101 great things about winter

[den_the_cat]

well, its almost here

1. Crisp mornings
2. Cosy Evenings in front of the fire
3. Frosts on the parsnips
4. Hot Chocolatre with marshmallows
5. Snow!

[Martin]

aaaaaaaaaaaarrrrghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!! - you said the dreaded "W" word............

By Thomas Hood

No sun - no moon!
No morn - no noon -
No dawn - no dusk - no proper time of day.
No warmth, no cheerfulness, no healthful ease,
No comfortable feel in any member -
No shade, no shine, no butterflies, no bees,
No fruits, no flowers, no leaves, no birds! -
November!

[Martin]

there's only one good thing about winter - spring comes next!

[Muddypause]

Martin, November is autumn! And track down a copy of The Art Of Noise's setting of that poem. Actually, no, you'll probaly hate it.

6. Hot toddies
53. Sledging
46. Open fires
19. More snow (it can be so stunningly beautiful, in merits a second mention)

[The Chili Monster]

100. Makes us appreciate Summer more!

[Andy Hamilton]

well, its almost here

I am tempted to lock this topic, winter indeed - why is it as soon as we get a couple of dreary days in August we start to get the doom bringers comming out in force. Soon be Winter, I ask you!

As for snow getting two mentions that is about as many flakes as we get as well down here in the south.

1. Heating costs go up
2. solar oven takes longer
3. SAD
oh sorry great things - er christmas yep must be one of the few who actually enjoys it.

[chadspad]

Best thing about winter is the food......suet puddings, dumplings, homemade stews.......mmmmm

[Han&Matt]

66. breaking frozen puddles

30. pink cheeks - invigorating after a walk

42. sunny, dry, frosty days

51. reading books in front of the fire

84. getting into a hot bath

74. being snowed in (and listening to the radio to hear of the schools that are closed - just a memory by the way, am 27 years old!)

48. listening to the wind blowing outside when you're curled up in bed

...bring it on! Though my favourite of all is autumn, let's have one of those first?!

[den_the_cat]

how can some of you not like winter?

[Martin]

I suffer badly from SAD, my feet freeze up, and don't thaw out till spring - it's cold and miserable, you have to wear hundredweights of clothes - your suntan fades, blasted christmas in the middle of it................an utterly loathsome time of year!

[wulf]

I'm with you, Den. Four seasons and I love every one. I've entirely lost track of what number we're on, but I'd add:

- hoarfrost in the morning, picking out the shapes and forms of nature
- winter berries, splashing colour (and keeping the birds fed)
- winter sunlight (an entirely different quality from summer sun)

Wulf

[Shirley]

Wearing wooly jumpers!
extra cuddles from my kids because they are cold :)
no hayfever!
no wasps (I know they are useful in the garden but I am so scared of them)
Seed catalogues!
Plans... it's a great time of the year to sit down and talk with family and friends about plans... the future.
yes - I'm with wendy - the food!!! Ribsticking and delicious casseroles... slow cooking!!
Sleep!!!!
the winter solstice (not christmas though... please NO not that... anything but that)
the excitement on my youngest boy's face when he sees the snow in the morning... (sorry Andy - we do get some snow up here from time to time... come up and sledge here if you like lol)
*a special this year* watching the plants that we are attempting to grow as part of the Ish challenge to grow plants outside their natural growing times.

[Shirley]

I would also agree - I love all the seasons... but my favourite is autumn... closely followed by spring... then winter and then summer.

[Andy Hamilton]

I suffer badly from SAD, my feet freeze up, and don't thaw out till spring - it's cold and miserable, you have to wear hundredweights of clothes - your suntan fades, blasted christmas in the middle of it................an utterly loathsome time of year!

I do too, in fact I did my dissertation on it. There are some good ways of combating here and Wulf has hit the nail on the head really. It is all about embracing the seasons. - Open your curtains to let loads of light in, I would not normally avocate putting lights on when not needed but in this case it is all about light. Better than that is to get out, wrap up as much as needed and go on a walk. - as wulf says aprechiate the winter sunlight - I did this last winter and I did not suffer so much.

[Martin]

my saviour the past couple of years has been guiltily sneaking off for a sunbed at least once a week in winter - probably an eco disaster, but it's effective! So far I've managed to stay free of colds for the whole time!
I also do a few miles every day of the year with the dogs - at this time of year, it's fun - in the depths of winter it can be downright miserable!