It’s been a REALLY long winter. According to the calendar spring started last Thursday, but according to my thermometer, that’s a big fat lie. This winter my dog and I gained 8 pounds each, we broke snow and cold records across the state and there are still piles of snow covering my garden. To add insult to injury, it’s snowing right now (again) for the third season in a row. My very insightful son said to me this morning “This would be really pretty if it was November, but now it’s just mean.” As usual, he’s astute, straightforward and right on. I’d like to think he gets that from his mom.
Despite the cold, lack of sunshine and my personal irritability, winter can also be kind of nice. Cold days and being snowed in are good ways to enjoy some (forced) downtime, unless you’re into extreme winter sports and love the snow…which I am not because my favorite outdoor winter activity is going inside. The thought crossed my mind that maybe spring won’t come I embrace winter and the good things that happened. So, here are a few of my favorite winter moments.
Snow and ice can really be quite pretty.
Winter walk through the park, before the ice froze.
After an ice storm, the snow fell.
Frozen nature is beautiful.
Ice on Lake Michigan.
Snowbanks taller than my 2nd grader!
I played A LOT of indoor soccer with a pretty cool group of people. We started off really bad, but now we don’t suck. We aren’t great, but at least we don’t suck and I’ve found my groove and starting scoring some pretty sweet goals. It’s great exercise once you get past the fact that I’m twice the age and ten times less the skill of the other players in our ‘beginner’ league. Ha! Beginner league my arse….I’ve learned soccer players LIE just because they are more concerned about winning. Case in point: scoring a goal with your head, backwards, is NOT a beginner move. It’s been a lot of fun though!
Can’t play outside, but playing inside is dangerous! That’s a soccer ball imprint on my leg.
Winter is a great time to visit our local indoor botanical gardens. The humidity feels good and it’s always decorated so nicely.
A trip to the Botanical Gardens was needed!
Watching the water and birds in the warmth of the tropical gardens.
I grew amaryllis and paperwhites all winter and had blooms from January up until the first week of March.
Amaryllis Nymph opening up!
Pleasantly surprised by Minerva. My least favorite in photos, it bloomed beyond my expectations.
My favorite Amaryllis – Lagoon!
I cooked a lot. Maybe that’s why I gained the 8 pounds (or it was for survival, I needed the extra weight because -14 degrees could kill a thinner person). On top of cooking a lot, we also ate a lot of really yummy food!
Comfort food….simmering bacon jam!
Warming up with a giant goblet of his favorite caramel salted browie sundae!
At the end of the day, there was nothing warmer than the fireplace and a plush heating blanket.
London Le Chat warming up in his favorite spot in the house.
What were your favorite winter moments?
