5 After 5, Ways to Enjoy Winter

Have you already had enough of winter and all the extra work that goes along with it?

We don't really get winter around here, but there are still certain things I enjoy and associate with the season...



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It's time for another round of 5 After 5!  In case you missed it, last week's list was books to read in 2017 and if you're new to this series, you can read more about it here - then catch up on all the old editions here.


Today I've got my list of 5 to share, as well as next week's topic for you to stew about over the upcoming days.


And this series is a link party, so be sure to scroll down and join in all the fun with us this week!




List 5 ways to enjoy winter


We actually had about 7 hours of winter last week - that crazy cold front that was known as Snomageddon everywhere else dropped our temps to the forties and I was actually able to wear a sweater - it was glorious!

(Seriously, the last time I wore that sweater was four years ago, so I was excited!) 

Of course, we were back up into the 80s again the next day, so there's still not much wintering going on around here, but I did manage to come up with a sort of bucket list for us for the season:



1.  State Fair


The Florida State Fair is a big tradition in our family. We usually meet up with The Cousins and spend a full day wandering around the sights and sounds (and smells!) of this annual event.

Some of our favorite things to do there are hang out with all the animals, visit Cracker Country, and participate in our State Fair Scavenger Hunt.

We used to always feast on corn dogs too, but ever since I started making them here at home, we eat our once-a-year corn dog at home that same weekend.


2.  Flannel Sheets



We haven't been able to sleep on these yet this year, but I'm still holding out hope that we'll have a run of a week or so of cool-enough weather to throw these snuggly sheets on the bed.

They are just so soft!

The only downside to these sheets?

It is nearly impossible to get up out of bed in the mornings when they're on!


3.  Greater Camping Opportunities


It may seem like Florida is great for outdoor activities all year round, but that is not the case with camping.

If it's not the heat, it's the mosquitoes, and basically this state is pretty much the most miserable place to camp for all but about 3 months of the year.

Remember, we get the heck outta Dodge for our annual month-long camping trip in the mountains, so we're always excited when this time of year rolls around and we can camp some place closer to home.

"Winter" around here may be a brief window of time, but it is clear and glorious and camping here can be awesome.


4.  Organization Spree


Even if I hadn't made it a goal to get more organized this year, there's just something about winter that gets me all jazzed to go through our stuff and re-arrange and find new ways to use one of these wine bags and change things up a bit around the house.

I think it makes sense to tackle these projects this time of year because we've just finished finding homes for all the new Christmas goodies and packing up the tree and decorations to store for another year.

Do you get on this kick for winter, too?

5.  Have a fire in the fireplace


This one is completely wishful thinking on my part, because even though we can usually manage to squeeze in a night or two of the flannel sheets on the bed each year, it has been six years since we've been able to enjoy a fire in our fireplace.

Since we don't usually use it more than once a decade, it takes a lot more work to set it all up than it would in a chillier clime.

And if our cold night(s) land on a weekday, a fire is not really an option because evenings around here provide barely enough time to eat dinner and go to sleep.

So we'll just hope for a cold night on a weekend this year...





For next week:


List 5 of your favorite winter activities


Ha - not that any of them can be done around here, but I do have a list of winter things that I love to do and I can't wait to see yours!



And now, here's this week's link party!  Another fabulous blogger has teamed up with me to create a list of five each week and we hope that you'll join us, too!



That's right, every post will be read, pinned and tweeted!  

Every Saturday, just stop by one of our blogs to add your own list of five, then pop over and read as many other posts as you're able to each week - treat it like a true party and really mix it up and mingle with our fun little community!

The rules are simple:  just write your own list following the prompt each week (feel free to interpret it loosely - or in a unique way!), follow both of the hosts on the social media channel of your choice, and then get into the spirit of the party by grabbing your favorite beverage or snack and reading the lists of the other party-goers.



Your Hosts:

Lisa, at Syncopated MamaFacebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Google+ // Bloglovin'
Samantha, at Motivated DaysTwitter // Pinterest // Google+ 



What's your list?  I'd love to hear!  Either leave a comment below or email me at lisahealy (at) outlook (dot) com.

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