Brr, it’s getting cold outside and Jack Frost is nipping at my toes, so while I snuggle up with a big steaming glass of mulled wine, I’m thinking of winter and all the things I associate with the season.

Winter wouldn’t be winter for me without a dusting of snow; this is from high up on Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.

I always associate the sweet smell of roasting chestnuts with this time of year and I love the look of those little vending carts that pop up on city streets throughout the winter season.

And there’s no better way to chase away the winter blues than to sit in front of a blazing log fire…

…sipping mulled wine. So I’m going to pour myself another glass while you mull over your own interpretation of this week’s theme. If you would like to join in (everyone’s welcome!) here’s what to do:

• Create your own post and title it Travel theme: Winter
• Include a link to this page in your post so others can find it too
• Get your post in by next Thursday, as the new travel theme comes out on Friday
• Don’t forget to subscribe to keep up to date on the latest weekly travel themes. Sign up via the email subscription link in the sidebar or RSS

Tell me, what does winter mean to you?

xxx Ailsa

I prefer winter and fall, when you feel the bone structure of the landscape – the loneliness of it, the dead feeling of winter. Something waits beneath it, the whole story doesn’t show.    -Andrew Wyeth

It is the life of the crystal, the architect of the flake, the fire of the frost, the soul of the sunbeam. This crisp winter air is full of it.  -John Burroughs