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!!!