Episode #215: Winter Survival Information

The climate is chilly outdoors, so this week we’re discussing our favourite winter issues. Every little thing from actions, meals, and clothes.

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Present Notes:

Favourite winter exercise with your loved ones:

Elsie – Sledding with FunBoy snow sleds, scorching chocolate, and making snowmen

Emma – Making snow ice cream, kinetic sandbox in the home, and getting an annual go to Discovery Middle

Favourite solo winter exercise:

Elsie – Studying and watching motion pictures

Emma – Thrifting

Remark beneath together with your cozy motion pictures and books.

Favourite winter outfit:

Elsie – Fuzzy J. Crew boots, leggings or pajama pants, and many totally different coats

Emma – Beanies, yoga pants with sweaters, overalls with lengthy sleeves, and lengthy socks

Favourite winter meal:

Elsie – Pasta and soup

Emma – Pasta, pizza, and curry

Favourite winter facet dish:

Elsie – Every little thing potatoes: hash browns and Breakfast Potatoes

Emma – Starbucks Drugs Ball

Favourite winter dessert:

Elsie – Gingerbread Cookies and Sugar Cookies

Emma – Sugar cookies, puddings, and custards

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Episode 215 Transcript:

Elsie: You’re listening to the A Lovely Mess podcast, your cozy consolation lesson. The climate is chilly outdoors, so this week we’re discussing our favourite winter issues. Every little thing from meals, actions, clothes, and so forth. It’s just about a hygge episode. 

Emma: Yeah. Stuff to do inside or outdoors, however, you already know, yeah, how one can take pleasure in winter a bit of extra.

Elsie: Sure. So, when you don’t know, we stay each in Missouri, and Missouri has the miserable winter from hell. It’s not the worst in the entire nation. It may be worse, however it’s fairly dangerous. And for most individuals who stay right here, this is the reason, like, the time period snowbird will get, like, created. It’s for individuals who stay in these kind of climates. We will’t take it anymore, who decides to spend a number of months in a struggle?

Emma: We don’t have youngsters at school anymore, they usually’re like, see ya, this time of 12 months. 

Elsie: I actually can’t wait, I truly counted out the variety of years, which I feel is 12 years from now, that I’ll have the ability to have a snowbird, and never be having a child at school. 

Emma: Yeah. And I’ll say, for me, I truly actually don’t thoughts the chilly a lot. I imply, you already know, I commute with it, however I oftentimes will go vacationing locations which can be very chilly. So, I’m not essentially an anti-cold individual. However. It’s the lack of daylight that makes it tough.

Elsie: And I’d add, the solar happening early, for me, is like essentially the most miserable half. It simply looks like you have to be settling in whenever you’re like, nonetheless have a number of issues to do in your listing for the day. And then you definitely’re like, ought to I simply eat dinner and watch a present and go to mattress?

Emma: However wait, it’s solely 530. 

Elsie: Yeah, this a part of the 12 months does put me in a bit of little bit of a darkish place. And I do know seasonal melancholy is a really actual factor. 

Emma: Yeah, it’s an actual factor. 

Elsie: I don’t know if I clinically have it or not, however I undoubtedly assume someplace on the spectrum.

Emma: I’d in all probability agree. However yeah, and I feel it’s been this manner for a bit of bit however you’ve gotten all the vacations to sit up for earlier within the winter, however now there’s sort of in some methods nothing to sit up for. 

Elsie: For me having my Christmas lights up and all my proper no flakes and all of that, and it’s like apple cider season, it’s such a joyful time of 12 months and, you already know, like my immense quantity of Christmas film rewatching, Christmas candles, Christmas music, like every part’s good. I really like that point of 12 months. After which despite the fact that the climate just isn’t totally different in January, taking all that down. And simply making an attempt to, like, a number of instances you’re making an attempt to do, like, a wholesome month. Ugh!

Emma: No, don’t do this. I imply, get wholesome. Do no matter you need to do. However, simply don’t torture your self in any manner. 

Elsie: I really feel like there must be extra emphasis on, like, being cozy and being pleased in January, February, and March, at the very least for these of us who stay in a miserable local weather. Anyway. 

