Is anyone planning on "wintering"?

[user746016]

I'm taking down some of the decorations but have decided to keep up some fairly lights and candles and some of the decorations that are more wintery than overtly christmassy. It always feels so bare when everything comes down and it makes the house look cheerful in the cold dark months.

I have also planted some indoor bulbs which are doing well so will hopefully provide some glimpses of spring.

Lots of fires, cosy blankets and books to see us through.

Any other nice ideas to keep the winter feeling cheerful rather than bleak?

GameofJones, I can recommend the cornus family of shrubs..white flowers,lush green leaves, when they're gone, stems are yellow, orange or bright red all winter stunning. Am glad you did your homework on "right plant, right place". It doesn't always work. Could I add a moan,we usually keep a tubular heater on in one greenhouse overnight when the temperature goes down to single figures, this year (thanks Rachel) we decided we couldn't afford to,we don't even run the dehumidifier overnight, because of the cost. The lemons in the greenhouse have lost their leaves, won't know till spring if they're ok. Some of the houses on here sound absolutely wonderful, chocolate box, but Im guessing,they would be pretty difficult to heat up. I've spent the last few days thick tracksuit if I'm not going out,and a thick throw,it's been up to -5, pretty unusual for us,SE UK corner 10 minutes away from the sea. I turned the heating off as usual,it was on at 7, strange,it had gone on at 13c. Taken my tea back to bed. Loving this thread. Little things to bring joy.

Or down to -5!

I have solar warm rope lights on the porch and patio all year around. They look good and don't look Christmassy at all.

We still have a good layer of snow here. We live in woodland and the sun doesn’t get to it to thaw it off at their time of year and then the hard frost each night has turned it all icy. Even so, more and more snowdrops are poking their heads through.

Ive also bought a window feeder for the birds with an Amazon voucher I got for Christmas. It’s lovely to see the little ones flying in and out.

this morning I’m making a rhubarb and strawberry crumble with the fruit in the freezer. Lots of brown sugar and butter in the crumble topping. Lovely and warming with creamy custard. DC1 goes back to uni this afternoon so we are having roast pork with all the trimmings for lunch. One last substantial home cooked meal before it’s back to student poverty!