Sunday, January 17, 2021

WINTER JOYS

 


Winter has now begun to settle in.  Although it doesn’t get nearly as cold here in south GA as many places, it is still a time of shortened days with a chill in the air…time for nature to go into rest…and time for those like me to nestle into the comforts of home.  I used to not like wintertime so very much, but over the years I’ve decided it has its place in my life.  Now in my “more mature” years, I am learning to embrace the thoughts of a time to slow down, a time to reflect, a time to plan for the coming spring when life will burst forth once again.

My days are lonelier now since I am retired, my grandchildren are older and friends have either moved away, died, are going through health issues or have just drifted away…as friendships often can do.  Thankfully there is email and texting so that I can still connect with my high school VALLEY GIRLS.  Thankfully my husband now works only 3 days a week.  But…still there are hours of loneliness; hours when I find myself being bored and longing for new adventures…or old adventures from my past.

I’ve decided though to try to embrace all this “me time” and find ways to celebrate it, ways to snuggle into these winter months and savor all the blessings that are mine.  Here are some things that I will utilize to bring warmth to my soul and peace to my mind…some things that will help me smile and embrace the joy of each day no matter the season.

 

Nothing says COZY WINTER to me more than this stuff.  I posted about it in SING IT, JULIE (my last post).  My sweet husband knows how much I love it and gifts some to me every Christmas.  It may not be the nectar of the gods, but it is so very delicious and just soothes my inner being.

order from Amazon


 Sipping it from a beautiful or whimsical mug makes it even sweeter.


both are Amazon products

And having this little beauty enables me to have my drink of choice much faster…the red just makes me smile (and matches other appliances in my kitchen).

Wal Mart or Amazon


 With mug in hand, now it’s time to really snuggle in with a soft throw and a good book…I just finished this one and I really enjoyed it.  Took me a short while to figure out what was going on, then I got hooked.  Now I’m on the hunt for the next good read.

ordered mine from betterworldbooks.com

If there is a lovely fire roaring in the fireplace, the moment will be even more delightful.


And on the pretty days when it’s not too cold, I’ll throw on my scarf and boots and earmuffs and take a lovely walk in the neighborhood…but there will (sadly) be no snow.


I’ll make sure our feeders are always filled and ready for our winter cardinals…they bring me so much joy and in turn I keep their tummies filled…a fair exchange I’d say.



I will pull out my old journals and photo albums and scrapbooks and reminisce…maybe even open up those boxes of memorabilia from my much younger days.  I will read and think and reflect…I will smile and also probably shed a few tears.  But remembering is good from time to time. 



Then I will open up a brand new journal…all the pages blank…and I will begin to put pen to paper with thoughts and dreams and hopes and wishes and prayers to warm my heart and soul through the cold winter while I wait for the spring to come and bring with it newness of earth and life, sun and flowers…a time to unwrap myself from my winter warmth and bask in the sunshine that spring will bring.


Wishing you a warm, cozy, and comforting winter.

What special things help you to find your winter peace?


WINTER SLEEP 

Shhhh!!!

Don’t make a peep!

In her hide-away nest, mouse is asleep.

Cozily dozing while winter winds blow

And the forest around her fills up with snow.

She’s perfectly waiting for winter to pass,

for spring to bring some nice fresh grass.

Till then, tiptoe as you go through the snow,

knowing mouse is asleep in her nest below.

Shhhh!!!




61 comments:

  1. I wished I lives somewhere that we got snow, at least once through the yr. We get flurries here. Alone time...I love it. Lonely, yes, mine started in 2015 when I retired and realized that everyone else was still working! haha...but being retired through COVID is bad. However, you know from my post that I am out and about, I do protect myself but my social time has been kicked hard! I have been drinking a lot of hot tea. Mainly ginger tea. That stuff is supposed to be good for inflammation and pain so I have been hitting it hard. Learning new ways of making it. Stay warm.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam, I do get out and about but in a small town there's little to do other than grocery shopping & trips to the $Tree (which I can't resist)! I don't think I've ever tried ginger tea, but will look for it. I've tried to develop a love of hot tea, but it's in my DNA to love only cold iced tea:) Yes, we all I imagine have had to do a lot of adjusting and learning new ways of making it:) Thanks so much for coming by to "chat". I love hearing your comments.

