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

Teresa avatar
SoWal Guide
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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

Replies

127
scooterbug44 avatar
SoWal Expert
#52
What I want to know is ................... where's the official Sowal snow party?
Miss Critter avatar
Beach Fanatic
#53
Well my car would not start so I had to give up on the eggs and milk but I do have Jack Daniels in the house. :clap:

Then send his @ss out for eggs and milk. :biggrin:

I will not sugar coat this in any way! I do not like winter at all. I like nothing about it, do you hear me? Nothing. I hate cold. I hate it. Supposed to snow here Thursday and the low on Saturday is 8 freaking degrees. I have to pray for strength to get through these winter months. I wish I was a bear and could hibernate. What I am is a grumpy, old fart that just wants Spring to get here PRONTO. :wave:

What she said. I like sweater weather around the holidays, but this is ridiculous. Cold weather makes my skin hurt.
Beach Comber
#54
More time spent on the computer... CABIN FEVER!

but the days are staying lighter longer! :clap:


For those spending a lot more time on the computer these next 2 cold and freezing weeks, take a moment and refresh your System Restore Tree (Windows XP, Vista, and Windows 7) and Consider the Critical Updates from Microsoft, along with Defragmenting and Viruscanning with a trustworthy viruscan utility. For more information and assistance, contact the computer experts at Xtreme Computers. 850-381-2036

you can also email justin@justinkrupa.com
Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#55
hey! its not suppose to be this cold here!!! where is my perfect 57 degree mostly sunny gorgeous sky winter?:idontno: I can handle it if it goes away soon. is it going away soon? I hope its going away soon.
Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#56
my fav about winter is SPRING!!! as a new resident (year or so) to ohio from SoWal I have grown to love seeing 4 seasons, something not seen in the south... But...

i do like to see a fresh blanket of snow on the ground,
snuggling with my honey,
watching the dogs play in the snow,
sledding,
how mother nature seems to pause when a gentle snow falls,
and last but certainly not least the excuse to eat comfort (aka fattening) food

When i lived in SoWal i like the 'quiteness' winter brought, no vacationers and the beach was to myself... the deals the stores gave locals...

enjoy winter... it's 0 outside as i type this...

thanks for your beautiful words!

seasons on the panhandle aren't drastic but they are definitely distinct. after living down further in Florida, I came to appreciate every season offered a little further north - like here in the panhandle. we do get a gentle winter that is usually not too cold. brrrrrrrrrrrrrr like now!

Edited

Allifunn avatar
FunnChef - AlisonCooks.com
#57
A nice bone warming bath is great in the winter, a hot toddie along with it is even better! :biggrin:

This weather is perfect for our world dining series...hearty stews and casseroles!
SoWal Insider
#58
hey! its not suppose to be this cold here!!! where is my perfect 57 degree mostly sunny gorgeous sky winter?:idontno: I can handle it if it goes away soon. is it going away soon? I hope its going away soon.

:rofl: Was 57 degrees the temp you were using when you were talking about perfect winter weather? ;-)
RiverOtter avatar
got any pics?
#59
When it's cold I like to Spoon with Graytonbound :biggrin:
Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#60
:rofl: Was 57 degrees the temp you were using when you were talking about perfect winter weather? ;-)

of course - that is our winter.. mostly. the coldest month is January and temps normally range from 40-60 or so. the average high in our coldest month is 61. not bad at all, at least for me. in fact, its quite nice at least half the time or more.

but since it is mild much of the time I also appreciate the colder days for real hibernating weather. not too much. by spring its time for warmer weather, say in the 60s and 70s - absolutely perfect!

I wouldn't want much colder than it is now in SoWal - 30 now, high 46. next week it goes back to 58 (next wed) and then 62 on Jan 15. a wonderful kind of winter - nice cool weather mixed with some cold...

yes, the snowbirds have it all figured out...

When it's cold I like to Spoon with Graytonbound :biggrin:

now otter! that is the sweetest thing I've ever heard! (or seen or read or whatever)...:wave:

Edited

SoWal Insider
#61
of course - that is our winter.. mostly. the coldest month is January and temps normally range from 40-60 or so. the average high in our coldest month is 61. not bad at all, at least for me. in fact, its quite nice at least half the time or more.

but since it is mild much of the time I also appreciate the colder days for real hibernating weather. not too much. by spring its time for warmer weather, say in the 60s and 70s - absolutely perfect!

I wouldn't want much colder than it is now in SoWal - 30 now, high 46. next week it goes back to 58 (next wed) and then 62 on Jan 15. a wonderful kind of winter - nice cool weather mixed with some cold...

yes, the snowbirds have it all figured out...

I hear ya. I just got a kick out of your earlier post when the temps this a.m. are no longer in the more pleasant 50's. :biggrin:
Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#62
I hear ya. I just got a kick out of your earlier post when the temps this a.m. are no longer in the more pleasant 50's. :biggrin:

yep! it is true! my love of winter does not extend to painfully cold weather conditions. I may be dumb to love winter but I'm not completely stupid! :rolling:
shakennotstirred avatar
Beach Fanatic
#63
I will not sugar coat this in any way! I do not like winter at all. I like nothing about it, do you hear me? Nothing. I hate cold. I hate it. Supposed to snow here Thursday and the low on Saturday is 8 freaking degrees. I have to pray for strength to get through these winter months. I wish I was a bear and could hibernate. What I am is a grumpy, old fart that just wants Spring to get here PRONTO. :wave:

I couldn't agree more! If I didn't have to go to work, I wouldn't leave the house until the temps got above freezing. It has snowed here every day this year - just enough to make it annoying. At this point, I'd rather it snow 8 inches at once & just get it over with!

