Yes, it's that time again ladies and gentlemen. The winter season is finally upon us. Despite living my entire life in the midwest, every year I cling to the hope that maybe winter will just throw in the towel and take the year off. I know it's not realistic, but it's what gets me through the late fall. I promise I'll have plenty of time this winter to complain about the myriad of things I detest about the season, but today I'm going to do my best to stick to one of the few I actually enjoy about the season.
I am a coldblooded mammal. Now you may be thinking, Becky, that is simply not possible. And technically you may be right, but I am as close to one as you'll find I promise. For example while I am writing this, I am in bed with the following for warmth: t-shirt, heavy cardigan sweater, fleece pajama pants (pink penguin ones of course), socks, wrist warmers, flannel sheets, a fleece blanket, a comforter, a throw, and a heavy crocheted blanket. And I'm contemplating making hot tea. Crazy no?
Because I'm always cold, I logically decided to work in a library where my office is a first floor ice box. Oh, and the reference desk is made of faux stone that sucks you of warmth faster than a vampire. So to compensate I dress warmly. I won't get into my love of sweaters and tights and leggings under dress pants tonight. No, this post is about my coats and winter accessories.
Someone talked about pulling out their winter coat this week, and I noticed the distinct lack of an 's' at the end of that word. People have more than one winter coat right? I mean, real people who live in the midwest. (Not you crazy Southerners and your "winters.") I got to counting coats in my head. I have 5 coats most people would characterize as winter coats. I am not sure when I because such a coat person, but they sort of exist in 3 levels in my head.
Level 1: Short hip-lenth pea coats (no hoods). One red, one fushia.
Level 2: Long mid-thigh pea coat, hood. Brown with light pink trim.
Level 3: Heavy duty snow- and wind-resistant coats. One Wisconsin Columbia jacket that extends past the waist with hood. And one non-hooded green hip-length Pioneer coat that was once my grandfather's.
I feel like I should explain that 2 of these coats were gifts, 2 were rummage sale buys, and one "hand me down" from my grandpa. Currently I am at level 1 coats. Still cute, non-eskimo looking outerwear.
In addition to my coat collection, I own a plethora of scarves, hats, and gloves (both regular and fingerless.) And when I say plethora, I mean I think I counted 16 different crocheted scarves last year. I refuse to count again for fear it's gotten worse. (I mean I know I've bought 3 scarves in the last 2 months...so...) Scarves are not just for outdoors. I wear them indoors too. A lot. My new fave work outfit is to dress is neutral blacks or browns and dress up the outfit with pops of color with a bright scarf or elbow length wrist warmers. Or both. Sometimes I do the reverse and calm down a bright sweater with my new gray knit infinity scarf. I say this like I haven't been wearing scarves on a regular basis since September. Same goes for the fingerless gloves/wrist warmers. I pulled those out as soon as I thought I could handle the number of weird looks I would get. I think I held off on those til October at least. Maybe.
This coat in fushia with this scarf (so warm and reversible, it's difficult to get me out of it) and this hat (minus the crazy mohawk part) is my current look. I'm thinking my bright orange scarf with my red Gap peacoat will be next as long as it doesn't get too cold too quick. Winter accessorizing is what keeps me sane as I deal with the cold, snow, ice, and general ickiness of an Iowa winter. What gets you through?
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Post word total: 700
Overall word total: 2,898
Words left to write: 22,102
I am a coldblooded mammal. Now you may be thinking, Becky, that is simply not possible. And technically you may be right, but I am as close to one as you'll find I promise. For example while I am writing this, I am in bed with the following for warmth: t-shirt, heavy cardigan sweater, fleece pajama pants (pink penguin ones of course), socks, wrist warmers, flannel sheets, a fleece blanket, a comforter, a throw, and a heavy crocheted blanket. And I'm contemplating making hot tea. Crazy no?
Because I'm always cold, I logically decided to work in a library where my office is a first floor ice box. Oh, and the reference desk is made of faux stone that sucks you of warmth faster than a vampire. So to compensate I dress warmly. I won't get into my love of sweaters and tights and leggings under dress pants tonight. No, this post is about my coats and winter accessories.
Someone talked about pulling out their winter coat this week, and I noticed the distinct lack of an 's' at the end of that word. People have more than one winter coat right? I mean, real people who live in the midwest. (Not you crazy Southerners and your "winters.") I got to counting coats in my head. I have 5 coats most people would characterize as winter coats. I am not sure when I because such a coat person, but they sort of exist in 3 levels in my head.
Level 1: Short hip-lenth pea coats (no hoods). One red, one fushia.
Level 2: Long mid-thigh pea coat, hood. Brown with light pink trim.
Level 3: Heavy duty snow- and wind-resistant coats. One Wisconsin Columbia jacket that extends past the waist with hood. And one non-hooded green hip-length Pioneer coat that was once my grandfather's.
I feel like I should explain that 2 of these coats were gifts, 2 were rummage sale buys, and one "hand me down" from my grandpa. Currently I am at level 1 coats. Still cute, non-eskimo looking outerwear.
In addition to my coat collection, I own a plethora of scarves, hats, and gloves (both regular and fingerless.) And when I say plethora, I mean I think I counted 16 different crocheted scarves last year. I refuse to count again for fear it's gotten worse. (I mean I know I've bought 3 scarves in the last 2 months...so...) Scarves are not just for outdoors. I wear them indoors too. A lot. My new fave work outfit is to dress is neutral blacks or browns and dress up the outfit with pops of color with a bright scarf or elbow length wrist warmers. Or both. Sometimes I do the reverse and calm down a bright sweater with my new gray knit infinity scarf. I say this like I haven't been wearing scarves on a regular basis since September. Same goes for the fingerless gloves/wrist warmers. I pulled those out as soon as I thought I could handle the number of weird looks I would get. I think I held off on those til October at least. Maybe.
This coat in fushia with this scarf (so warm and reversible, it's difficult to get me out of it) and this hat (minus the crazy mohawk part) is my current look. I'm thinking my bright orange scarf with my red Gap peacoat will be next as long as it doesn't get too cold too quick. Winter accessorizing is what keeps me sane as I deal with the cold, snow, ice, and general ickiness of an Iowa winter. What gets you through?
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Post word total: 700
Overall word total: 2,898
Words left to write: 22,102
What gets me through? 1. Hot tea (preferably Earl Grey with milk)but any black or green or ginger tea will do. How did Earl Grey get its name, anyway? The only Grey nobility I know of was Lady Jane Grey's father, and he was three times over not a nice guy. I'd hate to think my favorite tea was named after such a dishonest, conniving manipulator. 2. My microwave heating pads. My kids found one for me in Madison for Christmas about fifteen years ago, I made two (you fill them with flax seeds and herbs) and I've gotten others as gifts since. My old microwave could accommodate 5, which I often use at once, but its replacement can accommodate only two. :-( 3. I heat up the kitchen with the oven, which I then use to bake potatoes, squash, toast English muffins or cinnamon toast, or roast carrots: 1 lb. baby carrots, sprinkle with olive oil,(abt. 2 TBS) salt, pepper, paprika. Roast at 400 for 30-40 min., stirring occasionally, or until tender. If desired add a chopped onion and a little more oil about 15 to 20 minutes later. You can add other root vegetables too, like parsnips and sweet potatoes: experiment with times. 4. Throw out any ice cream in the freezer. I'll get fresh next summer. In the meantime, I often have hot chocolate for dessert.
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