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COMP EXTENDED! WIN a Winter Warmers Pack!
WINTER WARMERS WINNERS
Congratulations to our three lucky winners: bridgeforte, terrimacca and shy 3135 - you'll all be receiving an super-special YP Winter Warmers pack.
Thanks to ALL who entered the competition - such expressive and creative comments almost had me liking winter. Almost.
Please note that this competition was a random draw and winning entries were selected by a 'Random Number Generator' approved by the NSW Department of Gaming & Racing in March 2008. NSW Permit No. LTPM/10/00691, ACT Permit No. ACT TP 10/03859.1.
Bye bye sunshine, winter has well and truly descended on us here in the YouPlay office and the grey days and gumboots are out in force. Ah-choo! Ahem. So between sniffles I thought writing a list of things I love – and loathe - about winter might be cathartic.
Things I Love About Winter
1. Cooking – and then eating. Delicious comfort food like soups and slow-cooked stews, puddings and pies and baked treats. Winter means always being able to say “why yes, that would be delightful” when someone offers you a dollop of whipped cream.
2. Snuggling, in general. On the comfy couch in my favourite ‘lounge apparel’ (trackies), with a hot water bottle and the crocheted blanket my mum made. Add a good book or movie, a steaming mug of tea or soothing glass of red, and a couple of hours left peacefully un-interrupted and you can almost reach nirvana. Conversely…
3. Abandoning the warmth of the roaring fire to revel in the great outdoors. You just can’t beat an appetite worked up through a brisk and bracing winter walk – and you’re allowed to add an extra marshmallow for every puddle you accidentally fall in.
4. Getting crafty. Well, it’s just ridiculous knitting scarves in 30 degree heat. And sadly, since scarves are ALL I can knit it makes sense that I keep my modest craft ambitions for the colder months.
5. Sleep-ins (all too rare). Extra points if it’s stormy outside.
Things I Loathe About Winter
1. Chapped lips, dull skin and dry hair
2. An explosion in the backyard leech population, with the main Leech HQ set-up alarmingly close to the Hills Hoist – eek!
3. Extra hours of darkness and more rainy days = major procrastination and getting nothing done
4. OUTRAGEOUS electricity bills
5. The ‘flu – and a thousand curses upon people who spread their germs [shakes fist].
COMPETITION!
So that's my list. I feel acclimatized already. But what about you? Post a comment and tell me what YOU love/loathe about winter. To make it interesting three entries will be selected at random to WIN a Winter Warmers pack, featuring a VERY spiffy umbrella, DVD pack, Lovatts/YouPlay tote bag and a copy of the latest issue of Lovatts Holiday Crossword Collection.
Jessie x
Comp Terms:
1. Competition opens 1st June 2011 at 3pm (AEST) and closes Friday 10th June at 10am (AEST).
Competition Extended! New closing date is Tuesday 14th June at 10am (AEST)
2. Three entries will be selected at RANDOM to win a Winter Warmers pack comprising of 1 x cased umbrella, 1 x tote bag, 1 x DVD collection and 1 x DVD collection. Each prize pack is valued at $60.00 ($180 total prize value).
3. Winners will be announced on the YouPlay site and contacted by email
4. The judge’s decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.
COMP EXTENDED! WIN a Winter Warmers Pack!
I just love the cool crispness of winter, frost on the ground, cuddling under a blankie, hot chocolate and marshmallows and if I had to hate anything it would be the multiplication of weeds that occur in the garden while I'm hibernating inside.
I love our family's regular outings to gather firewood and go on nature walks - we take our puppies with us and I also pack a picnic lunch for our hungry tummies. And I just love the fresh coffee aroma as I walk into a coffee shop with my friends for our get togethers as well as going home for mum's homestyle cooking. I loathe that there are not enough daylight hours and constantly having a cold nose and toes!
A crotched blanket, that could be useful, I guess. But snuggling up before a log fire with mulled wine and a loved one - wonderful
In Winter, I just love toasted marshmallows on an open fire, warm cocoa and snuggling up for a good read.It used to be fun to pick up frozen puddles and the experience of the crispness of a clear winter night sky, when the stars are so large and plentiful, it is heavenly! I hate cold feet, cold noses and having to scrape off the ice on the windscreen before setting out...just a few of many reasons I now live where ice and frost are memories and my heavy winter clothes and thermal underclothes are stored under the bed in suitcases.
