Winter Warmers

DEBORAH CROMBIE: Yes, it's that time of year again, that first full week in February, when the days are getting a wee bit longer but the weather (at least for most of us) is not cooperating. Although personally I can't complain too much–after the arctic blast that hit Texas a couple of weeks ago, we've had a week of unseasonably warm days, but winter for us isn't over yet.

So let's do some hygge!! There have been a few things that have warmed my toes and my heart through the cold season.

1) The mug warmer. My daughter gave me one last year and I loved it instantly, so much that I immediately bought another one for my second desk. Of course the downside is that I've lost most of the steps I used to get running back and forth to reheat my tea in the microwave every five minutes! 

2) Fluffy reading socks. The best thing ever! I first saw a pair of these in a bookstore during the Toronto Bouchercon, and have been addicted to them ever since. There is an arctic river that flows right over my feet when I sit in my morning spot, my sun porch desk. Even on the coldest days, these make life bearable.

3) Ditto pocket warmers. What a handy (excuse the pun) dandy invention. I keep one in my lap when I'm writing. Can't type when your fingers are frozen.

4) And now the heart warmer. The house felt so barren when we took down the Christmas decorations, especially the living room mantle. No matter how bright the fire, I missed the sparkle of lights. Hats off to whoever invented these little battery powered fairy lights. They even have remote controls and timers. Now every night is a cheerful one, and it's amazing how much that lifts the winter spirits. (I don't promise to take them down come spring, however.)

How about it, Reddies? What are your winter warmers, even if you aren't in cold climes?

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: My darling family gave us this MASSIVE blanket. It is AMAZING! It’s light as a feather, and SO fluffy and silky and cuddly. So it’s a total-body warmer!

Also I have a great fluffy sweatshirt that says Optimism and Grit.  With a graphic of a campfire and a hatchet. (It might be an ax. Or is it axe?) Anyway. It is so cozy, and so unlikely! I adore it.

RHYS BOWEN: I’m normally back in Arizona by this time but health issues have kept us in California where it’s not too cold but rather gray and rainy. So  when I took my Christmas decorations down I left up this little tree and my gnomes. The tree is now a ‘Winter’ tree and it had lights that sparkle. That and my electric fireplace make the room seem cozy and I have a furry throw for watching TV.

JENN McKINLAY: I felt the same after the tree went down, Rhys. Then I was at IKEA and they had this faux birch tree with white lights for half price. Into the cart it went and I may keep it up all year round. 

Hooligan 2 is a barista at Dutch Bros and he gave me his knit beanie because we’ve had some chilly mornings during our dog walks! Of course by mid morning in AZ, I don’t need it but the early morning chill isn’t over yet! 

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Other than a few really cold patches, we’ve had above normal temperatures this January and we’re expecting them this month as well. Of course, 20% warmer than usual in Maine means daytime temps that go a little above freezing and nights that don’t get down to the single digits. And in my eternally drafty 200 year old house, there are chilly spots everywhere! My recipe for hygge:

A blazing fire in the woodstove, fuzzy socks inside LL Bean sheepskin slippers, cozy blankets, plenty of hot tea and cocoa, candlelight and, of course, snuggling with two Shih Tzus! 

HALLIE EPHRON: I’m in for tea and cocoa. And just the feel of a hot mug held in two hands. I also wear layers, topped with a very soft warm scarf around my neck.

Am I the only person who can’t do hats? I think it’s the shape of my head. No matter what I do, a hat ends up trying to slip down over my eyes. 

Fuzzy socks: DEFINITELY. And warm slippers. Which hopefully if you wear them inside you’ll remember to take them OFF before heading off to the bank or supermarket or… Just sayin’.

LUCY BURDETTE: It’s even been a little nippy in Key West, though we’re not well known for needing hats and fuzzy socks. There is a certain blanket I sink into, and both of the animals love this too. It makes for very cozy snuggling. 

DEBS: I think we will all have to agree that Hank and Jonathan's photo wins the prize here--just how adorable is that??? But I love everyone's bits of cheer and feel very heartened by them.

Obviously, however, we've left out the most important thing--a good book!

What's your warming jam, dear readers??

PS One more! Here's our Lucy cat enjoying the fire!

A Mid-winter Warmer Primer

DEBORAH CROMBIE: We are inching towards March, but the days are still short, it’s still cold (although Rhys and Jenn are enjoying gorgeous Arizona February, I’m sure) and most of us are suffering from the mid-winter blahs. Here are a few things, however, that help me through the last doldrums of February.

A wood burning fire! I’ve spent the last two weeks camped out on the living room sofa, convalescing from meniscus repair surgery on my knee, and in that two weeks we went through at least half of our winter’s supply of firewood. But it was so comforting! Having that cheery fire in the hearth made the time feel more like a treat than a pain. 

In lieu of a wood burning or gas fire, I light candles. I think our need for a bright flame in the cold must go back to our primal ancestors…

I drink loads of hot tea! Not that I don’t love tea any time, but it really perks me up on a cold, gray afternoon.

Comfy quilts and good books--although these two pretty much go without saying for this bunch.

Fresh flowers, the brighter the better. I tend towards white blooms through December and January, but come February, bring on the hot pink tulips and orange roses. Sunshine in a vase!

I have a jigsaw puzzle on the dining room table, carefully covered to protect it from the cats. Not that I’ve made much progress on it, but it’s a fun little break to look forward to.

And as contradictory as it may seem, it helps to get outside for at least a few minutes a day even when it’s gray and cold. It reminds our bodies that no, we are actually not hibernating.

What about your, dear REDS? Any special tips for beating the last of the winter blues?

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Blankets. I am so big on blankets! I have a wonderful chocolate brown and cream herringbone one that I wear around myself, wrapped like a towel. VERY attractive, I can tell you.

And I so agree--going outside is great. All Ugged and mufflered and mittened. We only have one car, which Jonathan takes on the days I work at home, and I try to still do my walks to the town center to the drug store and post office and bank. And the manicure place, nothing like bright red (or my new love, blue) fingernails!  It’s beautiful outside, the sky here can be an amazing blue. And I always have flowers--right now, yellow tulips. I forgot to get paperwhites this year-is there still time? And oh, our little white snowdrops are blooming out in the garden--so nice to see! 

And I am SO happy the days are getting longer. You can really tell, right? But I don’t like to wish the time away.

DEBS: Paperwhites! Hank, I saw them at Trader Joe's on Sunday. What a great idea. But I know what you mean about not wanting to wish the time away. And for us, spring is a harbinger of summer and HEAT, so I am trying to savor the cold and dark. 

READERS, tell us your tips for coping!