I have a confession to make: I absolutely love winter. It just might be my favorite season. I know, I know, this isn’t a popular statement to make. But, it’s true.
I love watching the snow fall down from my warm nest on the couch. I love hearing the crunching sound that boots on snow-packed sidewalks make. I love curling up with a book and a cup of tea because it is just too cold to go outside.
Winter, after all, is an introvert’s paradise.
This winter has been no exception. Here are:
8 Things I Am Loving This Winter
1. Long Walks in the Crisp Air
I am trying to spend more time outdoors each day this winter. The crisp air is a wonderful energizer, and my body needs the extra Vitamin D. So, I’ve been trying to go on a good walk several times a week. Some days I listen to audiobooks or podcasts. Other days I invite my oldest son to come along for some one-on-one time. It is practically cliche, but I do find that my creativity spikes after these walks and I am able to settle in for some good writing afterward.
2. Soups from the Freezer
Over Christmas break I made several soups and put them up into the freezer. It is wonderful to have them now for a quick supper on a busy day! White bean chili, turkey noodle, and split pea are some of our current family favorites.
3. Make up Brushes
I am absolutely hopeless when it comes to make up. I know embarrassingly little about how to apply it, buy it, and wear it. A few weeks ago I bought a new eye shadow from Target. When I got home, I realized that it didn’t have the little applicator in it that my typical brand does. So, I went back a few days later and bought a $5 brush that was labeled “eye shadow brush.” And, I love it! Such a little thing, but it makes me inordinately happy and put-together to use it each morning.
4. A Cute Insulated Coffee Thermos
As part of my 2020 Goals, I am trying to reduce my waste–particularly plastic waste. So, I have committed to using only reusable coffee mugs and thermoses when I go to a coffee shop. This goal has been made much easier by this seriously cute coffee thermos that I bought on Amazon. I love the color, and it works great. Win!
5. Warm Boots
My feet are perpetually cold. And, when my feet are cold, I’m miserable. So, this year I have been wearing my heavy-duty winter boots most days–even indoors while teaching. They look cute and my feet stay warm. And, that makes me smile.
6. My Evening Ritual
This made it onto my “winter loves” list last year, too. It goes like this–each evening after dinner I clean up, use the hand-held vacuum to clean the living room/ dining room carpet, and then change the lighting. I turn off the overhead lights and turn on the lamps. I light the candles. Suddenly our house is transformed. Just the change in lighting has made a huge difference! It’s a signal to our brains that evening is here and calls us to the couch for stories, bedtime rituals, and (later) tea and reading/ working for the adults.
7. Candles Every Evening
As part of that evening ritual, I light one or two candles in the living room. I am currently loving a candle that I got when we visited our friends (a couple that we sponsored at their wedding) in West Virginia. They live right next door to a lovely monastery (the Hermitage of the Holy Cross), which makes and sells soaps and candles. I tend to gravitate toward more earthy scents, so I love the Egyptian amber.
8. Chai Lattes
I have been finding myself craving hot drinks more frequently in this cold weather, and chai lattes have been my drink of choice these past few months. A few days each week I take a nice, crisp walk to a coffee shop a few blocks away from my school. I always return to teaching refreshed from my walk and rejuvenated by the spicy sweetness of the latte.
What simple things are you loving this winter?
Winter was always your grandmother Taylor’s favorite.