Kicking January's Butt...

Allrighty then January, stand up and take it like a man....I'm ready to give it to you with both feet...and be glad that there are so few days left in the month.  I see February on the horizon and while it's still "winter", it's a short month and somehow it seems so much more bearable than January.  Especially since we have had so little snow this year.

In keeping with Christina's desire to think about the simple things in life that bring us joy, here are a few things that I love at this time of year...

* * *

long scarves that I can wrap around my neck more than once to keep me toasty warm

being able to smell whatever perfume I've used on those scarves when I take them off or put them on

 

my green Land's End gloves gifted to me by my friend Colleen ♥

warm sweaters

finding great warm sweaters at thrift/charity shops like Value Village

the Sketchers boots I bought on sale this summer (so warm I don't even need socks!)

Jack Frost patterns on the windows

a heater that works in my car

being able to use the car  rather than having to walk on those really cold mornings

a cup of hot chocolate with crushed left over candy canes

my decaf Americano from Starbucks with a shot of gingerbread or pumpkin syrup to make me feel festive

red velvet cupcakes from Starbucks which they only have at this time of  year

 

homemade soups (like the broccoli/cauliflower one Gillian gave me the recipe for)

crock pot meals like chili or stew

French onion soup that tastes better in January than any other time of year

crusty French bread to tear into and sop up the juices for all those meals

the new high efficiency furnace we had installed last winter which works beautifully and has cut our heating costs considerably

afghans and throws to curl up under

burying my nose in book after book after book

this January it has been John Sandford and Georgette Heyer, as many as possible

watching my son play hockey

 

photo from last season's team - my son in the middle after scoring a goal

having a beer or a glass of wine in the bar before or after one of his games with other parents

swimming in the pool at the gym and then sitting in the hot tub afterwards and pretending I'm somewhere south

this January being grateful for a roof over my head, food on my table, heat in the vents and ground beneath my feet that is solid and firm

and being able to donate what I can where it is needed, when it is needed to those who need it most.

***

It's a little harder to think of things that bring me joy at this time of year.  Perhaps it's because I'm taking things slower, being quiet and conserving energy and warmth.  Those simple things are there and I feel lighter in my heart for having searched them out.  Gratitude goes to Christina for suggesting we do this.