How to recognize Winter has arrived in Orange County

You find yourself longing for June Gloom.

All the little doggies cruising Fashion Island have their wool sweaters buttoned all the way to their diamond-studded collars.

Rainbows are replaced by Uggs.

Frappu-what? You want a peppermint Latte.

Your dry cleaner greets you with, “Cold enough for ya?” To which you answer, “No, I prefer Dr. Zhivago winters so I can wear my fur Ushanka.”

You make the time change work for you by putting your kids to bed at six o’clock.

The leaf blower that wakes you up at 7 am on Saturday morning in reality has a few leafs to push around.

Two words: American Idol!

You don’t see as many bald heads in Mercedes convertibles with their tops down racing down the 241 in the morning.

Surfers start to call in to work with a “cough” or ankle sprain too severe to make it in, but not too brutal to make it to the beach. We KNOW where you are….silly surfers.

Laguna Beach in January.