Emma: Yeah, so we’re going to speak about our favourite, like, winter stuff. However earlier than we do, we thought we might share, like, that is sort of associated as a result of it’s like additionally how we cope with winter as we escape. So Elsie and I’ve plans later this month to go to Florida the place it’s sunny and hotter. We’re simply going to have enjoyable, and see some associates. I need to go to a bookstore and actually simply chill. We’re going simply the 2 of us and no youngsters. 

Elsie: We did it final 12 months for the primary time and we went to Palm Springs and it wasn’t even heat. We have been like, we have been laying out with, I don’t even assume we wore swimsuits. We have been mendacity out on the pool chairs with like a blanket on us studying books. It was nonetheless like so a lot better than Missouri. So yeah, we’re excited to identical to, go someplace, get some sunshine, go on walks, eat, you already know enjoyable eating places. 

Emma: Yeah, eat outdoors. It doesn’t need to be scorching. It simply needs to be good sufficient to do this. You realize, so yeah, so trying ahead to that. So we’re going to do this and we’ll let you know all about it as soon as we get again. However yeah, we’re doing one other mother who learn journey. 

Elsie: Yeah, it’s good. 

Emma: Yeah, it’s. 

Elsie: I feel that it needs to be an every-year custom. Yeah, now we have like deliberate some kind of like epic concepts, however this 12 months we have been like, let’s do the best one as a result of Emma’s anticipating. 

Emma: I do know, I’m like, can’t do scorching tubs, I can’t drink, I can’t, you already know, a bit of limiting, but it surely’s very enjoyable. 

Elsie: Truthfully, all I need to do is like, take walks, take a look at homes, and skim a e book. 

Emma: Yeah, January is like my birthday month in my thoughts, as a result of I flip 38 on the twenty first, so it’s a great month to journey, get out of the winter, and rejoice myself! All proper. So anyway, on to favourite winter actions and different issues. So first up, what’s your favourite winter exercise with household? So that is stuff with kiddos. 

Elsie: Sure. Okay. So when you put together upfront, snow days in Missouri are essentially the most epic, cozy, wonderful, like 10 out of 10 good issues. So I’ve this firm that I really like referred to as Enjoyable Boy. I’m going to place this within the present notes. They promote pool floaties, however in addition they do snow sleds. I really like these snow sleds. They’re simply pool floaties mainly which can be otherwise coloured, like Christmasy-looking. 

Emma: Yeah, and formed like sleds and various things like that.

Elsie: And technically you need to use a pool floatie as a result of we did that earlier than too, to simply as a sled, they make nice sleds. You don’t want a sled in any respect when you have pool footings. You actually don’t. So, Anyway, I feel having that ready after which ensuring you’ve gotten the inflating machine. Gotta have that. Simply have it, simply set it in your basement and set them there collectively and await the snow to come back and also you’ll be so pleased it’s there after which it is advisable have scorching chocolate. That’s the should. Like you must are available in and have the recent chocolate after which when you can, if you wish to be further, I feel making snowmen is, like, for me, it’s, like, prime three childhood magic, like, issues you are able to do in your whole life, like, making an actual snowman is so enjoyable and magical.

Emma: Sure, for positive. Having fun with the snow is certainly enjoyable, and when you want one thing to benefit from the snow indoors, I like to recommend making snow ice cream. It’s simply enjoyable. It’s a really, like, child Midwest factor to do, in my view. 

Elsie: Do now we have that recipe on Childhood Magic? 

Emma: If we don’t, we in all probability will very quickly. 

Elsie: Okay, as a result of that’s a fantastic recipe to have.

