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Tag: winter

  • What Are Your Favorite Moisturizers for Winter?

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    Stock photo via Deposit Photos / Seamm.

    Winter arrives next week, meaning it’s prime moisturizer season. Today we’re rounding up the Corporette team’s favorite moisturizers and other products for dry skin and nails. Please share your favorite moisturizing products in the comments!

    Do you tend to have extra dry skin in the winter? How about eczema? Do you use different moisturizing products according to the season?

    The Corporette Staff’s Favorite Moisturizers

    Kat’s Favorite Moisturizers

    bottle of yellow lotion, CLINIQUE's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion +bottle of yellow lotion, CLINIQUE's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion +

    Facial Moisturizers

    I’ve had some of the same favorite facial moisturizers for a while now. (So many of the things I’m about to mention are among my beauty empties, the things that I’ve bought again and again.) I tend to use Clinique’s Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion on regular days, Bioelements Really Rich Moisture or ELEMIS on “dry days,” and CeraVe AM on mornings where I feel dry and want sunscreen. In the winter I sometimes add CoxRX’s Snail Mucin, which I feel like helps all of my other products sink in and adhere. (I also sometimes use the Tatcha’s The Essence, which I feel like opens up my pores better for all of my skincare, including the moisturizer.)

    Hand/Body Moisturizers

    I’ve been ride or die with Curel’s Fragrance Free for a long time now, and generally slather it on my legs, feet, and elbows after every shower, and on my hands basically every time after I wash my hands. For my hands, I’ve just started using the Gold Bond with retinol before I go to bed, and I like that it’s a little bit of a richer cream that I can still feel in the mornings.

    I also sometimes use an in-shower lotion, especially if I’m really dry or need to cover a large area that I don’t usually do, like my back or hips. I think right now I’ve got Nivea’s in our shower, but I’ve also used Curel’s in previous years without complaint. (I don’t notice a slipping hazard when I use them, for what that’s worth.)

    Lip Balms

    I have strong opinions about lip balms! Almost every night I use the Caudalie lip gloss before I go to bed. (Yikes, I can’t find it anywhere except Caudalie — good thing I stocked up the last time I was in France.) On nights where I’m dealing with chapped lips or something else like a cut or blemish near my lips I’ll use Neosporin’s Overnight Renewal Therapy — I’ve sworn by it for years for help with my sons and their extremely chapped lips (and that red rash that kids get). I also like the Laneige or CNP lip masks if I want a slightly fancier self care experience.

    Other Moisturizers

    A few other random categories:

    Elizabeth’s Favorite Moisturizers

    A bottle of Dieux plumping gel cream in front of a background of a blue sky with cloudsA bottle of Dieux plumping gel cream in front of a background of a blue sky with clouds

    I have extremely dry, sensitive skin, so here’s what I use from November through March to avoid becoming a husk of a person.

    Body Moisturizers

    The CeraVe Intensive Moisturizing Cream is my #1. It’s not fancy, but it absolutely gets the job done. I coat my whole body in this before bed every night. It comes in a tub if you want to buy a larger container, but I prefer the squeeze bottle so I’m not sticking my whole hand into it. On days when I want to feel a little fancier, I layer a body oil over the top, like this one from Saltair.

    A few times a week, I put some of The Ordinary’s Glycolic Acid toner on a cotton pad and swipe it over the soles of my feet before I apply the Cerave cream. It’s not a moisturizer, but it helps shed some of the dry, cracked skin that builds up. If I’m feeling extra dry, I cover my feet in Aquaphor and put on some socks while it absorbs. 

    Hand Moisturizers

    Lately, I’ve been really liking Gold Bond. It absorbs quickly and doesn’t have a strong scent or leave me feeling greasy. I do splurge a bit on cuticle cream with the Dior Creme Abricot, but you only need a tiny amount, so a container lasts me several months.

    Facial Moisturizers

    I have dry skin, but I’m prone to getting milia if I use creams that are too rich. Right now, I’m alternating between Dieux’s Air Angel Gel Cream and good old CeraVe. When things are feeling particularly dry and sensitive, I also like to cover my whole face in La Roche-Posay Cicaplast balm and let it sink in before bed.

    Lip Balm

    Nothing beats Aquaphor, as far as I’m concerned. I put this on my lips before bed and keep a tube in all of my purses and coat pockets. 

    (You can read all of Elizabeth’s posts here.)

    Kate’s Favorite Moisturizers

    Eucerin Eczema Relief CreamEucerin Eczema Relief Cream

    Facial Moisturizers

    My longtime favorite from Neutrogena was discontinued (noooo!), and I’m on my last bottle, so I’m on the hunt for something new that’s light and at least SPF 15.

    Hand Moisturizers

    My hands get extremely dry (and sometimes develop cracks and eczema, fun!), so I have a heavy-duty product as my favorite. Eucerin’s Eczema Relief Cream makes a huge difference in soothing and moisturizing my dry hands, and it works well as a body moisturizer too. And while I wouldn’t say the scent is great, it fades quickly.

    My nails are pretty healthy from spring through fall, but in winter, it’s so frustrating how they weaken and break really easily. I admit I usually don’t remember to use it, BUT I’ve had great success in the past with CND SolarOil. It contains jojoba oil and vitamin E, and if you apply it regularly, it really improves the condition of your nails and cuticles. (Note that it’s very oily — hence the name — so don’t expect to do much with your hands for a little time afterward.)

    My old standby is a tub of O’Keeffe’s Healthy Feet to treat the seriously dry skin on my heels in wintertime. This heavy-duty product works extremely well to moisturize and soften, and it’s perfect to use right before bed.

    A new-to-me product I’ve been trying is Soap & Glory’s Heel Genius cream, which is also very effective on super dry heels. Its ingredients include macadamia oil, fruit acids, and soothing menthol. To me, the scent is just “okay,” but it fades pretty quickly.

    Lip Balm

    For chapped lips, my year-round favorite has been Vaseline for many years, and I’m sure I’ll be using it for many more. I like the standard version, but I recently bought this “rosy lips” Vaseline lip product in the travel-size section of the grocery store (haven’t used it yet). I’m also a big fan of Burt’s Bees Tinted Lip Balms — here’s my review from a few years ago.

    {related: what is your favorite sunscreen?}

    (You can read all of Kate’s posts here.)

    Ann’s Favorite Moisturizers

    A jar of Neutrogena Hydro Boost in front of the blue packagingA jar of Neutrogena Hydro Boost in front of the blue packaging

    If you’re a regular reader of CorporetteMoms, this list of desert-island moisturizer favorites won’t be a surprise. These are my tried-and-true favorites!

    Facial Moisturizers

    My go-to daily moisturizer is Neutrogena’s Hydro Boost Water Gel. Its lightweight formula delivers long-lasting hydration that quenches my skin year-round. During the day, I also layer La Roche-Posay’s Toleriane Face Moisturizer Sunscreen on top. Besides added moisturizing (especially in winter), this one includes SPF 30 protection and helps to restore the skin’s protective barrier.

    Even though I have a pretty consistent skincare routine, I’m always happy to make room on my bathroom counter for new products. When I travel overseas, I love visiting the local drugstore for souvenir skincare. From Australia, I brought home a bottle of Sukin’s Facial Moisturizer. Happily for you, it’s available stateside at Amazon. This moisturizer includes aloe vera, rosehip, avocado, sesame seed, and jojoba oils to soothe skin without questionable ingredients.

