 5:58 PM

Replies

127

SoWal Expert

Jan 4, '10 · 5:59 PM#2

I recognize those toys. And those kids. :wub:

Beach Fanatic

Jan 4, '10 · 7:12 PM#3

Out of respect to Tootsie, I am redoing my list. I know better than to rain on someone's parade, see what winter does to me, brings out this moody side of me. We are having unseasonably frigid temps with lows in the single digits and highs in the 20s.

I chipped my tooth and have been in a foul mood all day, so my apologies for not being a good player and joining in.

I like hot mulled wine and cider, have been searching the Internet for new recipes.
I like having time to read lots of books.
I hope to take time to reorganize all my photos. I have given up on putting them in albums but am going to try to put them all of a flash drive to save.
Everything is on sale, great time to shop.
Talking my husband into going to the beach where winter is bearable. Yea.

Edited Jan 4, '10 · 8:32 PM

SoWal Insider

Jan 4, '10 · 7:16 PM#4

but the days are staying lighter longer! :clap:

SoWal Expert

Jan 4, '10 · 7:47 PM#5

Toots, I luv ya-you know I do. Your list is wonderful--in theory--to me anyway. In reality, all I really wanna do when it's cold is go where it's warm...and possibly eat soup. That's all I got. :lol:

SoWal GuideAuthor

Jan 4, '10 · 7:54 PM#6

Toots, I luv ya-you know I do. Your list is wonderful--in theory--to me anyway. In reality, all I really wanna do when it's cold is go where it's warm...and possibly eat soup. That's all I got.

well that's something! get warm and eat some soup. I'll bet you have a darn good time in winter! is it that bad in Texas? winter here is normally quite mild - which is why I can afford to absolutely love it. this week is rather cold however - and looks like its not warming up for a while. I am going to get tired of that part - its not all wonderful - I didn't include the stuff I don't like about winter - and I do have a big list of those too. like missing regular outdoor walks - as much as I appreciate winter time I don't really like getting out in it for any length of time if its this cold!

here is another for the list:

white russians

SoWal GuideAuthor

Jan 4, '10 · 7:56 PM#7

What do I like about winter...........spring comes next.

Our high this week is in the 20's with lows down to 7 degrees, actual temps, I am sure the wind chill will be below zero.

Actually for some reason as soon as I saw this title I wanted to say, in the tune of the song "War".

Winter, huh, yeah
What is it good for
Absolutely nothing

Except possibly killing off the mosquitoes.

Tootsie you list sounds wonderful, but it is too cold here to even get out of the house. I will never own another home without a fireplace. Our utilities bill will be sky high.

I want some of your delicious looking cornbread, yum.

well, I didn't list the things I don't like about winter - and there are several. I think your winter would be way too cold for me! I grew up in Bham - and that winter was wintery enough.

are there any winter time games or hobbies you enjoy?

Edited Jan 4, '10 · 7:58 PM

SoWal Expert

Jan 4, '10 · 7:57 PM#8

well that's something! get warm and eat some soup. I'll bet you have a darn good time in winter! is it that bad in Texas? winter here is normally quite mild - which is why I can afford to absolutely love it. this week is rather cold however - and looks like its not warming up for a while. I am going to get tired of that part - its not all wonderful - I didn't include the stuff I don't like about winter - and I do have a big list of those too. like missing regular outdoor walks - as much as I appreciate winter time I don't really like getting out in it for any length of time if its this cold!

here is another for the list:

white russians

Oh my! I haven't had a white russian in forever.
I know you're trying to help us winter haters get out of our slump--God luv ya. :wub:

SoWal GuideAuthor

Jan 4, '10 · 7:59 PM#9

but the days are staying lighter longer!

so they say. they still seem so short! but that would be on my list of things I don't like about winter - I think. not sure. we do this every year don't we? things I like. things I don't like.. about winter. I do love it, but not all of it!

longer days are welcome in any case!

