When you live in an area where lately the temperature seems to hover between 9 degrees (Fahrenheit) and 2 below zero, you tend to crave anything that makes you feel warm and cozy.
Like my Sherpa blanket.
Oh yeah! If I could wrap up with it while waiting for the train on frosty mornings, I would. When I throw it on, I instantly feel the weight and warmth of it. It’s like having a sheepdog wrapped around me.
I’ve mentioned the maple apple cider tea that makes me feel especially cozy. Nancy Hatch and Lyn Miller-Lachmann, expect to get some in the mail soon. (Yes, that is my way of announcing the winners of the giveaway announced in this post. I decided to go with two, since they both said they wanted the tea in the comments. Winners, please confirm below. If you would prefer to have a blend of flavors [click that link to preview] instead of only the maple apple cider, please mention that when you confirm.)
Another way of getting cozy is to watch a cozy movie. I’ve mentioned in many posts that movies and miniseries adapted from Jane Austen’s books are my usual go-tos. However, Enchanted April is another favorite. This 1991 movie, directed by Mike Newell, concerns four women (Josie Lawrence, Miranda Richardson, Joan Plowright, and Polly Walker) who rent a villa in the Italian Rivera. It’s based on the 1922 novel by Elizabeth von Arnim. With a cast like that, I can’t help feeling cozy, especially with so many sun-splashed days and lovely walks in the Italian countryside.
Still another way of getting cozy is to curl up with a cozy mystery. Agatha Christie, Ellis Peters, Ngaio Marsh, P. D. James, and Dorothy Sayers were my authors of choice for years on cold winter days. Agatha, Ngaio, and Dorothy wrote during the Golden Age of mysteries (the 1920s and 1930s). There are many cozy mystery series now. For a great review of a cozy mystery, check out FictionFan’s blog. She reviewed one of the Murder She Wrote novels starring the one and only Jessica Fletcher. (Click here for that review.) I used to read those ages ago. I think I’ll pick one up again.
I feel warmer already!
What’s your favorite way to get cozy this winter?
Book cover from Goodreads. Photos by L. Marie.
El Space--The Blog of L. Marie 
My idea is calling into the local coffee shop after dropping the kids at school, armed with a book. Any book. Sitting in that world while watching the weather outside the window. Of course you then have to brave the elements once again, but it’s worth it!
I’m not surprised that you presented this scenario, Andy. 🙂 You’ve overheard some interesting conversations as said establishments. I also like to go to a coffee shop. However, I find I can’t work or read in that environment as many others can. I get too distracted by people.
Warm clothes and a blanket, but that usually knocks me out for the day. Curling up with a good book should be on my list and it used to be. I had to stop when I would fall asleep within thirty minutes and wake up groggy. Didn’t matter how exciting the book was, my eyes would just close as my mind drifted into the adventure.
With a child and multiple series, you have a lot going on. So no wonder you fall asleep. I usually read in bed and wind up asleep. Last night, I retreated under the blankets because of the cold. (This apartment building is on the cool side.) Today the temperature has climbed to 21 degrees! Woot!!! I feel more awake now.
When a kid and into college, I used to read before bed. Many times I’d fall asleep while doing it. So I think my body still associates lying down and reading with sleep time.
If I sit up in bed and read, I have a 70 percent chance of staying awake. But if I recline on my elbow with a book, I’m gone.
Same here. Even worse if I have a blanket.
Congratulations to the winners! With temps in the single digits as I walked to my office this morning, my favorite way to get cozy was to fire up my space heater once I got to my desk. I’m toasty.
Oh man! Sorry about that! You could use a hot beverage! Hope you have a good scarf to wear.
Congratulations to the giveaway winners. 🙂
Today I will be indoors most of the day, nursing a cold, and sipping tea or coffee or hot chocolate. Actually, I feel that miserable way one feels with a head cold – so, I think I’ll manage all three. 🙂
A warm and fuzzy pair of socks, a warm sweater, and maybe one of my shawls over my shoulder all warm me up.
I love the movie, Enchanted April. I have not read the book, but, it is around here, somewhere.
I’m sorry you’re not feeling well, Penny. I hope you get better soon. The temperature has been so up and down lately. So many people are getting sick. Take care of yourself!
I’m going to look for another pair of the fuzzy socks I love. It’s so hard to find a pair that are higher than ankle socks.
I know. It’s been brutally cold here, too. Ugh.
How’s school???
First semester was awesome…next one starts tomorrow!
Glad to hear it!! Hope you do well this semester!
I love this post urging us all to consider how we “get cozy.” Here in Philly, the temps are hovering between 16-25. Not as cold as your area, but chilly nonetheless. And in this old Victorian house, it’s tough to keep warm! I’m in extra layers and extra blankets and drinking extra amounts of coffee!
Thank you! I’m on my third cup, Laura. Today, the temperature is a balmy 23 degrees!!! My goodness! It’s like summer!
