JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Now comes the end of January, the depth of winter,
the coldest days of the year. For those of us who are New Englanders
(or you, our readers, in the northern states and in Canada) it means
nights that can freeze the water pipes, mornings where the car
battery doesn’t start, and daily outfits of long johns, thermal
tops, and heavy woolen sweaters.
But even in places like Phoenix and San Francisco, the days only rise into the fifties this week and the nights chill close to freezing. Only Lucy, living in Key West (the same latitude as the Gulf of Bahrain and the Arabian Sea!) doesn’t need to slip on a pullover and some fuzzy socks.
None
of us are escaping to tropical beaches this winter, and short of
breaking the bank to crank the heat up to 78F, we all need trucks and
workarounds to stay warm, and sometimes more importantly, to feel
cozy.
For me, it all starts with fires in the woodstoves. They throw off
real heat, but there’s also an atavistic human response to flames
that just makes you feel better. I have a friend with no way at
all to burn wood who swears by the You Tube 10 hour crackling
fireplace!
Another must-have: snuggly throws. I have woolen throws (seriously warm,) velvety plush throws, chunky knitted throws and crocheted-by-grandma throws. While wrapped in a blanket in front of a fire, I add the third necessity for coziness - a hot drink. Herbal tea, hot cider, hot cocoa - it doesn’t matter so long as it warms your fingers as you hold it and warms your insides on the way down.
How about you, Reds? What are your stay-warm secrets?
RHYS BOWEN: I confess to being at the warmer end of the spectrum here in
California. John keeps our house around 70 degrees so sweaters aren’t
necessary. We bundle up for our morning walk when it can drop to the
thirties. I’m a great believer in cashmere and my cashmere cardigan
insulates brilliantly. My Christmas present this year was an electric
fireplace that I love. One flick of the switch and I have crackling
flames plus as much heat as I need. And our winter routine is
soups. Lots of hearty homemade soups for lunch—carrot and parsnip
and leek and cauliflower as well as chicken and dumplings seasoned
with curry or ginger or cinnamon. All yummy and just right for gloomy
cold days. And hot apple cider at night!
JENN McKINLAY: We’ve had the most consistently cold weather in Phoenix
that I can remember in a long time. Day after day in the low sixties
and nights in the high thirties. What the heck? This is not what I
signed on for! That being said, my fluffy pink bathrobe is getting
more than its usual two weeks out of the closet and has been in
rotation for two months. My thermal shirts are my daily wear, soft,
warm, and comfy, I have them in all colors which conveniently match
my collection of flannel plaid shirts, which are favorites even
though I’m sure I look like I’ve misplaced my axe.
Throws are a must, although the pets out maneuver me for them, which is annoying because I don’t have the heart to boot them off. And, yes, hot tea! Yorkshire Gold, please, with honey and keep it coming.
LUCY BURDETTE: I admit to being the warmest Red of the bunch. But I am
wearing socks and jeans and a sweatshirt to walk Lottie for coffee in
the morning. That sort of counts. We had the most wonderful Italian
wedding soup with turkey meatballs, spinach, orzo and lemon this
week. I think what pushed the recipe to the next level was John’s
turkey stock, which we’d frozen after thanksgiving. He roasted the
carcass with vegetables and then we boiled. It was wonderful and the
recipe made a lot! I tweaked Mary Jane Maffini’s recipe which is
here:
https://www.mysteryloverskitchen.com/2021/01/turkey-meatball-soup-with-spinach-and.html
HALLIE EPHRON: When I went out this morning for the paper, the thermometer
was reading 20 degrees--a shock after what’s been a pretty mild
winter so far. I swear by fingerless gloves, socks, and hot tea. And
I have the coziest throw that my daughter got us for
Christmas--fleece on one side, velvet on the other. But really the
key to staying warm is layers. I’m partial to Cuddl Duds silky long
underwear.
Now I want some of that Italian wedding soup. Or actually, just a cup of John’s turkey stock would do. Roast the carcass with vegetables first?! I’m going to do that to the chicken I roasted last night.
DEBORAH CROMBIE: 78 degrees, Julia! Not happening in our old house. There are
days when the north wind is blowing that I have trouble getting it up
to 65. So lots of throws--I gave myself two new incredibly fluffy
ones for an early Christmas present. Throws in the living room, one
at each of my two writing desks, extra quilts on the bed.
I have one latte in the morning, and after that I’ve been switching to ginger tea (thanks to that arm-length ginger root I scored a couple of weeks ago) which is lovely and warming, and I wrap my hands around my pottery mug when not typing. Maybe I need to try Hallie’s fingerless gloves.
Lots of soups here, too, and I’ve had a hankering for Italian Wedding Soup. I have some ground veal in the freezer that I need to use--maybe for the meatballs?
Oh, and a fire most evenings. We have gas piped into our wood-burning fireplace, so if we’re lazy we can just turn on the gas. Not nearly as warming, however, but it is cheerful.
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: I am so glad you can't see me! Socks, camisole,
thermal t-shirt , yoga pants, fleece hoodie, Uggs. And a blanket around
my shoulders. It is grotesque and so very very warm. I also have this
ridiculous sky blue thing that's fleecy/fuzzy,
it's a fleecy hoodie that goes down to my knees. It is shamefully cozy.
Our house is so old that every room is different to heat (or not) so we just add and discard clothing as need be, leaving wraps and shawls wherever. Oh! Do you know Uniqlo heat-tech tshirts? Very very thin, but SO warm! And Hanro camisoles.
JULIA: Okay, dear readers, it's your turn. What are your tips and tricks for getting through the coldest days of winter?