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    2. Hey...I drink hot ginger tea for the health benefits....at least I am trying it. haha. Like you, I am a ice tea woman. But as I have aged and I have dealt with health issues I have even turned from my fave SWEET ice tea. I now have unsweet and I squeeze oranges in it. Can't do just plain water...This winter/fall/winter type of yr has not played pretty with my body. It don't stay cold long enough for my body to adjust, then it flips to warm again....crazy.

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    8. I’m indeed very happy for the great help that Dr ehiaguna rendered to me,I was diagnosed with HSV 2 on July 7, 2018 and I have tried all possible means to get cure but all to no avail, until i saw a post in a health forum concerning herbal doctor Dr ehiaguna, who prepares herbal medicine to cure all kind of diseases/Infection including Herpes Simplex virus Type 2, at first i doubted if it was real but decided to give it a try, when i contact this herbal doctor via his email: drehiaguna@gmail.com He assured me of a cure, he prepared a herbal medicine and sent it to me via courier service, when i received this herbal medicine, he gave me instructions on how to use it, when i applied it as instructed, i was cured of this deadly virus within 14 days of usage,he told me to go for a medical check up and i went for test, I couldn't believe i was negative and the HERPES VIRUS in my body got cured, I and my family are so happy and grateful to God for using Dr ehiaguna to Liberate me. Reach Out to this great herbal doctor via his email : drehiaguna@gmail.com you can also reach him on WhatsApp +2348073908953 God bless you

      Delete
    9. God bless Dr ehiaguna for his marvelous work in my life, I was diagnosed of HERPES since last year and I was taking my medications, I wasn't satisfied i needed to get the HERPES out of my system, I searched about some possible cure for HERPES i saw a comment about Dr.ehiaguna how he cured HERPES with his herbal medicine, I contacted him and he guided me. I asked for solutions, he started the remedy for my health, he sent me the medicine, I took the medicine as prescribed by him and two week later i was cured from HERPES,thank you Dr.ehiaguna you can also email him via: drehiaguna@gmail.com or Whatsapp +2348073908953 thanks

      Delete
  2. Oh I loved reading your post today and girl..hot chocolate, hot tea and hot coffee will cure most anything to me! Love your red appliance but then I am a real RED and BLACK girl. Some say I only like those colors because it's Georgia Bulldogs colors which is my TEAM...but that's not true....I love the colors of red and black but RED sure makes things pop for me when no other color will do. I love it that you write in your journal. I need to do that more. I used to journal all the time and then it became too convenient to TYPE. I keep saying I need to print out my blog posts but never have. Mercy....I'd be printing a while now though. The weather has been a bit chilly but nice, especially with some rays of sun hitting my face. I hope that you have a wonderful week dear lady. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cindy, I have to ask...how did you become a GA Bulldog fan if you live in FL??? I think I'll comment on this on your blog in case you don't come back to read my replies:)

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  3. We have lots of snow where I live and today I shoveled out the driveway. Walked around in the newly fallen snow - I feel like 10 years old again out in the snow. :)

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    Replies
    1. I would love some snow but doubt I would love shoveling it:)

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  4. No snow here in Florida either, but it sure has felt cold enough for it this past week! It's been windy and very chilly, and we've had to bundle up to take our walks. Where did you get that mug that says "Believe"? That is my ONE Word for this year, and I would love to find one for my mugs with verses and positive sayings collection that I love to use. I may have to look that one up. I really don't need another mug, but that really struck me when I saw it because that's my word!! I love the little poem about the little mouse. I think I've seen that before as a child or read to my children. It brought back a warm fuzzy feeling, and thankfully it was just a feeling and not really a mouse! LOL. I keep meaning to write in my journal too, but my handwriting has gotten so bad and it's so much easier to type, so my pretty journals get neglected. Once in a while I take one outside with me and write from the garden bench. Thank you for this delightful wintry post. I enjoyed it so much. We girls all need each other to stay encouraged and focused on what God has for us to do! There is a purpose here that is very special. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Pam, here are 3 links for the mug:) https://www.christianartgifts.com/Mug-Butterfly-Pink-Believe $7.99

      www.christianbook.com (type Believe mug in search bar) $6.99

      Amazon (type Believe Butterfly Mug in search bar) $8.99
      It's a beautiful mug and you definitely need it if your word of the year is BELIEVE:)

      Delete
  5. This was a truly comforting post. I feel your pain and also your joys in these simple homey things, and nature. Curling up with a soft throw and a good book is about as good as it gets. I too used to dread winter but have come to look forward to it in a way. It is such a brief season here in South Carolina that, many years, if you blink you'll miss it. Last year was unusual in that we had a cool spring. THAT was delightful. But it's all good. God bless you my new friend. xoxo

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    1. Yes, here in the deep south winter is definitely short. Today was almost like an early spring day. I love wearing my sweaters, boots, and scarves...and I love not being sweltering hot!!!!

