Your Guide to Hibernation in Chicago

Bring The Coffee To You

Intelligentsia Coffee.

Ever since I was a Barista, I have had a difficult time going into coffee shops to order a coffee. I don’t know what it is. I’d rather make it myself and have control over the process, instead of wonder HOW they made my precious coffee.

Stay home and order coffee in. You can order 5 pound bags, or if your lame, just the half pound. Of course i would recommend the 5 pound bag of Itzmamna Guatemala Blend.

Buy it, grind it, drink it!

Stock Up on Warm Blankets

I can never have enough blankets. GIVE ME THE BLANKETS! I need my blankets. Try stocking up on some colorful ones this year. It will brighten up your gloomy, cold afternoon.

My mother gave me tons from home that my grandmother made. They keep me warm and cozy, but they make me want to make cookies all day! Mmmm cookies.

Workout At Home

Ok, go buy the Pilates Workout Video and do the Hundred in your living room. I’m not kidding. When it’s too cold to go take a class, I just whip my mat out and focus on my cold breath, “Inhale 2, 3, 4, 5 and Exhale 2, 3, 4, 5.”

Then you won’t be cold anymore because you made that workout the BEST one yet! (mmmhmmm just tell yourself that!)

Bake Some Cookies

My favorite cookies to bake are chocolate chip and no bake cookies. Both require very little ingredients, their both fattening, and they take no time to cook. Especially the no bake ones. Some people call them haystacks, but I don’t think that name does them justice.

After you bake, you can eat ’em and take a nap!
Find your favorite recipe and GET TO IT!

Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese

This has GOT to be my favorite meal of all time! I like to dip my grilled cheese in the soup and let it get soggy. Oh my gosh my moth is watering!
This is nice to curl up with for dinner. Soup, grilled cheese, and a napkin. yummy!

Stay Home and Knit

Instead of going out into the cold to buy a sweater, just MAKE your own. This will give you a change to use your creativity and get a hand workout! What better way to burn the winter calories than to knit, huh?

I tried this last winter and all I ended up with was half of a winter hat that turned into a purse, that now has become a cat scoop holder for my cat. Hmmm maybe I’ll give it another try this year.

Buy Your Groceries At Peapod

It’s cold out, the wind is blowing, and the snow is knee deep. Order your groceries online from Peapod! They have everything and its not expensive!

Just ya know, don’t do what I do, become spoiled and shop there YEAR ROUND. My grocery store is just around the corner too. That is a definite sign of laziness! Can’t help it, it’s so convenient.

Peapod.com.

Curl Up With A Good Book

Ok, I am such a stickler for romantic novels. Gone With The Wind is a perfect book for a long winter.

This thick beauty will take you a while to read and its better than the movie believe it or not! I read it every year. Then I watch the movie. Just can’t get enough of that Rett Butler.

Grab a bottle of Red Wine

Red wine and winter go hand in hand. I don’t think I’m an alcoholic, but a nice glass of red every night is my cup of tea. Wait, I mean glass of wine. This will really keep ya warm!