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To prepare for winter…I snap some photos of blazing maples, then sweep the leaves from my mind,wipe away dew-laden webs,prepare to focus on lacy frost,misty clouds of breath,the glory of the first snowfall.

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To prepare for winter…I snap some photos of blazing maples, then sweep the leaves from my mind,wipe away dew-laden webs,prepare to focus on lacy frost,misty clouds of breath,the glory of the first snowfall.

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Molly Hogan
(formatting disappeared--oh well!)

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Close the windows.
Shake the rugs.
Say goodbye
to heat and bugs.

Store the mower
in the barn.
Find the quilts.
Stock more yarn.

Listen to crows
taunt and scold.
Watch the squirrels
gather their gold.

Wake to shards
of frosty dew.
Snuggle up.
Steep some stew.

Harvest dreams
of lovely mums,
to warm the heart
when winter comes.

- Vicki Wilke

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Every winter Spillwords re-publishes this poem and reminds me how much pure joy comes to children with that first flake.

Sherry Howard

http://spillwords.com/first-snow/

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When I moved to Ottawa from Paris, we made a deal: if it snows before the end of November, I get chocolate.

I get a lot of chocolate. Sigh.

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Winter is coming!
honk the geese flying south.

Service your furnace.
Store fans in the attic.
Stack and stow lawn chairs.
Winterize the grill.
Cover outside faucets.
Clean your garden shed.
Find the shovel for snow.

Fold away your shorts
and sundresses.
Store your sandals.
Pull out your boots.
Shake out your sweaters,
your coats, your scarves.
Match socks  and mittens.

Unpack bed comforters
and soft flannel sheets.
Move tall ice tea glasses;
Make room for hot cocoa mugs.
Buy a bag of mini-marshmallows.
Unpack winter picture books
to read aloud by the fire.

Prepare your mind for dark mornings
and early sunsets.
Keep long carrots
in your veggie bin for Mr. Snow’s nose
or simmering soup.

Winter is coming!
honk the geese flying south.
© 2019 Alice Nine

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with turtlenecks, wool sweaters, fingerless mitts,
roasted squash soup and
fish chowder,
stacks of books and a new season of PBS shows!
-Joyce Ray

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WINTER IS COMING BY JONE RUSH MACCULLOCH

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WINTER IS COMING BY JONE RUSH MACCULLOCH

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BUILD A BOOK-STACK
PREPARE THE BIRD FEEDERS
FLUFF THE SNIGGIES
LIGHT A FIRE
HAVE CROCHET YARN NEARBY
SAVOR THE TEA
WATCH THE SUNRISE GLOW
LISTEN TO THE RAIN
DREAM OF SNOW

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I prepare for winter by feasting on fall. Loved last week's entree discovered on a walk. - Ramona

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I prepare for winter by feasting on fall. Loved last week's entree discovered on a walk. - Ramona

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I dig my cozy winter slippers out of the closet!
-Michelle Schaub

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Yvona Fast: 
Bring in the harvest.
Pickles in the crock,
Veggies in the freezer.
Apples for sauce. 
Stack the wood.
Collect kindling.
Stock up on pellets. 
Get out warm clothes, boots, gloves, hats, jackets.  
Bring out skis and snowshoes.
Put away canoes and paddles and lifejackets. 
Move garden stuff from garage to shed so there’s room for the car. 

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-Tanya Konerman

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tomatoes in jars

salsa and sauce

red juice for mornings when

we feel summer’s loss

Pints of canned peaches

golden and sweet

glow in glass vessels

a wintertime treat

by Cheriee Weichel

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1st thing: call the person to check out my boiler (I have steam heat). Next, prep to make chili on the 1st cold day! Finally, get out the comfy throws for the sofas, then I'm ready! Linda B.

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1st thing: call the person to check out my boiler (I have steam heat). Next, prep to make chili on the 1st cold day! Finally, get out the comfy throws for the sofas, then I'm ready! Linda B.

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Soup, lots of tea, good books and bear hugs get me through the winter. 

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Soup, lots of tea, good books and bear hugs get me through the winter. 

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Jama :)

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winter welcomes an
ice-creamed world
of
nocturnal bliss
turtlenecked skiers
earmuffed
evergreens
radiators hissing
relentlessly

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Pumpkin palooza

gourds by the gallon,

leaves  for royalty, that

inspire and admire…

Falls fading fast, there’s

a chill in the air

On go my layers–

It’s winter beware!

© 2019 Michelle Kogan

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Activity sheets and more info at my website!

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I warm up my soul sharing my favorite stories with the children at various early learning centers and elementary schools in my city. Between my visits, I knit and crochet toys. My winters are busy and warm.

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SOUP!  I make lots and lots of soup. Soup makes me happy and warm and its good for sharing with loved ones. 

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SOUP!  I make lots and lots of soup. Soup makes me happy and warm and its good for sharing with loved ones. 

