One crockpot full of ham, beans and rice instead of the fancy pasta dish I was going to make and a cup of coffee with icecream instead of milk or creamer in it later and I can not fail to appreciate having a back up plan for lifes imperfections. I still have not cleared either porch, but there is a path and that is not perfect but it is beautiful.
I pride myself on doing my best at whatever I am doing, whether it is cleaning up after customers at work or learning a new programming language but now I am practicing savoring where I am. This does not mean never wanting more or letting bigger goals and dreams slide away, but being fully present and paying attention to where I am now. At this moment, it means savoring the winter weather and the results thereof while I work on working towards other opportunities.
So, in the spirit of the unusual amount of frozen precipitation Virginia has received this winter, I am offering thoughts on savoring the weather.
Savor the beauty! Snowy scenes are undeniably beautiful and I have taken to looking out each window as I move from one room to another in my house and made some attempts at documenting the beauty photographically with my phone. If it is safe to do so where you live, take a walk and enjoy the pristine shimmer of the snow before it melts away or is disturbed.
Build a snowman! Now, wait if the snow is all fluffy and slick to do this, you want sticky snow.
Build a fire! Preferably in a fireplace, but we had a little fire outside recently as well. A fire in your fireplace or woodstove will keep you toasty and be a good excuse to not go out into the chill or make returning from the chill satisfying.
This is a great time to catch up on a hobby. At least, any hobbies that don't require a warm outdoors to do properly. (Sorry kids, but until it warms up, we will not be spray painting that birdhouse!) Knitting, crocheting, beadwork, etc. are all easily doable while holed up
You can work on a hobby such as knitting or another craft project while listening to music. A warm blanket and a cup of hot chocolate can help you savor winter while being warm and cozy indoors.
Popping popcorn and watching videos is another great way to spend a winter evening or afternoon when it's too cold to spend much time outside. You can also savor winter family times by playing board games. Winter is also a great time to make gifts for the holidays in your spare time if you start early in the season.
Engaging in fun outdoor activities is a great way to savor winter while getting fresh air and exercise. Whether you go ice skating with a friend, have a family snowball fight or just take a walk by yourself to smell fresh pine trees and feel the crunch of snow under your feet, it can be refreshing to enjoy the winter weather. Don't forget to dress for the weather with gloves, a hat and warm clothing.
You can also savor the giving holiday spirit of winter by shoveling an elderly neighbor's driveway and/or baking some extra muffins or cookies. You can savor winter's comfort foods by enjoying warming soups, stews and mashed potatoes. A bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon is a healthy and delicious way to start a winter morning and if you fill a slow cooker with food in the morning, you can come home to a hot meal after work or school.
Savor the beauty! Snowy scenes are undeniably beautiful and I have taken to looking out each window as I move from one room to another in my house and made some attempts at documenting the beauty photographically with my phone. If it is safe to do so where you live, take a walk and enjoy the pristine shimmer of the snow before it melts away or is disturbed.
Build a snowman! Now, wait if the snow is all fluffy and slick to do this, you want sticky snow.
Build a fire! Preferably in a fireplace, but we had a little fire outside recently as well. A fire in your fireplace or woodstove will keep you toasty and be a good excuse to not go out into the chill or make returning from the chill satisfying.
This is a great time to catch up on a hobby. At least, any hobbies that don't require a warm outdoors to do properly. (Sorry kids, but until it warms up, we will not be spray painting that birdhouse!) Knitting, crocheting, beadwork, etc. are all easily doable while holed up
Popping popcorn and watching videos is another great way to spend a winter evening or afternoon when it's too cold to spend much time outside. You can also savor winter family times by playing board games. Winter is also a great time to make gifts for the holidays in your spare time if you start early in the season.
Engaging in fun outdoor activities is a great way to savor winter while getting fresh air and exercise. Whether you go ice skating with a friend, have a family snowball fight or just take a walk by yourself to smell fresh pine trees and feel the crunch of snow under your feet, it can be refreshing to enjoy the winter weather. Don't forget to dress for the weather with gloves, a hat and warm clothing.
You can also savor the giving holiday spirit of winter by shoveling an elderly neighbor's driveway and/or baking some extra muffins or cookies. You can savor winter's comfort foods by enjoying warming soups, stews and mashed potatoes. A bowl of oatmeal with cinnamon is a healthy and delicious way to start a winter morning and if you fill a slow cooker with food in the morning, you can come home to a hot meal after work or school.
