50 cold weather glimmers

On small joys to embrace this winter.

Images from Pinterest

I don’t enjoy winter. I do not thrive in it. I wilt like the plants in my garden. Besides the obvious reason, which is the freezing cold, I’m also not into any winter sports or outdoor winter activities (I like to think of myself as outdoorsyish). Every year, as the branches become bare and temperatures plummet, I begin to wonder why I live in a place where my mood is so dependent on the sun. This year, I’m trying to approach winter with a more positive mindset, embracing the little things that do make winter joyful, even just a bit.

I started by making a list, and once I started writing it, I surprised myself when I made it all the way to 50. 50! Here are all the small joys I’m embracing this winter. The list is personal to me, but maybe there’s something in here for you, too.

1. When a fresh blanket of snow covers everything from the trees to the sidewalks

   

   Everything outside carpeted in snow.

2. The quiet hush after a snowfall

3. Continuing to watch cozy holiday movies long after the holiday season (including multiple re-watches of The Holiday and at least one re-watch of Serendipity)

   

   Cameron Diaz in The Holiday

4. Snuggling under a pile of cozy blankets

5. The first slice of a cardamom cake that’s fresh out of the oven (and another for breakfast the following day). This cardamom cake recipe from

   SPICE SPOON - Cooking Without Borders
   is my favourite

6. A dreamy, decadent cup of hot chocolate made on the stovetop

7. Sitting by a fireplace—the warm ambiance and the crackling sound

8. People-watching at an outdoor skating rink while nursing a hot drink

9. Chunky, just-out-of-the-oven cookies with crispy edges and a gooey center. My go-to is a chocolate chip mochi cookie from my local bakery

   

   The best chocolate mochi cookie ever from my local bakery

10. The steam rising out from a cup of hot apple cider and enveloping me like a warm hug

11. Hearty, brothy meals for lunch and/or dinner (Prima Taste’s Laksa La Mian is the absolute best on cold days when you need a meal in a pinch or Burmese khao swe)

    meemalee

    

    A post shared by @meemalee

12. Burning a wintery candle—cloves and cardamom and pine needles and oud and more. I like a candle that sets the scene for me like Byredo’s Bibliotheque (the scent of old books at a library) or Lohn’s Zima (first snowfall in the mountains)

13. Morning sunshine on a cold wintery day

14. Wearing a cozy oversized sweater

15. The ambiance of a candle warmer

16. Transitioning from tea girl fall to tea girl winter

17. A toasty beanie with heft and hygge in equal measure

18. Listening to jazz on the radio

19. Christmas lights still sparkling on the trees past December

20. Mulling over a puzzle on the living room floor

21. A bowl of saucy pasta for dinner

22. Writing handwritten notes after getting inspired by all the holiday card writing

23. Throwing an intimate dinner party for your friends

24. Attending an intimate dinner party at a friend’s place

25. Friend dates (which equals getting outside!) that consist of good food and quality conversation

    

    Catch-up with my newsletter crew at Soos in Toronto (still thinking about this dal and roti)

26. Breathing in the crisp winter air

27. Toasty toes in thick socks

28. Bringing out the slow cooker to make my favourite recipes

29. Slathering on a rich hand cream, even a fancy one (like L’Occitane, Aesop and Caudalie)

30. Padding across the cold floor in fluffy slippers

31. Flannel bedsheets

32. The birds chirping at the first glimmer of sunshine

33. Weekend bakery visits to pick up bread and pastries (my current obsession is the beef rendang shepherd's pie at Tatin Bakehouse)

    

    Beef rendang shepherd’s pie and more at Tatin Bakehouse.

34. Big chunky scarves with Lenny Kravitz vibes

35. Cozying up with a good book

36. Make that cozy good books (I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith will forever be a favourite)

37. Rosy cheeks—with blush (I’m excited to try the Rhode Pocket Blush, which I received as a gift over the holidays) or without

38. Climbing into bed underneath a thick duvet

    mignonettetakespictures

    

    A post shared by @mignonettetakespictures

39. The glint of sun hitting the hanging icicles on trees, making the outdoors look like a magical Narnia-like place

40. Catching a colourful bird outside my window—the most beautiful sight amidst all that winter greige!

41. A good winter coat that offers both fashion and function

42. Roasted vegetables! Carrots drizzled with maple syrup, broccoli sprinkled with sea salt, balsamic butternut squash and more

43. Listening to a playlist with wintery vibes

44. Taking a scenic winter drive while playing said playlist

45. Garments with pockets to keep hands warm and toasty!

46. Spending time exploring art galleries and museums

47. That warm and cozy feeling when you step inside a café from the freezing cold

48. Playing in the snow

49. Building pretty Lego flowers until the real stuff blooms

    lego

    

    A post shared by @lego

50. The days slowly getting longer and the promise of spring

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• Doing nothing with your favourite people is really, really good for you.

• Can’t wait to try

  Noor Murad
  ’s mezze recipes and looking forward to her upcoming cookbook, Lugma.

• The best single-use kitchen tools (we have the pineapple corer and it is amazing).

• Turning Red director and animator Domee Shi on leaning into what makes you unique.