    {related: Ann’s tips on taking a sabbatical as a lawyer}

    Speaking of Australia, after any long plane ride, I always treat myself to one of Sephora’s moisturizing face masks. 

    Lip Balm

    For my lips, I apply Laneige’s bestselling lip sleeping mask before bed. During the day, I’ll use a drugstore chapstick or Vaseline. If my lips are really parched, I turn to Lucas’ Papaw Ointment, another Australian favorite.

    Hand Moisturizers

    Rounding out my favorites are Trader Joe’s rich, yet quick-absorbing hand cream and their lightweight eye cream. 

    (You can read all of Ann’s posts here.)

    {related: how to find eczema-friendly clothing for kids [CorporetteMoms]}

    Readers, do tell! What are your favorite moisturizers? Do you switch to more effective products for winter?

    Corporette Staff

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  • List of school closings for Thursday as winter snowstorms hit

    Numerous school districts have opted to close classrooms on December 11 as winter storms slam multiple regions across the United States.

    The ongoing winter storms sweeping across the Midwest and Eastern United States have triggered widespread school closures this week, disrupting education and daily routines for families across several states.

    Safety concerns remain paramount as road conditions could be hazardous due to snow accumulation along with frigid temperatures.

    The storms are active and regions around the Great Lakes have seen a decent amount of storm activity, Scott Kleebauer, National Weather Service (NWS) meteorologist for the agency’s Weather Prediction Center, told Newsweek on Wednesday. “Portions of Virginia and West Virginia have already seen their yearly snow fall or close to it,” he added.

    Below is a list of school closures on Thursday, according to numerous local media outlets as of 10:20 p.m. ET Wednesday.

    Virginia

    • Grayson County Public Schools

    Michigan

    • Our Lady of Sorrows, Archdiocese of Detroit
    • Pontiac School District
    • Anchor Bay School District
    • Richmond Community Schools
    • Memphis Community Schools and Adventures Daycare
    • Walton Charter Academy, National Heritage Academies
    • Bad Axe Public Schools
    • Caseville Schools
    • Cass City Schools (Daycare open)
    • Elkton Pigeon Bay Port Laker Schools
    • Harbor Beach Community Schools
    • North Huron Schools (Early Learning Center closed)
    • Owendale-Gagetown Schools
    • Ubly Community Schools
    • Unionville-Sebewaing Area Schools
    • Huron Technical Center
    • Akron-Fairgrove Schools
    • Caro Schools
    • Kingston Schools (Daycare closed)
    • Mayville Community Schools
    • Millington Public Schools
    • Reese Public Schools
    • Tuscola Technology Center
    • Vassar Schools
    • Verona Mills School

    Numerous states are under winter weather advisories and warnings, spanning from parts of Indiana up to Maine. Montana, North and South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa are also facing weather alerts, the NWS says.

    NWS Blacksburg posted to X on Wednesday: “Along with the snow in the mountains this evening and tonight, there will be strong wind gusts, reaching 35-50 MPH at times. This will cause blowing snow, significantly reducing visibility. Use extreme caution if you must be on the roads tonight or Thursday morning!”

    Additional localized closings and delays may be reported by school districts or through media partners as the storms evolve. Officials recommend checking district websites, local news and emergency alert systems for the most current information.

    With storm warnings extending into Thursday and the weekend, forecasters predict continued cold and the possibility of snow into Friday. Public safety officials and school administrators will likely continue monitoring road conditions and weather forecasts, issuing further closure or delay guidance as necessary.

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  • Whimsical Mason Jar Snow Globes for the Holidays – Garden Therapy

    Snow globes are a magical wonder, showcasing tiny scenes where snow is always whimsically falling. Making your own Mason jar snow globe is surprisingly simple with easy-to-find materials. Personalize the scene inside, and you’ll have a beautiful decoration to display every holiday season.

    Is there any more quintessential winter object than a snow globe? There is something about these tiny snow-covered winterscapes that fills us with a sense of nostalgia and wonder.

    Making your own is easy and fun, and all you need are a few simple materials that you may already have around the house.

    This Mason jar snow blog is fun for kids and adults to make, and having your very own personalized snow globe feels magical, no matter what your age.

    This post will cover..

    Make a mini garden snow globe.Make a mini garden snow globe.

    How to Make a Mason Jar Snow Globe

    For this project, you can easily use a Mason jar or a different glass jar and lid you have available, as long as it’s air-tight. Feeling extra creative? Make your miniature objects yourself out of polymer clay.

    Materials

    Make It!

    First, choose the objects you want to use and try setting them up in different ways until you get the scene you want. Try holiday or winter-themed items or objects in red and green for a Christmassy snow globe.

    Or do something wild and unexpected, like a tropical scene. It’s completely up to you! I chose garden-related objects with a holiday theme.

    Make a mini garden snow globe.Make a mini garden snow globe.
    Make sure the miniatures are the right height for your Mason Jar as well as the width.

    Position your objects on top of the plastic canning lid, the way you want them to be laid out inside the snow globe.

    Make a mini garden snow globe.Make a mini garden snow globe.

    Keep your scene small enough that everything fits easily in the center of the lid. The glass of the Mason jar will magnify the scene, making the snow globe look fuller once it is all put together.

    Make a mini garden snow globe.Make a mini garden snow globe.
    The glass will slightly magnify what’s inside.

    Use the waterproof adhesive to glue down the objects in the positions you want them in.

    Allow the adhesive to dry for a few hours to make sure it is completely set.

    Make a mini garden snow globe.Make a mini garden snow globe.
    Ensure your adhesive is waterproof.

    Glue the plastic lid down onto the underside of the snap lid, making sure not to get any adhesive on the orange ring around the outside edge of the lid. The orange ring is the seal, which will not work to keep liquid inside if it gets glue on it.

    Some waterproof adhesive expands when they dry, so keep that in mind and give yourself some extra room around the snap lid’s seal.

    Make a mini garden snow globe.Make a mini garden snow globe.
    Keep your orange seal clear.

    Fill the jar with water, glycerin, and some glitter. The consistency of the mixture will be different depending on how much glycerin you add.

    The glycerin makes it thicker so that the glitter falls more slowly, so start with mostly water and add glycerin gradually until you like how the liquid moves the glitter when you shake it up.

    I used fairly small glitter, but not superfine. It clumped together a bit, which made it look more like snow.

    Make a mini garden snow globe.Make a mini garden snow globe.
    I used a super fine glitter that formed little snow-like clumps when in the glycerin.

    Now it’s time to put the snow globe together! Add a bit more water to the jar so that it is very full. You’ll want to do this next step over the sink, as there will likely be some spillover.

    Carefully screw the lid onto the jar so that the miniature scene stands up inside it. If your jar has writing or patterning on one side, try to position the scene so that it faces the part of the jar that is completely clear and smooth to give you the best possible view.

    Make a mini garden snow globe.Make a mini garden snow globe.

    Wipe off any liquid that spilled over the sides, and seal the lid with waterproof sealer so that the ring stays in place permanently. Turn the jar upside down, and you have a whimsical snow globe ready to set somewhere in your home or give as a gift.

