Winter Q & A

Ah, winter. It’s here, in all its January glory—cold, a little windy, with flakes free falling from the sky.

Thanks to my blogger buddy Bill, over at A Silly Place, I’ve been asked to answer a few questions about this icy season. Check out his answers here, and continue reading if you’d like to know more about my relationship with “the most wonderful time of the year.”

1. Snow, or no snow?

Since I haven’t gotten into skiing (yet) as an adult, my knee-jerk reaction to snow is with a moan. However, it really doesn’t bother me as I don’t have to drive anywhere, and a snowy Colorado is amazingly picturesque.

Plus, it’s important to note that the environment I live in depends heavily on winter and snow. From a tourism industry and economic standpoint all the way to a summer forest fire perspective, a healthy snowfall is a main ingredient for functioning success.

2. Would you rather snuggle up with a blanket or go outside and play in the snow?

I’m all about comfort and warmth, though I’ve been known to make an appearance on the snowman-building team for my niece and nephew’s sake.

Chad and I are also trying to get into cross country skiing, and I wouldn’t mind snowboarding, snowshoeing, and hiking more this season, as long as a beer awaits at the end.

3. How do you typically celebrate New Year’s?

We really mix it up every year! My favorites have been small gatherings with friends. In the past I’ve traveled, played poker, watched movies, gone to a brewery, and soaked in hot springs. This year was super low-key—just Chad and I at home, cuddled up with a new television series. (Have you seen Watchmen on HBO? It’s quite good.)

4. Favorite winter food?

Chad’s grandma’s sugar cookies. They are so, so, so, so good.

5. What is your favorite seasonal drink?

A chai tastes like the holidays in a cup.

7. Do you enjoy the cold weather?

Spring is almost my favorite season just because it shuts the door on winter.

To be honest, the cold is the worst part of the entire season.

8. Do you have any special holiday traditions?

Chad and I split up our holidays by switching on a yearly basis. This year, we spent Thanksgiving with my parents and Christmas with his.

When Christmas is in Gunnison, there are several traditions. We drive around looking at holiday lights, there’s a Christmas Eve soup dinner held at Chad’s grandma’s house, and a spaghetti meal hosted at Chad’s parent’s house on Christmas day. Presents are opened early on Christmas morning, and we each have a stocking.

During a Nelson family Christmas, it all depends. Last year we had a non-traditional celebration in Santa Fe, where we stayed in a hotel and went to delicious restaurants for all of our meals. Next year, who knows? Growing up, we did things like midnight mass and a Christmas Eve dinner and barter to open presents early and watch It’s A Wonderful Life together. There were lotto tickets and chocolate coins in each stocking, too.

9. What is your idea of a perfect winter day?

To quote my blogging buddy Bill, “A day that’s not winter.”

Jokes aside, I really enjoy a warm-ish and clear day where it feels nice to be outside, and my face doesn’t hurt when I try to breathe. A steamy drink, binge-worthy television show, or hot springs all make for really nice winter activities.

10. What’s the best part about winter?

Sometimes the incentive to stay inside is nice. Cuddling, enjoying Chad’s company, and staying toasty and warm are all positives.

However, it also feels like a great accomplishment to spend time outside; things like cross country skiing or hiking or snowshoeing feel incredibly rewarding afterward.

11. What’s your favorite movie set in the winter season?

I think that Home Alone 2, Lost in New York does a really great job incorporating the magic of the holidays through its setting. It’s also a very crafty and clever movie—always a favorite.

12. What do you hate about winter?

The main concern about winter where I live is how easily travel plans can go awry. Mountain passes are dangerous and can close in a blink of an eye, literally making it impossible to get to your destination. Also, people lose their lives easily and often when this happens.

(Note: a few weeks ago, we were traveling to Denver for my niece’s birthday party. We got 90 miles in, sat at the base of a closed pass for nearly two hours, and finally had to turn around because it wasn’t opening anytime soon. Too many accidents. Boooo.)

And though I feel as though there are elements of seasonal depression at play, I don’t think I can say that I truly hate anything about winter. It’s beautiful, essential to our Earth, and has universal holiday cheer built-in. Even the cold serves its own purpose, even if it’s hard to see. And here in Colorado, there’s still sunshine nearly every day.

 

What are your favorite or least favorite things about winter?