Tuesday 20 May 2008

Winter post

Winter is well and truly here. Freezing fingers on the icy steering wheel in the mornings; putting off going to the loo because the seat is sure to freeze-burn my bottom; wearing a minimum number of three layers; craving hot comfort food; and getting up in the dark.

I'm not really a fan of winter. In fact, I'm cold-blooded, I'm sure. But I'm trying to look on the bright side, so I'm writing a list of all the things I like about the chilly season:

1. Curling up with a warm blanket, my purring cats, a cup of Milo or hot chocolate and a good book. This doesn't happen often, but when it does, it's paradise.
2. A plate of my home-cooked lamb curry after a long, cold day. Hubby's parents are sheep farmers, so we get lamb quite often. Noice.
3. A long hot bath with a glass of wine.
4. Snuggling on the couch watching DVDs with hubby and the cats.
5. Gluwein.
6. Not needing to shave my legs as often, seeing they don't get exposed much.
7. Getting into the bed once the electric blanket has warmed it up for me.
8. Roaring fireplaces in restaurants.
9. Hot puddings. Mmmmm....
10. The crystal-like frost formations that you find on the grass in the mornings.
11. Soft leather gloves.
12. Scarves (I must have about 30).
13. The feeling of coming into a warm room out of the crisp outdoors.
14. Putting my cold hands down hubbys neck to make hi shiver. Hehehe...
15. Knowing that after winter must come spring, bringing with it beautiful blossoms and freshness.
16. Standing in front of the braai and feeling the warm in front of me and the cold behind me.
17. Soup. Especially MY soup. I may suck at baking, but I can do soup.
18. Marshmallow socks (socks that feel soft and squishy, not socks made out of marshmallows - that would be really gross).
19. Sketching winter trees.
20. Misty breath in the chilly mornings.

What are your favourite winter things?

15 comments:

Supanova said...

Aaahhhhh, home-made lamb curry... what I'd give to have some of that! And home-made soup? Wow! I am sooooo green! Please send me yo secret recipes.... pwetty pweeze! (fluttering of eyelashes in the hope that you'll divulge your secrets) lol

Sweets said...

i have a longer list AGAINST winter... i just hate winter~ end of story!

you are so lucky to have meat producing in laws !!!! ;)

Unknown said...

Ahhhhh, Winter. Cold feet in bed. Gotta love it.

Tamara said...

Supa: sure. Here's a quickie for you that's super easy and super yummy:

Creamy butternut and sweetcorn winter soup:
Ingredients:
1 small butternut, chopped (or the easier alternative - a packet of already diced butternut from Woolies)
1 can whole-kernel sweetcorn, drained
1 packet thick white onion soup powder
salt and pepper to season
pinch of cayenne pepper

Bring 1 litre of water to the boil in a large pot on the stove. Add butternut and boil on high for 12 minutes or so. Add the soup powder and stir. Add sweetcorn and spices, mix, and leave to simmer on low heat with the lid on for about 20 minutes. Liquidise in the blender and serve with yummy fresh bread.

It really is as easy as that.

Sweets: I know. Me too, but I'm trying to look on the bright side.

Glug: Does Angel stick her cold feet in your back? Men are always complaining that women do that and women are always saying that that's what men are for - feet warming ;-)

Patchwork said...

I like the fact that women on the street actually DRESS in winter. Not fart around in those skimpy outfits I love!

I LOVE WINTER!

I LOVE IT!

Tamara said...

Bridget: It is now confirmed that you are nuts.

But I agree with you about women dressing properly. So sick of seeing these chicks wearing skirts that would be more effective as headbands. Especially when parents encourage their 12-yr olds dress like tarts. Not cool.

elizabeth said...

Oh dear. We just left it behind us here. That's my fave part - when it goes.

Anonymous said...

Oooh I found myself smiling when I read your post because I agree with most of it. Especially the cold loo seat. *shudders*

And I see we'll be meeting on Sunday! :) Am I the only one that's as nervous as hell?? Just wondering...

Tamara said...

Elizabeth: Lucky you!

Sleepy: I am SO nervous. But we're going to be brave and do it anyway, right?

Anonymous said...

@Tamara That's what I keep telling myself. It goes something like this: 'You WILL do this, do NOT chicken out you big wuss. They're just PEOPLE not like, murderers or something.' And then I asked Phillipa if I can come a little liquored up. She didn't reply. Mmmm.

Tamara said...

Well, if all the rest look scary and intimidating (which I doubt), I'll just attach myself to your hip and we can be scared and intimidated together ;-)

Anonymous said...

@Tamare That totally works for me. :)

Supanova said...

Yey... fanx for the recipe... i'm sooo trying it out this weekend! I'll let you know how it pans out!

Wenchy said...

I loves winter... socks :)

Tamara said...

Supanova: you'd better! LOL. I look forward to hearing about it.

Wenchy: welcome, welcome. I love toe socks. They're the kewlest ;-)