    Mason Jar Snow Globe FAQ

    Are there eco-friendly alternatives to glitter for a snow globe?

    Thankfully, there are many eco-friendly glitters available now. They’re slightly pricier, but it’s worth it to not be contributing any more microplastics.

    I originally made these snow globes many years back, so I have not had the chance to try ones with eco-friendly glitter yet. Since they’re designed to break down, they might slowly fade over time in the snow globe, but I’m not positive. If anyone tries this out, please come back and let me know how it does!

    What kind of jar is needed for a snow globe?

    You need an airtight container. Even though you will use a waterproof sealer to secure the snowglobe, you want to ensure the lid and the container are a good fit.

    Also consider a jar with writing on it. If yours has writing on it, this will play a part in where you position your scene inside the snow globe.

    Avoid using tall glass containers and opt for rounder and shorter glass jars.

    What liquid do you put inside a snow globe tumbler?

    My snow globes use a combination of water and glycerin (and glitter). The ratio depends on what type of glitter you use. 50/50 is a good place to start, but play with it depending on how you want your “snow” to fall.

    More Crafty Christmas Projects

     

     

    Stephanie Rose

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  • Hot coffee, fresh bread, and local vendors? Sign us up.

    The Frosty Farmer

    Jan 3 – Apr 18, 2026
    Saturdays 9 am – 1 pm
    McAlister Square 225 S Pleasantburg Dr, Greenville, SC
    Stay up-to-date on all happenings through the Frosty Farmer Facebook or Instagram

    History and Location

    The former mall, McAlister Square, also known as University Center, is a large indoor space with fabulous parking that usually sits empty on the weekends. Shontel Babb, Market Manager, dreamed up the idea of continuing the Greenville Saturday farmers market tradition by moving it indoors during the winter months. Babb owns a sweet potato pie business and sells her pies at the TD Saturday market during the warmer months. 

    Vendors

    There are a total of around 200 vendors attached to the market offering a variety of locally grown and in-season produce, meats, dairy products, eggs, honey, kombucha, salsa, pasta, coffee, baked goods, cheeses, microgreens, lotions, tinctures, and so much more. Some only have one market date while others attend every week or every other week.

    Because the space is HUGE, and vendors do not need to worry about setting up tents in various weather conditions, there are even more vendors that you might not meet at traditional farmers markets. These can include craftsmen, artisans, woodworkers, and book sellers. 

    Many vendors gladly accept SNAP/EBT payment for eligible food items! There will be a welcome sign displayed at participating tables. Visit the Market Information booth to purchase market bucks that can be redeemed for eligible items using your EBT card.

    The Experience

    Even if you don’t buy a thing from the market, browsing the stalls and taking in some of the entertainment options can make for a fun family friendly outing on winter weekends. A bounce house is usually set up for children, lively music is DJed over the speakers, and there are pop-up free yoga sessions adjacent to the market.

    Some vendors offer pre-made breakfast grits bowls, breakfast breads, and coffee to hold in hand while you shop. The indoor space is also permanently host to an Eggs Up Grill location, which is open even before the market starts. So, you can grab breakfast before shopping and make a whole morning of it!

    Clare Berlinski

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  • How Cannabis Can Turn Snow Days Into Cozy Winter Rituals

    Discover how cannabis can turn snow days into cozy winter rituals with wellness, creativity, comfort and connection in cold weather.

    Winter brings its own kind of magic — snow-globe streets, crisp night air, holiday lights glowing against early sunsets. It also brings the realities many people know too well: long dark commutes, cabin fever, seasonal sluggishness and the urge to bundle up inside with something warm. For younger adults, especially millennials and Gen Z, here is how cannabis can turn snow days into cozy winter rituals with a marijuana and CBD wellness toolkit — not for escape, but for relaxation, connection and creativity.

    RELATED: Immersive Events Redefine Millennial Nights

    Across legal states, winter cannabis culture is trending from simple joints shared among friends to infused cozy rituals. Think hot chocolate with a low-dose edible, a candle-lit chill evening with a favorite playlist, or journaling with a CBD tincture-spiked tea. Snow days are no longer just for kids — they’re turning into a grown-up chance to unplug, unwind and embrace the season’s slower pace with intention.

    One reason cannabis fits naturally into winter is sensory enhancement. A light dose can make that crunch of snow under boots sound richer, the cold air feel sharper and nature seem more peaceful. For outdoor fans, mellow strains may pair well with activities like snowshoeing, slow winter hikes, building snow forts or even an impromptu snowball fight. The key is moderation: low doses, warm clothing, safe environments and avoiding risk-heavy activities like driving or skiing while high.

    Indoors, winter is prime time for creativity. Many young adults are leaning into cannabis-powered kitchen projects — baking brownies, experimenting with herbal infusions or hosting “Cannabis & Cookies” nights with friends. Others are treating snow as a signal for self-care: long CBD bath soaks, weighted blankets, guided meditation sessions or repainting a room with lo-fi beats in the background. Winter can feel heavy, but cannabis can help shift the tone from “stuck inside” to “soft retreat.”

    RELATED: Starbucks Brings Back Holiday Customer Favorite

    Community connection may be the biggest appeal. A cozy living-room movie night, a board-game marathon or a craft party with warm drinks and microdoses can transform gray weekends into memories. With stress and seasonal mood dips common this time of year, light cannabis use — especially products balanced with CBD — may help people relax and be more present with each other.

    Winter isn’t just something to survive — it can be something to savor. With thoughtful, responsible use, cannabis can turn cold days into warm moments, making the season not darker, but cozier, calmer and more creative.

    Sarah Johns

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  • How Cannabis Can Help With Jet Lag

    Learn how cannabis can help with jet lag using CBD, THC and microdosing tips for smoother travel transitions.

    Whether or seasoned or newbie globetrotters, jet lag can be the unwelcome souvenir which lingers long after the flight. Whether you’re crossing the Atlantic for business in London, shopping in Chennai, hopping to Hawaii for sun, or just going cross country to see the parents, disrupted sleep patterns and fatigue are almost expected. Travelers have long relied on melatonin, caffeine, hydration, and sheer willpower to overcome the haze—but among a growing number of flyers, another potential remedy is entering the conversation. Here is how cannabis can help with jet lag.

    RELATED: Immersive Events Redefine Millennial Nights

    Jet lag is, at its core, a circadian rhythm disruption. Your body believes it’s still 3 a.m. in New York, even when the morning sun is shining in Paris. Symptoms can include fatigue, insomnia, irritability, digestive changes, and difficulty concentrating—none ideal when the goal is to explore museums, attend meetings, or hit the beach. While cannabis is not a cure for jet lag, some travelers report thoughtful, moderate use can help ease the transition. As legalization spreads in the U.S. and around the world, many travelers are wondering if the green plant can help soften the blow of long-haul travel and support a smoother transition into a new time zone.

    One reason cannabis is being discussed in travel circles is its well-known connection to relaxation and sleep. Flyers who struggle to unwind on the first night in a new city say an indica-leaning strain or a low-dose edible helps quiet the mind and encourage rest, especially when combined with a dark room, hydration, and limited screen time. Others turn to CBD—non-intoxicating and widely legal—for its reported calming qualities, making it a popular option for travelers who want relief without feeling high.

