Monday, January 9, 2017

Winter Musings


It's cold in my corner of the world today. And white. Very white. Snow began falling Friday night and continued through Saturday. I measured six inches of the fluffy stuff. We awoke to single digit temperatures and haven't ascended above freezing in three days. For those of you who live in northern climes, our 21˚ probably sounds like a heat wave. I grew up in Michigan so I'm well acquainted with both snow and cold (sub-zero) temperatures but, let me assure you, after living below the Mason-Dixon line for lo these many years, what we're experiencing in North Carolina today is COLD! 



So how do those of us in the South deal with snow, ice, and cold? In very different ways. The three dogs who live next door were ridiculously excited. I couldn't help but laugh with joy as I watched them romping through the snow with huge grins on their canine faces. The children in the neighborhood grabbed whatever they could find - garbage can lids, serving trays, inflated pool toys - and hit the hill behind me for some sledding fun. One of my neighbors made chili. Another curled up for a movie marathon. Another, recently arrived from Ohio, couldn't figure out why everything in town was closed. It was only six inches, after all. ;-)



So how did I handle this sudden change in our weather fortunes? Well, Saturday, I got up at 5:30 AM, went outside and absorbed the stillness and beauty of a winter wonderland. After the sun came up, I went out again with my camera and captured the blanket of white in all its glory. When I was a kid, I'd spend hours outside in the cold and snow. My mom would have to drag us inside when it started to get dark. Times change. When my toes started to go numb (after maybe 30 minutes), I retreated to the warmth of my sofa, a cup of hot tea and a cozy blanket where I spent the rest of the day cuddled up with my Kindle. 

By Sunday, I was over the snow and definitely over the cold. I began counting the days until summer. I was too restless to read. I know! Who's too restless to read? So, instead, I began to clean...and I started with books. You all know what happens when I start sorting books. That's right. A giveaway!
So tell me...

What's the weather today in your corner of the world?

How do you spend cold, winter days? Do you read? Cook? Bake? Clean? Knit? Ski? Skate? Have snowball fights?

Are you eager to hit the snow or ice for hours of fun or do you prefer the warmth of a roaring fire?

What book are you reading now? Tell us about it. 

I have one box and two packages of books to give away today. Winners will be randomly chosen from comments posted before 11:00 PM (EST), January 10th. (U.S. addresses only)





34 comments:

  1. After several cold days--including a freeze--we're back in the low 60s here in Houston. I just finished Kate Noble's The Dare and the Doctor. I have to check on what's next on the TBR list. Stay warm, PJ.

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    1. I love Kate Noble! I have The Dare and the Doctor on my tbr. One of these days...

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  2. Since I live in the same area as you, my weather is just as you described. I cooked beef stew as well as Broccoli Cheddar soup. I read a few books. I just finished Jane Ashford's The Bargain which I really enjoyed!

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    1. That sounds yummy, Amy! Has your power stayed on? I have friends on the south side of the city that lost theirs but...knock on wood...mine hasn't flickered. It better not tonight either or I'm going to be one very unhappy college football fan!

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  3. Thankfully, all the snow melted several weeks ago up in the Chicagoland area, but the temps are way too low for my liking. I'm feeling very old and very ready to head south and join those in the warmer climes, PJ! The fact that my husband keeps mentioning North and South Carolina isn't making me feel hopeful if what you're telling me about your weather there right now is true!

    I was just discussing the other day how January/February is my least favorite time of the year! I long for summer right about this time and it never comes quick enough for me. LOL I do, however, love to stay inside curled up with a good book, some hot tea and my corn pillow! Today I'm reading WANTED, A GENTLEMAN by KJ Charles and then I may pull out some old Baloghs and do some comfort reading.

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    1. Irish, it usually isn't this cold. We do tend to get one or two snowfalls per winter but they rarely last more than a few days. Case in point: today, our high was 31. Friday, it will be close to 70.

      Are you looking at any specific areas in the Carolinas?

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  4. It's finally warming up here in Oregon...We are melting the ice, snow and ice slowly. It's still not safe to drive much. We in Eugene are NOT used to driving on ice and snow! So many accidents and fires. The trees have had it too as limbs are crashing down from the double layer of freezing rain. Thanks for the giveaway and I hope to see you in Sept at the HRR again. I'm Lenna Hendershott btw ;-)

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    1. You all really got hammered out there, Lenna. I hope you didn't have any damage on your property.

