Braving the cold at Amana Winterfest

We spent the day out and about at the Amana Winterfest. It was just the thing I'd been needing because the recent sub-zero temperatures have had me feeling a little morose about moving back to the midwest in the middle of winter (or, probably more accurately, with more than half of winter left to go). I'm cold when I'm outside, cold when I'm inside, rocking multiple pairs of long underwear like nobody's business, and fighting the family's dogs for the warm spaces next to the heating vent. Mind over matter helped me stay positive about the cold until it started dipping into the negative double digits. At that point, my mind agreed with my body and said, "To hell with it. This is miserable!"

However, in addition to downing lots of hot beverages (Trader Joe's ultra-rich sipping chocolate and my own homemade chai lattes among my favorites) and wearing a hat, even indoors (a tip from my cold-loving and Wisconsin-born husband), I'd have to say that eating a steaming mug (or three) of chili outdoors and attending a charming winter festival would also have to rank high on my list of ways to beat the cold.

No, she's not a cold-despiser like her mother; Eden just woke up from a nap

Matt enjoying his souvenir mug of chili

($8 for an awesome sturdy mug and 3 fill-ups of chili, coffee, cider, or cocoa)

Eden was a big fan of the chili, too

A quick glimpse of the Ice Princess (not sure who she is or how this honor gets bestowed)

Of course, we couldn't resist!

Crosscut saw competition

Matt in the lineup for the Beard Competition--and as you can see, the competition was stiff (sometimes literally)

We didn't win this year, but I'm sure a blue ribbon is in store in the near future

Regardless, we enjoyed the drive through what we think is one of the prettier parts of Iowa, and it was also nice to get out of the house and enjoy some family-friendly activities. Things can start to feel a little cabin-feverish in our situation, even in the nicest of circumstances, and it was great to have a low-cost way to shake things up a little bit.