    Beyond sleep support, some travelers use microdoses of THC or CBD to ease tension during travel days. Airports, tight seats, long lines, and overnight flights can amplify stress; a small dose taken responsibly at home before or after travel—not at the airport, onboard, or in public where it may be illegal—may help the body relax and settle. A topical or CBD tincture can also be useful for aches and stiffness after hours in the air.

    RELATED: Starbucks Brings Back Holiday Customer Favorite

    Still, cannabis and international travel come with clear rules. It is illegal to carry cannabis across international borders, even between two legal regions. The safest approach is to purchase cannabis legally only after arrival, where permitted, and to confirm all local regulations before lighting up. Hotel policies also vary, so discretion and knowledge matter.

    For travelers looking for natural support during time zone transitions, cannabis is becoming part of the wellness toolkit. With responsible use, legal awareness, and smart dosage, it may offer a gentle edge against groggy mornings and sleepless nights—allowing adventurers to spend less time fighting fatigue and more time discovering a new world.

    Amy Hansen

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  • Limoncello Recipe: A Recipe Using Vodka and Meyer Lemons

    It is early winter and our Meyer lemon tree is now indoors in a sunny window, to overwinter until mid-spring. The lemons are so ripe and perfumed that we smell them the second we walk into the apartment. This year, I decided to make limoncello with their aromatic zest. It will be ready for an ice-cold toast at New Year, and its bottle will live in the freezer for next summer’s outdoor evenings. (I use the peeled lemons’ juice to add to salt preserved-lemons, but that is another story.)

    Here’s how I make limoncello, using fruit that took over half a year to ripen, from blossoms that smelled like heaven seven months ago.

    Above: The Meyer lemon lost some leaves late in the season, but its fruits are strongly perfumed.

    Our Meyer lemon tree had a rough season outdoors, and as a result the lemons are smaller than usual. There were a couple of dry months during a very hot summer, and I also re-potted it while it was in fruit (I realized that the small tree was root-bound, which was the reason it was drinking so fast and then staying parched). I was a bad lemon parent. (But at least it wasn’t overwatered, a practice that leads to even worse long-term decline.)

    Above: Window-to-table lemons, homegrown and organic.

    One of the satisfactions in growing your own citrus is knowing what is on it and in it. There are no waxy coatings on the zest and I never spray the fruit with pesticides (I do use Neem oil on the leaves to control scale insects when they appear, which they do without fail: See my story about growing indoor citrus for more care tips.)

    Above: For limoncello, lemon zest is soaked in hard clear liquor to extract maximum oils and flavor.

    Limoncello is a Sicilian liqueur that is sipped as a digestif at the end of meals in small, cold increments. It is a simple but heady combination of lemon zest, high proof clear grain alcohol, water, and sugar. Many recipes call for Everclear or another super-high proof spirit, but I use a classic vodka, as well as less water in the sugar syrup that is added later.

    Above: My zesting with a vegetable peeler is imperfect; you could also microplane the zest.
    Above: That’s my neutral vodka of choice; later it is diluted with a sugar syrup.
    Above: I add 2 cups of vodka to the peels of seven Meyer lemons.
    Above: The peels and vodka infuse for two weeks.

    While I associate the drinking of  limoncello with summer and long lunches under the shade of a tall tree in a garden far away, the time to make it is now: it is citrus season. We may be used to year-round lemons at supermarkets, but if you grow your own, or relish the enjoyment of a local crop, this limoncello-making ritual is sweet (well, sweetly sour) and can be appreciated many months later.

    Limoncello is also delicious added to savory roasting root vegetables, just before they come out of the oven; poured over a lemon granita or sorbe; or drizzled over a still-warm cake.

    Above: Freezer-chilled limoncello in tiny, chilled glasses.

    Limoncello

    My recipe uses slightly less sugar than some, since I appreciate the extra, lemony kick in each mouthful. It is still plenty sweet. You may of course use another type of lemon to make the liqueur, and if they are store-bought, scrub them to remove any residues. Dry well. If you have an excess of oranges, you can make arancello in the same way, using their zest.

    • 7 Meyer lemons
    • 2 cups vodka
    • 7 ounces sugar
    • 1 cup water

    Peel or microplane the zest from the lemons, taking care to remove as little bitter pith as possible. Pour 2 cups of vodka into a clean jar and add the lemon zest. Cover, and leave out at room temperature for two weeks.

    After two weeks, strain the liquid, which will now be a pale yellow. In a saucepan, mix the sugar and water and bring to a boil to make a syrup. When it is completely cool, mix it with the lemon extract. Decant into a bottle, and keep in the freezer. Serve in small, chilled glasses.

    See also:

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  • The Beauty of Decay: 10 Perennials to Add Structure to a Winter Garden – Gardenista

    As gardens fade and the days darken, it’s tempting to forget about what’s going on outdoors until early spring when everything jolts back into life. But this is a missed opportunity. Careful plant choices can reap major benefits in the winter.

    It’s well known that certain trees and shrubs can play a leading role in the coldest season, but the right perennials and grasses also can look mesmerizing. By focusing on a plant’s structure and its ability to retain its shape, you can create schemes that look incredible in the fourth season. Read on to discover which plants will maximize this effect and learn to embrace the beauty of winter decay:

    Thistles

    Thistles in February. Photograph by Feathering the Nest via Flickr.
    Above: Thistles in February. Photograph by Feathering the Nest via Flickr.

    Spiky plants and thistles including teasel, echinops, and eryngiums tend to hold their structure brilliantly in the winter.

    Echinops

    Globe echinops. Photograph by Tobias Myrstrand Leander via Flickr.
    Above: Globe echinops. Photograph by Tobias Myrstrand Leander via Flickr.

    In winter, the stiff purple-blue heads of echinops turn brown and maintain their posture.

    Grasses

    Grasses and perennials in December at Torrey Pines Nature Reserve in La Jolla, California. Photograph by Anne Reeves via Flickr.
    Above: Grasses and perennials in December at Torrey Pines Nature Reserve in La Jolla, California. Photograph by Anne Reeves via Flickr.

    Play off these strong forms with billowing clumps of airy grasses such as Deschampsia cespitosa or Molinia caerulea which will fade to blond and buff colors over late autumn and early winter.

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  • Winter Is Coming: How to Care for Houseplants When They Go Dormant – Gardenista

    Just like us, houseplants want to hunker down for the colder and shorter days ahead. While your foliage friends might not appreciate a warm cup of cocoa or cozy scarfs, they do appreciate a little pampering and a lot of rest during the fall and winter months, when temperatures dip, light conditions dwindle, and moisture diminishes. Most plants will naturally slow down or stop growing at this point to conserve and store energy for growing season come spring. Basically, most houseplants go winter dormant.

    If you’re an indoor plant parent, keep reading to learn some helpful tips to keep your potted friends healthy and happy during this time of rest.

    1. Alter your watering schedule.

    Above: Plants need to drink less when they go dormant. Photograph by Mimi Giboin, from Best Houseplants: 9 Indoor Plants for Low Light.

    While you might think you should maintain your watering schedule, most houseplants actually prefer less water during this slow period. Always check the level of moisture in your plant’s soil before watering by pushing your finger into the soil about 2 inches, and if it’s dry then you can give it a thorough drink. Be aware that excess water leads to soggy soil which can lead to root rot. Of course each type of plant has different moisture needs, so it pays to do your homework.

