playing board games

Like many things on this list, this is a year-round love that finds more time to shine during this season of shorter daylight hours. With long nights in, Trent and I have leaned into our shared love of board games. Many of our favorites are better with a group, which incentivizes us to host friends more than we might. But we have also used this time to learn some two-player classics, like Backgammon.

When we do host a game night, it reinforces that we have found our people. Sometimes it’s a small group and we dive into our four-player favorites like Wingspan, Settlers of Catan, or Castles of Tuscany. Other times, game nights draw a small crowd and we can bust out the party games like Hues & Cues, Blockbuster, or Chameleon. No matter what, it’s a night of laughter and fun competition. Now, we just need to find which game night-goers will be in for a long game like Root.

going to the movie theater

Since I first heard of Guillermo del Toro’s adaptation of Frankenstein over a year ago, I counted down the days until I could catch it on the big screen. And the experience was not disappointing. Life-bringing lightning filled the screen, icebergs stretched in every direction, and the creature towered larger than life – all satisfying my literary love for this masterpiece. Seeing this film in the theater reignited my long-lost love for the theatrical experience. Call me a millennial, but going to the movies feels magical.

Another reason I’m opting for the in-theater experience more these days is for the simple delight of an uninterrupted viewing. At home, if it’s not advertisements or a buzzing phone, I’m pausing to make a snack or move the laundry into the dryer or some other task. In the theater, I am fully present.

We are lucky that Atlanta has several unique theaters. My favorites are the Midtown Arts Cinema and the Plaza Theatre, places I have frequented since college. The nostalgia is powerful for me, but I also love how affordable local theaters can still be. And really, this time of year is perfect for movie-going; many great releases are scheduled around the holidays, and you can catch an earlier movie without missing out on sunlight.

letter writing

More on this to come, but let me just say that letter writing is one of my life’s long-standing delights. It is a form of expression in its own right, and one that uniquely has my heart. To send thoughtful notes to a long-distance friend or family member, and hopefully receive one in return... it is a simple yet profound treasure that brightens any day. And really, who doesn’t love happy mail?

james by percival EVERETT

This book, a retelling of Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s perspective, was on my list since January. Having read Huckleberry Finn earlier this year, I took a break before diving into this one. The language and the heavy themes of that book weighed on me, and honestly, I feared James would be too depressing to follow it. But when I picked it up a few weeks ago, I quickly realized that Everett’s goal is not to bring his story down but to paint a fuller, more beautiful picture. I am sure sadness is in store, but I am confident this work will redeem the parts of Huckleberry Finn that troubled me.

Oversized coats

Barn jackets are in, I get it. But trends don’t keep you warm. Big coats may or may not be en vogue, but I have just loved drowning myself in coats this year. Most of them I picked up in a Goodwill and have just delighted in rotating to a different one each day. The bright colors, warmth of wool, and ability to look put together with little effort have won me over. If I’m feeling fancy, I switch the sneakers for boots and add a pair of big earrings. But even when I don’t, the coat carries me.

watercolors

Look, I am not good at it. But I am having fun doing it. I picked up two copies of this book and paint sets when I was Christmas shopping. One for a friend, and one for me. The best part is how tidy it is. With watercolors, there is no mess. I keep a paper towel handy, but other than that and a cup of water, this is self-contained. It is a fun pastime and creative outlet. And who knows? Maybe I’ll improve!

slow horses on Apple tv+

I may or may not have met Jack Lowden in New Orleans (I’ve been a fan since the War & Peace miniseries in 2016). Either way, I have become obsessed with his show Slow Horses. I had heard of this show before, now going into its fifth season, and Gary Oldman’s stand-out performance, but we only recently added Apple TV+ to our library. Queue a holiday binge-watch!

Really, all the performances are phenomenal. Kristen Scott Thomas steals the screen when she’s present and her character adds such interest for me. In general, I really love how the show explores the unglamorous side of intelligence work. It is an exciting, quality show that I enjoyed catching up with. Bonus points that a new season is coming soon.

May this winter cocoon you in things you love most.

Wintery Whimsies