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  6. Yes, here in the deep south winter is definitely short. Today was almost like an early spring day. I love wearing my sweaters, boots, and scarves...and I love not being sweltering hot!!!!

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  7. I thought folks moved to your area to get away from winter! It snowed last night so I'll be out in the white stuff shoveling the walk and just enjoying the brisk chill..only getting up to 26de today but tomorrow will be spring like in the 30's! I retired in August but was planning on going back in January. Unfortunately, the surgery department has been slow and they aren't in need of help right now. Probably when spring comes they will call and then I won't be interested! Ha! Life is like that. I laugh when folks ask if I'm enjoying retirement. I've kept busy but with Covid I can't really do anything too fun. No travel, no photography classes I was going to take. I live in a small town so not a whole lost of things going on. Jack's health issues have kept me hopping but hopefully he'll be back to work soon. Anyway, I do a lot of reading and probably should do more of the projects I thought I would have done by now! Enjoy your hot cocoa. I have that very same red Kuerig...that I never use since I don't drink coffee and I use the microwave for hot tea and such!

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    Replies
    1. Yaya, I too live in a small town...zilch on anything to do, especially with Covid being rampant here right now. All hospitals in our area are full!!! Why would you go back if you retired???? Probably the same reason I worked 9 more years after retirement!!! Thankfully it was something I loved doing:)

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  8. Oh your plan sounds lovely, Cheri. I'm struggling with being stuck at home. It's been tough and winter here is cold and snowy, that's a deterrent upon the lockdowns. Even a walk outside is brutal. So I'm trying new hobbies, writing more and eating more. That's not a good thing, but boy, it tastes good!! Take care all snuggled up!!

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    Replies
    1. Kim, I feel your pain...I eat when I'm bored!!! And I sure have been bored!!! I would love some snow but I doubt I would love too much and being cooped up too long.

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  9. A warm and cozy post, this made me want to snuggle in with a cup of hot chocolate and a good book! A nice walk today would feel good to me, no snow here either. I stay inside WAY too much these days. Enjoy your day dear friend, HUGS!

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    1. Theresa, I do try to walk on days the weather permits. I have to get out of this house occasionally or go mad!!! Sometimes I think I'm already mad:) Hoping for brighter tomorrows!!

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  10. What a beautiful post Cheri! I've felt some of these same things since Covid last March. I love to be busy and now I have to find things to keep me busy inside the house and so far, I've managed but I'm getting real weary of it. The clubs and organizations that I belong to have all halted until "further notice" and we're not hanging out with our friends as normal. I look forward to spring and hoping we will see a whole less cases of Covid. Keep smiling!

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    Replies
    1. Lea, I hate that we are in this boat together...along with many others I'm sure. Like you, I do hope and pray that in weeks (not months) to come, we will see a great improvement. Life needs to get back to some normalcy (if ever we can).

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  34. I want to thank Dr OBUDU for the help he has rendered to me by getting Ridof my (HSV-2). I was Diagnosed in July 2018 but after the Usage of Dr OBUDU Herbal Medicine, I was cured from (HSV-2) and the virus was completely gonefrom my body. The Symptoms of the (HSV-2) Virus is completely Gone.. Soanyone who is having the virus should contact Dr OBUDU to give you theherbal medicine to cure yourself. HERPES, You can contact dr OBUDU on Whatsapp +2349023428871 or email: drobuduherbalhome@gmail.com. Also visit he’s website https://drobuduherbalhome.wixsite.com/welcometoobuduherbal He cures all this  illness,. 1 cancer cure2 diabetes cure3 ringing ear4 herpes cure5 warts cure6 HPV cure7 Hiv8 get your ex back9 pregnancy herbal medicine10 prostate enlargement11 Hepatitis B….

