Winter: Enjoying, Not Just Enduring
Originally published in Mothering Matters in November 2012
Someone once told me that winter was his favourite season. I was astounded! What did he like about winter? He enjoyed walking in the forest and breathing the cold, fresh air. Fair enough, I thought. He gave me something to think about, as until that point, and perhaps beyond it, I had thought of a European winter as something to be endured, not enjoyed.
A quarter of my life: I’m slowly learning that winter doesn’t necessarily have to be dreaded. Winter’s a fact of life that I have to accept. Let’s put it into perspective: it only lasts three months. That’s a quarter of the year and – quick mathematical calculation – a quarter of my life, yikes! So it is high time to feel positive about this season that takes up a large chunk of one’s lifetime. Maybe it is a bit of a stretch to expect to actually look forward to winter, though I’m determined to try to like it a bit more.
So what is there to like about winter? Snow is lovely. I had a snowless childhood and now enjoy playing in the snow. Isn’t it gorgeous walking outdoors when it’s snowing? I also like being cosy and warm inside while watching out the window as the snow gracefully falls. And when the snow has piled up, going sledding with the kids is a hoot. What goes down, must go up! First zoom down the hill and then trudge up again – an excellent way to get the blood circulating. Repeat ten times and you’ve earned yourself a Glühwein (mulled wine).
Embrace stodge! Besides a seasonal Glühwein, I do enjoy fondue, but only in winter. To make it less stodgy, I always accompany all that bread and cheese with a leafy salad. Not a traditional side dish, but my digestion is grateful for it. Rösti and raclette also taste better in winter, especially after a bracing walk outdoors. Don’t forget about the hot chocolate and apple strudel. And who cares if the kilos pile on? Slimness is wasted hidden under all those darkly-coloured, chunky clothes – a definite advantage of winter.
Christmas is a wonderful winter diversion. December is such a busy month, and Christmas in Switzerland is truly connected to winter. The fairy lights on the houses, the Christmas markets, candle-dipping, the gift giving, baking Christmas biscuits (Güetzli) and Christmas itself are a lovely part of winter. But once that’s over, how does one get through January…?
My latest plan is to have winter projects. It gets dark early, so the atmosphere is perfect for staying home and getting busy with something. I will try to catch up on compiling the last five years of our family photo albums. Or I may attempt, once again, to improve my German. Nothing too strenuous such as grammar – reading articles or a book should suffice. However, this time I won’t skip over unfamiliar words; instead, I’ll immediately and efficiently look them up on the tablet. There’s also the scarf I have been knitting for four years. If I say out loud, that I promise to finish this scarf, then it will certainly be so!
Skiing isn’t the only winter sport but this year I’ll be giving it another go. Who knows, perhaps this is the year that I’ll finally excel at it? If not, I’ll have to work on making the perfect snow angel. Or do some grammar (only joking).
February arrives and the crocuses start appearing. That’s when I know that spring really will return. I buy a potted flowering jasmine to fill the house with scent and optimism. Perhaps I really will be wistful that winter is going. However, at the end of the season I’ll be speaking better German and feel great having completed some useful projects. And won’t I look gorgeous! A bit chubbier for sure, but glowing with good health from skiing and sledding as well as looking very elegant with a unique, hand-knitted scarf.
By Andrea Snashall
Andrea comes from Perth, Western Australia where the winter daytime temperatures average between 15 – 21 ºC. She first experienced snow at the age of 24.
Illustration by Laura Munteanu
Laura has studied Journalism and Advertising, and has worked as a journalist and an illustrator. She has illustrated for magazines, websites, charity and various campaigns. Laura lives in Zurich with her husband and 5 year old daughter.
