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Saturday, January 04, 2014

5 Good Things About Winter

Blowing snow. Frigid Temperatures. Icy Roads. Darkish days and long endless nights…

Is winter starting to get you down? I confess, it’s getting to me. We’re having a brutal winter in Calgary this year…and it’s only the first week of January. We’ve got at least another 3 or 4 months of cold and snow to get through, and now that Christmas is over that seems like a very long time, indeed. To cheer myself up I thought I would see if I could list five good things about winter. Can I do it?

1.       Winter is a wonderful time to stay inside and read by the fire…so cozy!



2.       What better time than winter to enjoy a nice, hot cup of cocoa?



3.       Since the weather is crappy anyway, I’ll spend more time in my office. Think of all the books I’ll have time to write! Winter is great for productivity.



4.       Nothing beats the fun of winter sports like snow-shoeing, cross-country skiing and skating!


5.       In its own way, winter is just as beautiful as summer. Doesn’t everyone love grey?



There. I knew I could find 5 things I love about winter. It’s so much better to look on the positive side of things, don’t you think? If winter is getting you down, too, I hope this uplifting post will give you the strength to hang in there. In the meantime, let’s just keep enjoying this wonderful season we call winter. Pass me a good book, would you? I’ll go put the kettle on and we’ll meet on the comfy overstuffed sofa by the fire…

Tell me what helps you get through winter and be eligible to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!


***CJ's winner is Jo's Daughter!  Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your details!***

48 comments:

Scarlet Wilson said...

Grrrrrr, I'm in Scotland where it is gale force winds and torrential rain. In three weeks I fly to New York where it is currently snowed in. Favourite beverage at the moment to get me through? Costa light latte with sugar free caramel. Yum!

Kaelee said...

HI CJ ~ I live in Calgary also. So far my husband and I are just managing to survive. Thanks to something called TRAX , we have been able to get out for a few walks without the threat of falling. Doesn't it make for a long winter when it starts with lots of snow in November that does not go away? We have the highest snow piles in our yard since we moved into this house in 1980.

On the other hand the hoar frost a few mornings ago was just beautiful. we went for a drive on the eastern outskirts of the city and really enjoyed the frosted trees against the blue sky.

Laney4 said...

Here in Southern Ontario, Canada, it is flippin' cold and icy. Too dangerous for unnecessary walking. (Wish I had a TRAX like Kaelee!) I tend to stay in my downstairs office where my curtains are always closed (for better and consistent computer lighting), so I "forget" it's wintertime out there.

Karen H said...

I live in North Caroline but I was born & raised in Michigan. They are getting hammered with snow, ice, cold temps with bone chilling wind chills, snow and more snow. Good snow year compared to years past! That's why I moved here. That said, I'm planning on moving back sometime this year! But, the good thing is, I don't have to go out every day to go to work! That's retirement for you! I have to say, I like the pictures you used in your post today.....especially the hot chocolate photo! That's my kind of drink.

petite said...

Your photos are enticing, especially the beach ones which is my favorite destination during winter. A trip to a sunny, warm clime wouldn't go amiss. I drink lots of chai and read to relieve the boredom.

traveler said...

Being from Montreal, I grew up and lived through many length, severe and memorable winters. Walking through the blizzards to and from school in the 1950's was a testament to my strength. Blizzards, ice storms and never ending cold made this tough. I moved away finally and the sunshine and blue skies never loses its appeal. I don't miss winter, the cold, the grey skies and feel that it is detrimental to my health. Your pics are delightful and special.

Linda Henderson said...

Well it's not to bad today in SW Missouri but we have snow in the forecast for tonight and tomorrow. Monday our high temperature is supposed to be 11 degrees. The cold temperatures are really hard on my arthritis so I stay inside a lot of the winter. I get through with a lot of books, hot chocolate and tea and movies. One good thing about winter, it kills germs and bugs. A mild winter here means more outside bugs.

Laurie G said...

What helps getting through the winter?

I get a lot of reading done in front of a roaring fire. I also have had to resort to exercising on my ancient Nordic Track machine. Luckily I've modified the routine so I can read as I go along.

The bitter cold and grey days give us a case of seasonal depression so my husband and I are looking into the special light you can buy to remedy it.

We try to get together with friends to play Sheepshead (card game) or board games or to rent a movie. This helps to pass the long, dark nights. We also have fun babysitting my 2 yo granddaughter.

