Ah, winter. That magical time when your toes are always numb and nightfall starts at high noon.
(The hot water bottle of my dreams! Image source)
Take the curse off winter with some cheap, time-tested pleasures:
- Write a long letter and seal it with wax
- Paper dolls! Cut some out for… any loved one who can’t yet be trusted with scissors. Dolly Dingle will always be my favorite.
- Play a game of Authors. In Little Women, the March sisters play Authors— and now Alcott is part of the deck! That absolutely slays me.
- Bake something. Combine your baked goods with tea, and wham! Instant party.
- Take advantage of the extra-long evenings by reading the extra-long classic novels you’ve been putting off for fifteen years. Or, if you have a pile of mending or other hand-work, watch an epic movie.
- Make a big pot of soup or stew, and eat it with crusty bread. Easy.
- Radio shows: you could try a classic, such as The Great Gildersleeve, or something more modern. This American Life?
- Knitting by the fire— or by the space heater. Fine, fine, by the TV.
- Make your house smell good. Scented candles, dinner in the oven, simmering orange peels… do what it takes.
- When you crawl into bed, take a hot water bottle with you. Then do your level best to hibernate, because winter can really suck.
What’s your cheap, old timey winter pleasure?
Over Thanksgiving in Chicago (where it was much colder then than it currently is in California) we listened to some old episodes of The Shadow, which are definitely a good winter pleasure. “Sabotage? SABOTAGE!”
I should write a few letters…I’m terrible at corresponding in a timely fashion, even though I mean well. Sorry, friends!
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Finally not blaming myself that my diet naturally changes from light food in warm times to heavy food in cold times. Those five to eight winter pounds, which aid in keeping me warm, will come off later on in the year. Meanwhile, I just made a lasagna this past week and have enjoyed every single bite of it!
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Mia – THE SHADOW! An excellent choice.
Correspondence is tough, and it can feel silly writing a paper letter to anyone you normally contact electronically. I’m sure your friends will forgive you. Eventually.
jean – Lasagna! How wonderful. I agree that winter weight is useful, and I generally prefer winter food. Leek and potato soup, crusty breads, pumpkin cranberry muffins… I’m about to test a vegan rice pudding recipe now. Good ol’ comfort food!
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