list #6: what i (am trying to) love about winter

I’ve never seen winter like this, y’all. Even my native Northeasterner friends are astonished at the snow we’re seeing – and we poor new Texas transplants have been knocked winding by it. I’m sick of snow shoveling, frigid temps and way too many layers. But I’m trying to be a good sport. So here, in the spirit of Sarah’s list from last year, is what I love ( or am trying to love) about winter:

1. Twinkle lights.
2. Blue-and-gold sunsets.
3. Christmas (now a distant memory).
4. The quiet of snowy mornings, while the flakes fall.
5. The poetry of bare tree branches against the sky.
6. Snow on the beach.
7. Tea. Lots and lots and lots of tea.
8. Soup, soup and more soup.
9. Blankets, particularly wrapping up in them while I write.
10. Handknitted anything.
11. The smell of woodsmoke.
12. Crisp blue-skied days.
13. The promise of spring.
14. Cuddling.
15. Mulled cider, simmered on the stove.
16. Frequent texts from my uncle, who used to live in Philly and is truly worried about J and me surviving our first Northeastern winter.
17. Flannel pajama bottoms.
18. The lights of the Boston skyline when we drive back from Waltham on Sunday nights.
19. Apple crumble.
20. Wool skirts.
21. Knee socks.
22. Textured tights.
23. Cute boots.
24. Fresh flowers reminding me that spring will come.
25. Wintry-scented candles – pumpkin, peppermint, burning leaves.
26. Holiday episodes of Friends. (“Monica, Monica, have a happy Hanukkah…”)
27. Hot chocolate, with a dash of peppermint.
28. Birthdays (my mom, my sis, my friend Abi).
29. Valentine’s Day. Yes, I am a sap.
30. Slowly lengthening days. (It’s light until 5:00 now!)
31. Books to sink into, like the Maisie Dobbs series.
32. Soft moody music.
33. Downton Abbey (via the PBS website).

Got any more to add to the list? Anyone? Help me out here…we’ve got a long way to go till spring.

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