Wintry Pleasures

Is there anything more perfect than a fine winter’s day?   This morning I was greeted with bright sunlight and a clear, blue sky.   It is cold, very cold, but the weather made it so inviting to go outside.

You take advantage of the days that you can venture outside at this time of year.   This morning, my dog got an extra long walk around the neighbourhood.   On such a crisp, cold day, with frost underfoot, the world feels fresh and new.

There are many things to love about winter.   The opportunity to spend long, cosy hours inside is of course one of the main benefits.   I love the simple pleasures that make this season so comforting.   Cosying up in front of a warm fire, the hot drinks, warm baths, the hours spent reading books, the quietness now that the summer sounds of people enjoying life outside are no longer intruding.

I envy the little furry creatures that get to hibernate through winter.   If I had my own way, I would retreat into my sanctuary at the close of autumn and remain closeted away from the world, warm and safe inside my nest.

I wish.

Whilst hibernation is not a practical option, there are many ways to cosy up at home during the colder months and this season lends itself to some delicious treats for the senses.

This beautiful day with sunshine and blue sky, called for spending an idle hour near the sea enjoying an ice cream.  The salted caramel and cashew nut ice cream was divine and well worth the additional chill which soon melted away with a wander along the pier under the sun.

Winter is the time to indulge oneself with the incomparable comfort of the onesie and thick, furry bed socks.  It is the season of soups, slow-cooking and hot self-saucing chocolate puddings.  It is time to paint your nails blood red, to reach for the knitting basket and to binge on feel-good tv series as the nights close in early.

Whilst it is not a time to spend too much time in the garden, except for the very hardy, I always make sure that I have several posts of pansies to keep the garden bright and beautiful.  Their cheerful little, velvety faces are one of my favourite pleasures and something I always look forward to in anticipation as the days get shorter.

There is much to delight the soul and senses in this season, with much of it less costly than the price of an ice-cream cone.