Tag Archives: cold

The 4 P’s of Cold Weather

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❄️The 4 P’s of Cold Weather

Snow is piling up across Massachusetts, the winds are howling, and winter has officially settled in. Here on Around Dusty Roads, we know that surviving the season isn’t just about braving the cold—it’s about finding comfort, warmth, and maybe even a little humor along the way.

That’s why we’re sharing the tried-and-true 4 P’s of Cold Weather: People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants.

👨‍👩‍👧 People

  • Dress in layers: Think of it as building your own personal insulation system.
  • Check on neighbors: Especially the elderly—sometimes a knock on the door means more than just a wellness check; it’s a chance to share a smile.
  • Prepare for outages: Stock up on blankets, flashlights, and snacks. (Yes, marshmallows count.)

🐾 Pets

  • Bring them inside: If you wouldn’t sleep outside in a snowbank, neither should your dog.
  • Keep water fresh: Frozen bowls are no fun for thirsty pets.
  • Create cozy corners: Heated beds or a pile of blankets make winter feel less like survival and more like luxury.

 

 

🚰 Pipes

  • Insulate exposed pipes: Foam covers are basically puffy jackets for your plumbing.
  • Let faucets drip: Keeps water moving and pressure down. Bonus: dripping faucets double as cat entertainment—your feline friends will think you installed a new toy just for them.
  • Disconnect hoses: Outdoor hoses don’t enjoy becoming popsicles.

🌱 Plants

  • Cover delicate greenery: Burlap, blankets, or tarps—plants love a good winter fashion statement.
  • Bring potted plants inside: Herbs and houseplants thrive when they’re not auditioning for Frozen.
  • Think ahead: Protecting plants now means fewer tears when spring finally arrives.

🛋️ Featured Cozy Essential: Welcoming Haven’s Faux Fur Leopard Print Throw

When the winds whip and the snow piles high, nothing says “winter survival” quite like a blanket that’s equal parts warmth and style. Welcoming Haven’s Faux Fur Leopard Print Throw is the ultimate winter companion:

  • Luxuriously soft: Perfect for curling up with a book or binge-watching your favorite series.
  • Wildly stylish: Adds a pop of personality to your living room or bedroom décor.
  • Practical warmth: Because sometimes the best way to fight the cold is to embrace cozy.

👉 Ready to make winter chic and cozy? Shop the Faux Fur Leopard Print Throw at Welcoming Haven today!

🌟 Final Thoughts

Winter in New England is a test of preparation, patience, and humor. By remembering the **4 P’s—People, Pets, Pipes, and Plants—you’ll keep your home safe, your loved ones cozy, and maybe even your cats entertained. And when it’s time to settle in after a long day of shoveling, let Welcoming Haven’s Faux Fur Leopard Print Throw be your stylish shield against the cold.

 

 

Surviving a New England Winter

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 Through Snow, Ice, and Dark of Night

❄️ The Snowy Stage

Winter in New England doesn’t tiptoe in—it barrels through the door with a frosty grin and a suitcase full of snow. Streets transform into icy labyrinths, and every front yard becomes a stage for snowdrifts that pile higher than the neighbor’s mailbox. It’s a season where shovels become daily companions and boots squeak like loyal sidekicks.

🌬️ Ice, Ice, Maybe

The ice is both villain and comedian. Driveways glisten like glass runways, daring us to pirouette unintentionally. Sidewalks become slip-and-slide adventures, where balance is less about grace and more about survival. Yet, there’s a strange beauty in the sparkle—icy branches twinkle like chandeliers hung by nature herself.

🎿 Slopes and Red Noses

Of course, New England isn’t just about shoveling—it’s about skiing and snowboarding too. Resorts dot the region, inviting adventurers to carve trails down powdery slopes. The thrill of racing downhill leaves cheeks tingling and noses glowing bright red, proof of a day well spent in the crisp mountain air. And when the lifts finally close, there’s nothing sweeter than gathering for après-ski: boots drying by the door, a crackling fire warming tired muscles, and mugs of mulled cider shared among friends.

🌌 The Dark of Night

Ah, the long nights. Darkness falls early, wrapping the town in a velvet cloak by late afternoon. But instead of gloom, it offers a chance for cozy rituals: candles flickering in windows, cocoa warming hands, and the quiet hum of a kettle promising comfort. The dark becomes less an enemy and more an invitation to slow down.

🧣 The Secret Weapons

Survival isn’t just about grit—it’s about whimsy. Fuzzy socks, oversized scarves, and the eternal promise of baked goods are the true heroes. A snowstorm outside? Perfect excuse for a kitchen experiment. The oven becomes a hearth, and laughter fills the house louder than the wind                                                                       rattling the shutters.

