Get Cozy, Josey!

Josey's about to come home from Russia...and she's dreaming of small-town Minnesota life! Aaaahhh.

But, wait! Why is her hubby mentioning SIBERIA with that killer grin on his face ?

Oh, no Josey...looks like you'll be Gone with the Windchill!

How do you get cozy when your new "home" is a frozen tundra? Josey's dreams of small-town Minnesota bliss melt away when her hubby's relocated to a Siberian village. No indoor plumbing...or junk food! But this feisty former missionary knows how to multitask: juggling toddler twins, empowering local housewives, spreading God's word - no worries, Josey. It's finding time alone with the man of her dreams that will take some real work!

See what others are saying...follow the blog tour here!

And leave a comment on this post for your chance to win a Get Cozy gift basket! The basket will be loaded with Godiva chocolate, Starbucks coffee, Harry and David Moose Crunch, gourmet hot cocoa, and a fab pair of snuvvy PJs!

In your comment tell me your favorite winter time activity or winter memory!

I'll also choose 10 commenters at random to receive a copy of Get Cozy, Josey! Winner's will be announced October 15th!

Comments

[Katherine McKamey]

I love sitting in the falling snow and stitching! Weird, right? But sooo relaxing. The other thing I love doing is helping my 7 yr old twins make snow angels. Truly something that we all enjoy but DH & I know won't last much longer because the twins are growing up so quickly. Ah well, that's what memories are for!
-Katherine M. Portland, TX USA

[Karise]

We love to take snow walks and then come inside, snuggle before a toasty fire, and eat homemade cinnamon sugar donuts and drink hot chocolate!(My girls were just talking about this today!)
Karise

[JanetS]

My favorite winter activity? Reading--while covered with a fluffy throw and an even fluffier cat!

But I have to confess I love the sensation of going from 68 degrees inside to 30 below outside--and feeling the inside of my nose freeze--but there's nothing like a warm house when I've been out in 30 below!

Gotta say that "Gone with the Windchill" made me laugh out loud!

[Heather]

When I was a little girl, we lived near an old manor which sat right on the banks of the Chesapeake Bay. The grounds were made up of huge, rolling hills, which were perfect for sledding. After meeting up with all the neighborhood kids for sled races, we would hike to a little pond not far away and spend the rest of the day ice skating, even though we were freezing! And, of course, we would finish the day with a steaming mug of Mom's homemade hot chocolate. Now that I've moved South where snow is a rarity, I treasure my winter memories even more.

[Tracy]

I love reading by the fireplace with a cozy blanket:) You're books of course! Awesome giveaway!
Thanks so much!

[Brittanie]

I hope its not too late to enter. My favorite winter activity is reading in my pjs curled up with a blanket on my bed. :)

[Martha Artyomenko]

i love your books! I think having a russian husband makes me enjoy them more as your captured the culture so well....i will be reading every book you write probably from now on!

Anyhow, favorite winter memory....I love watching the snowflakes come down, laying on my back and watching them come down is so neat looking! Probably staring at the ground to see if he snow coming down is starting to stick too and sledding! i love sledding! We had this big huge hill we lived up on when I was 12 and we could ride our sleds all the way down! it was hard to climb back up though!

[Jo]

My hubby and I are not cold weather people at all which is why we have lived in Florida/Arizona/Florida and now back in Arizona. I love to watch the snow on tv or if I am sitting in a nice cozy warm house and can see it outside.

Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

[Doreen]

Mmmmm the basket sounds delish!! Yummo! ;)One of my favorite winter time memory is when my Brother and I tackled my Mom to the ground in the snow! LOL It went something like that. hahaha It was a lot of FUN!!

[Tracy]

I love reading by the fire:) Winter is my favorite season! Thanks so much for the wonderful basket!

[stampedwithgrace]

I loved playing in the snow and now my kids do! then they love to come in for hot chocolate :)

[Deborah]

Ice Skating!!!! Something I especially miss now living in Australia...no snow...no ice.

