Beating the Winter Blahs

Today was a gorgeous day, with a bit of sun (finally!) and highs around 50 degrees. It was a much-needed break from the winter weather, and it did a lot to improve my mood. 

In between all the snow we have seen here in Alabama this year, it's pretty easy to get in a bit of a funk.  In the midst of the cold, dark, and dreary days, here are a few things that are lifting my mid-winter spirits:

• Peppermint Mocha creamer.  I have been drinking a hot cup of peppermint-flavored coffee every morning when I get to work.  It's not quite the same as a Starbucks mocha, but it's a good substitute, since Starbucks is not exactly an option here in our small town.
• Comfy, cozy sweats and socks.  If it's going to be 20 degrees outside, I might as well embrace it and enjoy being warm and toasty inside.



• Babies in soft fleece footed pajamas...is there anything more snuggly?
• Crockpot meals, warm and waiting when I get home from work.  There is a pot of white chicken chili just waiting to be pulled out of the fridge and dumped in the crockpot tomorrow morning.  Yum!
• Making plans to go through the girls' clothes during these cold winter days, so I can start listing some of their old stuff on Craigslist and Ebay.  Extra cash and more drawer space will always lift my spirits.
• Mentally rearranging my living room over and over, trying to decide exactly what furniture we will buy with our tax refund
•  Cute little ballerinas in tutus handmade by a sweet friend (and little girls who have learned to say "cheese!" for the camera):

•  Netflix instant-streaming tv and movies...old Grey's Anatomy episodes, enough movies to keep me busy for months, and Thomas the Tank Engine on demand for the girls
• Harry's Law--the new show on ABC starring Kathy Bates.  It's hilarious, and one of the few shows that Jeremy and I are enjoying together.  If you were a Boston Legal fan, I highly recommend it!
• The stack of books I snagged at Barnes & Noble's after-Christmas clearance sale...after all, I still maintain that the very best way to pass a cold and dreary afternoon is snuggled in with a good book.

How are YOU beating the winter blahs this year?