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Saturday, November 15, 2014

Winter Nesting Survival Guide

A scene from last winter, from a walk in our neighborhood.


We woke up yesterday morning to the first snow of the season. I was thankful that it was not enough to have to clean off my car, but I couldn't help but think about what would inevitably come my way.

The cold is here to stay, I think. And so begins my season of nesting.

Winter is a time when I happily nest. While I am not as bad as this guy...



...there are things that make my winter a bit more bearable (loving husband and a strong vitamin D supplement aside).

With winter on our doorstep, here are my nesting must-haves. 

1. Something hot to drink. Whether it's vanilla chai, hot cocoa or a hot cup of joe, wrapping my cold hands around a warm mug makes me smile. 




2. A warm blanket. No doubt, the perfect remedy for when the house has a chill or for when I am ready to snuggle in with a good book or favorite movie.

3. My Roku. After the end of daylight savings time, it begins to get dark here around 4:30. And at this time any time of the year, my Roku gets a workout. I am a sucker for Christmas-themed movies, like The Holiday or Love Actually, and then there is something special about Bing Crosby (tabloid stories aside). 



4. Steaming hot soup. Whether it's a Rachel Ray clam "chowda" recipe or this vegetable soup, a steaming pot of soup on the stove is the perfect meal for any cold winter night. 





5. Thick socks and warm boots or slippers. Cold feet? Cold everything. 

6. Oversized wool sweaters that are big enough to layer as many long sleeves and thermals as you want underneath.

7. Wifi. When I don't have to, or don't want to go out, wifi provides streaming music, movies, television, my favorite blogs, and social media feeds. Am I plugged in? Yes. Can I unplug? Faster than you can say, "nap."




8. Baking. Whether it's cookies or pizza or or these, the best popover recipe ever, baking not only sends an amazing aroma through the house, it can also quell the most ravenous carb cravings. 


9. Reading material. Books, magazines and my favorite blogs. The makings of a perfect day.

10. Someplace to go. For those of us in the Northeast, winter can seem like a never-ending season. The remedy to cabin fever can be as simple as a weekend getaway or a vacation to someplace warm and tropical. 

Or it can be tickets to a holiday concert or a sleigh ride at a nearby country farm. 

Winter can have its own magic, even if your idea of magic is a frosty beverage, sipped poolside...at least, indoor poolside. 

Cheers!

If winter is not your favorite season, there are still plenty of ways to make it work out in your favor. 

Are you a winter nester? What are your favorites? 

30 comments:

  1. Yes! All the warm drinks, food, socks, sweaters! Warmth is so key for making it through the winter season!

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    1. Agreed, Rebecca. If I'm warm (and well fed), I'm happy.

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  2. I'm right there with you! Especially the soups, and my special vegetarian chili which I love to eat when it's cold out. Enjoy and stay warm, you make it sound heavenly.

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    1. I love chili too, Claudia. If I'm warm (and well fed), I'm happy. Thank you for stopping by!

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  3. Ooh, this is actually making me look forward to winter! (Well, sort of!) I love reading on my couch with a hot cup of coffee or hot chocolate and a good book when it's snowing out. Those honestly, I could take way less snow than we had last winter!

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    1. I am okay with no snow. Ever. Again. Well, except in pictures and movies and in the North Pole. Thank you for stopping by, Bev. :-)

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  4. I love this post! I grew up in Connecticut and for a while lived in northern NH, all of your survival tips are perfect. I haven't made popovers in years, but remember making them during the NH era. Believe it or not I miss the seasons. Living in SoCal the year mostly blends together, of course we do have change, but nothing as dramatic as the NE. I especially miss it autumn. Love your photos too.

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    1. Thank you, Elin! :-) The popovers are amazing, and the linked recipe is so easy. Thank you so much for stopping by. SoCal must be amazing!

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  5. Living in Southern California, I still miss the cozy warmth of being snug inside during winter - but I make the best of the cool days (like today!) we get here. I love all of your nesting needs!

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    1. SoCal must be amazing, Sharon. I'll be thinking of you when I'm scraping ice off my windshield. :-) Enjoy the warmth.

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  6. This makes me want to at least try and enjoy winter. Number 7 ' s nap comment made me laugh!

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    1. Nap is one of my favorite words, Kimberly. Good luck with winter. :-) And thank you for stopping by!

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  7. Oh how I love popovers! Last time I made them was a few months ago now you motivated me make them again tomorrow! The soup wow!

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    1. I love popovers, and the linked recipe is so easy. Enjoy!

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  8. Popovers are amazing! I offer to bring "the bread" to things and bring popovers. Sometimes mini ones!

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    1. Popovers are delicious and the linked recipe is so easy! Enjoy!

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  9. I tend to stay at home in the winter as well. I find lots to keep me busy. That soup looks divine.

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    1. If I'm warm (and well fed), I'm happy. The soup is delicious, and so easy! I should post a recipe. Thank you for stopping by!

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  10. This is definitely the ultimate winter checklist! I also can't live without hot chai, cozy sweaters and warm soups when the winter weather hits. I can't believe you have snow already!!

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    1. I love chai too, Courtney. The snow is gone (melted away) but NY state got slammed. Winter is on its way for sure. Thank you so much for stopping by!

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  11. Vanilla Chai is my favorite :) I spent the weekend out in Williamstown at Mt. Greylock for the NCAA DII cross country championship and we ran in the snow! crazy

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    1. I love vanilla chai! Yum! Williamstown is so pretty. We're headed out to Stockbridge in a couple of weeks for a re-enactment of Norman Rockwell's Christmas on Main Street. Hopefully we get nothing more than flurries for ambiance. :-)

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  12. I felt warmed and nested just reading this! One of my favorite things to do in winter is read (or create art) in the glow of my sunshine box.

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    1. I wish I had a sunshine box. Maybe someday. Enjoy!

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  13. Your winter nesting routines suit me perfectly, and how I love the holiday programs too. The soup, popovers and chocolate all look lovely! Thanks for an enjoyable wrap up, adding to the list, I'll need to keep a look out for a sleigh ride at an area farm, sounds wonderful.

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    1. Sleigh rides are so much fun! Dress warm though. Enjoy!

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  14. I am such a nester in the Winter. Give me lots of books and some hot beverages and I am in heaven. Lots of blankets and warm socks are a must too.

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    1. If I'm warm (and well fed), I'm happy. You have to do what you have to do, right? :-)

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  15. What a terrific list. I moved away from winter weather in my early 20's and now I love to visit winter, briefly. We are just starting to cool off here in the desert, and I love it. Sweater, scarves, and boots - yippee!

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    1. Thanks, Lizzie! Visiting winter sounds like a much better idea. Enjoy! Thank you for stopping by!

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