A bitter cold

Folks, we've lived in the Chicago area for nearly ten years. That's ten more than we expected when Mike started law school and we assumed we'd be staying closer to home. Who would have guessed that this Chicago experiment would develop into a city life in a condo, then parenthood in both the city and then the suburbs, and now a home purchase with green grass and carpools.

Our life has taken a decidedly northern twist due to professional decisions, and we truly love it here. It's been an incredible journey.

However...

Today, as I write this post, it is expected to be a HIGH of -13 degrees tomorrow. That's an achingly bitter forecast. And I say that after living through nine Chicago winters. This kind of punishing cold is rough going even for veterans.

Brave husband rakes the snow off our roof (the weight can cause damage)

Life simply has a different rhythm when you live in a cold climate. We have hot summers in Chicago so it's like a giant pendulum, swinging from -13 to 101 degrees in the course of a year. The weather smacks us around a little and, believe it or not, I've actually started appreciating the coolness (or rather started to wimp out during the oppressive heat).

Around late October, we begin to think about locating winter items... our snow shovels are pulled from the shed, snow pants are held up to check sizes and zippers, warm woolen socks get new life, and long underwear takes center stage. I do a massive shift in our shoe bin in the closet. No more crocs, just boots and the like. The space heater for our bedroom gets dusted off and removed from the crawl space. The back patio furniture gets covered. To quote my newest fiction obsession, "Winter is coming."

No errands today, just board game central

We've had massive snowstorms and rough winters and then surprisingly mild ones the past couple of years. This year is spitting out incredibly harsh temperatures. It fools us into thinking that sunshine and snow have created a playground, only to have our cheeks burn and skin cracks with the bitter cold.

Quilts aren't just for decor, they become a necessity. And our old, uninsulated kitchen, receives an increase in oven usage, if for no other reason than to warm things up. We drink more tea, coffee and hot chocolate and find excuses for warm breakfast treats.

Certain children photo bomb my picture of great grandma's quilt

The winters may be long and harsh, but part of me enjoys the sheer coziness of it all. Winters are good for snuggles in soft pajamas and fires and new Ugg slippers. They are beautiful opportunities for seeing brilliant red cardinals against the white snow and remembering that earlier generations didn't have nearly the comforts we have. Can you imagine living in this winter without ready supplies of hot water? Or heat that literally changes a few degrees with a mere twist of a dial?

So wherever you are, stay warm. Enjoy your cocoons and your warm drinks and snuggles. Our schools have been cancelled for Monday already. Winter may have set in, but so have the cuddles and board games and warm blankets. I'm going to try to relish the newness of this season now before stir craziness and exasperation set in by April... by then I'll be singing a different a tune.