Currently (During the Not-So-Delightful Days of Winter)

What’s currently getting me through the winter season~

Hello there. I hope this finds you somewhere staying cozy and warm as you endure the last month of winter. While I don’t live anywhere that experiences severe seasons and crazy snow storms, my region received unusually heavy rainfall and wild winds.

Some people thoroughly enjoy the cold and rain, but I am not one of those persons! Give me all the sunshine and warm days, please. I don’t mind an occasional rainy day, but what seems like endless weeks of precipitation- no thank you. I think it has felt especially trying because the weather is preventing the completion of our remodeling project.

Some spectacular events occurred so far, this season: we moved into a lovely home on a picturesque piece of land, my older two children got engaged, and we began planning for two summer weddings. I eagerly anticipate the coming spring and summer months when we will be more settled here and watch our children marry their loves.

In the meanwhile, I thought it would be fun to share what’s currently getting me through the not-so-delightful days of winter. The following list is full of creature comforts and favorites that help me appreciate the coziness of wintertime.

“What good is the warmth of summer, without the cold of winter to give it sweetness.”

– John Steinbeck

Currently~

Cooking/Baking

• I find myself preparing comfort foods such as sheet pan dinners, roasted chicken, hearty soups, and chili. I’ve baked several batches of cookies (I’m still adjusting to a propane oven) and plan to bake some bread soon. Stovetop popcorn is on heavy rotation, too.

Reading

• Considering reading is one of my favorite pastimes, you’d think I plowed through countless books this winter; however, my list isn’t as long as usual. I attribute that to packing/unpacking and trying to settle in here. Nevertheless, I finished several great memoirs, a few cookbooks (I love reading cookbooks!), and some good fiction. You may find a list of everything I’ve recently been reading right here.

Watching

• We finished The Office, Blacklist, Atypical, and Elementary. We began Homecoming but didn’t care for it. Currently, we are watching season 3 of This is Us.
• We saw a few movies at the theater- Bohemian Rhapsody; A Star is Born; Glass; and Cold Pursuit, and then watched some at home: The Commuter; A Brilliant Young Mind; and Crazy, Rich Asians.

Drinking

• The chilly, rainy days have me drinking mostly all hot beverages. Each morning I prepare a stovetop Americano or a Latté using my Bialetti Espresso Maker and a frother. I enjoy a warm cup of herbal tea in the afternoon or evening. We celebrated the two engagements and moving into our new home with glasses of bubbly. ☺

Using

• Due to the heater running and hotter showers, my skin gets quite dry this time of year. I use this company’s body wash & body butter daily, both of which helped my skin tremendously. I began using this hydrating mask recently, and as a result, my skin glows.
• I bought an inexpensive silk pillowcase a few months ago and noticed a big difference with both my hair and skin. My nighttime moisturizer stays on (it doesn’t rub off onto the cotton pillowcase), and my hair isn’t full of static. In case you are interested, here is an article explaining the benefits of a silk pillowcase.
• If I am not burning candles, I’m using my essential oil diffuser because I enjoy being in a softly scented room. I buy my essential oils here (very affordable!) and often use this Fall & Winter Diffuser Guide to figure out which oils to blend. Due to the fact I have pets, I am careful about diffusing in small spaces. If I plan to run the diffuser in my bedroom, I ensure the oils are pet safe.

Listening

• Although reading is my favorite, I do enjoy listening to podcasts and playlists when doing other things like making dinner or cleaning. Some of the podcasts I listen to regularly are: The Next Right Thing, The Lazy Genius, Dear Daughters, Simple, How I Built This, The Bible Project, and Seek and Savor.
• Depending on the mood I’m in, I select one of my Spotify playlists for background music- some are for relaxation, some for worship, and some for fun. 🙂

Enjoying

• Through almost every window in my house, there is a stunning view of either emerald green hills, a mountain range, or stately oak trees. The sunrises each morning take my breath away as do the sunsets. I am fully enjoying this new space complete with deer munching on the morning dewy grass, birds flying about, and the quiet that comes with living on acreage.

Making

• In a recent newsletter, I wrote that over the last few years, I’ve been making the switch to cleaner, greener household and beauty products. My goal is to use fewer chemicals and more natural products. One of the changes I made was to stop using dryer sheets and begin using dryer balls. Then, I read an article last week about how to make homemade fabric softener. The ingredients are inexpensive, and it’s super easy to make. Well, I tried it with sheets and towels, and I’m happy to report it worked well!
• Another concoction I’m regularly making is homemade countertop cleaner. This spray is another affordable and straightforward product you can make using everyday household items. We even use it to disinfect our phones.

Planning

• By nature, I define myself as a planner. I’m a list maker through and through. Organizational skills are part of my DNA, so planning brings joy. Some of the many projects in the works are two summer weddings (yay!), double dates, dinner parties, adding on to our house, and landscaping. I’m also doing a bit of developing for some future ventures. For me, goal setting seems to go hand in hand with organizing, so I plan out personal and professional goals, too.

Buying

• A favorite purchase of mine is an inexpensive bouquet from Trader Joe’s. Typically, I buy either greens or small flower arrangements each week. I find vases of flowers so cheery, and they certainly bring color to dreary winter days.
• Before and after the move, I purged my kitchen items. I donated duplicates of any tools I had and tossed anything that looked raggedy. One thing I replaced was a set of cutting boards. I purchased these new ones and love them! They have deep grooves and don’t slide around on my counter.

Well, that’s a peek into winter around my house. How about you?

What are your favorite things for a cozy winter? What’s helping you get by? Let me know in the comments below or send me an email.

I look forward to hearing!

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