[Natalie Plummer]

As kids we always ran outside around the house barefoot after the first snow. Then we would race into the house and warm our feet by the radiator and my mom would give us hot chocolate cinnamon toast.

Natalie - Chattanooga, TN

[Pam]

I like walking in the woods in the winter and 'hearing' how quiet it is. You can sometimes here animals walking in the snow. it's the best!

[Christine@AreWeThereYetMom]

Snow skiing or any out door activity, involving snow.
Snow ball fights, Ice Angels, even sledding, as long as there is something hot and made of chocolate after a fun filled day of playing in it.

[Patty Le Blanc]

My favorite memory is of a few years ago when on Christmas Eve our family went with my best friend and her family to go sledding in the mountains. We had hot chocolate ready when we were finished and just had a great time.

[Laura Ingalls Gunn]

As I am now living in Phoenix, the land of no winter I will leave you a favorite winter memory. While living in Germany during Christmas they have Weinachten Fest (Christmas market) it is freezing but they have wonderful hot cider and delightful booths full of handcrafted treasures. It is so much fun.

[Richelle]

Living and working as missionaries on the edge of the Sahara Desert - we only see winter once every 5 years or so - since Fall is my favorite season followed by Winter as a close second - I drink in those winter times! I've two favorite winter activities: 1) snuggling with my guy (after the kids are in bed) in front of the fireplace with hot chocolate or coffee while we watch the snow fall through the window and 2) cross-country skiing through the Michigan woods with our kids.

[Deena @ My Bookshelf]

Favorite Winter Memory: Just got engaged to my wonderful hubby. It snowed in Chico, California--highly unusual--and he picked me up in his arms, twirled me around amidst the snowflakes, and shouted "I love her!" to the tiny world we were in.

Favorite Winter Thing To Do: Curl up with a good book, a good cup of coffee laced with my favorite coffee creamer, and laze away the day.

[Amy]

I love visiting Christmas lights during the season and people watching. I also love to put ona good Christmas movie and watch with my hubby

[Jose]

Not to burst everybody's bubble but my winters in Phoenix Arizona are not cold enough to just curl and read so I do the one thing none of you probably do. I ride my Harley. Oh, love those Arizona summery winters. Oh, and when I come back from my ride I may curl up, read a good book and drink my coffee.

[Leslie M]

My favorite winter memory is having snow ice cream with my husband snuggling on the couch and watching it snow out over back window. It's so awesome to see the snow cover all the trees in our backyard.

[ForstRose]

Winter time is great reading season. Watch the snow fall outside the window (once in a blue moon maybe - LOL) with a cozy fire going and a good book to read.

Unfortunately for me it's rain or just gloomy in the winter but hey I can dream and hope we get a smidge of snow just for the fun of watching it.
Melissa

[Tanya]

I love walking through the woods after it has snowed and the trees are covered. So pretty!!

[sarah gillard]

everytime i think of winter fun, the memory that always comes to mind is of a blizzard when i was around 9 years old. our "neighborhood" (a four-mile square area), held a "hood slide." a 4x4 truck would go down the road, pulling an old hood behind it. as the truck went by, the neighborhood kids and a few parents would run out and hop aboard. soon, we would be sledding down the road, on an upturned hood, laughing, smiling, and having the time of our lives! although there was a little bit of danger involved, it was nothing compared to the lasting memories that i now have.

[Gwyn]

Sledding with the family is always fun and I love seeing my little ones enjoy the snow for the first time.

[Cindi]

When I was a young girl, I remember making snow ice cream with my older brother and sister. Our mom supervised. We would scoop up the whitest snow we could find in big aluminum pan. The ingredients included eggs, milk, sugar and vanilla! I can still taste how good it was! Thanks, Cindi

[Michele]

Drinking homemade hot chocolate and going to a local event called Winter Haven to see the Christmas lights. So much fun!

[Valerie]

I love to watch the snow (I hate driving in it, but that's for another comment). I sit and get all cozy in a blanket and pajamas, grab a book, some hot cocoa or tea and watch the snow and read. It is so relaxing and peaceful.

