I haven’t exactly got a cold, but the potential is there if you know what I mean, and I do so enjoy indulging my inner hypochondriac in the depths of Winter. Remember last year? I was on my last legs from January to March and hell on earth it was too. If anyone can make a meal of the odd little infection, it is I, Alison Joanne May.
But not this year. This year I am fighting the battle against January ailments with a vengeance. I will no more lay down and give in to the demon cold than I will hire John Pawson to decorate my living room (though is it just me or does that monastery look divinely peaceful? I want to take a holiday there.)
And so I am fighting the good fight with an armory of scrumptiously cosy treats and I insist you do the same…
1. Bed socks.
You must have bed socks. Ok so they are not remotely sexy but they can look effortlessly vintage chic with a too big for you white Victorian nightie and a snuggly cardigan. Hunt some out, stitch yourself a little sock
2. The
Fold the top quarter of a
3. Herbal Cold
At the slightest sniffle of a cold, make yourself some herbal cold tea, then take to your bed and refuse to budge.
4. Candles.
Now I have no idea whether I am right or wrong here, but I will argue till I’m blue in the face that lighting lots and lots of candles warms you up. My Dad says I am talking nonsense, but whether the effects are purely psychological or not, I find that lighting, cinnamon, clove or other wintery spiced candles makes me feel cosier. As does a red
5. Mustard Foot Bath.
Warm feet, warm heart. Or something like that. Mustard oils are absorbed through the skin and elimanated via your lungs, promoting a beneficial anti-bacterial action and causing skin irritation mild enough to make you feel warm. Warm towels and socks on the radiator as your feet soak then snuggle up your tootsies and I guarantee you’ll feel better…
6. Bake Bread.
Nothing makes me feel more homely than the smell of bread baking. Make soda bread and serve it with crispy bacon and mushrooms swimming in garlicy oil. Set the breadmaker to wake you with the delicious aroma of hot flaky bread ready to be served with big bowls full of hot chocolate. Or eat makeshift suppers of warm ciabatta sprinkled with olive oil and sea salt, melted brie and red wine to warm you up from the inside out.
7. Hibernate For The Weekend.
While my Mum has something of a dicky fit if I stay in the house for longer than twenty four hours at a time, I am a great believer in the healing powers of hibernation. Don’t feel like going out much? Don’t. Fill the pantry with staples. Arrange to have a box of organic veg delivered. Keep a vat of scrummy soup on the go. Go the
8. Curtains.
Close every curtain in the house as soon as the afternoon sun dies. Both in an effort to conserve heat and to trick your mind into thinking that the house is warmer than it is. It may not be terribly green but keeping a lamp on in every room and every passage way- in fact setting timers so they switch themselves on as dimly as possible as soon as dusk settles, will reinforce the feeling of welcome and warmth in your home and you will not experience the disconcerting jar of switching overheard lights on as you go about the house in the early evening…
9. Draft Excluders.
Can’t be bothered stitching vintage fabric wrapped draft excluders? Fold a
10. Thermal Vests.
Now the problem with thermal underwear is this: once you move into it for the Winter you have to expect to freeze should you decide to venture out without it till around about July. But oh my it is just so yummy. Buy a selection with lacy edges pretty enough to peep out of layers of fine knit woollies and make handwashing them in lavender and letting them dry on padded hangers a quick, but really rather scrumptious evening ritual.
11. Nursery Suppers.
Give up dinner for a few nights and instead offer the kids a very old fashioned high
12. Handcream.
Stand a tub of handcream in a bowl of boiling water while you wash the dishes then treat yourself to a warming hand massage when you remove your Marigolds…
13. Water Bowls.
Fill pretty little bowls full of water and a few drops of aromatherapy oil and leave them in the vicinity of every radiator in the house ready to counteract the dreadfully skin wrinkling effects of central heating.
14. Early To Bed.
Set the scene right and your bedroom is the snuggliest place to be when it is very, very chilly. Line the sheet you lie on with a wool
P.S: This was post number 1000 on
Oooo, those all sound so cosy. I'm not feeling sick, but I might have to try them anyway. And, congrats on post 1000!
Happy post 1000!!! Can't we have a little party or something?
We don't eat soldiers in the U.S. How about pigs in blankets, that sounds cozy, doesn't it???
Congrats on reaching your 1,000th post, Alison! May there be a million more. 😉
Those sound lovely especially when your ill. Congrats on the 1000th post, lets hope there's many more to come, xxx
Those sound lovely especially when your ill. Congrats on the 1000th post, lets hope there's many more to come, xxx
congratulations on #1000 Alison!!
Feel better soon. I've been feeling like crap too the last few weeks. Blarg!
I didn't know that about mustard but I'm going to give it a go
Congratulations on your 1000th post! So glad you have stuck around through thick and thin for us!!!
Oh, and those wonderful cozy treats above–I think I feel a sniffle coming on…
hugs
Congratulations on your 1000th post! So glad you have stuck around through thick and thin for us!!!
Oh, and those wonderful cozy treats above–I think I feel a sniffle coming on…
hugs
1000 posts!?!? WOW! How wonderful that we get to enjoy it with you!!
1000 posts!?!? WOW! How wonderful that we get to enjoy it with you!!
Cute little thing. I wish I could look this cute while I was sick.
So…1000.Good. I hope you have 1000 more and then even more than that. I do enjoy your posts. Or web page, or web site..what ever this is actually called…I just never seem to get it straight.
Lovely ideas, it almost makes me wish I was sick! Congratulations on the 1000 posts – I think I have probably read every scrumptious one!
Lovely ideas, it almost makes me wish I was sick! Congratulations on the 1000 posts – I think I have probably read every scrumptious one!
Sounds heavenly! congrats on the 1000th post!
Congratulations on your 1.000 post.
I like very much your blog and I come back here daily.
Congratulations on your 1.000 post.
I like very much your blog and I come back here daily.
Keep warm and keep well, Alison!
By the way, is there any chance of a copy of the recipe for red-velvet cupcakes. I went to Borders today & the magazine's sold out, not surprising if all the usual readers have bought 2 copies…please???
I've never read anything that actually made me look forward to a bout of illness. . . until now.
Only you could make being sick seem delightful!
Love your blog!!
marcia in Tx Ü
I've never read anything that actually made me look forward to a bout of illness. . . until now.
Only you could make being sick seem delightful!
Love your blog!!
marcia in Tx Ü
Congratulations on post 1000! And you know, I am almost looking forward to getting a cold now!