I really hope it's a crocheted blanket, not a crotched one. I have had a vision of a crotchless blanket & it's not pretty. Where I live we don't have much of a winter - just a few weeks of much cooler days rather than full-on cold. However, I don't like that it gets dark so much earlier & it's definitely harder to get up in the morning to trot off to work. What I love about winter is cooking lots of comfort food, having an excuse to get up later on the weekend because it's still dark outside & drinking lots of hot chocolate to warm up the innards. It's also a good excuse to trot over to Europe to enjoy their summer Bring on summer
I love a cup of hot coffee, warms you up for the start of a new day. The feel of the hot cup warms your fingers just cosy. ooooooooh
I love getting together with the family and friends - ugg boots on of course - watching Qld win the State of Origin. Also can't beat the beautiful aroma of a hearty casserole or homemade soup cooking. Don't like the chilly winds when they arrive. Never mind Spring will soon be here...
I love the warmth of our home in winter. We have a wood fire (a Eureka slow combustion)that never goes out! It's my hubby's pride & joy, & he stokes it up again in the morning before he goes to work, so that when I get up the house is cosy! Even though it is hard work, it truely is the best form of heat for winter. An added bonus, we can wrap our spuds in foil and bake them in the hot coals. Yummy comfort food!
Being able to justify my sausage roll obsession because it's so cold & it will warm me up; being able to wear my beanie pulled low to cover my ears and not be able to hear people laughing; saving on hot water because it's too cold to sing more than one shower song; getting out my crocheted nanna rug that never loses its appeal.
In winter I love to sit in the sun on crisp sunny days but I detest the westerly winds that seem to go through you. Since I am retired I also love to snuggle under the doona in bed until I feel like getting up. I love hearty soups and the comfort foods of years gone by. I don't like the sneezes and sniffles you get when it's cold, even though you don't have a cold or flu. And best of all I love the time when winter has gone!
I truly love all seasons as they define our living. Winter is frosty mornings with crisp blue sky days, other times dull and depressing, but there is always a snug home waiting. Watching DVDs and playing board games with grandchildren. Taking my dog, dressed in her best doggy outfit, for a walk in the park. Something I do not like, but do it for the grandchildren, is standing on the sidelines of a sports field watching in bitterly cold weather.
I love to crochet blankets for loved one on a cold winters night, watching my favourite shows. The frosty mornings that show where all the hidden spider webs are as they glisten in the morning sunshine. I don't like not being able to get my washing dry.
I love snuggling up with either kids or hubby or all of em and watching a DVD in bed. The cool crisp mornings are great too, makes you feel invigorated and alive.
Oddly enough, since I turned about 30, I have been wearing trousers. Wonderful, 100% polyester, machine washable and machine dryable (very fast) and mixed wool and stuff jumpers. Since then I have been consistently warm in winter. I used to freeze to death in the horrible tunics, skirts, dresses and light stockings and shoes (especially school uniforms) and then "clothing suitable for women" i.e. no trousers. Yes, till about the 1970's women had to wear skirts. I suffered permanently from chilblains hands and feet. I did try to wear trousers, but they were only jeans, and not warm enugh. I still bless the inventers of polyester trousers (yes, oddly enough they are warm), clothes washing machines and dryers. A million blessing on them.
I have to confess that there's almost nothing that I like about winter. I love the heat of summer (and even the humidity) - no need to wear lots of layers and shoes and socks. When it rains in summer you don't have to worry much because you dry out in a flash. The days are long and you can get lots done. Summer feels healthy; winter feels dormant. The only upside to winter is that I don't have to mow the lawns!
++I absolutely love the winter. Living on the coast in Wide Bay, Qld., where humidity and sweat are the only way to describe the summer months, I yearn for the time I can actually dress to get warm. I dream of my childhood in Canberra - a chilly morning out jogging with my dog, feet crunching through the icy layer of frost and an freezing cold nose that will only warm up when I arrive home where Mum has a steaming bowl of porridge laid out for brekky before getting ready for school.
