by Jane Dwinell and Dana Dwinell-Yardley

It’s that time of year — we’re caught in the dark and the snow or the ice, wondering what to do, especially what to do that doesn’t cost a whole lot of money. Here are some of our favorite low- or no-cost things to do when being stuck inside starts to get us down.

Bake cookies. Chocolate chip, oatmeal raisin, peanut butter, ginger molasses. . . there are many tasty possibilities! Start baking, and don’t forget to include your kids.

Learn a new card game. Sick of solitaire and Crazy Eights? Try your hand at Bridge, Pinochle, Canasta, Squinch, Progressive Rummy, Casino, or Oh Hell. Find a friend to teach you, or get a copy of Hoyle's Rules of Games or another basic game rulebook out of the library.

Plan next summer’s garden. Nothing like seed catalogs to cheer you up.

Start some seeds. Onions, leeks, tomatoes, and greens can all be started now. Don’t forget some flower seeds! If you're looking for more immediate results, try sprouting legumes or grains for fresh eating in a week. Lentils, alfalfa, wheat, and sunflower seeds all work well.

Write a letter to an old friend or two. Use pen and paper, envelope and stamp, the old fashioned way.

Take a hot bath in candlelight. With enough candles you can read a good book. Don’t forget the bubble bath, or a splash of vanilla extract.

Go sliding on your street or road before the plow comes by. If you live where it’s steep, this can be a scream (especially in the dark!).

Go to a winter farmers market. Piles of colorful root veggies, free samples of local cheese, and a visit with your neighbors does wonders for one's mood. If you don’t have a winter market nearby, consider starting one.

Read those old classics you’ve always wanted to. Or anything else! Visit your library and ask your librarians for suggestions if you don't know where to start.

Build a snow sculpture or a snow cave. Get creative! It's full for all ages. If you build a cave or igloo, celebrate your hard work with a hot cocoa party inside your structure.

Bake an apple or pumpkin pie. You don’t need a holiday to eat pie, and it smells good, too.

Learn to crochet, knit, or quilt. Ask a friend to show you how.

Sing. Oldies, Christmas carols, rounds, classicals, four-part, or solo. Nothing like a little extra oxygen to perk you up.

Play a board game. One recommendation: Apples to Apples! Fun for the whole family, or a bunch of friends, especially if you make up your own cards. We also enjoy Scrabble, Parcheesi, Carcassone, Set, Five Crowns, Cranium, and backgammon.

Do a dramatic reading of a play. Gather your friends together and try some Shakespeare, or something more modern. Costumes get you an A+.

Volunteer at your local food shelf or another community organization. Helping other people is guaranteed to life your spirits.

Explore the woods on foot, cross country skis, or snowshoes. Fresh snow + Vermont woods = magic.

Bake bread. If you don’t know how, ask a friend to teach you. So good, hot from the oven with butter.

Practice your disc golf putting. Can’t get out of shape for summer! If you don’t have a portable basket, try the kitchen sink (put the dishes away first).

Learn a foreign language. Read a book, listen to a CD, take a class, work with a friend. Expand your horizons.

Dance. Roll up the rugs, grab your partner and take a few turns around the living room floor. Or go out for contra, tango, ballroom, salsa, or line dancing.

Make a big pot of soup or stew. Toss together whatever veggies and legumes you have in the house, and let simmer all day long on the wood stove.

Look for free events. Check out what’s happening at your library, local theater, pub, farmers market, and even at the Statehouse. There is music, drama, lectures, and fun awaiting you.

Make snow angels and snow people. This is not just for kids. Seriously! Make a whole town.

Have your friends and neighbors over to do any or all of the above. Misery loves company, right?

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About Common Sense
Common Sense is written by Jane Dwinell and Dana Dwinell-Yardley, a mother-daughter blog team. They live on an urban homestead in Montpelier. Send them your questions and comments about food, fuel, family, or financial independence! Write to mountaingirl at vtlink dot net. You can also check out some of their other writings at their website: www.spiritoflifepublishing.com.