Wonderfully Wonderful Winter
Family, Kitchen Sink | Posted by Jannie on 1 February 2010 @ 8:37 AM 42 Comments
Yes, Dad has been known to actually drive his snowmobile on SNOW — not just on summer grass!
Winter!! How wonderfully wonderful it can be.
Kalyani’s par-amour likes the coldest season because he doesn’t sweat as much as in summer, cutting down on laundry hassles.
What I like — no, what I absolutely LOVE about winter is being able to wear wonderfully wonderful long dark pants and long sleeved sweaters. That cozy covered-up feeling makes me feel like The Ultimate Real True Jannie, the Jannie destined for the happiest of hippity-hopping everywhere I go.
How ’bout you? What do you like about winter?? (If anything.) 
(The above photo of Dad, niece and nephew, December 2009 was pilfered borrowed from my beautifully wonderful sister’s blog. )
xoxo
On 1 February 2010 at 9:06 am Lynn said,
I like the fireplace going all the time when I’m home. The last one of the season always makes me feel a little wistful. And the hearty stews that wintertime inspires.
On 1 February 2010 at 9:11 am Dot said,
I like a few things about winter. Mostly that my allergies decrease. I do like getting out my flannel pj’s — I have red ones with little Scottie dogs, blue ones with snowflakes, and off-white ones with coffee beans and latte cups.
On 1 February 2010 at 10:17 am Nadia - Happy Lotus said,
Hi Jannie,
One of the things that I do like about winter is when it snows. There is something magical about snow especially when the storm is over and the sky is a bright blue. There is a silence that comes with snow too. Like I said, it is magical.
On 1 February 2010 at 10:37 am Davina said,
Hi Jannie. I don’t like winter AT ALL. But… on some days when we get snow, I appreciate the beauty of how it covers the trees and the stillness early in the morning. My favourite thing about winter is cuddling on the couch with a cozy blanket and a good movie.
On 1 February 2010 at 11:12 am Jannie said,
…
Lynn!! I love a fireplace too, so cozy! Is yours gas or with regular old fashioned logs that come from those things called… trees?
Dot!! Love my flannel p.j.s too, and the descriptions of yours.
I have just one pair of p j.s, light blue with flowers, Kelly and I will never forget the day she puked on the pants! (I am the gal who often sleeps in the sweats she wore that day.) 
Nadia!! I do miss the beauty and magic of snowfall too. As you say, so silent. Now I’m all tearing up just thinking about and missing it. Did you live in a snowy place as a child? I sure did!! For my first 26 years.
Davina!! I can understand that feeling or not liking winter at all. I love that tree snow effect too, beautiful indeed. Seen any good movies lately? We rented “The Company” on DVD and the dancing was freaking brilliant!! Such an incredible art.
On 1 February 2010 at 11:58 am vered | blogger for hire said,
I like being indoors when it’s raining outside… preferably baking something.
Also, skiing!
On 1 February 2010 at 12:01 pm Jeanne said,
Jannie,
I’ll do this Top 10 style. I’m too tired to put it in any special order. So, it’s very random.
1) I like the smell of the wood stove (with that seasoned Jannie-hand-split wood crackling away).
2) I like my daughter’s snowmen and snowwomen. She makes really good ones! She makes snowpeople of both genders. She does not discriminate.
3) I like breathing cold, fresh, crisp air. I love when it’s sunny and snowy at the same time. It’s like that today. It’s so pretty!
4) I like when the snow sticks to the trees and looks really, really pretty!
5) I like the first snow of the year. (I do a dance when it happens).
6) I like drinking cocoa inside while it’s snowing outside.
7) I like watching my daughter make snow angels and slide down the snow hills.
9) I like when my husband comes inside from clearing the driveway and he actually looks like he had fun doing it. (He loves his tractor. Unless it’s super, super cold or he has tons of work waiting for him to log into work and do, he actually has fun clearing the driveway).
10) I like looking at the farm fields near our house… where all you can see is snow… as far as you can see (with the exception of woods way in the distance).
~~~
Today it is a tropical 23 degrees. Seeing as it was -6 on Saturday, this is worth celebration. To be clear the -6 was not the wind chill. It was actually -6. It’s 23 AND sunny! So, I am not complaining. (Granted, the -6 was a bit much. We went out Saturday and I walked quickly from the car to get inside. I would NOT have wanted to be outside any longer).
