Best Winter Ever 2023

 Living in Southwestern Ontario, I don't know many people who really love winter. It's cold, dark, and snowy. The weather tries to kill us with snow or ice, or the short days and long nights encroach on our mental well-being. Winter is the not-so-easy season. 

A couple years ago a saying was making it's rounds on social media that went something like this; you can choose to complain about the snow...but you'll still have the snow. It's true. We can complain about the winter weather and the challenges that come with that, but it won't change the white flurries or dark evenings. 

This past summer, following Annie F. Downs' example, I made a list for the "Best Summer Ever." It included things like learn to stand while paddle boarding and go camping. And this winter, I've decided to make a "Best Winter Ever" list to add some enjoyment to the season. Here are some of the things on my list:

• Outdoor skating (my town has a free outdoor rink)
• Sledding
• Games night
• Dinner Party
• Go to local hockey game (we also have a local hockey team)
• Read 10 books

I'm not a winter hater. I like the snow (so long as I don't have to drive in it!) and I like wearing snow pants and playing outside. I like sitting inside with a cup of tea and a book. But I wonder how this winter will be different since I'm trying to be more intentional about doing the fun things that this season gives special opportunity for. I wonder if we'd all experience winter differently if we tried to make the best of the opportunity. Here are some suggestions if you'd like to make a list of your own:

• Cook a new recipe every two weeks
• See what classes your community center offers
• Visit as many of your towns coffee shops as you can
• Start a puzzle (that's only if you're crazy. Puzzles are the worst). 
• Bake cinnamon buns
• Learn a new craft or pick up an old one (I do embroidery in the winter and lay it aside in the summer)
• See if there are any local plays or performances you can attend 
• Host a dinner party 
• Movie night 

These next couple months don't need to be the deary, lonely  months that we think they are. They can be months of fun and laughter, of feeling the textures of wool or woodworking, of reading a book or writing poetry. There is beauty and joy to be found in the months ahead, we just might need to do some extra work to find it.