Good things about winter...

The hours of daylight slowly get longer
Red wine warms you up

That's all I got!

85 more days till Spring Break & I'll be counting down every one of them.
Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#64
I couldn't agree more! If I didn't have to go to work, I wouldn't leave the house until the temps got above freezing. It has snowed here every day this year - just enough to make it annoying. At this point, I'd rather it snow 8 inches at once & just get it over with!

Good things about winter...

The hours of daylight slowly get longer
Red wine warms you up

That's all I got!

85 more days till Spring Break & I'll be counting down every one of them.

SNS - you have my sincerest sympathy. you got something to complain about with below freezing conditions for the duration, daily snow etc - while at the same time work and life in the big city doesn't slow up much does it? your winters must be extremely long indeed. bless your heart!!!:wave::wub: stay warm!!!

Edited

sunspotbaby avatar
SoWal Insider
#65
Okay, I found one useful thing about it being this cold outside:
The dog crap in my yard is really more pleasant to pick up when it's dry, hard, and frozen. :biggrin:
Teresa avatar
SoWal GuideAuthor
#66
Okay, I found one useful thing about it being this cold outside:
The dog crap in my yard is really more pleasant to pick up when it's dry, hard, and frozen. :biggrin:
:floor:

that is more than any of us could ever ask for.

actually, that benefit doesn't help me out at all... so I can't think of a single thing useful about it being this cold. dang! just got in and my nose and toes are froze.

Edited

sunspotbaby avatar
SoWal Insider
#67
Tootsie, based on the number of posts you've logged in the last few days, I'd say there's not much you like about it being so cold either....other than you get to spend more time on SoWal. :wave:
Lynnie avatar
SoWal Insider
#68
That Cat! In and Out, In and Out! Like the weather is better in the front than the back.....drives me up the wall. He hates winter. Summer and Fall is spends most of his time sunbathing on the deck or the neighbor's deck and just comes in for supper and sleep.
DD avatar
SoWal Expert
#69
I will not sugar coat this in any way! I do not like winter at all. I like nothing about it, do you hear me? Nothing. I hate cold. I hate it. Supposed to snow here Thursday and the low on Saturday is 8 freaking degrees. I have to pray for strength to get through these winter months. I wish I was a bear and could hibernate. What I am is a grumpy, old fart that just wants Spring to get here PRONTO. :wave:


What she said. :wave:
Two Day Snow this Thur! Bring booze, screw the eggs and milk! :lol:

:biggrin:
Miss Kitty avatar
Meow
#70
:violin:

Man, I have missed that guy! :biggrin:
Miss Critter avatar
Beach Fanatic
#71
This prolonged cold reminded me of one of my favorite shows - Northern Exposure. More than the usual "exposure" on this episode. :biggrin:

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q9CngpLaDDc"]YouTube- Northern eXposure - Joel's First Running of the Bulls[/ame]
DD avatar
SoWal Expert
#72
Okay, I found one useful thing about it being this cold outside:
The dog crap in my yard is really more pleasant to pick up when it's dry, hard, and frozen. :biggrin:

:floor::floor::floor::floor:OMC!!! :floor::floor::floor:
Beach Runner avatar
beats on hood
#73
Okay, I found one useful thing about it being this cold outside:
The dog crap in my yard is really more pleasant to pick up when it's dry, hard, and frozen. :biggrin:
SoWal.com classic! I totally agree!

I just went to weather.com -- the server had crashed due to too many hits.:yikes: Back up ... for now.
Lynnie avatar
SoWal Insider
#75
:violin:

Man, I have missed that guy! :biggrin:

:idontno:What guy? Speak English, Jitty. :biggrin:

This prolonged cold reminded me of one of my favorite shows - Northern Exposure. More than the usual "exposure" on this episode. :biggrin:

YouTube- Northern eXposure - Joel's First Running of the Bulls

Northern Exposure was one of the funniest shows of all time!

SoWal.com classic! I totally agree!

I just went to weather.com -- the server had crashed due to too many hits.:yikes: Back up ... for now.
Is that what happened? I actually tried to get on so I could plan my booze run. :biggrin: Having dinner out tomorrow at Craft! What if I get snowed out?????
shakennotstirred avatar
Beach Fanatic
#76
SNS - you have my sincerest sympathy. you got something to complain about with below freezing conditions for the duration, daily snow etc - while at the same time work and life in the big city doesn't slow up much does it? your winters must be extremely long indeed. bless your heart!!!:wave::wub: stay warm!!!

:wave: We haven't had a winter like this in some time. Last year I didn't have to shovel until March. And this just in - Winter Storm Advisory - 2-4 inches of the white stuff tomorrow & another 2-4 on Friday. And the driveway just got cleared today! I know I kind of asked for this but I really don't see much improvement for next week. Thanks for listening. I am done complaining (for now). ;-) Good news is that this frozen tundra won't last forever!

You have my sympathy as well! It's not exactly typical January weather for you. Stay warm!

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