Jeanne
On 1 February 2010 at 12:15 pm Talon said,
I like how things turn inward in the cold weather. I love that you don’t have to make excuses to curl up with a good book. I like the change of wardrobe and I love that the absence of the garden delights makes the reappearance in the Spring that much more special. Winter gives me a breather and I’m grateful for it.
On 1 February 2010 at 12:18 pm Hilary said,
Hi Jannie .. love picture of your Dad and the kids .. they don’t look too warm, despite being bundled up!
Hurry up Spring .. no bundling up .. just light cotton skirts, or dresses, a jacket or a cardigan (sometimes not enough in this country) – but I don’t like the cold at all! The snow is beautiful as you and others say .. that magical quietness, no footprints on the winter wonderland ..
Cosy log fires, crumpets and lots of tea, with a game of cards, or scrabble to keep us all amused – memory days ..
Enjoy your warmer weather!! .. and give BB a big February smacker .. xoxo Hilary
On 1 February 2010 at 1:10 pm jingle said,
Winsome
Winter
Wonder
Post!
See your love for your Dad wonderfully clear,
On 1 February 2010 at 1:12 pm jingle said,
Oops,
Are you doing Wednesday post?
W W W Means Wednesday Winning Winter WoW,
My place is only Monday,
I am 3 days left behind you,
out of breath in catching up….
stop flying,
begin walking,
please,
On 1 February 2010 at 1:23 pm Paige said,
sweet photo
I like less yard work in the winter, and looking at the naked trees
yes I said naked
On 1 February 2010 at 2:14 pm K said,
I wish we had a snow mobile right now.
On 1 February 2010 at 2:19 pm Jannie said,
…
Vered!! I love that cozy indoor feeling in rain too! And I love skiing even tho we have only ever gone together once, Jim and I that is. Looking forward to a ski vacation some day. And Kelly has only ever seen a couple of light snows here.
Dear Jeanne, what a wonderfully above-and-beyond comment, really touched me deep to my soul as I spent my 26 years in a snowy clime and am familiar with so many of these. lol on your daughter not sex-discriminating on snow people!! L:) I love wood smoke smell, that crisp air too, first snow, snow on trees, cocoa, snow angels, sliding, winter hats (I’m wearing one right now at the library!! Figure I’ll wash my hair tomorrow.) I loved shoveling snow – no tractor for me, but Dad uses his. And sometimes my older brother, Harry does it for him. See Dad’s wood pile in the pic???!!! Your number 10 is making me teary-eyed. I miss my parents’ farm fields, both in summer and winter. Shedding a tear or two here at the library, how fun.
I like the smell of snow melting on winter laundry when it comes in off the line. Enjoy yoru tropical heat wave. It’s 41 degrees in Austin at This Very Moment.
Talon!! I just love how you embrace each season for what it offers, finding especially the joy in nature’s ever-changing palette of wonder in your realm. And how you share it with us on your blog. I find we watch a lot more movies in winter, but I seem to be curled up more with good blogs these day than with good books!
(And I LOVE it this way.)
Hilary!! They do look a little chilly, don’t they? I think Dad should’ve been wearing a warmer hat. Maybe he had ear flaps to pull down. I so love being able to wear a cardigan or a long sweatshirt in summer! Can’t do that here in Texas summer(unless to you to the movies, where they try to keep it cold enough to keep meat,) but Canada I can often wear a sweater in summer. Yay, Canada, my home and native land!!! Not to warm here. Expected high today of 50 Farenheit, that’s about 11 Centigrade,I think. Supposed to be 19 C on the weekend, whol-hoo!!
Jingle!! I am kind of partial to my dad, aren’t, I?? I’ve noticed that’s been a general theme of my whole life. He’s a wonderful amazing man, (Even when he mad at me for all those stupid things I did while I was growing up.) Wednesday I’ll be posting for R.A.O.K.A, the word is gratitude. I am planning the Kreativ Blogger for tentatively Feb. 26th — but that could change!!!
My wings have hearts of their own
that send my feet dangling past the
Chestnut tree’s highest branches.
I couldn’t stop them if I tried.
Lets us soar together side by side.
Paige!! I suppose less yard work applies to most people in winter but we are actually doing more now than in the summer, a clean up and bonfire of detritus here at our place. But when we get to be “normal”
folks (someday) (ever?) we will not do too much to our yard in winter. And none in Canada!! I like looking at naked trees too!! And giving them big hugs and smooches.
K!! My dad has had that snowmobile for longer than 20 years, not sure how long. Rosie said it was the one she used to ride on when she was little. So maybe 25 years? We used to have some awesome snowmobile parties. Ahh, now I’m all nostalgic again and remembering such good times.
