Whether or not we get snow, one thing is certain: It’s about to get very chilly outside. Apparently the winter weather can wait until January, but it can’t be avoided altogether.
On the bright side, sub-freezing temperatures are a great excuse to stay home and get cozy. Not keen on braving the cold this weekend? I have a few suggestions for how to survive a day stuck inside.
What to play
Puzzles are a classic snow day pastime — but if the idea of making a financial commitment to a 1,000-piece project sounds too daunting, you have other options. Certain branches of the Whatcom County Library have puzzles in stock, and they can be reserved at any location (call your local branch for details).
For a great selection of puzzles and games, visit Village Books and Paper Dreams or Launching Success. The latter also specializes in educational toys that will keep even the littlest family members occupied. If cards and tabletop games are more your vibe, check out Cardhaven Games, Cosmic Games or Aegis Games.
On the subject of games, did you know that Bellingham-themed Monopololy — or rather, Bellinghamopoly — is a real thing? (I dare you to say “Bellinghamopoly” three times fast.) Other options include the adorably portable Evergreen Bandana Game by Bellingham design studio Lariat Creative, as well as Cookdown, a card game invented by local teen Jimmy Rust.
What to craft
If you’re feeling more creative than competitive, consider picking up a new craft. Northwest Yarns and Mercantile stocks supplies for knitting, crocheting and embroidering, whereas Art & Happiness is the place to go for paper-based crafts kits. For general art supplies, look to Dakota Art Store in downtown Bellingham and Tri Dee Arts in downtown Mount Vernon.
Alternatively, you could use the cold as an excuse for a DIY spa day. Stop by Bella Rose Boutique or Handmade. La Conner to stock up on bath bombs and self care products, or treat yourself to candles from Pumped Bellingham or Sacred Cedar Co.
What to read
Now is a great time to dive back into a great book. We’re in the midst of Whatcom READS, an annual initiative that encourages folks across the county to read the same novel.
It culminates with a visit by the selected author, and this year’s pick is “Red Paint: The Ancestral Autobiography of a Coast Salish Punk” by Sasha LaPointe.
2023 was also a great year for debuts by local writers. Poet, activist and author Robert Lashley released his first novel, “I Never Dreamed You’d Leave in Summer,” last August. Jane Wong, Western Washington University professor and author of two poetry collections, released her debut memoir “Meet Me Tonight in Atlantic City” in May of last year. Author and fisherman Tele Aadsen’s first book of personal essays, “What Water Holds,” was also released in May.
There are even more options for those who prefer poetry collections. Tennison Black’s “Survival Strategies,” Chris Gusta’s “The Air Is Smokey Because We Don’t Love Each Other Enough,” Hannah Yerington’s “Sheologies,” and Sati Mookherjee’s “Ways of Being” were all penned by local authors and released in 2023.
What to eat
When I’m stuck inside, I enjoy making recipes that I would never have the patience to tackle otherwise. My partner and I recently cooked ramen from scratch, and although it wasn’t difficult, it was certainly a labor of love. The most time-consuming step entailed simmering veggies and aromatics for an entire afternoon to make homemade broth.
Fermented foods such as kimchi also take time — but not much effort — to prepare, and the final product will last for months. Napa cabbage is the classic kimchi base, and it’s in season here in the North Sound.
I recommend sourcing Napa cabbage from a local farm that specializes in winter produce, such as Boldly Grown Farm in Skagit. If cabbage isn’t your jam, local food blogger Samantha Ferraro has a recipe for Korean cucumber kimchi on her website, the Little Ferraro Kitchen.
More of a baker than a chef? King Arthur Baking Company has a wealth of baking tips, tricks and recipes on their website. In addition to offering in-person classes in Burlington, the baking school also hosts live virtual classes nearly every day of the week.
For more inspiration, check out recipes by CDN columnist Hannah Green, or choose a cookbook from a local author. “Ethiopian Feast: The Crown Jewel of African Cuisine” by Mulunesh Belay (owner of Ambo Ethiopian), “One-Pot Mediterranean” by Samantha Ferraro and “Room at the Table: Gluten-Free Recipes, Stories and Tips to Share With the People You Love” by Lisa Samuel are just a few.
What to drink
Hot chocolate is the quintessential winter indulgence — but for a grown-up version, try the drinking chocolate from Flying Bird Botanicals.
You could also make hot cocoa from scratch using chocolate from local vendors like K’UL or Chocolate Necessities.
A suggestion for folks who’d like to take their hot cocoa to the next level: Add a splash of Krampus Herbal Liqueur from Chuckanut Bay Distillery. Krampus is Bellingham’s quintessential wintertime liqueur, but watch out — at 110 proof, this libation is definitely more naughty than nice.
Hot toddies are also a classic cold-weather cocktail, and to make yours extra special, try it with a locally-made whiskey from Doc Swinson’s or Terramar Brewstillery. You could even use Bellewood Farms’ Bruce, which is a liqueur made from aged brandy and fresh apple juice.
Finally, my personal favorite snow day libation is mulled wine. Mulling spices are available from the Spice Hut, The Living Pantry (which has locations in Bellingham and Blaine) or the Community Food Co-op. As for the wine itself, choose a fruity, full-bodied red (like shiraz, malbec or zinfandel) to best complement the spices and sugar.
