Coping with winter

I hate winter. Not just the cold (although....), but the lack of sunlight really gets me down. Not to the point of having Seasonal Affective Disorder, but I hate winter.

I also don't like feeling like I have no control (surprise!), so I usually try to do something during the winter to make me feel happier. Some years husband and I will have a party in February. Mardi Gras is a great excuse for a party and since husband is Cajun, he knows how to throw a heckuva Mardi Gras party.

Well this year things are a tighter financially and it just seems out of place to throw a Mardi Gras party when the national mood is so sober. So this year was a year when smaller seems better. A few weeks ago, we had a few (5?) friends over for an afternoon of gaming. Munchkins to be exact. A dumbed down (and much quicker) version of D&D. Snacks and hot fudge sundaes were eaten. Monsters were killed. Fun was had.

Yesterday husband and I had a couple of other friends over for dinner. These friends are going though some difficult times right now and we wanted to cheer them up without putting too much attention on the cheering up process. So, we had a picnic for dinner. In January and inside (outside? brrrr!!!). Homemade fried chicken, potato salad, cole slaw, cucumber salad and cole slaw. And to drink? A summer favorite that I haven't made in years - fresh brewed iced tea with lemon and sugar. We even put it in a glass pitcher that looks like the one that Kool-Aid uses in its commercials.

Having those foods for dinner (and the leftovers for a few days), helps remind me that winter won't last forever. And the whole process of planning everything keeps my mind occupied and helps the time go faster.

This really helps me get through winter. Try it for yourself.