[Karissa]

mine is a memory, I was little and my dad and brother and I all went sledding, well once we got there I was little too scared to go, so my dad told me just to sit on the sled he wouldn't push me down, and I actually believed him. I had such a ball, I didn't want my brother to use it anymore! we had such a good time that day, now that hill doesn't even look like a hill!

[Michele]

I just heard about this series from 5 Minutes for Books and am excited to get the first one. My favorite winter activity is to play with my kids in the snow then come in a few minutes before them and make hot chocolate for all of us. I love sitting around looking at their red cheeks and listening to their excited chatter.

[Gail]

My favorite wintertime activity is going for a walk at night on a perfectly still winter night. The kind of night where there is no chilly wind to make you want to go indoors, just the crisp air and the moon reflexing on the snow. These night are rare, but I love them! I had a great one last winter, walking down Old Arbat. Amazing!

[Becky]

I love decorating for the holidays and having our children come home for a few days.

[Carey]

I enjoy watching the kids build a snow man in the yard. But one of my favorite memories is when all the neighborhood kids would get together in someones yard and build snow walls and just have a snowball fight.

[Nise']

When I was a kid I loved to go sliding. A small ski hill was behind our house and when it was closed we would turn on the ski ropes and slide down the hill and ride the ropes up!! We were bad! Now that I don't like to be cold, I love to sit in my hot tub and enjoy "Godiva chocolate, Starbucks coffee, Harry and David Moose Crunch, gourmet hot cocoa", LOL!

[Elaine R]

I'm not a big fan of the cold so my favorite winter activity is to snuggle up to my hubbie while watching a great movie and drinking Hot chocolate!

[Gail]

I love snow in the winter but we don't see it often in the south, so going skiing with my family is fun. But I love reading in a cozy chair with flavored coffee!

[Tracy]

Hi, I tried to post a couple of times now and wondered why my comments aren't showing up for your contest? Is there a reason I can't enter? Thanks Tracy

[LOUISE]

reasing and baking are my favorites in the winter and baking heats the house

[Melody]

I had two of my four children born in January...so those are obviously favorite winter memories. :) But my favorite thing to do in the 2.5 weeks of winter that we have here in central Texas...drinking flavored coffee with LOTS of flavored creamer, and watching football...preferably the Longhorns, or the Texans, but really any football will do!

[Gina Stratos]

When I lived on the California coast, I'd go to the harbor for the boat lighting ceremonies.
[email protected]

[Erin]

I love to curl up with a good book and a cup of hot cocoa on a cold winter day. Snuggling with the kiddos is at the top of my list as well. They make such wonderful heaters. :)

[Hannah]

I like going snow tubing in the winter! Sooo fun!!! and after eating fresh homemade chocolate chip cookies and drinking hot chocolate. mmm..

[Julie Donahue]

I love watching my kids play in the snow. We don't get a lot of snow, but once or twice a year, it's enough to play it.

My favorite memory is my Mom making snow ice cream. We didn't live near snow, but we visited snow.

[Bobbi]

The winter is my favorite time of year. I love the cold, crisp air and the continual threat of snow. There is nothing better than curling under a fuzzy blanket with a mug of hot cocoa and a good book - my idea of heaven!

[Word Lily]

Perhaps my favorite winter memory is when we dug huge tunnels that we could walk upright through in the form of a maze, in this large expanse on the church's property. Exploring in there was such a blast!

[RebekahC]

OOh, what a great prize pack. I'd love to enter. :)

My favorite Winter activity is taking my two little girls (ages 2 and 5) out to make snow angels and then to see the Christmas lights. It's a family tradition we started the year my oldest daughter was born, and I wouldn't change it for anything.

RebekahC
littleminx at cox dot net

[B]

I think I'm hooked. I haven't even read them yet, but I'm dying to get my hands on them!

[Jackie B.]

Since I live in Florida there really is not much that is memorable about winter except I am thankful I do not have to shovel snow! Celebrating Christmas is my fave winter activity. And who could resist a cup of cocoa with marshmallows on top?!

