In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.
Albert Camus

Now is the winter of our discontent.
William Shakespeare

Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.
Victor Hugo

In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy.
William Blake

No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.
Hal Borland

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Sometimes winter does look like this!

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Such a cold wet grey winter day, so the only recipe which came into my mind is the one for a hot grog.

Ingredients:

2 ounces dark rum
1/2 ounce fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon brown sugar
4 ounces hot water
1 cinnamon stick
1 slice orange
Optional: aniseed, vanilla

Mix all the ingredients in a mug and garnish with a cinnamon stick and a slice of orange.

Picture from here

STAY WARM!

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Woke up this morning and the whole city was covered with snow, winter at its best. The magic around you makes you want to bake, knit, sip hot chocolate and cuddle under a fluffy blanket. So I guess you know my plan for today, might add a walk in the park to add some colour in my cheeks and earn the chocolate treat! Happy Sunday!

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The mother told the child with a very mild tone to go to bed. The little girl did not want to, she was too excited after seeing the snow falling down and all she was thinking about was to go out and play. But it was already rather late and the mother was determined. Thus the only remaining alternative was to ask for a bed time story.

The mother pondered, went to the kitchen and came with both hands closed, the child was curious, but the mother told her to close her eyes, and to stretch out her left arm. She felt something wooden. Then the left arm, she got a little softer piece.

And then the story began ...

Imagine it is late afternoon and you are walking towards the old castle where the Christmas market is placed each year. The snow fell all around you and it is crispy and cold, but you warm with your nice new pullover all around your neck and hot hands in the winter gloves. You walk around the little market, with each stand having amazing wonderful things to discover. The first thing you discover is the cookie stand where a lady is handing over some samples.

And then the mother told the her to smell what she has in her left hand. And the girl was surrounded by cinnamon and she could imagine how her favourite cookies smell and taste.

The story went on.

The next stop is the toy stand with lovely carved wooden puppets and small cars which Thomas (her cousin) loved and cheerish. Then the steam startled her, the old train was coming just around the corner with rosy cheeks little children which were laughing and enjoying the crispy afternoon. So many things to see, here some thick wool socks like the granny knits all winter long, here some jewelry for young girls and then again something to eat.

After a small tour a small stop to have a children punch.

And then the mother told the her to smell what she has in her right hand. And the girl was surrounded by tangerine and she could imagine how her favourite winter drink would smell and taste.

The story went on.

The snow started to fall down with huge flakes, the evening was coming down and one by one the children return to their homes. Another look towards the market with its beautiful lights and smells and stands and it is time to go.

The mother stopped and smiled, the girl was all curled up and sleeping. She took the  tangerine skin from her right hand and the cinnamon stick from her left. With a last look she tucked her baby and wished her good night. 

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“Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it.”
 Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


“Laughter is the sun that drives winter from the human face.”
 Victor Hugo


“For the unlearned, old age is winter; for the learned it is the season of the harvest.”
 The Talmud


“In the depths of winter I finally learned there was in me an invincible summer”
 Albert Camus


“Adversity draws men together and produces beauty and harmony in life's relationships, just as the cold of winter produces ice-flowers on the window-panes, which vanish with the warmth.”
 Soren Kierkegaard

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Snow fell thick at night
White space next to me; cold and
Brisk, looked clear and pure.

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Another sunny winter day. He was on his own, as most of the time, simply waiting for people to notice him. He was never allowed to leave the room, he had to be pleased with the given conditions. There we happy days, when the room was spotless and smelling so nice, others were not so shiny. But he did not know anything else, he just took life as it came. For sure, he was also cleaned, taken care of, but in the end it was for the comfort of others, he was sure nobody gave him a second thought. From time to time someone would lift him and he could catch a glimpse of the nearby mountains through the small room which was bringing light in his life. He was so curious to know what was beyond those walls which kept him a prisoner. He was very determined that one day he will see the world as it is. But less did he know, that today was THE DAY when everything will change. Suddenly he felt a woman's hand, which with a lot of force pulled him and threw him through the narrow window. He land in the snow and he just started breathing and enjoying the view. The young couple which he almost fell upon looked scared and amazed, not understanding why a toilet seat landed close by!

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