      I will not be at HRR this year. I have a big trip planned for this summer which means no money in the budget for another trip to the West Coast. I know you'll have a wonderful time. There are some amazing authors coming!

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    2. I will miss you PJ, we were just getting to know you and then we came home. But I understand about budgeting. My friend Melanee (the Ferret Lady) is going to Alaska so she's driving with me and visiting her sister in Spokane instead of going to the HRR. I'm really looking forward to meeting Jennifer Ashley in person as she's my all time favorite author! She and Kate Pearce are my highlights for sure. It will be cool to get to know Eloisa James and Julia Quinn too, although I'm a little intimidated by their fame.
      We did fine with all the ice and snow so far. The first ice storm took the top of our birch tree out back but didn't do any damage landing. It looked like a giant lawn dart as it landed top first straight into the ground, lol. This ice and deep freeze is a major change for the Willamette Valley. I've lived in Eugene my whole life and I only remember 1 or 2 freezing rain years before the last 3 winters here. Kinda scary and the people here don't know how to drive in the mess as they aren't used to it.

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  5. It's been in the 20s most of the day, still a smattering of snow on the ground from two days of a bit of snow last week, and some black ice on the pavements. I like to curl under a blanket and read when I can, but I have the regular schedule here, so the usual stuff is on the agenda.

    denise

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    1. Stay warm, Denise! Black ice is a problem here too. Plus, we just don't have the road equipment to deal with it.

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  6. PJ I live in Austin Texas. I was born in Indiana, right at the tip of Lake Michigan. Like you, I remember the snow and the cold as fun. Now, I do not want snow to touch any part of my body. I think it looks lovely in beer commercials and on Christmas cards but not in the near vicinity of me. We had 3 days of freezing temps here. That is the same front you had, but we did not have any precipitation - thank heavens. I liked your pictures. It does look beautiful, and I remember the stillness. But, seriously, I am grateful that I live in a place that is normally considered tropical.

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    1. Annette, sounds like we grew up in the same area. My hometown is an hour north of Michigan City, just off Lake Michigan. Lots of lake effect snow!

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  7. Well the snow came on Friday and the cold lasted until today. In the mid 40's today but should be in the 60's tomorrow. I spent the time in bed. Was in the ER early Thursday am. I was in so much pain. So the pain pills kept me so loopy. I don't like the feeling. Usually I would drink hot tea and hot cocoa. I am currently reading Can't Stop Loving you by Miranda Liasson.

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    1. I'm so sorry you haven't been well! Sure hope you're on the road to recovery now.

      Can't Stop Loving You was my first Miranda Liasson book. I now have three more on my tbr. I'm enjoying her writing.

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  8. It was low 40s here today (north Alabama) which is a tad warmer than our 20s and 30s over the weekend. We had expected some snow on Friday but only got a few flakes. And yes, for the South IT IS COLD.
    I've been indoors mostly recovering from a nasty cold and reading some library books I've had since before Christmas...historical romance mysteries. I've just recently discovered this genre (C.S. Harris, Deanna Raybourn, Anna Lee Huber), and I'm really loving it!!! I have ALWAYS been a devotee of historical romance, so it's been nice to switch it up a bit.
    My favorite way to spend a cold winter's day? Snuggled up on my couch wearing my favorite sweatshirt, drinking spice tea and reading. I know! Not very original...but I'm low maintenance, and it works for me!!!
    Thanks for the giveaway offers and stay warm!

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    1. It may not be original but it sounds lovely, Robin! Have you read Manda Collins? She writes historical romance with a thread of mystery. Not as heavy on the mystery as the authors you listed, but good!

      Hope you're feeling better soon.

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  9. It snowed here this weekend. I stayed inside and read A Date at the Altar by Cathy Maxwell.

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    1. I hope you enjoyed that book as much as I did!

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  10. I am a life long resident of SE Lower Michigan except for about 15 years I spent living in Raleigh, NC. When I retired, I decided I needed a warmer weather place to live and NC seemed like the place to be. True, they get hit was some cold weather and snow, but it's usually gone within a few days and winter is short and relatively mild. But, now that I'm back in MI, I go out as little as possible in the winter. Only trips that cannot be avoided will drag me from my cocoon. I love watching Crime dramas on TV and reading. Always have a book nearby...couldn't live without my books.