The worst parts of winter are the wind, fog and short days. The only part of winter I like is the part where it turns into spring...
I love standing on the edge of a cliff, having the cold winds blast full on in my face, taking my breath away! Yes, I actually do love doing that. But in winter I always make sure I have my 5 layers on as I don't enjoy freezing to death! Spring is even better. Hurry up Spring.... But I guess if we hurry up Spring we're speeding up Christmas which gives me anxiety just thinking about it! Enjoy winter everyone!
I love the excuse of being able to stay inside and cosy up because it is too cold to go out. I love the beautiful days with the blue sky as long as the wind doesn't come up. The joy of putting an electric blanket on and getting into a warm bed. Being in Qld it doesn't go for long and I love it when spring starts to warm it up
I love the winter months. Where I grew up we had snow and I loved to play in it, now I have a very long drive to find snow. I love a walk in the crisp air knowing I can come inside to warmth and a lovely hot shower or a hot cuppa. Home made soup is just wonderful in winter with fresh rolls. mmmmmyummy! I love snuggling under a blanket on the couch watching a DVD. Cuddles are especially good in winter!
I love the rich colours of Autumn. In Winter, blazing log fires, hot chocolate with marshmallows. Yes a warming bowl of porridge for brekkie with a spoonful of golden syrup, yum! I loathe the cold weather despite being born in the UK; having to wear so many thick clothes & the short dark days. Dry chafed skin especially my lips; cold and coughs too.
I love listening to the rain and sitting on a comfy sofa under a warm blanket reading a book while drinking some hot chocolate. It doesn't get any better than that.
I love winter because you can get all rugged up under your favourite blanket and sit around a roaring fire and toast marshmallows while watching movies.
Winter is my favourite season and summer my most unfavourite. After being a farmer for a long time I miss the way the seasons set the rhythm of our lives. At all times of the year there were certain jobs to be done at certain times and usually in the coldest part of winter we were able to sneak away somewhere a little warmer.
Love watching the Tour de France, loathe thinking I should be on the treadmill while watching the Tour: love sitting beside a log fire, loathe thinking about the carbon pollution that might be causing; love thinking the rain will eventually stop flooding outside my house, loathe thinking the rain should be occurring further north where they really need it.
love the look of a thick frost, but not having to unstick the paper from it! love cold, rainy days, but only if I am inside and on the couch, snug and warm. Love making (and eating) pumpkin soup, smells wonderful.
the best thing about winter that is not so hot now!!gooody gooody!!
I love hot drinks after a walk in teh cold Canberra weather mornings, and we've had -8's already,walking on crunchy grass, fog until well after midday. I love smuggling under the warm bed under a fluffy doona. Making vegie soup is also a delicious winter pastime. Not having to worry about wearing bulky warm clothes cos everyone else is doing the same.
Winter up here on the North Coast of NSW means rugging up & having a long lazy walk along the beach, watching the whales on their long migration up the coast & then home to a nice hot meal, a glass of red & a night of relaxation with my loved ones. This is the life!!!!!
The view from my window is a picture of brilliant blue sky, its lovely from inside, but freezing if I venture out.I dont like winter because my joints seize up and I cant do my puzzles very well
I love winter because I live in Hervey Bay Queensland and on a very cold day the temperature drops all the way down to.....18 degress celcius.
The only good things about winter are sleeping on cold mornings in a nice warm bed, drinking hot tea, having hot soup with croutons and staying near the heater. The things I don't like are the high electricty prices and the wind outside(when you ae outside) going right through you. Bring on summer!
I love cosy log fires and snuggling. I hate getting up for work in the dark and coming home in the dark.
I love my foot warmer (ie my gorgeous ball of fluff that is my dog) and my cosy bed blankets. I don't enjoy not being able to get out from under my blankets in the morning and thereby making myself late for work on a regular basis. I feel bad about that I swear :D.
I hate winter as my feet and hands get so cold that I cant feel them.I even wear two pairs of socks and they are still cold.I cannot wait for spring.
