Inspiration short #13: Play in the snow!
by Danielle Charles
This is the time of year when cabin fever begins to set in. Those long restful days of our feet up by the fire that sounded so delicious during the busy month of December begin to get monotonous and tiring by the end of January. Restlessness sets in, then what feels a little like claustrophobia. Before you know it, you’re on the computer looking at ticket prices to the Caribbean.
Is all that winter napping wearing you out?
But there is a very simple remedy for cabin fever, and it costs a good deal less than round trip airfare to Jamaica. Do you want to know what it is? I call it, “go out of your cabin!”. A little fresh air and some movement will do wonders for that restless, stagnant feeling that comes from too much time indoors.
Sassafras and Taliesin demonstrate "going out of the cabin"
Perhaps even better than simply going out of your cabin, how about going out your cabin for the purpose of playing in that magnificent white powder blanketing everything with its soft, silvery sheen? There is enormous potential for a good time when it comes to snow. I’ve always found that the people who tolerate winter the best are those who get out there and make the best of what it has to offer. So if you’ve got a bad case of cabin fever, you know just what you’ve got to do.
Here are 10 enormously fun ways to enjoy the snow:
- Make a snow angel
- Have a snowball fight
- Build your own snow fort (perfect for those ginormous piles left by the plows)
- Make a snow sculpture (snowman, snow-woman, or how about a snow elephant!)
- Lay in the snow (especially nice in the forest when out of breath from snowshoeing or cross country skiing)
- Go sledding
- Downhill or Cross country Ski
- Go snowshoeing
- Make a snow cone using maple syrup or your own herbal syrup (elderberry, rosehip, etc)
- Go ice skating (ok, ice is not exactly snow, I know, but it does involve frozen water, wintertime and is very fun!)
Herbal snow cone made with rose petal syrup
Now you’ve no excuse. Get out there in the fresh wintry air and have some fun!
The Teacup Chronicles 
I love that photo of Taliesin and Sassafras venturing outside, they are so beautiful. They do look a little reticent though… just as I feel sometimes!
It’s got colder again here but still no sign of more snow. You need to give me some tips for playing in the rain instead. 🙂
xxx
That picture is actually of their very first time going out in the snow, back when we moved to Vermont 2yrs ago. Reticent is a perfect word for it! I think they stood in that doorway for 10 minutes before venturing a brave paw out in the cold. (And, in all actuality, they really aren’t the best examples for playing in the snow as they both despise cold weather and won’t set paw in the snow – too posh they are). Anyway, getting out the door is often the hardest part, isn’t it! Hmm, tips for playing in the rain. I’ll have to think, so far I can only come up with singing and puddle jumping 🙂
You are so right Danielle! Getting outside, even for a short while, and just playing and laughing, makes everyone feel so much better:) Love your ideas and having a “duh” moment here about your herbal snowcones! When there is fresh clean snow on the ground, I always gather a small bowl for my little soon to be three year old grandson, Dylan. Herbal syrup on top in the future it is!!
Adore your kitties names! xx
Hi Leslie,
It really does! While herbs can definitely support us, it really is the decision to enjoy and really experience our lives that gives us vitality and wellbeing 🙂 You must try the herbal snowcone – I’ve been having lots of fun with that of late as we have plenty of snow to eat here. Have fun in the snow 🙂
D