Tuesday, February 24, 2015

Beating Winter Blues


When the snow is higher than your car, you know it's Winter.  New York and many other places have record lows and lots of snow this year.  Short days, dreary skies and slippery sidewalks can be depressing.

What do you do to combat the Winter blues?

I focus my attention on long-term projects, like designing my costume for the Mermaid Parade in Coney Island.  Even though the parade isn't until June, the work necessary for a costume is extensive and doing it is fun. 

This year I'm also going to try something I've never attempted before -- gardening.  I plan to grow jalapeno and habanero peppers to use in spicy cooking.  Even though the actual outdoor growing must await Spring, the project needs preparation now -- drying out seeds and starting their indoor germination.

I'm also catching up on movies that I overlooked in the past.

What are you doing to brighten your mood?

27 comments:

  1. I'm looking for cardinals. When it's sunny and not too cold (so, not lately), I walk around my neighborhood trying to find the cardinals that live around here. We don't have them in Oregon so it's pretty awesome to see them.

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    1. They're bee-yoo-tiful! I have a pair who visit my front yard almost every day.

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  2. Oof. While we haven't had as much snow as you guys, our lows have been mind-numbingly low. Sometimes I treat the winter blues with an (un)healthy dose of junk food and a Netflix binge, but I'm trying to curb that habit in favor of exercise. I run and climb at a rock-climbing gym near me, and you just can't beat the endorphins :)

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  3. I do as much work as I can all winter long, making the justification that if I work my ass off now, I'll have more time to "play" once the weather warms up. I've also been doing some floral watercolor paintings, which cheers me up. - Ashley

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  4. I have been doing quite a bit of baking and cooking lately, but that leads to an awful lot of eating and since it is horrible outside, not as much exercise as required to ensure I'm not piling on the pounds.

    I keep telling myself I need to tackle cleaning my massive office in the basement. I don't know that it would put me in a better mood though. I think a day of putting together outfits might work better.

    bisous
    Suzanne
    http://www.suzannecarillo.com

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  5. Well, is that your car? Then we have the same eclectic taste in vehicles. I'd buy one right away if I needed one.

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    1. Yes! That's my Gina, short for Ginalollabridgida.

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  6. Growing jalapenos is a good idea as I heard spicy food also does good things for your body!
    I usually stay to still spend time outdoors (can't help it, considering I'm a rider) and that excercise outdoors helps me keep my mood up, whatever the weather, and is also good for my immune system. I am almost never ill!

    -Kati

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    1. Good for you! Health is one of my goals. I eat spicy food both for that and because it's so tasty.

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  7. It can be hard to combat the winter blues! I make sure I get out of the house every day for a bit and I work out every day, too. I am excited to start gardening this spring. I am okay with keeping plans and flowers alive, but I have never been good with a vegetable garden. I plan on trying again this year. Maybe the California weather will help me a bit? Who knows. I am just ready for spring to be here already!

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    1. Nora, plants grow in California without any help, so yours will flourish. Just be careful about discovering "weed" in your garden-bed!

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  8. In our neck of the woods it is summer ... and we have been having a heat wave ... so talk about opposite ends of the scale!!!

    I can't wait to see your outfit for the Mermaid Parade and what delicacies you are going to create with your home grown produce.

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  9. Gardening sounds like a great new project. I am not really good at it but my husband is :)
    I actually like the Winter blues somehow because it always makes us creative since we usually plan lots of things we want to to when the weather is better... ;)
    I would actually love to know your opinion about my new post about consumerism (especially consumerism as bloggers) and in my before last post I am hosting a giveaway with organic cosmetics, in case you are interested- its still open until tomorrow :)
    Take care!

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  10. I'm studying Math and Italian. Otherwise, I'm just trying to avoid hard liquor.

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  11. I love your little snappy saucy car.. so cute!!
    I get outside for some fresh air and movement. Getting active always boosts my mood even if its only a walk- I feel so alive when I'm active. And of course, some dark chocolate always helps too (RAWR :P

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  12. Your car is so frickin' cute :)

    I'm not sure that i AM beating them. This winter has been particularly rough for some reason. But, when i'm feeling like myself I've enjoyed just going out walking, riding my fatbike, going to the beach. If you dress properly, everything outside is doable.

    I have to say this morning I felt hopeful for the first time in ages - it was much brighter at 6:30am. Spring... it's on the way.

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    1. Yay! It is sunny today. Hope that lifts your mood.

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  13. It's difficult sometimes to get out of your winter blues, but I am dreaming of sunshine and flowers at the moment, or perhaps browsing tickets for another holiday is even better! :)
    Foodie Faves

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  14. Mermaid costume????? This I must see!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!x

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  15. What did you finally chose to make for the Mermaid parade ?
    Oh and I am SOOO looking forward to seeing you grow the jalapeño peppers.
    Just one word, when you pick them and cut them (handle them in any way) do not do it with your bare hands. Experience taught me (my hand was in ice water for 5 hours)

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  16. Oooh I can't wait to see your mermaid costume.
    It is hard for me to relate to the winter blues here in So. Cal but I like your projects. I would probably go nuts with the kids or they would drive me nuts if I was snowed in at home for days…
    Good luck with your projects.
    Daphne.

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  17. our winder blues aren't as extreme as yours, obviously, but when it's cooler and rainy, i crave the sun and beach. i run and workout to get swimsuit season ready!

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  18. That is some mighty steep snow indeed!!! We had a record fall ourselves in early January, but beyond that storm, I wouldn't say this was one of the snowier winters I've experience. Just a totally average one on that front (knock wood - a massive blizzard could still hit, as this is Canada we're talking about after all!).

    ♥ Jessica

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  19. This MASSIVE WINTER STORM in Atlanta has kept me so blue!!!!! heehee In all seriousness, though, I'd go crazy without Georgia's crazy changeable weather. I'd have S.A.D. for sure if I had to deal with a long winter. As much as I love fireplaces and sweaters and flannel pajamas...

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  20. Oh man. Everyone in the city kept telling me this was the worst weather they had had in years. Of course I showed up with my 5 inch heels and above the knee skirts for fashion week! My "winter" coat was nothing compared the the knee length down coats the natives had! But alas, once inside the tents, and I was able to thaw out, my spirits were lifted quite high!

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