The reason that we have winter as one of our four seasons, is so we can experience variety in our lives. The rain replenishes our gardens, the wind and frosts cleanse our air. I love to be able to wear my lovely winter wardrobe, which has been hibernating over the warmer months. Filling the house with cooking aromas is always welcoming to family and friends. I think the only thing I don't like about winter, is how quickly it gets dark in early evening, but then again, it gives us more family time together. Long live variety!
I love the fact that it doesn't get under 20 degrees Celcius here in Darwin. I lived in Manchester, UK before Darwin, and although the weather over there is milder than I expected, it took me a couple of years to thaw out. I get bored with the dry season here (April - September) pretty quickly because the days are all the same. Blue skies, 19 (min) to 29 (max) degrees. I love the variety and drama of the build-up and the wet season.
Winter is my favourite season! I love dressing up in my woolies and boots. I love the delicious comfort food we all crave when it's cold. Most of all I love being toasty warm in front of the heater.
I hate struggling to get clothes washed and dried. The day light hours are too short. The world looks bleak and uninviting. I like winter only if it gets cold enough that we get some snow.
An amazing desert winter - freezing at night, crunchy ice on the car in the morning that you have to hose off, then glorious sunny days with crisp blue skies - no grey day glums for me
I get chilbains, cold nose and I grew up in the tropics, constant 32 all year yummy. Frozen livestock water needing to be broken YUK
I love winter in the snow. Fun for all and hot vegetable soup. Laughter to keep our spirits warm
Winter is time to read books, do puzzles, crosswords, sudokus and jigsaws and lie in in the mornings.Watching the colourful sunrises before the storms. Waiting for the winter solstice and longer days to come, bring on winter.
Winter means sleeping in, then a lovely hot bath and then some porridge followed by a cup of chai latte while doing my favourite puzzles on You Play - bliss.
I love that my cat realises that the warmest place to be is my lap... this gives me an excuse to sit and read and drink hot chockie most of the day :-). But.... I really do not like cold weather :-(.
I hate the thought of training the kids at 6.00pm and it's freezing, and then when I get there I love training them, cause they are all so happy to be running around, and I can't help but laugh and enjoy every moment of it.
I'm not fond of getting up in the dark and the cold, to go to work. Once I'm indoors for the night, without running teens around to band rehearsals and basketball training, it's quite cosy. The only time I love winter is because it's football season (I live in Melbourne)! I do have fond memories of winter as a child - my father and I would walk the dog through the frozen grass of the horse paddocks. It was an awesome sight to look back and see where we had been.
Winter comes with horrid sore throats, flus, germs from other people, lack of sunshine, weightgain from boredom or trying to warm up, laziness through being warm & not wanting to move, cough lollies, vicks & nasal sprays, this just about sums up my hate for this season!
Love: changing from white to red!! Going to visit rels in the northern hemisphere for Their summer! Walking in the rain. Pina Coladas Ha Ha ! Dislike: not having that spiffy umbrella to walk in the rain with !! Enjoy cosying up this winter all you youplay tragics Cheers Elie
Cold YUCK Wet, drizzle, sleet YUCK Long dreary days stuck indoors YUCK But is there anything better than watching the sun rise over a landscape softened with wreaths of mist in whites, greys & pinks; or enjoying mugs of hot chocolate whilst basking in the glow of a log fire; or snuggling up in bed with a hot water bottle and a favourite book.
What I dislike,about winter,is the cold wind,on your face,and trying to keep warm.But you can always,put a rug over you,when you are watching television.Or you can always,have a nice hot drink that goes right down to your toes.But I do like to see the smoke,coming out of your mouth,when your breath,can be seen,in the winter season.And you can always,snuggle up at night,and get warm.
I just love Winter!!! I love going for a run on a cold winters morning, theres nothing like the cold to make you feel alive. I love the cuddles i get from my son when he's got the winter flu. Its too embarassing to give his mum cuddles any other time, because heaven forbid what if his friends see. I love the pointless converstations my husband and i have around the fire, watching the different colour flames and hearing the timber crackle. And i love tucking my kids into bed at night, with all the extra blankets, knowing that they are cosy and warm and will sleep well.. Not like in summer when they are hot and restless.
