"Statistics vary, but 20 percent of Americans suffer from SAD or a lesser condition that Michael Terman, a leading researcher on seasonal disorders, calls the winter doldrums. Another 30 percent will experience one or more SAD symptoms, which include winter weight gain, a craving for sweet or starchy foods, difficulty concentrating, fatigue, irritability, avoidance of social situations, oversleeping and a heavy feeling in the arms or legs. Seasonal disorders occur more often in northern climates and affect women more than men says Terman, director of the Center for Light Treatment and Biological Rhythms at New York-Presbyterian Hospital and founder of the nonprofit Center for Environmental Therapeutics."

This excerpt from an article entitled, How to fire up employees during the post-holiday gloom by Matt Bolch, popped on Google when I was looking for ways to combat my own winter doldrums. Although the findings are relevant to us living in the Northeast, it's not necessarily news. In fact, a good number of my neighbors, friends and colleagues here in the Saratoga community accept that they will inevitably succumb to the winter doldrums this winter. Not mentioned in the article are children. I can personally attest to seeing at least some of these symptoms in my son. At a minimum, our household is officially suffering from cabin fever.

On this first day of February, I thoughts I'd share a few personal strategies to help families survive cabin fever:

1. Don't forget the kitchen when looking for projects to cure the winter doldrums. The last time we were snowed in, my son and I made Dark Chocolate and Oat Clusters that were as fun to make as they were to eat. Find this healthy treat recipe here from Health.com.
2. Make sure the family's snow gear is accessible at all times so you can relieve the pressure of boredom or mania at any given moment. You don't want to spend 20 minutes searching for snow pants or a renegade boot (been there). The sun is still the best way to get your Vitamin D, so bundle up (sunscreen up if you're going to be out for a while) and get out there and play!
3. Board games, especially interactive games (no, not Wii) like Twister make for afternoon fun and big laughs. Twister also counts as exercise for adults and helps kids burn off excess energy when house bound.
4. Make cleaning up fun. Buy dollar store toys and have them on hand as prizes for cleaning games: Who can match the most socks, who can clean their room the fastest, who can finish their chores first. For little ones, you can give prizes for a completed alphabet or counting to 10 in Spanish.
5. Reading together. Prepare some hot cocoa and a light snack to share. Then ask each family member to grab their favorite book(s) and join you on the couch. Quiet contemplation and good old fashion snuggling is a necessary sanity check on snow days and long winter weekends.

My personal goal this season is to beat the winter doldrums and embrace the fun and closeness it brings for our family. Sure winter's a little unpredictable, but you can't control mother nature. Just like mom, mother nature likes it that way.

Most kids are all about pumpkins and costumes this time of year. They're everywhere (grocery stores, department stores, on TV, etc.). What's not to like about carving pumpkins and playing dress up when you're four? Unlike other four year olds though, on a recent Saturday morning trip to one of our family's favorite fall destinations, Saratoga Apple, my son fell hard for a butternut squash. Here's the back story:

We were enjoying our cider doughnuts on a crisp fall morning with coffee and warm cider when my son became mesmerized by two men working on a project near by. Turns out they were carefully wiping excess dirt off a crop of butternut squash. They'd lift them one-by-one from a crate, wipe them with a cloth and then place them in a fresh display crate. "Very interesting", my son said to us as he watched them. After 15 minutes, I asked him if he wanted to go over and ask the guys what they were doing. My son jumped up enthusiastically, took me by the hand, and pulled me toward the men and their squash. "Excuse me. What are you doing?". These two burly, flannel shirt wearing guys stopped their rhythmic routine to give my son their take on all things "butternut squash". He listened with careful intent and nodded periodically, never saying a word. We thanked them and then made our way out into the orchard for some apple picking.

We returned some thirty minutes later with a big bag of Crispin apples. "Come on over. I have something for you" one of the same guys yelled to my son. After receiving mom's nod of approval, he walked over and looked up as a butternut squash was ceremonially placed in his hands. I yelled "thank you" and my boy came running over to show us his squash. I've never seen anyone this excited about a squash and probably never will again.

