I was struck last week by the title of this post on Cup of Jo: “My Favorite Part of Winter Is Making My Dad’s Meatloaf.”
Winter gets a bad rap, and I’m contributing to that zeitgeist with all of my laments for spring and celebrations of the pilgrim crocus. But winter has its own sparse appeal and bare-faced charms. What, I wondered, was my favorite part of winter?
Christmas came to mind first: its merriment and hygge. But what of the long, plodding months of January and February? And was there something specific, or shapely, I could trot out in response?
Instead of one, a few splintered out:
The first bracing breath when I step outside — medicinal.
Soft cotton base layers hugging the skin.
Standing on our covered porch, looking out at the snow-capped arbor vitae, whose fronds dance even in somber times.
Warmed, socked feet by the fire.
The perseverance of stick figure trees against the austerities of wind and ice.
The understanding that things must end to begin again.
What are your favorite parts of the season? (Let’s find reasons to celebrate this moment we’re in!)
Post-Scripts.
+Took the photo above back when we lived in NY and were visiting the Guggenheim on a snowy weekend.
+You can change at any time, and with nobody’s permission.
Shopping Break.
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+Wore this $49 striped sweater in the chocolate brown last week — it is so, so similar to my La Ligne Marina. Great look for less.
+H&M just released a less expensive version of Citizen’s fab brown gaucho jeans. While you’re at H&M, don’t miss these suede slingbacks.
+Inexpensive bamboo flatware.
+The most elegant candles of all time. I love the ones from Linnea for everyday burning / more reasonable price point, but these are IT.
+A wardrobe staple of mine: blue and white striped dresses. Love this and this as options.
+These baggy jean overalls turned my head.
+Folding chairs that are actually chic.
+Beyond Yoga’s new arrivals are so fun. They do the best colors! I’m especially drawn to their “sky blue heather” color.
+Dramatic brass table lamp.