    2. Dust those leaves.

    Above: Photograph by Michael J. Spear via Urban Outfitters, from Still Life with Houseplants: Macramé Artist Emily Katz in Portland, Oregon.

    Plants take in oxygen through their tiny pores, so it’s smart to dust your houseplants on a regular basis to make sure that these breathing leaves remain open and not clogged. Bonus: clean leaves also are better at absorbing light during these dim times. How to do this? Wipe your plant’s leaves with a damp, clean cloth, and while you’re at it, remove any yellowing or dead leaves.

    3. Make sure they stay warm.

    Fiddle leaf figs like the light but not the draft. Photograph by Kelly Marshall, from Expert Advice: How to Throw a Dinner Party with Minimal Effort, from an SF Creative Director.
    Above: Fiddle leaf figs like the light but not the draft. Photograph by Kelly Marshall, from Expert Advice: How to Throw a Dinner Party with Minimal Effort, from an SF Creative Director.

    Okay, I said no warm scarves for your plants, but that doesn’t mean you can’t turn up the heat in the house. Most indoor plants like temps to hover above 50 degrees F. If they get too cold, some houseplants will actually start shedding their leaves. If they’re currently living next to a drafty window, you may want to consider moving them to a toastier spot.

    4. Turn up the humidity.

    African violets need humidity in order to thrive. Photograph by Mimi Giboin, from African Violets: Rethinking �216;America�217;s Favorite House Plant�217; for Modern Times.
    Above: African violets need humidity in order to thrive. Photograph by Mimi Giboin, from African Violets: Rethinking ‘America’s Favorite House Plant’ for Modern Times.

    With added dry heat, however, comes a lack of humidity. To thrive, plants like 50-60% humidity. To ensure they stay foliage-fit, consider placing your plants on trays filled with pebbles and water to increase the moisture in the air. Humidifiers also do the job. Another idea is to huddle your plants together to create a symbiotic micro climate, meaning plants close together will transpire by releasing water from their leaves and then share it with neighboring plants.

    5. Change the light exposure.

    Above: A plant leaning into the light. Photograph by Emily Johnston, from The Accidental Jungle: Shabd Simon-Alexander’s Houseplants in a New York Apartment.

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  • Winter weather in the forecast for the holiday weekend – WTOP News

    The D.C. area is facing weather this weekend that’s as brutal as those Black Friday “deals.” Expect chilly but mostly sunny conditions for Saturday.

    The D.C. area is facing weather this weekend that’s as brutal as those Black Friday “deals.”

    Saturday will be mostly sunny but cold as winter weather from the Midwest heads toward the region.

    Wind gusts diminish slightly from Friday, down to 15 mph. Temperatures will peak in the 40s, which 7News First Alert Meteorologist Steve Rudin said is “a little bit below normal for this time of year.”

    A low pressure warm front approaches overnight into Sunday, giving way to some showers.

    While the District remains under a cold alert until 9 a.m. Saturday, a winter weather advisory has been issued by the National Weather Service through noon Sunday for parts of western Maryland and Virginia.

    NWS officials warn mix precipitation could prompt snow accumulations of 1 inch, with the possibilities of a light ice glaze on the roads. Drivers are urged to be cautious.

    Sunday will be similar to Saturday as the day’s high temperatures remain in the low to mid-40s. Precipitation and clouds will move out by the evening.

    FORECAST

    SATURDAY: Cold and Sunny
    Highs: 39-44
    Winds: Light & Variable
    Another cold day with the exception of lighter winds and wind chills not as cold as Friday. Freezing temperatures this morning will only warm to the low 40s in the afternoon.

    SATURDAY NIGHT: Increasing Clouds
    Lows: 30-35
    Winds: South 5-10 mph
    Clouds will increase overnight ahead of the next weather-maker that brings showers Sunday.

    SUNDAY: PM Showers
    Highs: 45-49
    Wind Chill: 40s
    Winds: South 10-15 mph
    Scattered afternoon and evening showers are expected with little impact to holiday travel home. Plan for chilly temperatures in the 40s throughout the day.

    MONDAY: Mostly Sunny
    Highs: 40-44
    Wind Chill: 30s
    Winds: North 10-15 mph
    Temperatures drop again behind a cold front with chilly highs in the 40s and wind chills in the 30s.

    TUESDAY: AM Mix, PM Showers
    Highs: 36-40
    Winds: North 5-10 mph
    Right now it appears temperatures will be too warm for wintry weather in D.C. with the exception for the suburbs north and west. Rain and snow may mix in the morning before turning into a cold rain during the afternoon. This may lead to small, slushy snow accumulations on elevated and grass surfaces. Temperatures likely stay above freezing during the morning hours.

    CURRENT CONDITIONS

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Ciara Wells

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  • Rare bird spotted in New Hampshire

    Rare bird spotted in New Hampshire

    ALL RIGHT, CALLING ALL BIRD ENTHUSIASTS. AND BY THE WAY, I FOUND OUT THERE ARE A LOT OF THEM HERE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE, SO I THINK THEY’LL FIND THIS INTERESTING. A RARE BIRD WAS SEEN TODAY IN SOUTH CEMETERY IN PORTSMOUTH. THIS IS A EUROPEAN COMMON CUCKOO AND SPELLED WITH A U. BUT I WAS TOLD IT’S PRONOUNCED CUCKOO, LIKE THE CLOCK. IT’S A VERY RARE VAGRANT IN NORTH AMERICA, AND ONLY A FEW HAVE BEEN SEEN. IT BREEDS IN EUROPE AND WINTERS IN TROPICAL AFRICA. SO IN THIS CASE, HAYLEY, WE ARE

    A rare bird was spotted Friday at South Cemetery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. The common cuckoo is a rare vagrant in North America, and only a few have ever been sighted. The species typically breeds in Europe and winters in tropical Africa.This is the first recorded sighting in New Hampshire. It has not been seen since, according to local birders.

    PORTSMOUTH, N.H. —

    A rare bird was spotted Friday at South Cemetery in Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

    The common cuckoo is a rare vagrant in North America, and only a few have ever been sighted.

    The species typically breeds in Europe and winters in tropical Africa.

    This is the first recorded sighting in New Hampshire. It has not been seen since, according to local birders.

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  • Long-awaited $3.6B in heating assistance released to states and tribes

    Approximately $3.6 billion in delayed funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, was released Friday to states and tribes, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.The federal funding for LIHEAP, which helps millions of low-income households pay to heat and cool their homes, has been held up during the beginning of the cold-weather season because of the federal government shutdown, which ended Nov. 12.“This release of LIHEAP funding is essential and long overdue,” Mark Wolfe, executive director of NEADA, said in a statement. “Families can finally begin receiving the support they need to keep the heat on as winter begins.”States typically receive their allocations at the beginning of November.The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the assistance program, has not yet issued a formal public announcement about the resumption of the funding. After the federal shutdown ended, HHS said one of its agencies would “work swiftly to administer annual awards,” blaming the delay on congressional Democrats.Wolfe said state agencies told his organization they’ve received award letters from HHS, enabling them to begin distributing assistance to households.A message was left seeking comment with HHS.On Monday, a bipartisan group of U.S. House members sent a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urging him to release the LIHEAP funds by Nov. 30. Given the heating season has already started in many parts of the U.S., they said “there is no time to waste,” especially for households that use home heating oil or propane. Those fuels typically aren’t affected by state moratoriums on utility shutoffs during the winter months.Roughly 68% of LIHEAP households also receive SNAP food benefits. Wolfe said delays in both programs during the shutdown “put many households in an even more precarious situation than usual.” While Friday’s funding release is welcome news, he said the need for assistance “remains enormous,” especially given rising energy prices. He noted that arrearages remain near record highs.