Emma: Okay, so for us, there are a few issues. So, I made a decision to make our sunroom, which was like a room in our home that sort of results in our yard, and we weren’t actually utilizing it. It had like our canine’s meals in there, and simply actually sort of nothing. So, I painted it, obtained a rug, put in an area heater, as a result of it’s one room in our home that doesn’t have like, the warmth doesn’t go in there, so it will get sort of chilly and it will get sort of scorching in the summertime. So anyway, this time of 12 months, the area heater does the trick. So anyway, so now it’s a extra cozy area. And my mother-in-law purchased Oscar this big kinetic sand desk. So it’s sort of like this huge, he calls it a bucket, but it surely’s like a desk that’s like a bowl, I suppose. And he beloved his sandbox. Yeah, he beloved his sandbox all summer season. And so clearly we’re not doing that proper now as a result of it’s too chilly. So now now we have the kinetic sandbox. But it surely’s like up off the bottom. So like I sit in a chair whereas I play with him and like construct sandcastles. However for him, it’s like his peak the place he can stand there and play. And naturally, we’re engaged on maintaining the sand within the sandbox and placing it on the ground on a regular basis. However he does actually good with it and he loves it. He performs with it after daycare. We play with it on the weekends. It’s only a good, like, factor we are able to do indoors. After which one other factor we did is, proper earlier than Christmas, at Black Friday, we purchased an annual go to a factor on the town now we have in Springfield, it’s referred to as the Discovery Middle. And it’s like a spot you can go on Saturday or Sunday, and there’s identical to a number of like, academic little issues he can play with. Oscar’s at an age, he’s two and a half, the place he’s very cellular. Likes to run round, he loves to the touch issues, he likes to play with issues. And so I simply sort of like wished a go of someplace simply to get out of our home. We now have a number of stuff to do in our home. However I feel I simply get sort of, greater than him, I feel I get a bit of sick of being indoors, like if now we have a bunch of snow days in a row or a bunch of sick days in a row, and now we’re lastly higher, and it’s a Saturday, I’m sort of able to get out of the home. So to me, it’s identical to a spot we are able to go for 2 hours, no matter, and simply play with all of the stuff that’s there. 

Elsie: That’s cute. We go to Barnes and Noble, that’s our determined place. 

Emma: Yeah. We now have different locations too that’s like little like, you already know, we purchase a bit of craft mission or we, you already know, no matter, like issues. However this is sort of a place the place we’re probably not shopping for something. We simply purchased the annual go. And now we simply sort of play, you already know. 

Elsie: It’s actually cute there. My youngsters love the mattress of nails. 

Emma: His favourite, actually, is, it has a miniature golf course on one of many flooring. And he loves it. He’s horrible at it, however he loves it. He loves doing it. So we do this for a very long time and he by no means will get it in a gap. He’s not like that love he’s two and a half. However he doesn’t, I don’t assume it registers to him, it’s simply enjoyable for him. He loves it. 

Elsie: Aww. That’s cute. 

Emma: So we do this. 

Elsie: Okay, what’s your favourite solo winter exercise? 

Emma: Mine is actually the identical in the summertime and winter, and it’s thrifting! I really like going thrifting. 

Elsie: That’s a great one.

Emma: And I really feel like winter makes it even higher, as a result of it’s indoors, so it’s like, you already know. 

Elsie: Yeah. Okay, I wished to ask for recommendations from our listeners for a comfortable film listing and a comfortable e book listing for winter, like issues that you just simply assume would both provide you with some escape or, I don’t know, identical to what you’re feeling within the temper for throughout winter. I undoubtedly would love to look at extra new motion pictures, they usually don’t need to be new, they might be previous, however motion pictures I haven’t seen earlier than. And clearly, like, I want a e book listing that extends till eternity. So I feel studying and watching motion pictures are one thing that I actually take pleasure in, however like, I get caught on the identical kind of issues, so I prefer to increase my horizons a bit of bit.

Emma: Yeah, I additionally identical to, like having an inventory, as a result of typically, you already know, whenever you’re prepared for a break, like, if it’s like, you bought every part achieved for the day, your youngsters are in mattress, no matter, you don’t have the power to even consider a film to look at, so it’s sort of good to love to have an inventory or have like a collection you’re going via. If you happen to’re like, I don’t need to give it some thought, I don’t need to scroll, I simply need to put one thing on and chill as a result of I’m all out of mind energy for the day. So I really feel that manner about books typically the place I’m like, I simply have a complete bunch on my shelf. And I don’t actually have to consider the subsequent one. I simply go in there and look what there may be and I decide one, you already know? Okay. So what a few favourite winter outfit? 