Woo Hoo! Thanks, Linda.
I want to go with your new fave ~ the Maple Apple Cider tea! Do you need me to e-mail you with my address or do you still have it?
Better still . . . or do you want to hand deliver the tea and stay for a warm up?
If only I could!!!
I think Amazon still lists your address. I will double check.
BTW: How’s your writing going on all those books? I remember you had a LOT of books to write.
I finished one; another project was canceled. Still working on a third. Thank you for asking.
Okay, I ordered the tea! It should arrive on January 11.
Yay! I feel warmer already. I’m looking forward to trying this new-to-me flavor. Thanks so much!
I hope it arrives today, Nancy. Amazon said it shipped. 🙂
It just arrived and it is DELICIOUS!!! Thanks so much, Linda. You rock!
Yay! So glad you enjoy it, Nancy. I hope you weren’t overwhelmed with six boxes of the same tea. 🙂
Great!
We found a perfect spot to stash our stash of STASH Tea!
Thanks again for a FUN giveaway!
Great! I’m nearing the end of my stash. Must order more! 😀
Thanks for the link and the kind words, L Marie! 😀 I love cold weather much better than hot – it’s my northern genes, I think. My idea of cosy is a mug of hot chocolate, a cat on my knee (not that T&T are often willing to go along with that plan unfortunately) and either a good book or a nice afternoon murder mystery. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!
A great way to spend the day, FF!
I really want that Anthony Horowitz book that you reviewed. At least it will come to the States this year!
For me, an ideal cold winter afternoon would be spent with a mug (or two) of hot Earl Grey tea, some knitting, and an audiobook (preferably a mystery). And if the afternoon is sunny, two of my three cats will be on the back of one of our couches, toasting themselves in squares of sunlight. The other is likely to be against my hip 😉 Congratulations to the winners! And I hope it warms up for you, Linda, although it may need to warm up a lot before you feel the difference 😉
Today, the temperature is in the 20s, Marie. So I am rejoicing!
Did you finish what you were knitting in your last post? I started an owl hat, which is always fun to make. 🙂
Nope, still knitting. It’ll take a few more weeks at the rate I’m going. It’s a shawl 🙂 I’m glad to hear it’s warming up!
Yay! Lovely pattern.
Yes, we’re at 27 degrees now! That feels like a heatwave!
My, you’re getting warmer every day! We started this week with near freezing temps and we’ll end it with highs in the 70s … egad … I always have to check the temps now to figure out what to wear 😉
We were climbing, but now we’re going back the other way, thanks to the freezing rain. Oh, Winter. You do linger.
Oh, dear, and our temps are a bit too warm right now. You all are getting some serious weather ;(
We’re getting icy rain now. The weather is never dull here!
omg!
Yup.
Thank you, Linda! That maple apple cider tea will be great, because here in NYC, we have 5 inches of snow on the ground (where it hasn’t been removed) and the temps are between 24 and 12. Warmer than you but still cold. Yesterday, I was out all day in the cold, at the movies and an open house at an artist’s loft. (I’ve always wanted to see a real working artist’s loft, and a girl can dream, right?) And hubby and I stopped for ice cream. We were the only people there, besides the staff, all dressed up in sweaters and wool caps because the heat went out in the ice cream place.
I hear it’s supposed to warm up, at least for a few days. Again, thank you!
Hey, Lyn! Expect the package to arrive on Wednesday, January 11.
Wow! You guys got a lot of snow! I guess we’ll get some soon too.
Even when it’s cold, I want ice cream 🙂
Your post made me feel all cozy just reading about your cozy-go-tos! I’ll have to try your DVD rec of Enchanted April – looks good.
Actually, my novel ‘go to’ in winter is any one of Rosamunde Pilcher’s books in the ‘Shell Seekers’ series. Right now, I’m re-reading the one called ‘September’. Don’t know which I like best: getting in my flannel pjs and cuddling up with a quilt on the living room couch reading it or the actual content of the book! HA! 😀
I remember that series! I read her books years ago! I’m glad you reminded me about her. I’ll have to reread some of them!
Totally wish I could return to my pajamas, Laura. But I have to head off on the cold train.
I strongly recommend Enchanted April. I love that film so much!
It’s on my list!
Happy New Year! Your blanket looks very cosy. You’ve mentioned my favorite ways of keeping warm. 😊
It is very warm, Timi. I wish I could take it with me in the car and on the train. Though I would look very weird. 🙂
You have “a thousand and one” ways to stay comfortable under any circumstances, Linda. You have the secret to cultivating well-being! This is precious.
Love ❤
Michel
Merci, Michel. I hope Janine’s arm is mending without the need for surgery.
You can NEVER go wrong with a Murder She Wrote mystery
Very true. And today with all of the icy rain falling, it would be a great read. Thanks for stopping by, Anne.