At the beginning of July, I love winter. I crave hot chocolates, cosy DVD nights, lamb shank dinners, chunky soups, fabulous coats and new scarves. I love listening to the rain on the roof, wearing wellies to the shop and having what my Auntie Joan refers to as a ‘nightie day' with a really absorbing book. It's all this and more that inspired us to capture the essence of winter comfort in this month's decorating story, ‘Snug Fit' - complete with a roaring fire and a mug of hot chocolate!

By the end of August, however, the romance has most definitely waned. By the time I get to the last two weeks of the month, my mind starts to wander back to life outdoors; I start dreaming of summer entertaining, barbecues on the deck and warm, light mornings. My cosy sofa blanket starts to stifle, warming food starts to feel stodgy, and I realise I can never afford the fabulous coats I want - the honeymoon is most definitely over. I know I'm not alone in this, and I think it's because, for most Australians, winter is short-lived - although we do romanticise it, it's really hard to justify serious investment. Rather than really throw ourselves into the season, we tend to grit our teeth and get through it, waiting for the time when we can break out of our little cocoons once more.

 This is what prompted us to bring you this issue's 32-page outdoor living special (beginning on page 159) - it's now that we all start to mentally redesign our gardens, get ready to re-do our decks, and when we want to get as much done outside before the spring growth kicks in and the weather gets too hot to do anything but languish in the shade. Of course, it's when the heat and humidity turn oppressive that I really begin to crave those cosy winter days again - ah, the never-ending cycle!