Elsie: Okay. Properly, I undoubtedly have my mother outfit and it’s set and it doesn’t change. So I’ve these fuzzy boots from J. Crew, and the factor, I’m gonna hyperlink them within the present notes, they’re not like the very same ones I’ve, however they’re like mainly the identical. They’ve them yearly. However the factor I really like about them is that they’re like fur-lined boots, so I by no means put on socks, I simply put them on and stroll out the door, and it’s prefer it doesn’t matter, and I simply love you can like skip that step. So, yeah, my entire whole winter I’m carrying, like, It’s so unhappy, however no matter, leggings, or pajama pants, after which these boots, at all times these boots on daily basis. After which I’ve, I’ll say, a ten out of 10 coat assortment, and I really feel just like the coat makes your outfit. So that you don’t even actually need to, like, put on garments, you simply need to have good coats and funky coats and, like, I’ve, like, fluffy ones, I’ve lengthy ones, I’ve ones with fur collars and, like, all of the totally different sort of, like, so, yeah, my coats are undoubtedly, like, the one factor fashionable I put on within the winter, however I really feel prefer it compensates and makes me have the ability to put on pajamas. Like, it’s the college pickup hack of a lifetime. 

Emma: Yeah, I’m additionally, I really like carrying beanies. And I don’t actually put on them in hotter months. So, I’m like, beanie season, my associates. 

Elsie: Winter hats are the most effective. I agree. I feel they appear cute on me they usually, like, work for my fashion. However yeah, it’s unhappy in the summertime after I solely can put on baseball hats.

Emma: Yeah. I agree. So, it’s like beanie season. So, it’s sort of cool in that manner. Yeah. I’m just about comparable. That is additionally my 12 months of increasing my physique as a result of I’m pregnant. So, I’m doing a number of yoga pants with sweaters. You realize? Overalls with sweaters or long-sleeved issues that don’t harm my tummy. 

Elsie: Yeah Do you purchase maternity garments?

Emma: I’ll have a number of issues, particularly in direction of the top, however actually, I put on the identical yoga pants the entire manner via, after which a number of my overalls will in all probability work till mainly the top. However I’m planning to purchase a maternity swimsuit for the summer season simply because I take our son to the pool lots and so and I plan to do this up till the newborn comes cuz I prefer it. I’ll say that I gained’t do it solo final 12 months I did it solo lots and this 12 months I really feel a bit of extra anxious to do it solo cuz I simply can’t transfer as rapidly in direction of the top my youngsters are very lively, however can’t swim but. So anyway, there’s lifeguards, you already know as a mother you get a bit of anxious, you get a bit of like oh, the place is he? I can’t run as quick I’ve this huge basketball stomach. However yeah, anyway. Alright, and yeah, I’m additionally a boot individual. I like carrying socks, although. I like to drag my socks over my yoga pants, so I actually have it on proper now. Like, I really feel prefer it’s an actual, you already know, cozy vibe. 

Elsie: Yeah, I like socks, too, I simply, like, can’t discover them, I don’t know. 

Emma: Yeah, I do get uninterested in, you already know, laundry, like the very last thing I do is put the socks all collectively. And it will get previous, placing all of the socks collectively, it does. That’s a time to hearken to podcasts and audiobooks. Okay, how a few favourite winter meal? 

Elsie: Oh, after all. I imply, I undoubtedly really feel like we’re pasta queens sort of all 12 months, however within the winter particularly. However the different factor I’d say is soup. I at all times like soup, however clearly, it’s higher within the winter. And I feel, like, revolving your entire meal round soup. Emma already had, like, a film evening the place we simply had a number of totally different soups. And I feel it’s additionally, like, my favourite factor about cooking, I feel it’s, like, my batch-working persona is like big meals you can have for a number of days so that you don’t need to prepare dinner anymore for a few days. Its soup is ideal for that. 

