Bean-I feel your pain!
I hate the dark and cold and am definitely living in the wrong state! I did some pansies inside last year just for some green! They turned out great and bloomed early. You could do half inside and half outside...
-B

keep impatiens until later, they are easily get sick inside. you can start viola and begonias now.

I winter sowed Fuji Dawn Violas this week. I haven't done anything in a few years, but the last time I did, I didn't have sprouts until about mid April. Most of my flats were in shade, and everyone's sprouts come up at a different rate.

Perhaps if you just do your annuals indoors, you'll have color in your garden most of the season, and really strong perennials that will bloom for years.