    ReplyDelete
  35. I want to thank Dr OBUDU for the help he has rendered to me by getting Ridof my (HSV-2). I was Diagnosed in July 2018 but after the Usage of Dr OBUDU Herbal Medicine, I was cured from (HSV-2) and the virus was completely gonefrom my body. The Symptoms of the (HSV-2) Virus is completely Gone.. Soanyone who is having the virus should contact Dr OBUDU to give you theherbal medicine to cure yourself. HERPES, You can contact dr OBUDU on Whatsapp +2349023428871 or email: drobuduherbalhome@gmail.com. Also visit he’s website https://drobuduherbalhome.wixsite.com/welcometoobuduherbal He cures all this  illness,. 1 cancer cure2 diabetes cure3 ringing ear4 herpes cure5 warts cure6 HPV cure7 Hiv8 get your ex back9 pregnancy herbal medicine10 prostate enlargement11 Hepatitis B….

    ReplyDelete
  36. Do you know that there is a great herbal doctor who can cure any deadly disease like herpes, hiv/aids, cancer, syphilis, madness, hepatitis b, STD e.t.c. well my main purpose of writing this to the whole world is about the great deeds DR ODOMA  did for me. I was diagnosed with a deadly disease called HPV in 2006, ever since then I have been taking medications on till i met a great herbal doctor. Although I never believed in Herb medicine, I saw many testimonies on how he cured so many people and I decided to contact him. so i contacted him through his email, he gave me a form to fill, i filled it and sent it back to him and then he told me that he would require some items to prepare a herbal medicine for me. i didn't know where to find the items, and he told me that the only alternative is to help me get the items and he helped me purchase the items from the items seller. i promised myself to do anything to get cured, so i sent him the money and he prepared a medicine for me and he told me how i will be taking it. He asked me to have faith and believed in him which I did, 7 days later he asked me to go for a check-up, when I did the check-up I was tested for HPV Negative. All thanks to DR ODOMA. If you are passing through suffering and hardship and you need a way out , I advise you kindly contact him via his email on    drodomasolutionhome20@gmail.com  . You can also WhatsApp +2348100649947He is a specialist in all kinds of sickness and he can bring your EX back with his great spell.

    CURES,CASTING SPELL
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    HERB FOR PREGNANCY,
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    or whatsapp +2348100649947

    ReplyDelete
  37. I am here to testify how a great man called dr_azago helped me out with herbs and roots which he prepared for me in use of curing my Herpes. I take his product ( cure ) for ( 14 ) days before I knew I was totally cured out of it, and I promised him that I will testify my healing to the whole world about how he cured me which I am very happy I am doing now, dr_azago also cure all kinds of diseases, HEPATITIS, A, B, C, CANCER, DIABETICS, and, ALL KINDS OF SPELL CAST, and so much more, please you can get him contacted on his He can also cure following virus ( 1 ). Herpes ( 2 ).Cancer ( 3 ). Hepatitis ( 4 ). Hiv / aids ( 5 ).PCOS ( 6 ).Fibroid
    Contact him on>drazagoherbalcenter@yahoo.com
    or WhatsApp him >+23490598699991

    ReplyDelete
  38. The greatest Joy in my life today is that i have been cured of Herpes by a Doctor called Dr. Edualekhide, I was infected with HERPES Disease in 2017, i went to many hospitals for cure but there was no solution, so I was thinking how can I get a solution,so that my body can be okay. Until one faithful day as I was browsing on the internet I saw a testimony on how Dr. Edualekhide has helped people in curing Herpes and other diseases, quickly I copied his WhatsApp number so i contacted him for solution for my Herpes disease, So Dr. Edualekhide told me that his going to prepare his herbal medicine for my health which he sent to me, luckily after 2week my Herpes was cured. Dr. Edualekhide is well recognized as one of the best herbalist doctors in Africa, you don't have to be sad anymore or share your tears anymore on this disease when the cure is available. The medicine has NO SIDE EFFECT,there's no special diet when taking the medicine. He also cures ALS, HIV AIDS, CANCER, HPV, DIABETES and lots more.
    For enquiries:

    E-mail: dredualekhide@gmail.com

    Website: https://dredualekhide.wixsite.com/website

    You can reach me on my Email: angelaoscar06@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  39. I’m indeed very happy for the great help that Dr ehiaguna rendered to me,I was diagnosed with HSV 2 on July 7, 2018 and I have tried all possible means to get cure but all to no avail, until i saw a post in a health forum concerning herbal doctor Dr ehiaguna, who prepares herbal medicine to cure all kind of diseases/Infection including Herpes Simplex virus Type 2, at first i doubted if it was real but decided to give it a try, when i contact this herbal doctor via his email: drehiaguna@gmail.com He assured me of a cure, he prepared a herbal medicine and sent it to me via courier service, when i received this herbal medicine, he gave me instructions on how to use it, when i applied it as instructed, i was cured of this deadly virus within 14 days of usage,he told me to go for a medical check up and i went for test, I couldn't believe i was negative and the HERPES VIRUS in my body got cured, I and my family are so happy and grateful to God for using Dr ehiaguna to Liberate me. Reach Out to this great herbal doctor via his email : drehiaguna@gmail.com you can also reach him on WhatsApp +2348073908953 God bless you

