Winter's Chill.....

Oh winter.....That time of year when we in the northern hemisphere steel ourselves against freezing temperatures, below zero wind chills, slushy snow covered roads, record setting snowstorms, days without sight of the sun, salt encrusted cars, cumbersome (and unattractive) clothing, shoveling induced heart attacks, expanding waistlines, dry and itchy skin, etc., ect.  The list could go on!  With all the negative feelings that winter can bring about, it's hard to think that anything good can come of it.

Here in Wisconsin it's almost mid-February (as I'm sure it is around the rest of the world) but winter seems like a mere afterthought.  Sure we've had some cold days and a little snow, but it's been feeling a lot like spring.  I saw a robin yesterday.  No joke.  It's been nice not having to plan errands around the weather, and get Rowen outside on a  regular basis, but I'm really beginning to miss the real winter.  (As the saying goes, "You don't miss something until it's gone." or something like that.) 

Well, today winter came in (semi) full force.  The snow was snowing and the wind was blowing.  Temps were in the teens, wind chill factor made it in the single digits.  You know, a regular day for Wisconsin on February 10th.  I have to say it was really nice.  Instead of thinking about how this could really throw a wrench in the day, I thought about slipping on a pair of cozy slippers and snuggling by a warm fire, sledding with Rowen then coming inside for a hot steaming cup of cocoa with extra marshmallows, getting some exercise in a pair of snowshoes, firing up the snowmobile and riding some trails, a pot of delicious soup simmering on the stove, uncorking a nice bottle of red because hey, I've got nowhere to go in this.  Yeah Old Man Winter can be crotchety sometimes (if you've seen the movie Santa Clause is Comin' To Town featuring Fred Astaire, you know this), even downright miserable. But try to make the best of a less than ideal situation, cause your gonna miss this when it's gone!

If it's a winter wonderland in your neck of the woods, here are some toys to enhance the seasonal experience.

 

Atlas Snowshoes for Running.  I own a pair of regular Atlas snowshoes  and I love them!

Uggs Women's Ansley Slippers.  These look cozy while being stylish!

Staub Oval Coquette for that nice pot of stew your going to need after using the snowshoes

Patagonia Women's Down With It Parka.  This will keep your bum toasty warm.

Godiva Hot Chocolate.  Need I say more?

Crate and Barrel Cafe Mug, perfect to house your frothy cocoa!

This label is especially delicious, and how can you go wrong with a name like that?!

Flexible Flyer.  Old school but still a great sled!