Emma: Yeah, particularly if it may be like a household meal after which it’s like your lunch, you simply need to rewarm it for a few days. That’s like good. ’trigger I get sort of uninterested in making lunch only for me. You realize, it’s like I don’t need to spend a complete bunch of time on it. Some days as a result of I don’t actually have, you already know. So then you definitely sort of have already got one thing achieved, which is good. Yeah. I’m mainly the identical. The one factor I’d add is, along with pasta, pizza, selfmade pizza. Find it irresistible. I imply, I’ll take supply, too, however, like, I really like a selfmade pizza. After which additionally, that is sort of a soup, however I’ve been actually into curries recently. Particularly pink curry, however I additionally love yellow curry. 

Elsie: I don’t assume it’s soup, do you get it from a Thai restaurant or an Indian? 

Emma: I get it from a Thai restaurant and I typically make it. As a result of, yeah, it’s fairly straightforward to make as soon as you understand how.

Elsie: It’s sort of a soup, however sort of a rice. 

Emma: Yeah, it’s like in that sort of stew class to me. However yeah, I at all times have it with rice. However I’ve been actually into curries recently, as a result of you’ll be able to mainly make them a bit of spicier or not, relying on the way you’re feeling that day. And I sort of like a spicy soup when it’s chilly outdoors. It’s good. All proper, transferring on. What’s your favourite winter facet dish? Or identical to, winter, not the primary meal. Not a dessert. 

Elsie: Every little thing, potatoes. Potatoes, potatoes, and extra potatoes. So, I’d say for breakfast, hash browns. And I additionally like, love making breakfast potatoes. We now have a recipe on our website for these, like, breakfast potatoes with rosemary. It’s really easy, but it surely’s considered one of our, like, favourite breakfasts. My youngsters, like, don’t actually like cereal, they usually don’t actually like candy breakfast, which makes it, like, sort of a number of work. Like, you already know what I imply? It’s like, they don’t actually like several of the straightforward issues you can make. They like, like, a hearty breakfast, like, a cooked breakfast.

Emma: They’re actually getting you up. You gotta make the bacon and the eggs and the hash browns. 

Elsie: However yeah, anyway, something potatoes this time of 12 months, I make this factor that we name like Silver Greenback Metropolis meal and it’s like potatoes and peppers after which like we do like turkey sausages reduce up and, you already know what I’m speaking about? It’s like a skillet meal. 

Emma: Form of like a hash.

Elsie: They’ve them at Silver Greenback Metropolis. 

Emma: Yeah, I really like that sort of factor, like with a fried egg over it. Yeah. Oh, yeah. 

Elsie: That’s so good. 

Emma: So mine just isn’t actually a facet dish, but it surely’s not a meal and it’s not a dessert, and we’re going to do desserts subsequent. And I actually wished to place it on right here. So I’m clearly obsessive about scorching tea, however particularly recently I’ve been making mainly a selfmade model of the Starbucks medication ball. If you happen to’ve by no means had it, go and order one. 

Elsie: I simply had it. It’s so good. 

Emma: And I’ve a recipe for it on our weblog. That’s actually very comparable, and I feel a bit of bit higher than the Starbucks model. However I additionally will make it sort of the lazy manner, which is basically a lemonade packet, not a complete one, it will depend on how huge of a cup I’m making. Lemonade packet, mint tea, peach tea, that’s it. In order that’s just like the lazy model of the Starbucks medication ball. And I make that on a regular basis, and it’s nice when you’re feeling a bit of underneath the climate in case your throat’s sore. Or for me, not a lot this month, however like, I used to be very nauseous for a very long time, and it was very good for that, as a result of it’s like, you eat a number of mint and ginger stuff whenever you’re nauseous, and it simply looks like a bit of totally different, as a result of it had lemon and peach flavors, so it simply was a pleasant, one thing barely totally different, however nonetheless like sort of helped with nausea. So anyway, it’s good. 

Elsie: Yeah, I obtained that not too long ago and it’s like the most effective tea drink I’ve ever had from Starbucks it’s actually, actually good. It has a ton of taste. So yeah, I’m excited to attempt your recipe. 

Emma: Yeah, the weblog model is a bit more prefer it has contemporary mint in it. It has honey in it. It’s not arduous to make but it surely’s simply what I’d say is the non lazy model and it’s price it. It’s actually good. 