    HARTFORD, Conn. —

    Approximately $3.6 billion in delayed funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, was released Friday to states and tribes, according to the National Energy Assistance Directors Association.

    The federal funding for LIHEAP, which helps millions of low-income households pay to heat and cool their homes, has been held up during the beginning of the cold-weather season because of the federal government shutdown, which ended Nov. 12.

    “This release of LIHEAP funding is essential and long overdue,” Mark Wolfe, executive director of NEADA, said in a statement. “Families can finally begin receiving the support they need to keep the heat on as winter begins.”

    States typically receive their allocations at the beginning of November.

    The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, which oversees the assistance program, has not yet issued a formal public announcement about the resumption of the funding. After the federal shutdown ended, HHS said one of its agencies would “work swiftly to administer annual awards,” blaming the delay on congressional Democrats.

    Wolfe said state agencies told his organization they’ve received award letters from HHS, enabling them to begin distributing assistance to households.

    A message was left seeking comment with HHS.

    On Monday, a bipartisan group of U.S. House members sent a letter to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. urging him to release the LIHEAP funds by Nov. 30. Given the heating season has already started in many parts of the U.S., they said “there is no time to waste,” especially for households that use home heating oil or propane. Those fuels typically aren’t affected by state moratoriums on utility shutoffs during the winter months.

    Roughly 68% of LIHEAP households also receive SNAP food benefits. Wolfe said delays in both programs during the shutdown “put many households in an even more precarious situation than usual.” While Friday’s funding release is welcome news, he said the need for assistance “remains enormous,” especially given rising energy prices. He noted that arrearages remain near record highs.

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  • Looking to winterize your skin? DC dermatologist on how lotions ‘will not cut it’ this time of year – WTOP News

    A D.C. dermatologist has tips on how to help your skin combat the cold, dry air of winter and avoid flare-ups of conditions like eczema.

    WTOP’s Alan Etter on how to winterize your skin in dry weather.

    The cold, dry air of winter can make your skin drier than usual and make skin conditions like eczema harder to keep under control.

    But there are strategies to help winterize your skin and combat the weather changes.

    Dr. Adam Friedman, professor and chair of dermatology at George Washington University School Medicine and Health Sciences, said there are certain things you can be doing to keep your skin hydrated.

    “Your moisturizer needs a winter upgrade,” Friedman said. “Lotions will not cut it this time of year. I recommend creams and ointments to actually trap and hold moisture in the skin, giving the skin a time to repair and actually stay calm.”

    So what should you be looking for on the bottles and tubes?

    “Products that say ‘for eczema,’ as this is an FDA regulated term requiring a barrier protectant called colloidal oatmeal, which has decades of supporting data,” he said.

    And if your skin is really thick and flakey, he said to look for exfoliating products.

    “Keratolytics like urea, mandelic acid … ammonium lactate, these can safely exfoliate that thick skin and help pull water in,” he said.

    He said the simpler the better, when it comes to what is in the products. You want to limit how often you’re cleansing and avoid lengthy showers.

    “We want mild cleansers, because bathing, how one bathes, can play a very big role in how dry one’s skin is during the wintertime,” he said. “We want to keep showers short, not scalding hot, lukewarm. The most important thing is using a mild cleanser, and honestly, not to the whole body.”

    He said not every body part needs to be cleaned everyday. So what should you be doing?

    “The only areas that need soap every day are the underarms, face and groin,” Friedman said. “We can skip a day here and there, because soap is very drying. But then even more importantly is applying that cream or ointment based moisturizer to damp skin, usually within 30 seconds after getting out of the shower.”

    And when it comes to which brands to buy?

    “If a claim sounds too good to be true, it probably is,” he said. “My advice is, go for the bigger name brands that have the resources and take the time to actually evaluate their products with clinical studies.”

    WTOP’s Mike Murillo contributed to this report. 

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    © 2025 WTOP. All Rights Reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    Valerie Bonk

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  • Meteor shower, super moon, lunar eclipse; Colorado’s winter night skies will blow you away

    Colorado winters in the mountains are beautiful, but not every view can be seen during the day. There are times at night when the full moon illuminates a surreal snowscape, creating beautiful shapes and shadows, even revealing dramatic snow-covered mountains miles away.

    And sometimes, on moonless nights when the sky is especially dark and the air is crystal clear — as is often the case on a cold winter night — the Milky Way can be admired in all its glory.

    DENVER, CO – NOVEMBER 05: Super moon with a little cloud cover and the Elitches Observation Tower in the foreground photographed west of Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado on Wednesday, November 05, 2025. (Photo by Andy Cross/The Denver Post)

    “If you can get away from bright city lights and light pollution, the Milky Way always looks cool, no matter where you are – desert, mountains, wherever,” said Ron Hranac, a past president of the Denver Astronomical Society. “There are people who live in major metropolitan areas who have never seen the Milky Way. They have no idea what it is.

    “I hear that and it makes me sad,” Hranac added, “because they’re missing out on so much.”

    Winter can be a great time to look up and admire the heavens, and this one will be no exception. The night of Dec. 4-5 will mark the brightest super moon of 2025, as it is the full moon closest to earth this year. The Geminids meteor shower, which a NASA astronomy educational site calls one of the best and most reliable meteor showers of the year, peaks Dec. 13-14.

    Colorado will also see a total lunar eclipse in the western sky on March 3, 2026, from 4:04 a.m. to 5:02 a.m., well before the sunrise at 6:29 a.m.

    Moonlight ski touring and snowshoeing in Colorado is a transcendent experience. Boreas Pass, which is near Breckenridge, and Vail Pass are excellent options because the ascents are moderate and the trail is actually a dirt road for motor vehicles in the summer, making it plenty wide for touring in low light. And remember, your eyes will adjust to the dark. You may be shocked by how much you can see, and how far.

    The Milky Way is visible in the summer, too. But the night sky in the mountains can be especially clear on really cold winter nights because cold air can’t contain as much moisture as warmer air.

    There are exceptions, though.

    “The downside of being in the mountains of Colorado at a higher elevation is, the air stability is not always that great,” Hranac said. “We often get the jet stream going overhead or nearby, and that can mess up (atmospheric) stability.”

    Saturn will be visible for the next few months, Hranac said, appearing in the southeast sky early in the evening. It will look like a moderately bright star to the naked eye, but its rings will be visible through telescopes.

    John Meyer

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  • Vegetables That Get Tastier After a Frost – Garden Therapy

    These vegetables get sweeter after being kissed by frost, making them a delectable wintertime treat. So don’t despair when that first frost hits; instead, get excited because you’re about to get some delicious gifts from the garden.

    That first frost can be a sad time for gardeners because it is often thought of as the end of the time of year when we can harvest garden produce to eat. However, there are actually lots of vegetables that not only withstand the frost, but actually taste better after the temperatures drop!

