Today’s “Ten on Tuesday” topic seems at once timely and maybe a little bit cruel given the weather assaults that this winter seems to be so fond of. When I first saw the topic, I initially laughed it off – but then decided this would be a good exercise to see the positive in the midst of the “not again” feeling that the forecast seems to be bringing these days. And really, my “bad” winter is less than dear ones are experiencing elsewhere…but, still…are we done yet?

Winter Wonders

So, in no particular order, here are 10 Things I Like About Winter…

• Amaryllis Blooms. There is something magical about the bright bloom of an amaryllis bulb in the midst of the cold, white winter…
• Soup. A pot of soup simmering on the stove for supper later in the day. A current favorite – Italian Squash Soup
• Nature’s Art. The art around us when snow & sun mix with bare tree branches. In the midst of the “ugly” remnants of snow there are moments of true beauty.
• Snow Removal Service. The sound of the maintenance crew clearing the sidewalks, road & parking lot in my apartment complex with each snowfall. After the years of digging out in front of my garage in the alley in Chicago, I’m getting spoiled. (And living in an area where garages are hard to come by, I’m so thankful my Realtor showed me this place with the good carport.)
• Hand knits for keeping warm! Hats and scarves and cowls and fingerless gloves, oh my! Oh, and a new afghan finally off the needles! (FO post coming soon…)
• Cozy socks around the house. Rotating between Life is Good snuggle socks & socks knit on a vintage sock knitting machine.
• An “endless” pot of coffee or tea in a fun pottery mug. The perfect companion to hibernation activities: reading, knitting, catching up on shows & movies.
• Making vacation plans for warmer months. “Spring Break” possibilities with the TX girlies…Summer vacation fun with the WI crew…
• Heated seats in the car. Even though my daily commute is short, it’s better with the extra warmth.
• Springtime. As nature starts to awaken in the spring with new growth and new blooms, there is the reminder that the winter season is indeed needed in order for newness to abound.

As always happens, this winter weather will eventually give way and we’ll “turn, turn, turn” through the seasons. In the meantime, what wonders are able to glean from your winter experience?

This Kansas gal loved finding fresh cut sunflowers while farm market shopping on an August Saturday!

For the last couple of years, I have received Carole’s weekly Ten on Tuesday topic email…historically, I have very rarely posted on them (although I’ve mentally compiled many lists). With the new year…time to jump in more often. Without further adieu, here are 10 highlights of 2013 (beyond what might have been blogged & are only in calendar order)…

• Being surprised by friends welcoming me home at the Green Bay airport when I flew back to Marinette for a work trip in January.
• Completing the Whole 30 in March – time to do it again.
• Heading back to Mercer in May to celebrate a favorite professor, who was also a great mentor and friend, as she retired.
• Sitting on our balcony at The Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island watching the boat traffic through the channel and under the bridge.
• Catching an amazing sunset over Green Bay while driving around Door County during family vacation.
• Seeing the New Kids on the Block/Boyz II Men concert with my sister here in Philly. May we always enjoy screaming like silly school girls on nights like that!
• Canning tomatoes under the pergola on a Saturday in August – taking a class taught by Marissa from Food in Jars. It was exactly a year since I had moved to PA – as I was contemplating the move, I made an off-hand comment to Mom about maybe taking a class with her after I moved here since she is Philly based. And then it happened.
• Sitting in the end zone berm with Rebecca at Mercer’s first football game since 1941 – exploding to our feet with 3 seconds left in the game as Mercer kicked a field goal “towards us” that won the game.
• Touring the Mayflower II in September and being amazed at the size (or lack thereof) of it – imagining what it must have been like for things to be so bad that boarding this boat to the unknown with 100 others was better than any other option you had.
• Any of numerous FaceTime moments with dear ones in Wisconsin & Texas. Whether it be “just” chatting, having a beer while decompressing after a rough week at work, reacting to sports moments, watching/listening to piano practice, reading bedtime stories, general kid silliness, virtual Sunday supper prep, or opening Christmas gifts – it is great to be connected this way.

If 2014 holds even a fraction of these moments, it will indeed be a good year!