As we drove home, I saw in the rear view mirror that he was cradling the squash carefully in his lap. When it was nap time an hour later, he asked if he could sleep with his butternut squash. I told him he could keep it on the bedside table. "So I can keep it close by, mom?". "Yes", I nodded.

While he slept my husband and I shared a laugh about our son's fascination with the squash. What we didn't anticipate though, was that this fascination would turn into a now two-week-long obsession! Although I knew he was listening closely to the fellas at Saratoga Apple, we've now come to understand what he learned. For one, they're "baked in the oven and covered with brown sugar and butter". "The guy says that's the best way to eat them, mom", he shared. Since my husband and I both agree with this cooking methodology, we tried to convince him to release the butternut squash from his grip long enough for us to "try out the recipe".

"NOT THIS BUTTERNUT SQUASH, MOM!"

So it is. I suppose the only thing I can do now is police the squash to keep and eye out for rot. In the meantime, the butternut squash is just part of the family.

If you're anything like me, you started the summer with a list full of endless possibilities for family fun this summer. As we approach the home stretch of the season, though, I'm personally finding it hard to believe that my family has only checked a few things off our list. We've had all summer long, how is this possible?

First of all, I must admit that I was far too ambition with my list to begin with. Imagine that! I also mistakenly forgot to pencil in lazy afternoons, rainy day naps, play dates, family gatherings, etc. you get the idea. It's important to factor in spontaneity when planning for a great summer, I think. Second, summer is my busy season at work and my husband travels for business.

So aside from the fact that we missed a few classic Saratoga events due to a mid-summer family illness (family oriented evenings at the Ballet at SPAC, for example), there's two weeks (weekends, at least) left to squeeze in a few more activities before the back to school bell rings. Below you'll find a few easy activities from our newly edited "before summer ends" wish list:

Moreau Lake State Park - We went once early in the season and swore we'd be back. It's so close and has summer written all over it. Swimming, playgrounds, fishing, and cookouts make this a special location. Minutes from Saratoga located at exit 17 off the Northway, Moreau is easy to get to. Just make sure you get there early since there's a crowd limit and they enforce it.

Peerless Pool - We have a pool, but a trip to the Peerless Pool is special. The gradual wading pool makes it easy to watch your kids from the water or from a blanket or towel on the grass a few feet away. The snack bar and playground right outside complete an easy afternoon of fun in the sun.

Camping - We've made it a point to camp at least once each year since my son was born, but haven't been able to make it work so far this year. I'm thinking we'll resort to a bonfire in the backyard for S'mores followed by a night spent sleeping outside in our tiny three man tent. To think we had actually planned to buy new gear and go camping MORE than once this year!

Tailgating at Saratoga Polo - We brought our son to the clubhouse for a match last year and quickly realized that the tapas and cocktails don't hold much appeal for a three year old and stomping the divots with my son in heels didn't work out well for me. This year the plan is to pack a picnic, meet up with friends and enjoy the match from a picnic blanket. Tailgating is definitely the way to go!

Great Escape - We had a blast at Magic Forest in Lake George two weeks ago for son's pal Cooper's birthday, but are still trying to make it to Great Escape this season. I have a feeling this one may end up being pushed to the Fall to-do list since the park is open on weekends through Halloween.

Carousel in Congress Park - grab a cup of coffee at one of our great coffee coffee shops - Saratoga Coffee Traders, Uncommon Grounds and Starbucks (right across from the park!) and stroll to the park. A ride on the historic carousel is a favorite family activity for the Rose's since my husband and I rode this carousel (yes, the same one - they moved it to Congress Park) together when we were 17 and 16 respectively working during the summers at Kaydeross Park on Saratoga Lake. Oh, the memories...

So, let's enjoy what's left of summer. It will be gone before we know it!