EMBRACING THE BEAUTY OF WONDERFUL WINTER

Well, Christmas is over and winter is here.  So now what are we all supposed to do?  Do you ever feel like that, this time of year?  I mean, we all love Christmas with the celebration of Christ’s birth and the peace and giving too.  Hey, “Joy to the world and let heaven and nature sing!”  But in January, what’s next?  I say let’s start by embracing the beauty of wonderful winter!

Ah, now that the holiday bustle is done many of us are very glad it’s over but often sad the decor comes down and things look bare.

Mainly because I think things finally settle and a slower pace ensues which can be so nice! Oh but the lights are gone and so are the pretty colors too.  That’s when it’s time for a little resting and nesting.  It’s also great to really enjoy this wonderful winter season with all that nature has to offer!

I find that so often we live our lives in a rush.  It’s always hurry up and get to the next thing in life.  Setting goals and work, work, work, to achieve them is how we exist.  And the faster you go and the harder you work will get you to where you’re going and even quicker.

Stop, wait a dog gone minute!  What are we doing? Whew!  Sometimes I feel this world entices us to jump on this hamster wheel and go, go, go!  Can’t we just slow down and enjoy the present time we’re experiencing instead of spinning on to the next best thing?

BRINGING WONDERFUL WINTER INSIDE

I’m not saying that goals and hard work aren’t a good thing.  They’re a great thing!  But if we don’t enjoy the fruits of our labor, sort of celebrate the harvest, then what’s the point?  Taking time to celebrate and even reflect upon the moment of life you’re in can be such a good, even necessary thing to do.

So now that winter has begun and Christmas is over, I’m trying to really reflect that it’s still the Christmas season of a beautiful wintry wonderland!  And I am not ready to wait, wait, wait  in hopeful anticipation for spring to be here.  I know it sounds strange to not begrudge the cold and barrenness of the land out there during these dark and cold days.

But I am not going to give in to being sad that all the hoopla is over with the passing of Christmas day and plan and scheme for the sunny days of the light and bright springing into life during March, April, and May.

We just got here for crying in the night.  Winter has only begun, uh, just around two weeks ago.  So I think I’m going to sit back and enjoy it.  I’m going to cozy on in and nest and rest in the warmth of our home.

WINTRY WALKS FOR INSPIRATION

I might take some cold wintry walks outside though and marvel at how the seasons change the earth and land.  Collecting along the way the cast offs scattered on the ground of pine cones and greens that the earth has shed.

Lower Yosemite Fall Trail 

Bringing them all inside to adorn our home with what’s reflected outside in nature sounds good to me.  While I may be lovingly putting our cherished Christmas ornaments away on the tree, the evergreen boughs and garlands will stay out.  Truly it is an easier transition from Christmas to winter if you decorate for the holidays with your winter decor that can stay up all season long except for maybe the Christmas tree and nativity scene.

Well, if you are contemplating taking all of Christmas down today and you’ve got many, many things up, who cares?  Just put on a wonderful wintry movie, maybe even a Christmas one that you’ll enjoy for the last time until next year, and get at it.

Then after that, you can look forward to a nice walk while you forage for some fun things from nature to bring in.  I have to say that the temperature outside right now is 45 degrees here as I write.  So bundling up for a cold, brisk outing to gather up some fun finds sounds so refreshing and energizing too.

A walk in Yosemite National Park

Adding some greenery, wood branches, and highlighting the whites of winter will be a cozy way to experience and enjoy the rest of this season while embracing the beauty of wonderful winter!

COZY PILLOWS CREATE THE WONDERFUL WINTER MOOD

I will also take my red and plaid throw pillow covers down along with the Christmas tree though.  Replacing them with green and white plaids will show the richness of the evergreen wintry look.  I guess it all has a cabin in the snow retreat feel and I’m very happy with that.

Now to light up the place with real and faux candles, candles, everywhere.  It is grey and dark out so the many lights inside give off a warm and cozy glow.

I also love the scents of this season like vanilla, cloves, nutmeg, and cinnamon.  I have a great blend of these in essential oils that I like to diffuse through out our home.  It’s lovely to smell and encourages the calm and peacefulness that I’m so enjoying right now as we hunker in for the winter.

Together everything still has a less is more quality to it and seems to express all is calm and all is bright.  And that’s good enough for me to go through and even enjoy this wonderful winter wonderland season!

I hope you found a little seasonal inspiration and encouragement of the beauty that can be found in these cold wintry days and nights.  May you experience the beauty and richness of God’s blessings in this New Year!

XO Jerri

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