    When the frost hits, the naturally occurring water inside a plant freezes, causing distress to the plant. In order to combat this, some plants produce more sugar, which allows them to tolerate a lower temperature without freezing. It also means that the plants become sweeter and tastier.

    These are the vegetables that get sweeter after a frost to harvest late this season.

    Some vegetables taste sweeter after the first frost of the seasonSome vegetables taste sweeter after the first frost of the season

    Root Veggies

    Beets, carrots, turnips, rutabaga, radishes, and parsnips are delicious after the first frost but before the ground freezes. They are also such a hearty, comforting food that they are exactly what many of us are craving during the cold winter months.

    Even if you don’t get to them before the ground is frozen, leave them in the soil over winter and harvest them as soon as the ground around them thaws. They will still taste great as long as you get to them before they start re-growing their leaves for spring.

    Roast root veggies with garden herbs, make a hearty winter vegetable soup, or try pickling them.

    Brassicas

    Brassicas, or members of the cabbage family, all taste great after the frost. These include collard greens, kale, Brussels sprouts, bok choy, cauliflower, and, of course, cabbage.

    The best way to grow members of the cabbage family is to plant them in the spring to harvest a crop in the summer, and then plant them again in the summer to harvest a second crop in the winter (or even the following spring).

    Members of the cabbage family taste better after a frost.Members of the cabbage family taste better after a frost.

    Brassicas grow best in cooler environments and, while they do produce well in the summer, it is the winter crops that really take the cake. When the first frost hits, the roots work hard to prevent the plants from freezing by sending sugars up to the cells in the leaves, making the leaves sweet and tender. Harvest these post-frost and enjoy getting your greens on throughout the winter!

    These vegetables taste better as the temperatures drop.These vegetables taste better as the temperatures drop.

    Leeks

    Leeks also get sweeter and more flavourful after a frost. Harvest them as long as they are not frozen into the ground (in some areas, this means you can be eating your own leeks all winter long). There’s nothing more comforting on a cold winter’s night than a hot, steaming bowl of leek and potato soup!

    harvested rhubarb and leeksharvested rhubarb and leeks
    Leeks and rhubarb.

    Lettuce and Spinach

    Most types of lettuce and spinach prefer the cooler temperatures, often bolting during the heat of summer. You can easily sow an additional round of greens at the end of summer to enjoy in the fall. They can reach maturity and harvest in a month (cut-and-come-again varieties).

    Spinach can survive to about -7°C (30°F). But you don’t want to harvest the leaves when frozen, as they will turn mushy once thawed.

    Most lettuces can only tolerate a light frost, but can easily be protected with a season extender.

    Other greens, such as arugula, tatsoi, and radicchio, can also handle the cold well.

    speckled lettuce growing in containerspeckled lettuce growing in container
    Speckled lettuce

    More Fall Gardening Tips

    Stephanie Rose

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  • Upcoming Food Events: Don’t Miss the Bayou Goo Shake – Houston Press

    Need a last-minute Thanksgiving idea? EZ’s Liquor Lounge, 3301 White Oak, is hosting its annual Thanksgiving community potluck on Thanksgiving Day, with owner Matt Tanner serving up his signature Goose & Andouille Gumbo. All are invited to bring a favorite dish or simply come as they are to enjoy the good company

    Now through Sunday, November 30, Burger Bodega and House of Pies are teaming up on a  Bayou Goo Pie Shake ($10), available at Burger Bodega, 4520 Washington, Thursday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The shake blends House of Pies’ beloved Bayou Goo – featuring layers of velvety sweet cream cheese, pecans, vanilla custard and chocolate shavings – into a classic Burger Bodega milkshake, finished with milk chocolate shavings. 

    In honor of 15 years since opening their first shop in Miami, PINCHO is celebrating in Miami and Houston, throwing it back with fan-favorites from its vault of craveable specials. From November 28–December 4, folks can dig into the Cartel Burger and Cartel Hot Dog – your choice of signature beef patty or all-beef dog topped with cheddar, bacon, papitas, pink sauce and mango sauce, all tucked into a butter-toasted brioche bun. 

    The Kid, 1815 North Durham, hosts a one-night Cocktails for a Cause event on Friday, December 5 from 4 to 9 p.m., raising funds for Kids’ Meals Houston. Guests can sip two specialty cocktails – the Comeback Kid made with bourbon donated by Redemption Bourbon and the Kids’ Table featuring cantaloupe syrup and lime – with 100 percent of proceeds benefiting the nonprofit’s mission to fight childhood hunger. Children are welcome until 7 p.m. and Happy Hour food pricing runs until 7 p.m. 

    Whiskey Cake is throwing a Prohibition Party across all Houston locations on Friday, December 5, where the whiskey flows legally and the mischief is encouraged. Expect live music, hand-rolled cigars on the patio and bartenders slinging bootleg-inspired cocktails from Whiskey Cake’s scratch bar. Doors open at 7 p.m., the band starts at 8 and guests are encouraged to dress the part. Admission is free.

    Brasserie 19, 1962 West Gray, is kicking off the holiday season with a high-energy holiday edition of its signature monthly brunch party, Santa Le Brunch de Funk, held on Saturday, December 6 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Expect melted raclette, holiday cocktails and a live DJ spinning seasonal favorites and chic brunch beats. Guests are encouraged to arrive in Christmas sweaters or cozy pajamas.

    The Audrey, 9595 Six Pines, will host a Holiday Nutcracker Tea on Saturday and Sunday, December 6–7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., offering an enchanting morning filled with seasonal magic. Guests can enjoy elegant teas, festive bites, and visits from Nutcracker ballerinas — including Clara and her mischievous mice — dancing through the dining room for charming photo ops. Reserve via OpenTable for Saturday or Sunday.

    This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.

    Brooke Viggiano

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  • Denver drops to coldest temps in 265 days, snowy Thanksgiving weekend likely

    Denver dropped to its coldest temperatures in more than eight months on Tuesday night, sustaining the hopes of winter-loving Coloradans for a snowy Thanksgiving weekend.

    The temperature at Denver International Airport fell to 18 degrees just before 10 p.m. on Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service’s Boulder office.

    The last time DIA thermometers dropped that low was 265 days earlier, when the temperature fell to 17 degrees on March 5.

    Metro Denver residents are still waiting for the first snow of the season, with this year’s first snowfall likely to be the second-latest on record.

    Denver’s latest first snowfall was on Dec. 10, 2021, and the city already surpassed the No. 3 latest snowfall of Nov. 21, 1934, last week.

    Katie Langford

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  • Things to do in Denver: ‘Santa’s Big Red Sack,’ Magical Winter Nights and more holiday fun

    “Santa’s Big Red Sack”

    Thursday-Dec. 24. ‘Tis the final season for the 23-year-old theatrical tradition known as “Santa’s Big Red Sack,” which is returning with “nonstop sketch comedy, music and technology bursting at the seams,” according to its creators. It’s celebrating its last year of offensive glee, so buy a shot and make sure to leave your propriety at the door. (Note: This bawdy production is not, as you may have guessed, for kids.)

    It takes place at various times and dates from Dec. 4 to Dec. 24 at The People’s Building, 9995 E. Colfax Ave. in Aurora. Tickets are $39.10 via thepeoplesbuilding.com/tickets.