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Linda Mitchell

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Fuzzy slippers
Simmering stew
Breathing crisp air
Under skies bright blue
Crackling fires
Mugs of tea
Winter weather -
Let it be

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I prepare for (and get through) winter by making sure that I have a large quantity of books on hand for those cold, snowy days!

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Trying to locate jackets and coats that were stored in the long ago spring. 

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Trying to locate jackets and coats that were stored in the long ago spring. 

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Rosemary Basham

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Soup's on! Nothing tastes better than a bowl of hot homemade soup in the winter. We kick it off with homemade chili and cornbread the day after Thanksgiving, but I got a head-start last night with some taco soup! - Carolyn Fraiser

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Soup's on! Nothing tastes better than a bowl of hot homemade soup in the winter. We kick it off with homemade chili and cornbread the day after Thanksgiving, but I got a head-start last night with some taco soup! - Carolyn Fraiser

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It felt like fall and cooler weather this past weekend. I made a big pot of chili to celebrate! I'm so excited to see your new book!

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It felt like fall and cooler weather this past weekend. I made a big pot of chili to celebrate! I'm so excited to see your new book!

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Susie Apps-Bodilly
susanappsbodilly@gmail.com

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Our preparations for winter begin in the preceding spring. He orders in a tri-axle load of wood. During summer and fall he cuts, splits, stacks and even restaks the wood. I make a lot of homemade veggie soup, tomato soup and others from what I have frozen from the summer. We have our chimney cleaned and inspected. He makes sure we have at least two deer in the freezer as well. I hate winter, but love the preparation, even though it is a lot of work! 

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Our preparations for winter begin in the preceding spring. He orders in a tri-axle load of wood. During summer and fall he cuts, splits, stacks and even restaks the wood. I make a lot of homemade veggie soup, tomato soup and others from what I have frozen from the summer. We have our chimney cleaned and inspected. He makes sure we have at least two deer in the freezer as well. I hate winter, but love the preparation, even though it is a lot of work! 

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Sue Reichard

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I live in Upstate NY so stock up on woodstove pellets and hot chocolate, plus fill the dogs' freezer just in case! And congrats on your quartet of 2019 picture books:-)

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We’re already planning Christmas, I’m such a big fan of it! :)

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I wear three shirts all winter. To warm up the house I bake a lot of goodies and make a lot of soup. Mmm...

Annette Whipple annettemwhipple@gmail.com

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Looking forward to reading this, Laura. It sounds like a lot of fun, and I hate winter! Jane Heitman Healy

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Looking forward to reading this, Laura. It sounds like a lot of fun, and I hate winter! Jane Heitman Healy

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We just moved from snowy Colorado to warm southern Georgia. No photos yet but I hope hot cocoa is still necessary in winter!

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Deep down south,
we keep looking for old man winter.
We cover our tropical plants and bring in the cool cat to curl into a box left over from Christmas. But usually by mid-afternoon the next day, the sun has come and warmed away the slice of cold. We put away the gloves and scarves for the next cold front, round about the first day of Spring.

Margaret Simon

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I clear out my garden, making sure my plants are covered and protected. Ensure I have cookies and hot cocoa and that the fireplace is ready. Lots of wool sweaters and fuzzy socks too!

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How I prepare for ice and snow,

for darker days & rosy cheeks –

I bake 800 Christmas cookies

then live off them for 13 weeks.

- ©2019 Matt F. Esenwine

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Fill the feeders.

Take off screens.

Say goodbye

to summer greens.

Days grow shorter.

Nights advance.

Watch the wind

make autumn dance.

Can’t grow a coat

like Mr. Fox--

Time to find

my woolen socks

and sit beside

the fire's glow…

Ready or not,

here comes snow!
--Buffy Silverman

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I clear out the freezer in anticipation of fresh venison for hearty soups, stews, & chili. Yum! 

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I clear out the freezer in anticipation of fresh venison for hearty soups, stews, & chili. Yum! 

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Let me add my name this time — Keri Lewis is the practical person cleaning out her freezer. 🙃🤪😜

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Before the winter comes
Before the sleeting drums
I ready cocoa mug
And give my boots a tug
Look for my warmest gloves
And my hat that winter loves
And then I sit so quiet
To see if I can spy it
The first of winter snows
And my first rosy nose.

by Donna JT Smith
(had to make it rhyme of course!)

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Clean out the garages of any stored items so cars can go inside, put the scrapers and car brooms in each car, position snow shovels on front and back porches, check coats, scarves, gloves for my husband and me,  put all our summer furniture away, switch summer and winter clothes around in my closet. Put snow tires on our cars. Look forward to the snow, pray for a January thaw and early spring weather. PS we live in the snowbelt of CNY !
JANET F.

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I sit by the window and watch my birdfeeder. My bubble rock tries to freeze over, but birds and other outside critters come for a frosty drink.

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I sit by the window and watch my birdfeeder. My bubble rock tries to freeze over, but birds and other outside critters come for a frosty drink.

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Cindy Breedlove

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I love to sit by the fire with a good book while it's snowing outside :>)