 

 

🌟 Finding the Magic

Through snow, ice, slopes, and night, New Englanders discover resilience wrapped in humor. Winter isn’t merely endured—it’s celebrated with sled rides, snow angels, ski runs, and the occasional hot toddy. The season teaches us that survival is less about braving the cold and more about embracing the sparkle hidden within it.

The Winter Brrrr

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This past weekend we finally got a heavy snowfall. So far the winter hasn’t been too extreme. The weatherman keeps referring to 40 degrees as “seasonal”. Hmm I seem to remember it being much colder than than but I suppose they have the records. Anyway, this weekend we got a storm that ranged through southeastern MA. The mountains and NH only saw about 2 inches compared to our 1 1/2 – 2 ft.

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I am born and raised in the north. I grew up in the Adirondacks but as much as I have fond memories of snowball fights, sledding and snow shoeing I just can’t seem to get excited about it now.

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I saw my younger brother a few weeks ago and he was talking about getting out cross country skiing. Made me feel cold just listening to him. Still maybe I can force myself out to do some snow shoeing. Its only cold until you get started then you work up some internal heat as you tromp along.

Still if given the choice of of a brisk winter day or spending the afternoon snorkeling among the tropical fish, I’ll take the fish any day!

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What am I doing living here!

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That pretty much sums it up.

Bright and Cold

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It was clear and sunny and bright but the cold of the last few days continued to linger. At least the overcast and snow was over. There was still a little snow on the ground but it is January in the northeast so what else can I expect.

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I’m heading off to join the Audubon Society on a Snowy Owl Prowl at Duxbury Beach. The 8 am excursion was booked but they decided to have a 2nd trip at 12 and I managed to get a spot on that one.

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It was time to break out the winter camo. Time to see if it was as warm as the sales pitch said. I skipped the pants because I’d be in and out of a warm van and I figured it might be too much. Instead I pulled on a pair of “leggings” and then the size too big jeans that I bought to keep the waistband from irritating my shingles rash. No one would ever know I was wearing 2 pairs of pants and I figured the extra layer would be enough to break the wind for the little time we would be out of the van.

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I packed up my sunglasses, a snack to prevent low blood sugar, a water bottle  and the big camera lens in case I had a chance to use it. Then, looking like an extra from Wild West Alaska I headed out.

Arriving at Duxbury Beach I could see that the sea ice had frozen. Since it’s sea water with a lot of salt it isn’t really solid but it looks like regular ice from the shore. While I waited for the Audubon crew I hoped out to snap a picture of the Powder Point Bridge.

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Immediately the wind hit me. But after a second I realized that the cold wind was only hitting my face. The rest of me was comfortably warm. That was all it took for me to fully accept my “camo” winter parka. (This is my “concentrating” look as I try to take a “Selfie”)

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Shortly after that the Audubon Vans arrived . There were 2 of them and probably 9 of us so we were very comfortable, not crowded at all. I got the front seat with our driver and guide, Dave.

Sally drove the 2nd van and checked us in. Once she was sure we were all present and accounted for we were off.

Baby Its Cold Out There

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The latest update in my Facebook feed on Beau is that he is still alive and still in captivity. More sharing and social media rabble-rousing is planned. I think the authorities in Tennessee could take a tip from the movie Frozen and “Let it go, Let it go, Let it go”. A terrible abuse of power.

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But on another note, what does everyone think of this cold weather. Friends in Florida tell me it’s cold there too. Is anyone warm?

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Last night the winds were howling and making a real racket when I went to bed. I lower the heat at bedtime down to around 60. I can’t sleep if its too warm and since I’m in a condo with units above, below and on each side, throw in the heated common areas and I’m usually pretty toasty warm. I knew it was cold when I woke up this morning and heard the furnace running.

I remember growing up in the Adirondacks and hearing my folks comment on the cold. I remember plenty of below zero days back then but as a kid stuffed in a bulky snow suit I didn’t really care.

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If the cold froze the tops of the snow to ice we’d just take cardboard boxes and use them as sleds. Sometimes we had to crawl back up the hill because the ice crust was so slippery. Of course wiping out on that kind of snow was guaranteed to leave a blood trail! That crust could cut like glass!

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I don’t know how cold it got last night but there were lots of reports of frozen gas lines and dead batteries in cars and school buses. I did not even put my nose out there! I can work from home so I was not about to brave the cold even if I do have a snugly warm snowsuit just like when I was a kid.  I’ll be trying that out for the first time this weekend.

FedEx  was working in the cold. At about 10 am I had a knock on my door. The man standing there looked like Nanook of the North. He had a mustache  and a hooded jacket with fur around it.

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I think I just stared. I don’t know who let him inside the building but that poor man looked frozen. He didn’t say a word, just handed me my package and left. I think he just wanted to get the day over with so he could get out of the cold. His brief stop at my door probably didn’t give him much time to get warm before he had to go right back outside.

So, how’s the cold where you are and how are you coping? Am I just a wimp?