I might be a little deficient in cold-weather prep work

It's true.  I, of course, learned how to prepare and de-ice the plane in weather like this, but I've only actually done so once or twice.  I fly for fun and on days like today-- it's 19 degrees outside-- it doesn't seem like much fun.  I usually just sit it out.  Even when I don't, I make sure I rent a plane at a place that will do all the prep work for me.  That way, I only have to check over their work.

Any pilot worth his or her salt can immediately notice the difference between their plane in hot weather and the same plane in cold weather.  In the mid-size aircraft I enjoy flying most, the difference is as clear as night and day.  It's almost as if someone opened the door and pushed out a few hundred pounds.  The plane leaps into the air and climbs steep and smooth.

In the end, I always come out thinking the frigid hour or so spent on prep work was well worth the flying time.