I hate getting up at 5am to go to work when you put your head up out of the blankets and its freezing. Then driving to work in the dark and having to be inside whilst it warm & sunny outside.
I love winter! Hot chocolates, warm soups, snuggling, warm sleepins, comfort food. Not stinking hot weather. What more is there in life.
I hate winter. Today my nose has not stopped sneezing and running! I can't stand being cold or having a cold! Hate it! Hate it! Hate it! Bring on the warmth.
I love the beach in winter. A walk along the shore with the fresh salt air blowing in my face. Follow that up with an open fire and a hot chocolate with marshmallows and you have a perfect winter afternoon.
My dog loves to drag me out for a walk no matter what the weather. Once rugged up and out the door I really do enjoy the beauty of nature around us. Love returning home for a nice hot shower followed by a hot cup of tea and toast.
I feel good with my pets especially in the winter.Hahahahahahahahaha that funny.
best thing about winter is whale watching on the headland.worst thing are the westerly winds that are freezing.
I love coming home from school on the school bus and all the streetlights are on already. yeah, i agree with lonewolf. The cold weather kinda does make me feel more calm minded too. I love going out into town and stuff with mum and having to get wrapped up, and i love getting hot chocolate from macdonalds every time. I absoloutley adore the snowball fights.. then going inside to my mums homemade soup :) i love helping with presents when its christmas, and doing my share of the wrapping :) i love school on the last day of term till we break up for christmas, its so atmospheric. I love how all the humidity of summer goes and its just nice cold fresh air. i love having to sort my blankets and stuff before i actually go to sleep because it gets real cold in england. i love looking out for snow and listening to weather. I love the christmas music, man its everywhere, and i love it. Me and my sister always dance around to it in the living room lol... i love wishing everyone a merry christmas, and i just love the excitement. I just love EVERYTHING lmao. Its so much better than summer in so many different ways, IMO
Winter means Spring is on its way and that is my favourite season.What more can I ask for?
I love making (and eating!) winter food- roasts, soups, pies, casseroles- and being wrapped up warm inside on a stormy day with friends or family next to the fire enjoying said food :D I hate playing netball and driving in the wind and rain during winter.
Hey Bardie, I would have to agree with you, loving the mohair stocking look in winter!!!
I really dislike Winter....can make you feel 'blue', waiting in the Bus Stop in the icy cold, chilblains on your toes where they've been froze! Umbrellas flying inside out with all that screaming wind about. Give me sunshine on my back any day....the feeling of how great it is to be alive.
Winter likes - big comfy clothes, warm feet, snuggly cat, comfort food, finding a sunny spot to do my puzzles. Winter dislikes - getting out of bed, cold fingers and nose, not good ice-cream eating weather! ;p
Aah winter and I have a love/hate relationship. L: Lounging around wood heater O: Oversized woolly jumpers V: Vast amounts of hot chocolate E: Electric blankets and H: Having to get out of bed on chilly mornings A: Arctic-like winds T: Trying to find kindling E: Embarrassment from slipping over in mud Roll on spring ....... lol
I love rugging up and snuggling up. I hate having to struggle out of bed on the cold mornings. I could leave the chapped lips behind too! Love the hot, hearty meals. Nothing better than a roast on a cold night, followed by a yummy pudding and custard!
I love the warmth of the open fire and warm winter foods. I love winter wardrobes, but I dont enjoy having to wear so many layers to go out.
I am much better tempered in winter - I can go to the football and release my stress by shouting at the umpires or the players if they are not doing well. I enjoy winter better than summer as I hate being hot, but autumn and spring are my favourite times of the year.
Love Hearty soups and stews, winter pjs, Footy (go Tigers) cuddling up to someone! Not having to shave legs as often lol! Hate not being able to dry clothes on the line, dark dreary days, cold feet but the rest of me feeling hot (ah menopause)
I personally don't like winter at all. Walking around looking/feeling like the Michelin Man with all those extra layers...yuk! Give me summer anytime (less layers, happy me).