On 1 February 2010 at 3:49 pm Sara said,
Jannie — As I live in Florida, I don’t really get true winters with snow and all that, but I still love the season.
Okay here goes. I like winter…:
when trees lose their leaves and suddenly you can see things you never saw in summer.
when I can walk outside and blow smoke with my breath.
when the birdbath freezes over and I can see leaves frozen in the ice.
when the winter sun chases away all the humidity and makes the sky so blue that it takes my breath away.
when I get to wear my leather gloves and red winter scarf without looking stupid. (Most people wear T-shirts in the winter where I live!)
when the sun sets and makes fire on the horizon.
Thanks for reminding of why I love winter:~)
On 1 February 2010 at 5:28 pm G said,
The magical quiet of snowstorms in the mountain.
On 1 February 2010 at 6:29 pm Lance said,
Jannie,
Would skinny-dipping on a frigid January day in Wisconsin sound totally unbelievable???
…and a close second would be hot cocoa. And a cookie.
On 1 February 2010 at 7:02 pm BK said,
I just love the positiveness in this post. Wonderfully wonderful Winter indeed. I have not experience Winter before since Singapore is Sun and rain all year around. Have watched the news and read in blogs of the horrible coldness in Winter; it is definitely good for a change to read something positive about it.
On 1 February 2010 at 8:49 pm Ching Ya said,
I would love to ride on a snowmobile.
I only had a white Christmas before, what I love about winter is snow, snow, snow.. lol.. can’t think of anything more fun than that. Love skiing too! But I gotta admit, I never thought how a warm coffee & cosy bed can be so wonderful. There are moments that I miss the warm weather too.
I guess it’s everything about winter. The feeling, experience, the way it makes us feel.. ^^
@wchingya
Social/Blogging Tracker
On 2 February 2010 at 12:55 am Rose said,
I like hibernating. A reason to stay in my P J’s all day long. (I haven’t being doing much of that this winter.)
On 2 February 2010 at 4:28 am SnaggleTooth said,
I’m very happy challenged this winter!
I used to like how it was quiet here n I could sleep, but that changed this year!
I’m on day 2 in a row of hammering downstairs all day with zero sleep n working all night.
I like being alone on the beach- even in the cold.
I like watching the hungry squirrels n birds run to the yard as I toss out food for them.
On 2 February 2010 at 5:54 am Tammy said,
I loved the strike through on the pilfer comment.
What do I love about winter?
Christmas
Snow (which is my favorite)
sipping hot chocolate by the fireplace
And if it get all three at one time, I am happy as a hog in slop whose name did not get called for the pork chop roll. okay, i ‘thunk’ that last part up all by myself, but that is as southern as it gets.
On 2 February 2010 at 7:53 am Glenn Buttkus said,
Course, I don’t know how much “winter” Austin usually gets. This year is the exception, with lots of snow around the Texas area. Guess you’re talking about the winters of your past, as a Canadian lass who has had snow up to her butt at times. I agree with Jeanne. Winter is overrated. I didn’t even like it as a kid when I could play in the snow, and did not have to go to school, or to work, or drive in it. In the Northwest, we have a hell of a lot of hills, and ice and snow make our lives very difficult. Yes, right after a snowfall the silence is awesome, but the crunch of that ice and snow mix under one’s tires, and the feeling of your vehicle sliding out of control, is not my favorite experience.
We have a fireplace, and when we burned wood there was a kind of Norman Rockwell feel to things. We use a natural gas insert now. I used to get so angry at winter I would have dreams of strangling individual snowflakes, shaking my fist at the sky till my mittens fell off. Perhaps I will feel differently when I do not have to drive in it, after I retire; but I will still worry about my wife’s commute.
On 2 February 2010 at 8:49 am Natalia said,
Well Jannie, you’ve touched on one of my fav topics! Winter! I’ll try to keep this short.
In Florida what do I love about “winter” , on cold days no mosquitos! No sweating! No feeling like I can’t breathe because the humidity is so opressive! Lower electric bills!
In New York what do I love about winter? All of it. I love the first snow of the season. It’s so beautiful. I love how everything looks washed clean and brand new. I love looking at the snow and watching how it sparkles in the moonlight. I love shoveling it. I love snow shoeing in it, I love making snow angels and snow men. I love catching snow flakes on my black gloves and holding em up under the street light and marveling at the intricate design of each snowflake. After trekking around outside I love coming in to a warm house, drinking a cup of hot tea and looking out the window and watching it snow some more! Ok I’ll stop here, but I could go on and on and on and on and on…well you get the picture!