We're supposed to have a high of -11*F on Monday and Tuesday. BRRR! I'm not sure what the wind chills are going to be. I'm looking forward to hot chocolate with tons of mini marshmallows and chicken pot pie for dinner. I do tend to make heartier meals of beef or pork stew and soup. I also like to bake yeast rolls and coffee cakes when the temp drops. I usually put a couple pounds of insulation on which I'll take off when it warms up.

Boy I do miss sunny skies and swimming weather. Summer is way too short!

Send book recommendations my way!

I'm in central Wisconsin.

Unknown said...

Books, more books, some hot cocoa and knowing that it won't be long until Summer is here, that's when I'll be regretting that I ever wanted it to be Summer because I'll be sitting in my house with the AC on full blast. Not much different from Winter with my heater on full blast.

Lil said...

I read your post and had to chuckle. Just got back from a vacation in Michigan to visit in-law and we were without power for about a week with temperatures going very low inside the house. The fireplace helped us make it through. Must say that generally, what I love about winter is the wonderful stews, roasts and baked goods.

Barbara E. said...

What helps get me through winter is living in Florida. :D We act like we're going to freeze to death if the weather gets below 50 degrees, everyone hauls out the heavy sweaters and jackets. I usually cuddle up on the couch with a blanket and watch TV or read when I feel cold, and wear a long sleeved T-shirt with a sweater on top. I don't know what I'd do if I lived somewhere where it is actually cold. :D

Jeanne M said...

I one thing that helps get me through winter are my multiple bookcases that are packed full so that I know that no matter what happens my husband and I can sit in front of a blazing fire and settle down to a long winter's night of reading a great story!

Since I love reading historical romance and his favorite genres are history books and historical fiction there are many nights where we end up doing more talking then reading especially when we're both reading about the same time period and how the authors we're reading have many of the same situations in the books we're reading!

What more can you ask for then looking for reading and spending a great night in debate (and often winning) against the "man" of the household?

girlygirlhoosier52 said...

We're looking at a repeat of the 78-79 blizzards here in the Midwest... which I am not thrilled about!! Thankfully, I have charged my ereader and have lots to read. My only concern is that we will have power... So check on your neighbors and animals!!!

Unknown said...

I also live in sw Missouri. It's cold an were due for more snow & more cold temps. :-/ I tend to just stay inside as much as I can in winter. I can't say I read more in winter cuz I read a lot in the spring & summer too. I look forward to the day I can break out my shorts & flip flops again.... Soon! I know before we know it spring break will be here.

Di said...

- Books
- snacks from Trader Joe's
- big windows facing south to let in all the light I can get
- increasingly longer days so it's not quite as dark to early
- more Books!!

sallans d at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

Staying indoors and reading either paperbacks or books on my Kindle. Our gas log fireplace helps too!

erin said...

I live in the US Midwest and I feel your pain :) What helps get through are lots of warm blankets, hot tea, my warm pup and my kindle! Thanks for sharing!

Renee said...

I live in Georgia so if the "s" word hits the forecast, we scramble to the store for milk and bread as if the apocalypse is coming as it is scheduled to this week. I adore waking up early to go teach only to find schools closed and an optimal day for time in front of the fire with a mug of hot cocoa (tea or coffee, if you prefer) and a day to do whatever I want. It's like having a free day for the kids at school except mine comes with nothing for me to do except indulge. Perhaps living vicariously through my fun with the snow will help you dream of the days when it is 101 here.

Alina P said...

Christmas, summer vacation and books really help :D

Eli Yanti said...

no winter in my country but probably book, hot chocolate and a warm cloth will help :)

Mary Preston said...

The only thing worse than Winter is Summer. It is so **HOT** here right now. I could do with a blast of cold air for 5 minutes. Send some south please!!

Jo's Daughter said...

Winter is a great time to dress warmly and go on long walks. Not a lot of people out and about, plenty of time to think. Stuff beside " oh it's freezing" .... You know, more like "a few more hours and I will have lost a couple of pounds".

Winter is a great time to catch up with friends, invite them for pre-holiday party planning. Come up with ideas to celebrate the season together & talk about what's been going on since you last saw each other.

Winter is a great time to write letters to special people. Not much on tv and how magical a handwritten letter instead of a brief email! I love getting them, so I send them out.

