It's no secret that most military families wish they could PCS to Florida and escape winter all together.
I, on the other hand, am the opposite. We're currently stationed in Florida and I am terribly missing the cold winters that I grew to know and love...and I know I’m not the only one!
I understand that many of you stuck in a snowstorm right now are biting your tongue as you read this. I think even our editor is probably shaking her head after being stuck indoors during the ice storm that recently made its way across the country.
But I think some of you share my sentiments. You miss the sound of snow crunching beneath your feet, the snow days that keep the kids out of school, the time spent sledding and making snowmen. And let's not even talk about your beloved winter wardrobe full of knit sweaters.
If it's 80 degrees outside like it is here, there are a few things you can do to make your home cozy and help you forget that it's not cold outside...at least for a few moments!
1. Bring the cold in.
Crank the air conditioning down! Certainly not every day, but you can afford to make your house frigid on occasion to wear a few of those beloved sweatshirts hanging in the back of your closet.
2. Enjoy your favorites.
Like drinking hot cocoa! If you’ve got some Irish cream, pour some of that in there, too. Trust me, it's delicious. And bake while you drink. I’m sure you have your favorite cold weather recipes, so go ahead and make them.
3. Pretend the rain is snow!
Lizann, author of The Seasoned Spouse, says that it doesn't snow where they live. In fact, her kids have never even seen snow. She and her kids make their traditional hot cocoa on the rare days that it rains.
4. Indulge in seasonal scents.
In my house, I burn cinnamon candles until spring when I switch back to my normal scents. An alternative to candles is to make some potpourri. Just throw in some cinnamon, apple peels, orange rinds, cloves, and let it simmer on the stove. In just a few short minutes, your house will smell amazing!
5. Decorate for winter.
Just like you don't skip decorating for Christmas because it's warm outside, don't forget about you winter decor. Fran, military spouse and author of Freeborboleta, recommends going all out and adding wintry decorations in every corner of your home!
Sure, it might seem out of place when you have heavy blankets, evergreen branches, and snowflake placements around the house, but these are the things that will help you forget that it's 80 degrees outside.
6. Close your curtains.
Don't black out your house completely, but filtering some of that bright sunshine beating in through your windows sure will make it a little easier to cozy up on the couch with your favorite blanket and a glass of wine.
With these tips, those of you longing for a cold winter can pretend it's snowing outside from the comfort of your cozy, wintry home.