On 2 February 2010 at 9:55 am Jannie said,
…
Yay, so happy today!!!! I’ve been wanting to change up my site design a bit so I can put BIG photos in my posts. Kim Woodbridge is doing the coding to do so. She accomplished my original suggestion, but now I’m gonna go wild and have just one sidebar so photos can be even BIGGER — Can’t wait to see the finished result. YAY!!!! BIG PHOTOS, WHOO_HOO!!!
Anyway, enough of that!
No, Wait, I’m not done yet, let me get a little more of this out of my system!! YAY!!!!!! YAY!!!!! YAYYYYY!!!!
Okay!
Thanks so much for bearing with me on these comments, I know I’ve been away a bit.
SARA!! What a beautiful comment, thanks. So touching. Yes, I was thinking about that the other day how we get to see things in winter we don’t in summer because of the naked trees — I like that too! I bet you don’t get to see your breath many days where you live. We don’t have a birdbath, but I love the image you present. I never knew that about humidity and blue skies! And that the sunset sky is on fire is so beautiful and true, we’ve had some beauty sunsets here lately.
G!! That does encapsulate my favorite thing about winter, as I recall it, anyway. Peaceful. Magical.
Lance!! No, the skinny-dipping thing is winter does NOT sound at all unbelievable for what I know of you! (Wait, is that really true? You guys done that lately? Are you part of a whole club of winter skinny-dippers??) I know in Sweden (or somewhere,) it’s a common thing. Cocoa and a cookie sounds pretty darn good, after that frigid dip.
BK!! Singapore, what a beautiful place that looks like — such a big and fascinating city from the photos I’ve seen. Yes, winter can in deed be a most positive thing — but you have to know how to DRESS for it. In Canada I had boots good for -40. Snow suite, warm hats, scarves, 2 pairs of good mittens. I was always out in the snow, and know I will again when we move back there.
Ching Ya!! I am a big ski fan too (tho I have not been skiing in 14 years – oy!) Too long to not have been shooshing down those marvelous energizing slopes. And that a machine transports you back up teh mountain is the best perk! As you say — the winter FEELING. Thats’s the joy.
ROSE!! I am hibernating today, with this computer, in the sweatsuit I wore to bed last night and drove my kid to school in today.
I wonder if all the bears are happy and snug in their dens today? And I don’t want to be anywhere within 50 miles of them when they wake up hungry in spring!! Actually no bears in Texas. But I’d see them all the time in the woods a few miles from home, oy.
Snaggle!! Your unhappiness this winter makes me sad. And a bit mad. What in the heck are the neighbors doing down there? That’s just not fair at all. I pray that you will find some real rest soon. Yes, a beach any time of the year is beautiful. And I love the image of the squirrels running to the food you set out. What do you give them, mostly?
Tammy!! Wait !! I better go guys — Kim’s working on my site and I best not be on here logged-in too!
xoxox
On 2 February 2010 at 10:53 am Mama Zen said,
I’m grouchy. At this point, I can’t think of a single thing that I like about winter!
On 2 February 2010 at 12:34 pm Tess The Bold Life said,
Jannie,
Nothing! That’s why I moved to AZ. My husband would say he liked winter in his rear veiw mirror. Sorry Jannie
On 2 February 2010 at 12:38 pm jingle said,
Dad is fresh and blood love of life,
girls tend to have stronger tie with Dads..
wow, excited that you are planning Kreativ Blogger, I will be amuzed to see it in your place, magical kingdom to visit and get treats of tickling joy…
Happy Tuesday, Jannie,
I miss you a lot,
On 2 February 2010 at 12:40 pm jingle said,
Smile, Smile, Smile Away worries,
think, think, think like the sage…
I am winking at you,
On 2 February 2010 at 1:45 pm Jannie said,
Whoo-hoo!!! You guys so totally rock. Off to walk the dogs now.
See you sweeties later, and will answer all your comments in-di-vid-u-a-lly then!
Whoo-hoooooooooooooooooooooooooo
xoxoox
On 2 February 2010 at 4:18 pm Jannie said,
…
Whoo-hoo!! Back again.