Edited Jan 4, '10 · 8:01 PM

SoWal Insider

Jan 4, '10 · 8:11 PM#10

I love Two Day Snow. On Wed. Melts Thur, freezes Thur night, no work Fri. Two Day Snow turns into Three Day No Work. I digg it~~~~~~~~

Beach Fanatic

Jan 4, '10 · 8:12 PM#11

well, I didn't list the things I don't like about winter - and there are several. I think your winter would be way too cold for me! I grew up in Bham - and that winter was wintery enough.

are there any winter time games or hobbies you enjoy?

I revised my list, :blush:

SoWal GuideAuthor

Jan 4, '10 · 8:15 PM#12

Oh my! I haven't had a white russian in forever.
I know you're trying to help us winter haters get out of our slump--God luv ya.

If you came and spent the week with me in my house, we would have a damn blast and you know it. fireplace and hangovers. and comfort food. and quick drives out to the Red Bar and the beach just to get out on the weekend. admit it.

okay - we're all kind of suffering in this severe cold. I admit I hate not being able to stand being outside for 2 minutes. today it was a little warm on my back porch and I worked out there packing away christmas. but that was only a brief period of warmth with the sun shining - early afternoon.

too cold for me right now.

Lynnie - I would adore the 2 day snow too. unfortunately (or fortunately) we don't get an hour snow here!

Edited Jan 4, '10 · 8:16 PM

SoWal Insider

Jan 4, '10 · 8:31 PM#13

This was more than a Two Day Snow. Atlanta (6 in.) and Augusta (5-6 in.) were shut down for a solid week. I mention Augusta because it's a warmer temp. than Atlanta.

The Blizzard of '93! Funn, funn, funn - except for those who lost power!

[ame="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1993_Storm_of_the_Century"]1993 Storm of the Century - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

Edited Jan 4, '10 · 8:31 PM

SoWal GuideAuthor

Jan 4, '10 · 8:35 PM#14

I revised my list,

you absolutely did not have to do that - but your effort is appreciated. I don't mind if you are in a mood and hating winter. it is what it is. well - I would rather you not be chipping the tooth off and stuff, but that could happen any ole time. sometimes we do get in a foul wintry mood.

and you could never rain on anyone's parade.

reading books - its one of my favorite things about winter. I do this year round - but in winter I can really find time to snuggle with a good book (hey - we need to talk about books).

shopping. I love to shop in winter.

travel. love to get in the car and go for a long weekend somewhere close by. its refreshing to travel and go to restaurants and see sights without sweating through it all. and get back to the hotel or wherever and totally relax. something about winter just slows things down, even when traveling - not in a hurry to go do everything there is to do - leaving time to rest. a vacation can really be a vacation. (unless you are skiing - and I don't ski).

I also find I take the time to do other things (only in winter) such as menu planning, vacation planning and home projects.

(I'm still in denial about the things I don't like.. I bet I'll remember them in another few days of this weather! It is COLD outside - did anyone notice? that level of cold is painful for any length of time out there.).

Edited Jan 4, '10 · 8:49 PM

SoWal Expert

Jan 4, '10 · 9:09 PM#15

If you came and spent the week with me in my house, we would have a damn blast and you know it. fireplace and hangovers. and comfort food. and quick drives out to the Red Bar and the beach just to get out on the weekend. admit it.

okay - we're all kind of suffering in this severe cold. I admit I hate not being able to stand being outside for 2 minutes. today it was a little warm on my back porch and I worked out there packing away christmas. but that was only a brief period of warmth with the sun shining - early afternoon.

too cold for me right now.

Lynnie - I would adore the 2 day snow too. unfortunately (or fortunately) we don't get an hour snow here!

Ok..I admit it. And I will be there Friday. :lol:

margarita brocolia

Jan 4, '10 · 10:54 PM#16

.
I like to smell the woodburning fireplaces when walking the dog in the evenings and really wanting that cup of hot chocolate, cider, or tea - anything warm!