    (Provided by Denver Museum of Nature & Science)

    Magical Winter Nights

    Through Jan 4. When it comes to holiday light displays in City Park, Denver Zoo Lights tends to have it covered. But don’t count out the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, also located in City Park. The institution this year has launched Magical Winter Nights, its very own holiday celebration running through Jan. 4, 2026. The “dazzling winter wonderland” has “glowing savannah skies, shimmering northern lights and cozy cocoa (to) create memories that will last a lifetime,” according to the museum.

    “This experience takes you on a journey through select areas of the museum, specifically the West Atrium and third-floor diorama halls,” organizers added. “These spaces have been transformed into a series of enchanting winter worlds just waiting to be explored. Under sparkling stars and through a series of immersive scenes, there’s something for everyone in this adventure designed to delight all ages.”

    The first entry is 4:15 p.m. daily, with 21-and-up nights on Dec. 4, 11 and 18. Tickets are $25 for adults, $20 for ages 3-18, and $22 for seniors. 2001 Colorado Blvd. in Denver. Call 303-370-6000 or visit dmns.org for more.

    The "Moonlight Elves" holiday show blends family-friendly variety acts such as aerial dancers, magicians and more. (Provided by Starry Night Productions)
    The “Moonlight Elves” holiday show blends family-friendly variety acts such as aerial dancers, magicians and more. (Provided by Starry Night Productions)

    Fly, Moonlight Elves!

    Through Dec. 7. Denver’s always-curious (in a good way) Starry Night Productions and Theatre Artibus this year are debuting “Moonlight Elves,” which they dub “a circus-immersive holiday extravaganza,” playing Nov. 26-30 and Dec. 3-7 at Savoy Denver.

    John Wenzel

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  • Colorado weather: Will it snow during Thanksgiving travel?

    The hundreds of thousands of Coloradans expected to travel for Thanksgiving this year can expect dry weather and clear skies — at least on their way out, according to the National Weather Service.

    No snow is forecast for the Denver area leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday, and limited amounts are expected in higher elevations, including on mountain passes, according to weather service forecasters.

    Colorado’s highest peaks, including Mount Zirkel in the Park Range of the Rocky Mountains, will see between zero and 8 inches of snow by 5 a.m. Thursday. The most likely snowfall on that mountain is closer to 1 inch, forecasters said.

    As of Monday morning, according to the weather service, other snow totals expected by Thursday morning included:

    • Trace amounts on Loveland Pass and at Bear Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park;
    • 0.5 inches on U.S. 40’s Berthoud Pass west of Denver, on Milner Pass in Rocky Mountain National Park and at Winter Park;
    • And 1 inch on U.S. 40’s Muddy Pass near Steamboat Springs, Colorado 14’s Cameron Pass near Walden and U.S. 40’s Rabbit Ears Pass near Kremmling.

    Most of that snow is expected to fall Monday night into Tuesday morning, and will likely be gone before most travelers hit the roads, rails or air, according to weather service forecasters.

    Higher elevations, including Cameron Pass and Rabbit Ears Pass, also have a 20% chance of snow showers before 11 a.m. Wednesday, forecasters said.

    Chances for snow will return across Colorado following Thanksgiving Day, and winter weather could intercept many travelers on their way home, according to the weather service.

    The amount of snow expected to fall was still up in the air Monday morning, but hourly forecasts from the weather service showed a 40% chance of Denver seeing its first snow of the season over the post-holiday weekend.

    At that time, the strongest chance for snow in the Denver area fell between 5 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday, but snow showers could start as early as 11 p.m. Friday and continue into Sunday night, forecasters said.

    Multiple inches of snow are expected to fall on Colorado’s mountain passes starting at about noon on Friday, according to the weather service.

    Lauren Penington

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  • Upcoming Food Events: $5 ‘Tinis and a Havana Holiday – Houston Press

    Emilia’s Havana, 1800 Post Oak, is bringing a little Cuban heat to the season with Havana Holiday, a ticketed pop-up experience at the speakeasy-style lounge inspired by 1950s Cuba. Running through December, the pop-up features live music, elegant holiday décor and a limited-edition cocktail menu created with Royal Wine, Rémy Cointreau and Bacardi, including festive sippers like the Santa Clausmopolitan, GingerBERG Nog and Dubai Chocolate Martini. Wednesday hours run 5–10 p.m. with the kitchen open until 9 and a $25 cover that includes the first cocktail. Thursday offers dinner seating from 6:30–9 p.m. and cocktails and light bites from 10 p.m.–close; Friday and Saturday carry a $50 cover (Thursday–Saturday) that also includes the first drink and no minimum spend.

    This season, Berg Hospitality is giving Houstonians a reason to pause with its new “5 at 5” special — $5 mini martinis during the 5 o’clock hour across many of its concepts. For a limited time, guests can stop by on weekdays from 5 to 6 p.m. for a perfectly chilled mini martini made their way. The special is available at Annabelle Brasserie, B&B Butchers, B.B. Italia Bistro & Bar, Emilia’s Havana, Prime 131, Real Agave, The Annie Café & Bar, The Sylvie, Trattoria Sofia, Turner’s and Turner’s Cut.

    Jethro’s Cocktail Lounge, 95 Tuam Street, is celebrating Thanksgiving Eve with festive specials all night long on Wednesday, November 26, including $10 Mojitos made with Mount Gay Rum and an extended $7 smashburger-and-fries combo available until 8 p.m. A DJ kicks things off at 8 p.m.

    PKL Social, 1112 Shepherd, is getting the holiday weekend started with an all-day Friendsgiving Happy Hour on Wednesday, November 26, featuring $1 wings and drink specials. Bring a canned good to support the Houston Food Bank Drive and your first beer is free. On Friday, November 28, folks can hit PKL’s second annual Thanksgiving Classic Tournament, offering a fun excuse to get out of the house and enjoy some friendly post-holiday competition.

    Medium Rare will debut its iconic Thanksgiving Day tradition, the Turkey Fry, in Houston this year, open to anyone who brings a fully thawed turkey (up to 10 pounds) to be safely fried — for free — by the experts. Bring your bird to Medium Rare Houston, 3201 Louisiana, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 27. While Medium Rare co-owner Mark Bucher assures they will try to get to everyone, it is a first-come, first-served basis. 

    On Saturday, November 29, Bas’s Cheesesteaks will be popping up at Third Place, 420 East 20th, slinging its Philly style cheesesteaks from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. (or until sold out). The thinly-sliced halal ribeye comes loaded into seeded hoagie rolls with mayo and melty white cheese with (or without) grilled onions, with add-ons including sweet, bell, hot, or Italian long hot peppers, habanero aioli and ketchup. Meals can be rounded out with fries and/or a Pudgy’s deli cookie. 

    Traveler’s Cart, 1401 Montrose, recently transitioned from counter-service to full-service as owners Thy and Matthew Mitchell evolve the concept to put an even greater emphasis on service and hospitality. With the full-service transition comes several new offerings, including Thai Chili Queso, Baja Shrimp Tacos, Chicken Lo Mein, Salmon Donburi, Chicken Parmesan, Vietnamese Cha Ca and Steak Frites. New cocktails include a Mexican Espresso Martini and a Pandan Sticky Rice Old Fashioned.

    This article appears in Jan 1 – Dec 31, 2025.

    Brooke Viggiano

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