Hello Friends.
I know we are only 8 days into January, so is it too soon to ask how you are doing? I don't think so. You see, after the holidays and all the decorations are taken down and put away, it seems kind of gloomy. It's cold outside, getting dark too early for my liking, can't really get out much and do anything, etc. This is the time of year when we ourselves, loved ones and friends can tend to get off-set and maybe getting in a depressed state of mind.
There are ways to combat this. I am a gardener and love it when I start getting those seed catalogs in the mail. I sit down with pen and paper and already start planning my garden projects. All the wonderful things I'm going to plant and anything I need to do to get prepared for the upcoming season. I can start ordering seeds and when the timing is right, maybe start some indoors. Especially the cold weather plants like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuces, etc. This lifts my mood automatically. If you need some more inspiration check out this video. Possibly start getting ready for the garden season and purchasing tools, seeds, supplies you might need for the canning season. Sometimes prices are lower in the off-season. Once you have watched this one, keep going down the playlist for more inspiration.
I also can and preserve in the off-season. Things that we don't grow in the garden and we catch them on sale at this time, we buy in bulk, bring home and preserve them. If you need some ideas on canning supplies or you are interested in beginning to can and preserve foods, check out this video and look at some more to see if there are other videos to help you get on this journey of stocking your freezers and pantries.
Maybe use this time to start making some make ahead breakfasts to make your morning go by smoother and still get a nutritious breakfast in you and the family. School is back in session and we are just in survival mode now. I have a whole Make Ahead Breakfasts Playlist you can check out here on our YouTube channel to get some ideas on all the quick an easy things you can make.
I try to deep clean my home and get all the winter germs out as much as I can. We are always busy come spring so sometimes my spring cleaning is put off. So why not do it in the off-season when we have nothing else to do. Check out my Homemaking Playlist and see how I achieve this and things I use in my own home I keep my homemaking simple so I am able to keep up and maintain my home. I don't use a lot of expensive cleaners either. I make my own. I have a video of them on that same playlist. All home appliances I use to clean my home are also in my Amazon Store.
Maybe do some sewing, knitting, crafty projects to lift our spirits. Perfect time to work on hand made Christmas items for the upcoming season. Remember, we talked about starting early to get prepared for holidays? In case you missed that one here it is again so you can start now.
If you need some inspiration on some sewing or crafting projects, I got you covered there too. Check out my Sewing Playlist on our channel here
If you received an Instant Pot or Air Fryer for Christmas and it is still in the box because you are intimidated by it, Check out my Travel/Small Space Cooking Playlist I have all kinds of recipes and meals that I make in these two appliances for when we have to go on work trips. We do not eat out all the time when traveling. It is too expensive. So that leads me to being creative and coming up with meals to cook in these appliances and a microwave should they have one where we are staying. I was the exact same way when I first got one, but I conquered my fears and now I really rely on them for traveling.
Maybe brush up on some cooking skills and learn some new recipes. Guess what? I have a playlist for that as well on our channel. I share a lot of videos of cooking meals with some of our own canned foods and meats we have preserved in the freezer as well.
If you want to learn a new skill such as making your own homemade bread, Come with me on my Breadmaking for Beginners journey here
Romanticize your home. Light candles, burn some wax melts or essential oils. Light the fireplace if you have one. Snuggle up and have some warm tea, coffee, or hot chocolate and watch movies. Soak in a hot bubble bath and light candles to relax. Play those board games with the kids. Get out and build those snowmen, throw snow balls, sled, and have a good time.
Brush up on your reading. Bible, novels, self-help books, etc. Keep your mind occupied and moving.
Whatever you do, do not sit around and sull and get into that state of depression. If you need to get out, maybe join a gym and sign up for a membership. Take time to nurture your body. If you have a farm, and have farm animals to take care of, this is not a problem to get out and exercise. We don't have days off from them.
Please check on neighbors especially widows during this time.
Before you know it, the weather will be lifting and spring will follow. We just have to make it through this season.
I hope you find something here on the blog or our Channel that will inspire you, get you moving, learn something and make those plans.
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