Winter is also a fabulous time to (learn to) cook some hearty meals. I read cookbooks, watch cookery shows & experiment in the kitchen. If you find that amazing meal, you can show it off at Christmas or in the New Year.

And Winter is THE BEST time to re-read all your favorite romance novels!!!! I sometimes mark the best and most beautiful parts. This way I can easily get back to it & savor it again :D

Anita H. said...

Here in chilly Manitoba, in between wearing 5 layers of clothes when stepping outside and shoveling the never-ending snow piles, I like to find a comfy spot on the sofa with a piping hot cup of tea and a good book! Boy, those pics of the beach and sand is making me so jealous of anyone living in warm climates right now! :-)

Unknown said...

Since I live in the Midwest winters here are long and often times very freaking cold. Like today it is frozen and tomorrow they are predicting temperatures with the wind chill to be negative 50 or more. I repeat that is negative. It is too cold to even look out the window its that cold. As for what gets me through the winter I have to say its social media and all my favorite blogs. These of course lead me to new books that I haven't heard of or read so I definitely read a lot more and watch a lot more television during the winter months. Coffee is my second favorite winter companion next to my three pups. I also work out a lot more in the winter because it is too dreary to drive to the gym and I tend to hibernate a bit in the winter so I figure if I work out at least a couple times a week then my hibernation and laziness is acceptable.

CJ Carmichael said...

Scarlett, I feel your pain! I must try one of those lattes, though. Sounds delish!

-cj

CJ Carmichael said...

Hi Kaelee!
Yes, we use ice cleats and snowshoes when we go to the mountains. I haven't tried them in the city yet. Good idea!

CJ Carmichael said...

I hope you didn't lose power? There have certainly been brutal storms in your area. Stay warm!

CJ Carmichael said...

Yup, gotta love that hot chocolate. :) I would love to visit North Carolina--maybe one day...

CJ Carmichael said...

We have a trip to Hawaii planned for March. I'm holding on that to get through. Today it was minus 30 with windchill!

CJ Carmichael said...

My guy is from Montreal. I think the humidity there makes the cold even more bone-chilling. Congrats to you for escaping to somewhere warmer!

CJ Carmichael said...

Good point about cold killing bugs. We are at our cottage in Montana right now. The yellowjackets were awful last year. We're hoping this frigid air cuts down on next summer's population!

CJ Carmichael said...

Laurie, sounds like you know how to do winter! I love making soups and just mastered a delicious mushroom soup. As for book recommendations, besides all of mine (haha) I recently read The Silent Wife--it was very gripping. Also, The Rosie Project was fun. And for an emotional roller coaster, I also just finished Jane Porter's The Good Wife. All great reads in their own way.

CJ Carmichael said...

What would we do without books, right? Movies and TV programs just aren't enough...

CJ Carmichael said...

Lil, sorry to hear about the power. What a terrible thing to happen in the winter. Pass the cinnamon buns would you? :)

CJ Carmichael said...

Lucky you Barbara!

CJ Carmichael said...

Now that just sounds so cozy! You and your husband sound like the perfect pair!

CJ Carmichael said...

good reminder. When it's that cold we all have to look out for one another.

CJ Carmichael said...

Yes, the one good thing is that time seems to go faster and faster as you get older, so spring does come before you know it...unless you live in Calgary, where spring sometimes doesn't come until July!

CJ Carmichael said...

Di, thanks for reminding me that the days are getting longer now. Yay!

CJ Carmichael said...

Isn't it nice to have a fireplace? We have 2 in Calgary. Wish we had one here in our Montana cottage...

CJ Carmichael said...

Oh, a dog! Yes, that's a good answer, too!

CJ Carmichael said...

I love hearing from people who live in places so different from my own. Georgia seems so exotic to me. A free day is great no matter where you live, I guess. :)

CJ Carmichael said...

Yes, those are 3 great things!

CJ Carmichael said...

No winter? Lucky you! (though I might miss it a tiny, little bit if I had no winter at all. A tiny, little bit...)

CJ Carmichael said...

Wish we could negotiate a trade Mary to equal things out!

CJ Carmichael said...

Wow, what a thoughtful reply--I love your suggestion to take the time to write letters to special people.

CJ Carmichael said...

Anita, good point about the warmer clothes--what would we do with all our pretty sweaters if we didn't have any winter?

CJ Carmichael said...

Too cold to look out the window--love that! Good for you for keeping up with those work outs!