I loathe winter, the layers of clothing, the cold when trying to get dressed, the glum feeling. but i do love the excuse of bad weather to stay seated and so my lovatts Crossies x
Why do I love and loathe the wintertide? Its the season for hibernation, comfort food and all things fireside Negatives are numb tootsies, sore throats and unexpected, chilly blasts of air Then again, no need for 30+ sunscreen and time for relaxing and playing a quiet game of solitaire Evenings come by too quickly and leave a morning frost Regardless, its but 3 months in the year and spring will soon be here!
I love winter now because of my new fleece sheets-so snuggly I do not want to get out of bed!
I hate winter because it is so cold - it goes right through to my bones - and I can't get enough sunshine. But one thing I do love is curling up inside with my Lovatt's mags to do my puzzles.
I love winter, can't get enough of it, particularly since we spend 1/2 the year in 34 degree, 100% humidity. It's so cosy snuggling up watching telly or a DVD by the fire or in bed. I love the crispness of the mornings, the brightness of the sunlit skies, hearty winter soups, quick jogs with the pup in the early morning to warm us up. There's very little I loathe about winter except maybe the winds and when the hubby that I love snuggling up to steals all the doona in the middle of the night and I wake up shivering and ready to do battle to get my share of the doona back!!! Happy winter everyone, don't wish the seasons away, life speeds by quickly enough.
Winter for me brings back childhood memories,paddling through flooded tracks in our gumboots to get to school. Paddocks sparkling with their frosty cover, waiting for the wintry sun to thaw them out. Mum's yummy soup waiting for us as we arrived home from school. Watching tv or playing cards in the warm lounge room. These days in a different state, no frost, but cold bitter winds, not much rain, but glorious sunny days. Usually I dont like Winter, but after the summer we had I am enjoying the change.
Love winter time as its that time of year you want to snuggle up under a doona with your favourite crossword magazines and hot milo yum yum. After the very hot hot summer in perth the rain is wat we needed at least we can just chill and relax..
I love: * dressing in layers of cardigans, scarf, hats and still being fashionable. * snuggling up in bed with a good book or crossword. * endless cups of hot tea. * the beach on a sunny winters day. You can cover up from the sun and not be boiling hot! * the whales migrating north to warmer waters. I can see them from my balcony, which is very cool. I loathe: * chapped lips which, no matter how much lip balm you apply to them, remain chapped. * reduced energy levels because of the cold. * dragging myself out of bed in the morning when it's dark and cold. * a cold nose!
I loathe winter. It's cold and gloomy, night falls earlier and for me I have less mobility because of my arthritis. All the sickness around and having to rug up like an Eskimo to keep warm.
I ran away from Queensland to live in Winter, and I love it, I love the energy of all the people who are here to have fun, I love the beautiful white frosts on cold crisp mornings. For me, not being the ideal shape and size, Winter means that I am comfortable in my clothes. There is nothing more magical than sitting on top of a snowy mountain, looking at a blue sky, the whiteness all sparkly. I think that snow finishes the look of a landscape.
What happened to my comments? they disappeared!! I will start again. I hate the cold of Winter. People with their nasty habit of spreading their cold germs, Yuk!! The thing that I do like about it is I can sit & knit lots of beanies for the orphans in Africa, I sit out behind the Patio Blinds if there is any sun or inside by the heater. Trouble is electricity is getting too high. Roll on Springtime!
One thing I did forget our Daughter has me sent the "BIG" magazine for Christmas & I love to sit & do that on a Winters Day as well. :-)
winter is such a breeze and beautiful epecially the falling ice i wish we had that here in australia,but what i do love about winter is that i get to snuggle up with my husband on the couch, its such a wonderful feeling , and to see my kids little button nose red its so adorable , but where we stay it doesnt really have winter but i know that all people love winter as much as i do,
I love winter when you see your children all snuggled up under the blankets to sleep, so warm and cosy.
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I love the colors of winter where I live. The beach looks like a postcard. Bluest blues and greenest greens. I love I get to wear my collection of boots and scarfs. mmmm soups and curries. I hate having to abandon my warm cosy bed in the mornings when it is still dark outside, and my nose constantly runs during winter.