Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Tis' the Season to be Freezin'

I know I have said it before, but winter and I are not friends.  Most of the time, we aren't really even on speaking terms.  I grew up in South Florida, and have never quite adjusted to any weather below 70 degrees.  I have lived in Northern California for 10 years now (and in Atlanta for 2 years before that), yet I still can't seem to acclimate.  While I have learned to embrace the milder weather of fall, the cold winds that come with the Northern California winter are much less than awesome.  When accompanied with the time change (which means it is dark by 5pm now) I am one unhappy Erin.  So I need to look towards the parts of the season that I can embrace with open arms.  Here they are.


1) Starbucks:  As soon as I see the bright red cups, I know that the winter flavors are here.  Give me a tall non-fat peppermint mocha (with whip) and a piece of gingerbread, and I will be happy for at least the next few hours.


2) A break from yard work:  Yes, I do love our garden (and all of the fresh food we harvest) but it is nice to have an excuse to not need to be outside, weeding and planting, just for a little while.  We usually plant our garlic and onions in mid-October, and we leave them alone until late spring, after the rainy cold season.

OK, this is our actual last pepper harvest of the season
3) This is the view from our house:  The foliage is beautiful.  There are bright yellows, reds, and oranges everywhere.  Soon, everything will be bare, but it is a pretty show that nature puts on in the meantime. 



4) Weird products: I am a sucker for trying new things.  Chocolate wine?  Sign me up.  Stop into Trader Joe's or Crate and Barrel this time of year and there is enough unusual junk food to satisfy the savage beast.  I intend to try most of it.  At least the stuff that doesn't contain dried fruit.  


5) Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years:  OK, so Thanksgiving isn't technically in the winter, but it is what I consider a gateway holiday.  It means gathering with friends and family and eating.  Which leads to a holiday that involves exchanging gifts.  Which leads to a holiday that stars champagne.  See where I am going here?

6) Shopping: There are so many sales during this time of the year, and almost everyone offers free shipping at one time or another.  Did I mention all the free gifts with purchase?  Yes, please!  Then there are the after Christmas sales, yowza!

7)  Winter accessories: Cute gloves, hats, scarves, and tights.  Taking lemons (cold weather) and making lemonade (looking cute while shivering).

8)  The dogs:  They love to snuggle this time of year.  It is hard to be cold when there is a warm puppy happily sleeping on your lap.

9) Decorating:  If you were around here in October, you saw how I love to decorate for Halloween.  Christmas is no different.  Yes, there will be pictures.

10)  Comfort(able) clothing:  I admit, it is nice to laze around the house in sweatpants, a hoodie, and Uggs. There is usually a fire involved as well.  If I am going to eat all the unusual junk food, I need elastic waisted pants, right?

11)  Changing to flannel sheets:  Is there anything nicer to sleep on?

12) The Superbowl:  Especially when it is a team I care about.

13) A much needed break from TV: Speaking of TV, Gone With The Wind seems to be on a lot during this time of year, which keeps me entertained for at least 4 hours.

14) Christmas cards:  I love sending them as much as I love receiving them.

15)  Just a little bit of snow:  Yes, I know this contradicts everything I said about not liking the cold, but there is something magical about snow.  Maybe it is because the first time I ever saw snow, I was 24 years old.  As long as I don't have to live in it or drive in it, I love ti for short periods of time.  

OK, your turn.  What are your favorite parts of winter?

10 comments:

colleen said...

number 1 and number 15. they make the list for me too!

High Heels & Good Meals! said...

I am a sucker for Starbucks anything!!!My favorite holiday flavor is the Caramel Brulee Latte!!! My favorite part of winter is cozying up with my boo, dog, and a blanket, Christmas cartoons, comfort foods, and time with family at Christmas!!!

Tina L. Hook said...

Oh I can relate. If it were not for hot chocolate and cute boots winter would be intolerable for me.

Anonymous said...

hey erin! love your list here ~ mmm, so love the peppermint lattes from starbucks, the weird holiday things that trader joe's has and cozying up in the house = love it all!! happy tuesday to you ;)
xx ~ kristina

Michelle said...

i love layering, cozy blankets on the couch and a roaring fireplace, all the yummy holiday scented home products, and of course the gift sets and cute packaging in all the stores!!

happy winter :)

The Blonde Duck said...

I'm a Texan girl. Cold and I are not friends.

Suz said...

I love the break from the heat. I miss my roses, albeit they try to
bloom. We recently had 80 degress weather and they poked out their cold lazy buds. Maybe some blooms.
I love celebrating Christmas with
family.

Elle Sees said...

You just nailed all of them!great list.

Marissa said...

I also hate winter, but I LOVE the things that come with it too! At least there's a few good things to look forward to when the cold weather rolls in :) xoxo Marissa

http://happiness-is-the-little-things.blogspot.com/

Lorena said...

I live in a summer climate all year long but was in the US a few days ago and let me tell you NY was COLD.
Washington was COLD. I cannot get used to COLD, so I totally get it - I don't even know how to dress when it get's chilly it's like I have brain freeze.

I'm Erin

My photo
Hi, I'm Erin. I am living back on the east coast after 15 years out west. Currently readjusting to humidity and mosquitos. I love to take pictures and read fashion magazines.... and to talk about nothing in particular (ok, and my dogs).

Follow Along

Blog Archives

Tagged

Search This Blog

Grab My Button

Popcorn, Pugs, and Peonies
<div class="grab-button" margin: 0 auto;"><a href="http://popcornpugspeonies.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow"><img src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hwK7PaXt8NY/WjlUjPt2TRI/AAAAAAAAxp8/Wc_z0jea0SsUeCokvVnbwYRqsBvpvLvOgCEwYBhgL/s1600/3PsButton.png" alt="Popcorn, Pugs, and Peonies"></div>
 
Designed by Munchkin Land Designs • Copyright 2015 • All Rights Reserved