[K. Ray]

I LOVE to get in my car with a good cup of coffee (that means with lots of hazelnut sweetner added to it) and sit in the park while the snow is falling all around and read a good book. This combines to loves....books, nature...well ok, three loves, books, nature and peace!!!!!

Thanks :)

[Ladytink_534]

My favorite winter activity is every year my husband gets two paid weeks of vacation and we visit our family in Georgia. Plus my birthday is in December and my wedding anniversary is in January too :)

[Krista]

Favorite winter activity, hands down, skiing! I just have to remember that I can't go as fast anymore as I used to...

[Jennifer TFFQ]

Well this is funny because we are approaching winter and this will be my 2nd time living in the snow. My husband moved us from California to Illinois. Last winter was my first here. It will be the first and prolly last winter I was excited to snow plow or shovel the driveway. LOL I made my first ever snow angel. Watched my 65 year old mother marvel at the snow falling. (It was her 1st winter living in the snow too, as she lives with us.) She was so cute! I recorded our dog falling for the snowball as a Ball trick. She would bury her nose so deep looking for where it went. LOL. It was my first ever You tube post. At the age of 38 or 65 for that matter you don't get a lot of firsts. At least not that many in a short amount of time. Now I can finally understand the appeal of Hot cocoa for other then the chocolate. =)~

[karen]

Favorite winter activity? There are so many! We bake more in winter than the rest of the year so the smells of winter are fabulous. (throw in the pine trees and cranberries and it can't be beat!) I love being snug in my house, curled up under blankets, reading a great book.

blessings,
karen

[Marilyn Martin]

I love curling up with a good book next to a roaring fire while the snow is falling outside...oh and I can't forget the Josh Groban music playing in the background. The warmth of the mug of hot chocolate in my other hand...that is not holding the book and the smell of a carmel apple scented candle.

[Abi]

My favorite winter activity would have to be snuggling up with a good book.

[Elizabeth M.]

I think my favorite winter memory is when a good snow fell practically the whole neighborhood of kids would go over to the backyard sledding hill at this one house and we would all spend hours and hours flying down that hill. It was so much fun! Then we would all come home and our mom would make us hot cocoa. It was the best!

Thanks for the giveaway. I really like the lesson of obedience that shines through in the book. I would love to read it!

doot65{at}comcast[dot]net
Elizabeth

[Leslie]

Favorite winter time activity: sipping hot chocolate or coffee and watching my son sled down the hill in our front yard. Sometimes I join him. Thanks for the giveaway!

[April]

I love to curl up on the couch, wrapped in a blanket with a big mug of hot chocolate and dive into a wonderful book. If it is snowing outside, it makes it even better!!

[Carolynn]

I love building snowmen with my nieces, playing hockey, and sliding down but most of all I love how everything gets covered in white snow, so quiet and beautiful!!

[RobynL]

My favorite winter memory is of making homemade ice cream. Dad would go down to the dugout and chop ice. Mom made the mixture and put it in a syrup pail. and the syrup pail was in the middle of the milk pail surrounded by ice and salt. Then on came the work gloves and take the handle and start turning. We kids loved to take a turn or two. The end result was creamy, stick to the roof of your mouth, ice cream. We shared with many relatives and neighbours over the years.

[Heather]

Favorite winter pastime is curling up with hot chocolate and a good book. Favorite winter memory? Probably Christmas on our farm in Wisconsin - watching the snow fall on the pine trees while we were all snug and cozy inside with a huge Christmas tree and roaring fire. :)

[Natasha]

I love going for walks along our city's trail system just after it has snowed and just enjoying the beauty of it. Also the combination of rink skating and hot chocolate is irresistible! I would love to be entered if I'm eligible (I'm from Canada)!

[Crystal M]

Whenever I think of winter time, I'm reminded of the time that my boyfriend (now hubby) went up north to visit my family. We rented a car for the few days that we were visiting and only got to drive it twice... the day we picked it up and the day we took it back. Overnight it snowed and we ended up snowed in for the whole time we were there!! It was a little frustrating at the time, but we had a great time hanging out with my family so I think it was meant to be.