.

Beach Fanatic

Jan 5, '10 · 5:47 AM#17

Well.......snow if I am really blessed!
Frost on the ground that sparkles like stars in the night.
A chance to wear beautiful scarves that have been knitted for me.

got any pics?

Jan 5, '10 · 7:26 AM#18

The 16 degree outdoor workouts :yikes:

Admin

Jan 5, '10 · 7:31 AM#19

Slight chance of SoWal snow Thursday.

I like the silence of winter but prefer a nighttime southern summer cacophony of crickets and frogs.

Beach Fanatic

Jan 5, '10 · 7:51 AM#20

I enjoy winter days. Some are like a time warp where all one sees on the beach is sand and seagulls. (I want to tell johnrudy that I love the bridge avatar - cello?)

Winter is a great time for concerts and other cultural events.

Snowbirds have it figured out.

FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com

Jan 5, '10 · 8:19 AM#21

Ok..I admit it. And I will be there Friday.

YAY party at Toot's house!
I love my new Christmas present from my kids...it helps make the COLD nights bearable...a electric blanket!!! Thank you, Tootsie, for putting that bug in their ear! I don't know how I got along with out it...wonderful getting into a warm bed!

I walked on the beach Saturday morning and the sand sounded like snow under my boots...felt like the best of both worlds...it has gotten even colder since then.

My checkbook is ready for warmth... electric bill, I don't even want to see it next month

I love a fire in the winter, and thats about it :blush:

Beach Fanatic

Jan 5, '10 · 8:23 AM#22

I love a new homemade soup just about every day, and knowing how many bugs die -- or at least don't reproduce quite as successfully here -- in cold weather. Lots and lots of hot tea all day long. Slower pace of life, going within, recharging at deep levels. Giving in to the urge to hibernate, at least some of the time. Wearing fuzzy pants and socks. The clarity of the air and the particular blue of the sky on certain cold days. Not sweating so much. Radiant floor heating and insulated window treatments. Hot rice socks to warm up my feet.

SoWal GuideAuthor

Jan 5, '10 · 9:05 AM#23

I enjoy winter days. Some are like a time warp where all one sees on the beach is sand and seagulls. (I want to tell johnrudy that I love the bridge avatar - cello?)

Winter is a great time for concerts and other cultural events.

Snowbirds have it figured out.

what a perfect description. the beach seems content, at peace, serene.

our winter is perfect for the snowbirds!

I love a new homemade soup just about every day, and knowing how many bugs die -- or at least don't reproduce quite as successfully here -- in cold weather. Lots and lots of hot tea all day long. Slower pace of life, going within, recharging at deep levels. Giving in to the urge to hibernate, at least some of the time. Wearing fuzzy pants and socks. The clarity of the air and the particular blue of the sky on certain cold days. Not sweating so much. Radiant floor heating and insulated window treatments. Hot rice socks to warm up my feet.

oh how I can relate. only wish I had the radiant floor heating. next house.

beats on hood

Jan 5, '10 · 9:37 AM#24

I'm with DD. The only good thing about winter is that my favorite two seasons, spring and summer, are not too far away.

This is gross, but I also hate the nosebleeds from the dry air in the house. Woke up in the middle of the night with one. Guess I need to turn on the portable humidifier and buy some Vaseline.

SoWal GuideAuthor

Jan 5, '10 · 9:41 AM#25

I'm with DD. The only good thing about winter is that my favorite two seasons, spring and summer, are not too far away.

This is gross, but I also hate the nosebleeds from the dry air in the house. Woke up in the middle of the night with one. Guess I need to turn on the portable humidifier and buy some Vaseline.

oh I agree - the lack of humidity in the house is terrible on sinuses. and I've got a cold now - yuck. definitely things that go on the don't like list.

try a netti pot with warm water & pinch of salt (maybe a drop of eucapyptus oil) - but you gotta use it regularly for it to help keep sinuses healthy. I don't like it, but I do it.