How I not let Winter drive me insane

I live in Canada. There is snow. In the winter. I can't speak for other parts of this great big country but where I live, it does not snow in July. We don't live in igloos or travel by dog sled. We have all four seasons in a fairly predictable way. Our summers can be hot and humid, fall is gorgeous with eye popping colours and juicy apples, spring is cheerful tulips and a welcome respite from the bitter cold of winter. Winter is winter. I must admit - I have a hard time embracing winter.
There are times, especially in January and February, when I'm bundled up to where only my eyeballs are showing with wind hurdling me around as I struggle to get to the car (with groceries) and I say to myself how did I get here? One minute I'm a girl growing up in southern Missouri and the next I'm married to a Canadian and find myself wearing long underwear. 

A few weeks ago, we got ice instead of snow. I realized that snow I could work with. Ice - what's up with that? You can't play in it, you can't make a snowman, you can't sled on it, you can't drive on it unless you have a death wish, you can't walk on it without falling on your back, you can't even skate on it!  Muttering slightly unsavoury comments to myself under my breath in regards to the ice as I was trying to make my way to the van - I looked up (which is actually dangerous because then I'm not watching what I'm doing). And this is what I saw....

 Totally worth the risk. Thank God I looked up. And then I thanked God! I went home and stayed home until it melted and while I waited, I baked. Things seem so much better with a cinnamon roll - you know what I mean? 

And even better - these are low fat and yummy. Score. Make a cup of tea, sit in front of the fire place and I have just avoided the nut house. For now. 
A day to myself is another helpful coping mechanism. Wayne takes the kids skiing on Mondays and since I don't ski, I stay home. Zanna's just starting to ski and she looks good!

She may not know what she's doing yet, but she looks good anyway!

Will's a natural and has graduated this year to adult skis. He goes down the hills by himself and enjoys the fresh air. 

Looking good, guys! While you're doing that, I'll get my hair cut, the floors cleaned, grocery shop and maybe make some more cinnamon rolls! 
Is it just me or does anyone else get really excited when the plow comes through with the dump trucks to scoop up the snow collected on the side of the road and truck it out to a giant snow hill far, far way? The roads seem wider again and spring is in the air! 
Meanwhile, as we wait for spring, we read some books especially for this time of year.

 Around here it's generally accepted that anything above -10 C is good for sending kids outside. So my kids have made a "castle" in our front yard with rooms and walls to protect them during snow ball fights with neighbours. Both are proficient at shoveling and help Dad when needed. Zanna can play for extended periods of time in the back yard doing what, I'm not sure. And who doesn't love to sled down a hill? Bring some hot chocolate to sweeten the deal! We have yet to skate this year but I still hope to. We're looking forward to a sleigh ride this weekend. Yeah, winter's not so bad especially when there's a blueberry tea to end the day. Cup of steeped Red Rose tea, a shot of Grand Marnier and a shot of Amaretto, cinnamon stick. Oh, yeah....