[Christi]

Favorite wintertime activity?? Snuggling down with a good book on a snow day!! No question about that one! Thanks for sharing!!

[Stonefox]

Mmmm, a cup of hot cocoa or coffee and a good book. Can't beat that during the winter! I'd love to win this package!

[Barbara H.]

Favorite wintertime activity: curling up inside with a good book. :-)

[Sallie]

My single most favorite winter time activity is decorating our Christmas tree. We make a party out of it while reminiscing about our old homemade ornaments and looking at old Christmas cards! We have hot chocolate and popcorn, and potato soup, and crackers and cheese, and lots of other goodies. We invite young Marines over to our house to help them get into the Christmas spirit and we play games or watch old movies afterwards. It's always a great time with family and friends!!

God bless,
Sallie

[Sondra]

I love walking through the fresh snow, right after it's fallen or just sitting curled up by the window, drinking hot cider and watching the snow fall quietly to the ground in big flakes.
My favorite memories or winter include making snow angels as a child, going sledding and making snow ice cream.
A recent memory is making an adorable snowman with my husband the first winter we were together and then coming inside and warming up, curled up in blankets and talking late into the evening.

[loki]

We love to huddle up indoors and read, watch movies, play games and sip warm cocoa with lots of marshmallows!

[Tammy]

I love putting the Christmas tree up and eating Egg nog icecream and gingerbread. Thanks for the chance.

[MissBookworm]

reading of course! :) we don't have snow here in tx...just cold and ice so winter's kinda icky :)

[Anita Yancey]

We hardly ever get any snow here. But in winter when its cold I like to settle in with a good book and some hot chocolate.

[Christina]

Here's a book that I'll have to read!
My favorite winter thing is snuggling up in front of the fire with my hubby and drinking a cup of our favorite hot beverage!
I also enjoy the stormy weather and playing borad games with the kiddos!!!

[Amy W]

I love, love, love winter!! That and fall are my favorite seasons of the year! I love to curl up on the couch under a snuggly blanket and read the afternoon away. (Although with a toddler in the house this is all but impossible, lol! But one can dream!) Thanks for the great contest!!

chrisandamyward(at)comcast(dot)net

[Stephanie]

I love when the kids come in from playing in the snow and we all sit around with hot chocolate. (I avoid the actual snow part) Then when they are all warmed up, we play cards.

[Mama Zen]

I love sitting by the fireplace, drinking cocoa, and watching the snow fall.

[Doris Wright]

I love to watch it snow it's so peaceful watching everything get covered in white. I especially like to watch it at night and listen to it in the peaceful surroundings.

[Wendy]

My favorite winter time activity is skating on our pond with my sister. I remember one year we were skating on Christmas Eve. We ended up telling each other what we got the other one for Christmas. We had almost made it without telling each other! We laugh about it and how we egged each other on to reveal the great gift we got each other. I don't remember what she gave me but I gave her this makeup set (she was a teenager and really into makeup.)
Wendy

[Cindi]

Hi, Growing up, I had two much older siblings. We loved to make snow ice cream! My sister and I would go out and collect the cleanest snow we could find (staying away from that yellow snow, you know )! Once we collected it in a huge granite wear pan, our brother and mom helped with the ingredients. From what I can recall, we added sugar, brown sugar, vanilla, milk and a touch of cinnamon. It tasted so good that I can almost taste it as I write this today. Since then, I have lost my mom and brother, but memories like this one, are still with me. Many thanks.....Cindi

[Lauren S]

I love to get into a pair of flannel jammy pants and a sweatshirt and sit and snuggle with my chihuahua under a blanket and drink my homemade chai tea. I can't wait for the weather to cool off so I can do that! Thanks for a wonderful contest and new book!!!!

[ruth]

I remember many memorable winters spent skating with friends, going sledding and when it was a severe winter walking backwards to school each day due to the wind and below zero temperatures.