Tammy!! Pilfer is one of my all-time favorite words! And you may be happy to learn I am now enrolled in a 2-week course, 3 hours a day on the finer points of strike-throughs on blogging — learning A LOT!! I guess you and Wilbur (Some Pig,) are two of a wonderful kind, to not end up on the porkchop roll. It’s been a long while since I’ve had that sublime winter trio you mention.
Glenn!! Not a winter fan, I see. You planning to move to Southern Florida? I do remember one of the aspects of winter I never did like was having to defrost the car windows, and having to wait for it to warm up. And the occasional battery gone dead it was so cold. Here in Austin we had but a few flakes a few weeks ago. It was some cold, tho for a week!
Natalia!! Wow, you’ve touched on so many wonderful things indeed. You know Tori Amos calls herself “A Winter Kind Of Girl??” Yep! I think I am too. Even in Canada I was always one of the few weird ones as an adult out playing in the snow all the time. That’s one great things about winter in Austin too, no mosquitoes!! Those things are just ferocious here.
Mama Z!! But isn’t Oklahoma supposed to be such a heavenly place?? That song says so! I’m sorry you’re grouchy — I get like that too, most every day at some point.
Tess!! I have not yet been to Arizona, but I’ve been in New Mexico a few times. I guess it’s nice and balmy there in winter . Enjoy!!
Jingle!! I think girls do get a different kind of tie to dear old dad, a strong one. I know Kelly is nuts about her dad. I miss you too! I’ve been real busy In Real Life. I know I’ll get over to see you soon! And I .. am…
winking at you — thrice!!
On 2 February 2010 at 5:32 pm Wilma Ham said,
Hi Jannie
I am with Tess, winter is no fun at all.
Going outside is cumbersome, wearing shoes, wearing clothes, in summer you just go!
However if you are a bunny it might be a different story.
On 2 February 2010 at 9:53 pm Karyn and the Amazinginly cute Barks said,
Reasons to Love Winter When in a Winter Wonder Land (aka, the land of snow.) 1. no bees 2.blizzards 3. hot chocolate 4. sleigh rides 5. the beauty of it
On 2 February 2010 at 10:47 pm Patricia said,
I would be hard pressed to choose a season I love the best, each has it’s hard points and virtues for me…I now have a very, very hard time with heat – too much heat
I am not very fond of snow in large quantities and I do love watching it drift down…the silence.
Frozen blueberries are so lovely anytime of the year too!
On 3 February 2010 at 1:37 am cinderkeys said,
I suffered through 18 years of cold Chicago winters, followed by four years of drizzly Bloomington, IN, winters. Now I’m in Tucson.
I like talking to people in the Midwest in the middle of winter. “Below freezing where you are?” I say. “It was cold here too … only in the high 50s.”
Luckily, I don’t so much mind the 107-degree summers.
On 3 February 2010 at 7:12 am Jannie said,
…
Wilma!! I know one bunny who is totally unencumbered, in any season!!
Guess you’re living in a nice summery place today.
Karyn And Amazing Barlaky!! You guys are in the best place for all that good winter stuff. Wish I were there with you too!
Patricia!! Frozen blueberries!!! You make me smile. I am not a fan of the extreme heat, either. Remind me not to have you visit here in summer.
Ciinderkeys!! The windy city, eh? Cold as Canada — and I now about Canada. How lovely you have found a great warm place to live! I hear it’s beautiful there.
xoxo
whoo-hoo!!
On 3 February 2010 at 1:27 pm Anne said,
I love sledding with the kids, soups and stews [which always remind me of family], and that warmer weather is just on the horizon.
On 3 February 2010 at 11:08 pm Chris said,
I love photos of your dad. He looks like love. What do I like about winter? The skiing, of course! And building snowmen.
On 4 February 2010 at 2:21 pm jingle said,
Hi,
I Am left behind on Commenting too,
Nice to see your cool blog today.
cheers,
On 5 February 2010 at 6:56 am Jannie said,
..
Hello 3 sweeties who commented!
Anne!! I so miss sledding. And my mom’s soups and stews.
Chris!! The sweetest comment ever — my dad “looks like love.” Ahhhhhhh, he is indeed. As are YOU!
Jingle!! And now I’m all caught up on comments! See what that CRAZY MWF schedule did to me??!!!
On 5 February 2010 at 11:37 am sheila said,
Sweet pic!
And my woodpile looked like that at the beginning of winter. Now tis but a memory!
On 16 February 2010 at 2:16 pm Jannie said,
…
Thanks, Sheila!! (11 days after your comment!) Do you burn wood and oil? Or just wood?
xoxoox