Elsie: Good. Yeah. Oh my gosh. I really like, like, whenever you get mint tea and it’s, like, contemporary mint. It’s so uncommon. 

Emma: Properly, it simply smells so good along with tasting nice. Yeah. Okay. So what about your favourite winter dessert? 

Elsie: Okay. I actually simply have the one. So, I make gingerbread cookies and sugar cookies, and I solely make them this time of 12 months. Principally after Christmas, in all probability largely simply sugar cookies, however I don’t actually make them within the summertime or the nice and cozy climate months until there’s like a celebration or a special day, however this time of 12 months, I don’t know. It’s simply extra just like the baking season for me and I really like making them. I gather like cookie cutters and I gather sprinkles and simply all of the various things you can, you already know, use. It’s a number of enjoyable. You may go very, very elaborate with how a lot you adorn them, or typically I simply let my youngsters adorn them and I don’t even do something, and that’s tremendous too, a bit of too many sprinkles, but it surely’s enjoyable.

Emma: I don’t let Oscar have sprinkles, I simply give him the frostings, the totally different colours, and let him go ham. 

Elsie: The sprinkles, it’s like a number of vacuuming. 

Emma: Yep. Plenty of vacuuming. Yeah. They get in all places. 

Elsie: Yeah. What’s your favourite winter dessert? 

Emma: I even have sugar cookies on there as a result of it’s royal icing sugar cookie season for me as nicely. The opposite factor I’d say is recently I’ve been actually into like puddings and custards. Which I don’t essentially consider as a winter factor, however I don’t know. I’ve simply been into it recently. Actually, I’ll purchase the pudding cups from the shop, but in addition I’ve been making a number of stuff. I’ve a extremely good rice pudding recipe. I really like rice pudding. And I’ve additionally been engaged on, yearly I do one thing on the weblog for my birthday, some sort of dessert. Like a number of instances a cake. Final 12 months I did my favourite brownie recipe. This 12 months I’m going to do tiramisu. So, yeah, and which isn’t essentially all pudding or custard it’s sort of a layered dessert when you’ve by no means had it. However it is rather pudding custard-based to me and just like the bread layers, the cookie layers are sort of like soaked. So it’s a really gentle, creamy dessert. So anyway, that’s what I’m going to do for my birthday this 12 months as a result of I’ve been into the puddings and the custards.

Elsie: Cute. 

Emma: Another winter hacks that we need to speak about? 

Elsie: Oh, you already know, if anybody has recommendations, I’d love to listen to them. I feel that this time of 12 months is a superb time for me, I’m specializing in my profession targets. I’m getting a ton of labor achieved in order that when Emma takes her maternity depart this summer season, I feel I’m additionally going to love sort of take a bit of little bit of the summer season off as a result of my youngsters are house and final summer season I realized some life classes about how a lot work I might actually get achieved after they have been house. So yeah, to me, this can be a nice time of 12 months to work actually arduous. After which produce other elements of the 12 months which can be a bit of extra enjoyable. 

Emma: Doing stuff and yeah. 

Elsie: I don’t know, I do discover pleasure in work. And so yeah, it’s a great time to love, kind of like buckle down on it. However yeah, I don’t have every other nice hacks. If we get nice recommendations for motion pictures and books, I’ll undoubtedly put them up so that you guys can see them, however yeah. Yeah. Learn, learn, learn, learn. 

Emma: Okay, nicely then it’s time for a joke, or a reality, or a meditation with Nova. 

Elsie: Hey, Nova. How are you this week? 

Nova: Good. 

Elsie: What do you’ve gotten for us? 

Nova: A joke. 

Elsie: A joke, okay. 

Nova: What does a cow like to speak about? 

Elsie: What? 

Nova: His moooood. 

Elsie: Oh, his mooooood. I assumed you have been going to say, what moooovies he likes. Okay. Have a great week. 

Nova: Have a great week. 

Emma: All proper. Thanks a lot for listening. When you’ve got any questions, podcasts, concepts, or recommendations for surviving winter, you’ll be able to e-mail us anytime at podcasts@abeautifulmess.com, or you’ll be able to depart us a voicemail at 417-893-0011. We’ll be again subsequent week with a consolation rewatch.