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    1. As I mentioned above, I grew up in Michigan. While I loved living there when I was young, I have no desire to ever live that far north again. I really do love here in the Carolinas.

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  11. On Saturday it snowed a few inches and then it got really cold on Sunday. Today the air pressure was really high today (per the weatherman) which explained my sinus headache. I normally would have read today, but couldn't until the Sudafed kicked in. I'm reading Julia London's 'Summer of Two Wishes' which is about an Iraq war widow, who after several years remarries and then is told her husband has been held prisoner but has now escaped. Joy is followed by the heartbreak of which man to be with. Both are good men who love her & she loves both of them. It has brought tears to my eyes and touched my heart.

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    1. I have to be in a certain frame of mind to read a story like that. I find them heart-wrenching. Hope the sinus headache improves!

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  12. It is very cold in New York City today 14 degrees we had snow storm over the weekend I spent the weekend at home shoveling snow I'm currently reading Denial by Lisa Renee Jones

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  13. Hi PJ! We had snow over the week-end on Long Island, all day Saturday. This morning, it was 6 degrees when I drove my daughter to school. I prefer being inside at this point! I am reading the Mackenzies & McBrides series by Jennifer Ashley. I had only gotten to the first 6 books, so I am catching up!

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  14. We just got hit by winter last week. Before that it had been a semi warm and nice end if the year. Now thathat it's cold and snowy I prefer to stay in and I don't go out unless I really have to. On those days a hot cup of tea or coffee while reading is all I need time make me happy. I'm reading the ARC for Tame A While Lady by Ashlyn Macnamara and loving it.

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  15. I live in Florida so we don't have much winter. It has been in the 30s for two nights in a row. Supposed to be in the 70s tomorrow though. I love to bake when it gets cold. Just picked up Sandra Brown's book, Sting, so I'll be opening it tonight.

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  16. I am in NE TN right up against the Blue Ridge Mountains and have pretty much the same weather you have. It will be in the single digits again tonight. We got about 7 inches of snow. Will be in the 40's tomorrow and then pinto the 60's.
    Have been spending the time trying to catch up on everything. Am a bit old to be playing in the snow and it is a bitter cold out there. If it were a bit warmer and the snow packy, I would be out there. I just finished GLORY, GLORY by Linda Lael Miller, an oldie but goodie. Woman is back in town after breaking up with a boyfriend and quitting her job. After her mother's wedding, she plans to leave town and look for a job. She meets up with her old boyfriend and it isn't pleasant. She left town without any word when they were 18 and hurt him badly. He is still angry with her and doesn't trust her. A nice Christmas story.

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  17. I didn't realize North Carolina got that much snow. I thought our snow storms were something here in New Jersey. Then I visited my DIL in Minnesota, unbelieveable cold. It was between 12 & 14 degrees here yesterday. It's 23 right now.I used to spend hours in the snow with my 7 children when they were children butvnow a days I can't do the cold. So I cook and read. :) I made homemade ham & bean soup.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  18. Here in SW Florida, we are in Day 5 of cold weather and are more than sick of it. The weather forecasters keep promising a warmup but not as yet. The kitties are lethargic because they can't get on the lanai and we are unwilling to go outside too. It is 58 out there now with a northerly wind. And - yes - I am a total weenie. I just want to crawl back in bed.

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  19. It's finally warmer here in central Texas. We deal very poorly with really cold weather here! I had to handle a frozen pipe in our home well and multiple frozen pipes at my woŕk.

    I just finished Grace Burrowes' latest THE TROUBLE WITH DUKES and am looking forward to the rest of the Windham cousins' stoŕies!!

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  20. I avoid the cold and stay inside and read, cook and clear out excess items. Perfect time to work on declutter. I love heat and summer. Even though I grew up in and lived in Mtl. I now live where it is warmer but still have a mild winter.

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  21. I have RA so I cannot manage cold temps at all. I drink hot tea, read, and stay inside unless it is 80 degrees. I enjoy sunshine and always have. I am read The Magdalen Girls which is captivating.

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  22. The cold front moved into Fort Worth last Thursday and we got snow on Friday. My grandkids were so excited! We had 3 days of below freezing temps before it started warming up and today it's supposed to get up to 75º! We were working in the yard (well he was, I was just keeping company) in short sleeves! I am rereading Julie James's FBI/US Attorney series. Happy New Year!

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