[Delores Topliff]

My favorite winter activity, tried and tested with my own two sons, students, and now grandkids, is turning white massive snow banks into mounds of delicious snow ice cream, any flavor of our choice. While we're at it, we help demolish long-lasting winter and have fun.
First collect generous amounts of fresh, clean, powdery snow.
Next, stir in any of these ingredients (or more) to taste: eggs; cream, milk, or eggnog; fruit juices or any other desired flavorings, the sweetener of your choice, and varied interesting toppings.
So far we've perfected these varieties: vanilla, pumpkin, pineapple, lemon-lime, toasted coconut, eggnog, maple walnut, coffee, mocha, licorice, (artificial) rum and raisin, triple or any berry, cherry, and many more.
Making snow ice cream is quick and easy, plus the price is right. There is no end of possibilities and we never tire of this fun project.
So, next time it snows, announce a snow ice cream party. Gather your cook helpers and ingredients together, and then create your favorite snowy dessert. Ahhhh, sit back and enjoy!

[Melissa]

My favorite winter activity is scrapbooking! It's such a great way to be creative. And there are so many cool stickers and paper. I love being inside in the winter and accomplishing something. I don't scrapbook during the summer...they are too short to be sitting at a table!

[Brenda Branam]

My favorite winter memories are when my brother and I were growing up in Chicago, my mom would wake us up to watch the first snowflakes of the year. It was awe inspiring!!! I love how God makes every snowflake unique just like His children!!!

[Melissa Martin]

My favorite winter time activity started when I was 5. I was in kindergarten and it was a very cold and snowy SoCal day in January. (yes it does actually snow occasionally in SoCal) My mom built a fire in the fire place and told me and my two younger sisters to lay on the floor and put our feet close to the screen on the fire place. She then proceeded to make us hot chocolate. My sisters and I would see who could keep their feet next to the fire for the longest. Our feet would get toasty warm. When they got too hot, we would sit on the hearth and warm our backs too. Mom would bring our cloths so we could dress near the fire and stay warm. We even got to eat breakfast next to the fire. Normally we were not aloud to eat in the living room. To this day I love to put my feet on the hearth for as long as possible, then sit there with a mug of hot chocolate, and now, a good book. There is nothing more cozy than a fire,chocolate, and a good book on a cold, frosty day!

[Marla]

My favorite winter activity is snuggling up in my winter PJ's with a great book. A cup of hot cocoa is also nice while I read.

[Brittany]

I love waking up and looking out my window to find the trees covered in sparkling horfrost. I don't think there is anything more beautiful, mysterious or unique than horfrost.

[SANDY]

I JUST LOVE CHRISTMAS, ESPECIALLY WHEN MY BIRTHDAY IS DEC. 27TH. IT MAKES THE HOLIDAY JUST KEEP ON GOING. BUT WHAT I REALLY LOVE ABOUT THE SEASON IS GOING TO MIDNIGHT CHURCH SERVICE ON CHRISTMAS EVE AND SINGING SONGS. ITS ALWAYS A BLESSING JUST TO GO AND HEAR HOW GOD JUST KEEPS ON BLESSING US EACH YEAR.THEN BEING WITH ALL OF OUR FAMILY. TELLING THE STORIES OF YEARS PAST OF WHAT THE HOLIDAY MEANS TO US AND ALSO THE GIFTS WE GOT, BUT WEREN'T TOO SURE ABOUT. GOD IS GOOD....ALL THE TIME!!!

[anna J]

hmmm . . . lots of winter memories to choose from. one of my favorites is celebrating Christmas in Africa as a child. my dad would cut a branch off of one of our lemon trees and we would prop it up on the dirt floor, decorating it as if it were our Christmas tree :-)

[Amber]

I love playing in the snow!! I lived in the mountains for about 4 years and we always had snow. We would have snowball fights and make snow cream. I love to see the white snowflakes cover the ground. Everything looks so clean, new and fresh.

I also like warming up by the fire with a good book and some hot cocca. So relaxing!!