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hello Everyone out there,I am here to give my testimony about a Herbalist doctor who helped me . I was infected with HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS in 2017, i went to many hospitals for cure but there was no solution, so I was thinking how can I get a solution out so that my body can be okay. One day I was in the river side thinking where I can go to get solution. so a lady walked to me telling me why am I so sad and i open up all to her telling her my problem, she told me that she can help me out, she introduce me to a doctor who uses herbal medication to cure HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS and gave me his email, so i mail him. He told me all the things I need to do and also give me instructions to take, which I followed properly. Before I knew what is happening after two weeks the HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS that was in my body got vanished . so if you are also heart broken and also need a help, you can also email him at {drosagiesolutiontemple@gmail.com OR
    DROSAGIESOULTIONTEMPLE@YAHOO.COM}
    or whatsapp him number: +2347030465649. or website is Contact him today and you will have a testimony...Good luck!

    Dr. OSAGIE Also Cures:
    1. HIV/AIDS
    2. HERPES 1/2
    3. CANCER
    4. ALS (Lou Gehrigs disease)
    5. Hepatitis B
    6. chronic pancreatic
    7. Emphysema
    8. COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary

    ReplyDelete
  41. God bless Dr ehiaguna for his marvelous work in my life, I was diagnosed of HERPES since last year and I was taking my medications, I wasn't satisfied i needed to get the HERPES out of my system, I searched about some possible cure for HERPES i saw a comment about Dr.ehiaguna how he cured HERPES with his herbal medicine, I contacted him and he guided me. I asked for solutions, he started the remedy for my health, he sent me the medicine, I took the medicine as prescribed by him and two week later i was cured from HERPES,thank you Dr.ehiaguna you can also email him via: drehiaguna@gmail.com or Whatsapp +2348073908953 thanks

    ReplyDelete
  42. Am here to appreciate Dr Agbonhale for using his herbal medicine to cure my Herpes virus. since 3 years now I have been living with this virus and it has been giving me challenges, I was so perplexed cause i have been taking several drugs to be cured but all of my effort was in vain,one morning i was browsing through the internet then i saw several testimonies about Dr.Agbonhale curing people from Herpes virus and immediately i contacted Dr.Agbonhale on his email:dragbonhaleherbalhome@gmail.com , i told him about my troubles and he told me that i must be cured, gave me some instructions and which i rightly followed. so he prepared a herbal medicine for me and sent it to me which i used for 2 weeks and everything was like a dream to me and my Herpes virus was totally gone, why don't you contact him today and be free from your diseases because he is very good and honest Doctor. contact him via email; dragbonhaleherbalhome@gmail.com or whatsApp him on +2349073130326.    

    ReplyDelete
  43. I was having Herpes Simplex Virus then i came across a review of people saying that they got treated from Herpes Simplex Virus by Dr VOODOO., So i gave a try by contacting him through his email and explain my problem to him. He send natural medicine herbs to me and told me all the things I need to do and also give me instructions to take the medicine, which I followed properly. Before I knew what is happening after two weeks the HERPES SIMPLEX VIRUS that was in my body got vanished . so if you are also heart broken by any deadly diseases like HERPES HIV, shingles,low sperm count or bringing back your ex lover, this great man is extremely the best in which I have seen if you also need a help, you can also email him at voodoospelltemple66@gmail.com Add Dr voodoo on whatsApp +2348140120719

    ReplyDelete
  44. I've been treating herpes virus for several years with different medications until I saw a post on how a young lady got cured from herpes, Out of desperation I decided to contact him with little or no hope of a solution after taken his herbal medications reluctantly to my biggest surprise I tested negative, God bless you Dr ubarlo drubarlohome@gmail.com or Whatsapp +2348119508814 for his wonderful work

    ReplyDelete

Please stop and "chat" with me...I love hearing what you have to say!