Hey we made it! It’s Friday and this week I’m joining the DC Trifecta: Cynthia at You Signed Up For What, Mar at Mar on the Run, and Courtney at Eat Pray Run DC for the Friday Five! It’s really been fun linking up with them this year!
Favorite Winter Activities
Being born and raised in Buffalo, New York, I love the snow and I love winter weather. I have so many fond memories of playing in the snow as a kid, and I still get excited when the flurries are falling from the sky! For the Friday Five, here’s what I love about the winter!
Snowball Fights
I’ve recently learned that I enjoy a good snowball fight! For some reason my dear boyfriend likes to attack me with snowballs and I have to defend myself! Believe it or not, it can actually turn into a pretty good workout! When Bret and I were in New York City for a weekend, we had the craziest snowball fight in the Upper East Side. Slipping, sliding down narrow streets and trying to avoid passersby. I’m sure we embarrassed the hell out of ourselves but we had a blast. Oh, and I won of course! 😉
Admiring Christmas Lights
They’re just so pretty! In my old neighborhood growing up, having the best Christmas lights on the block was a badge of honor! We were never over the top with our decorations at my house, but it was always fun seeing my mom and sister strategize and conceptualize how to decorate the windows and porch with colors and white lights. One of my favorite things is driving through the neighborhoods that go all out with their Christmas lights and decorations! Plus it doesn’t hurt that it’s free! There’s actually an event each year where a huge group runs through South Philly all decorated in lights….I wish I could have joined in the fun!
South Philly full of lights!Snowboarding
A few years ago my friends introduced me to the world of snowboarding. I’ve tried skiing in the past, and I was TERRIBLE. But snowboarding looked like a fun challenge, and it really is! I’m definitely not a natural at it, and I get scared when I really start going fast, but it’s exhilarating, especially when I realize I”m not going to fall and that I’m in control! It’s also an amazing low body workout, as you’re working your quads and hips. I always end up in SO much pain after a long day of boarding–so it’s definitely a good source of cross training!
Snowboarding!It looks like we’re finally going to plan a big trip to ski country in the Poconos this winter…it’s been a long time coming! My friends that I used to snowboard with all moved away, and I really miss those times we shared together. And Cracker Barrel was always our hangout spot on the way back home! Ahh…memories!
Ice Skating
I love ice skating! When I was a kid I was frequently invited to ice skating parties, and I always had a great time. For some reason I stink at rollerskating, but when I’m ice skating I look much less awkward! Somehow I have deprived myself for YEARS of this activity, and probably haven’t ice skated since high school! In Philly we are now SPOILED with lots of options to go at a low price, from the River Rink, to the Piazza, and now the new Rothman Rink at City Hall. So I better get my butt in some skates this winter!
The new Rothman Ice Rink in Dilworth ParkRunning
How could I not finish with running? I have truly grown to love running in the winter time. I never stay cold for too long! There’s something peaceful about running in the snow. I just admire everything around me and have such a great time not thinking about anything. When I ran in Central Park for the first time last winter, it was an amazing experience. I hope to get back there soon!
What are your favorite things to do in the winter time?
YES!! All those are such fantastic winter activities. I am living in the tropics right now (which I have to admit, is pretty awesome), but I miss snow! I’m heading home next week for hte holidays, and can’t wait for a snowball fight and some ice skating!
I hope you have a great time being home for the holidays! Whenever I go back to Buffalo I hope for a nice snow storm to set the mood! 🙂
Fun activities! I haven’t gone snowboarding on over 9 years! I am afraid I would need a refresher course if I ever did it again. I love it but never seem to be able to go. Ice skating is a no-go for me: I can’t even rollerskate 🙁
Maybe you’ll get to go snowboarding this year! I know every time I go I feel like it’s the first time…but I’ve never been very good! I still love the challenge!
WOAH!!! Those Christmas lights are gorgeous!!! I love when small towns or cities do a large quantity of lights like that. So pretty and festive.
I’ve always wanted to snowboard, but I really don’t get a lot of practice time, so I’ve stayed safe with the two skis. Maybe one day.
Christmas lights always get me in the spirit. My neighborhood goes all out for Halloween but I never see any good Christmas decorations…I don’t get it! I wish I could ski…sometimes I think it’d be safer than both of my feet on one board! 🙂
Those Christmas lights are so pretty. I may have to take a drive down there soon.
I’m hoping to toughen up this winter and run outside more, maybe I’ll use the Christmas lights as my motivation! Ice skating is so much fun, especially when there are placing to go skating outside!
Janelle! All of you “northern” gals keep putting snowboarding on your lists – GAH! Sounds so exciting! I’m sure I would be a disaster on a snowboard (I can’t even imagine!), but it sounds like a ton of fun! We don’t get enough snow for that, so I’ll live vicariously through you all. Hope you have a fantastic weekend!
There is something so peaceful about running in the snow, isn’t there? I keep saying I’m going to try snowboarding. My husband is a huge skier so we usually ski, but my oldest snow just took up snowboarding. Maybe I’ll join in this year 🙂
Live the list. I tried snowboarding once and it was fun. Need to go again sometime. I love lights. South Philly looks great. Need to see that someday. Philly? Lights? What’s not to like?
I love running in the winter too! It is always so dang hot here in Texas, I crave cool winter runs!! No snow, but I’m sure that would be wonderful to run in!
Great winter activities! That is an amazing light display in Philly!
Thanks! I wish I was able to see it this year!
hahaha, yes – snowball fights can be a HUGE workout! i love your list 🙂 have a great weekend!
Thanks Courtney, enjoy your weekend!
I miss snowball fights and skating and fort building SO MUCH. And lights just aren’t as pretty here in FL. I guess I just haven’t felt like I’ve had a “real” winter since I moved!
PS: Your updated blog looks AWESOME!
Thanks so much Ali! I have to admit it seems weird to not have snow/cold weather around Christmas!
I’ve never tried snowboarding. I used to downhill ski in my younger years, but I’ve given that up. I must be getting old!!!
I wish I could ski but I’m terrible!
Nice list!! Ah, how I miss snowboarding. I used to snowboard all the time when I lived on the West Coast. I hope to get back into it, but it’s hard with the kiddos. We do love to go sledding though. They can’t wait till we get enough snow to get out and go! 🙂
Aw I’m sure your kids would have fun sledding! I would love to snowboard on the West coast someday…those mountains are way too advanced for me now though!