[Jane Squires]

Ener me in contest. I visit your website monthly. I love your books. I just read your newsletter.

[Deborah McPherson]

Every break in school, me and my daughter have a book reading contest. I was blessed to go through a couple of Susan's series. I just love the Josey series. This book was just as uplifting as the first two. I often find myself picking up this book after reading a couple of scriptures and rereading a very intense couple of pages. Josey's love of her family reminds me of winters with my family back in Pennsylvania. We would wait for all the snow to fall and head to the top of the hill in the back yard and just spend hours playing in the snow. One of most favorite times is a tradition that we have for Valentines Day, We always have a picnic on the floor with Chinese take out. The kids just love it.

[Jessica Senn]

Hey Susan!!!
I LOVED Finding Stephanie! And I can't wait to read more about Josey! I think my favorite winter activity is curling up by the fireplace with a good book and coffee. :) Memories??? I think sledding with my cousins in Minnesota, getting spoiled by Grandma, and Gingerbread houses whenever anyone says winter. It brings to mind that magical 3 weeks when we would go north to see family and snow for Christmas. (Florida Girl here.. )My other favorite winter memory is every year waking up super early on a January morning and loading on the tram. You can see your breath, yet you have short sleeves, a windbreaker, and flip flops on to prepare for the inevitable 70 high. Because weather in Orlando that time of year is PERFECT!!! Then you finally see it after what seems like FOREVER! Cinderella Castle! :)
Now I really want the winter to come... See what you've done?? :)

[Auriette]

I spent most of my life in the southeast, so I don't have a lot of "winter" memories. However, one of my earliest memories was when I was five years old and we lived in Scotland. My mother put my mittens on me and told me not to touch the snow. So what did I do? I walked out the gate and promptly put out my mittened hand and dragged it along the snowcovered stone wall as I walked toward school. Yep, I walked to school by myself at five years old. That seems strange today, but it was a long time ago and a very small town. My other major winter memory is when it snowed in Pensacola -- I built a snowman all of five inches tall and kept it in the freezer for years.

[Kim]

My favourite winter time memories are snowy Christmas mornings! I love the colourful lights shining on the snow while you're inside with warm PJs on and family (and presents of course! :P) all around. Winter just isn't the same without snow and hot chocolate! :)

[Mimi B]

One of my best memories of winter was the first year here in MN 10 yrs ago. I'd never seen the phenomenon of fish houses on the lake, like a city. My husband was out fishing on our lake with his uncle and he wanted us to go out and see him. So, his aunt, my 2 daughters and I headed out on the lake...in my Ford Explorer! Both girls were wearing life jackets, we had the windows cranked down and the doors ajar. I figured if we were going through the ice, we were bailing out quickly! My husband thought it was hysterical that the girls were wearing life vests because I don't think he'd ever heard of anyone doing that before. It was the last time I ever drove on the ice, just too darn scary!

[Stacey D.]

My favorite winter activity is to sit in front of the cozy fireplace in my PJs, wrapped in a soft comforter, with a cup of something warm to drink and a great book! It's even better if I can see snow falling through the window. :)

[groovyoldlady]

MY favorite Winter activity? My pride dictates a sensible answer like "Snowshoeing through the Maine woods" or a romantic answer like "Sitting by the fire with my sweetie and sipping homemade hot cocoa." However, the Maine woods are a bit dense for snowshoing and we don't have a fireplace. So....I love to bake and EAT during the winter. (There. I've said it.)

Breads, pies, muffins, cakes. YUM!

[Susan]

My favorite winter time memory is of the time we took our four year old son to see Santa at the mall. Santa explained that our home was at the half-way point of his route, and he wondered if our son would leave a snack out for him. "Oh, yes!" assured our son. "What would it be?" Santa wondered aloud. No doubt he was thinking cookies and hot chocolate. But, not our creative son, oh no! He was going to leave him a fish. "What kind of fish?" Santa asked, surprised by this answer. "A dead fish." Of course! We don't eat live ones, do we?! :)