Frosty Fixes

Winter is a cat and mouse game in the upper plains. Just when we are lulled into thinking spring might be around the corner, whammo, another winter weather event makes an appearance. We finished the month of February with a couple of days of howling winds, icy snow and below zero temperatures. Many, many years of living in this area means I am not surprised at our capricious weather. Winter ain't over 'til it's over.

Despite popular opinion, winter is not all bad, especially if one does not have to work outside. Hats off to those who do. On second thought, keep your hats on in solidarity. I have the luxury of finding joy in winter, usually from the inside of my home, looking out. Here are a few things I like about winter.

1) Death to the beetles.--Yup, I am celebrating the demise of a little stinker in our area. The ash borer beetle is killing our local ash trees, one munch at a time. This includes two trees on our property. Apparently, the larvae can be killed by winter temperatures well below zero for several consecutive days. We may not have reached that goal completely, but I like to think we knocked out a few of the squirmy little buggers. Hail to the plunge of temperatures!

2) Snow tales.--Freshly fallen snow tells stories. Footprints abound on my deck after a snowfall. The long indentations tell me the rabbits are hippety-hopping on a quest for food in my yard. Little scritchy-scratches near my bird feeder are evidence of my feathered friends looking for buried seed. Big boot prints let me know my husband made his way over the deck on some sort of mission. Smaller shoe prints chronicle my quick trip to fill the bird feeders. Hail to winter activity!

3) Comfort food.--Nothing provides a better excuse for hearty food than a howling blizzard. Actually, the blizzard is optional. Any cold weather will do. Steaming bowls of homemade chicken soup cannot be surpassed for invoking a sense of well-being. Soft, warm slices of freshly baked bread take the edge off snow shoveling blues. Braised pork shanks in a rich tomato and garlic sauce make the belly smile. A sweet slice of yellow butter cake topped with fudgy chocolate frosting keeps the winter blues at bay. Hail to staying sturdy against the cold winds of winter!

4) Cozy freedom.--The words summer and cozy do not mix. Winter, however, screams cozy. Fleecy sweaters, fuzzy slippers and flannel shirts take their stand against the chill of winter. A soft lap blanket is a useful friend when reading, writing or sipping on steaming cups of peppermint tea. Fur-studded parkas and heavy duty mittens join us in the battle against polar air. Crackling fireplaces or their simulation (thanks, Alexis) give us the feeling of warmth. Hail to hygge!

Perhaps the best part of winter is the sense of accomplishment it gives us. When we finally emerge from its grip and look back on surviving whatever was thrown at us, it is time for a collective sigh of conquest. We nod our heads and in true upper plains style we comment, "Well, it could have been worse."