My favorite book in the Little House series is The Long Winter. I love the determined and resilient spirit, as well as the resourcefulness they demonstrate throughout the story. It’s also, for me, the most realistic book in the series. Reading this one, it’s as if she forgot to make everything polished and shiny and idealistic. It showed some of the realness of their life as settlers, and I connected with that.
Living on the East Coast, this winter has certainly given me a new appreciation for everything Laura and her family went through during that long winter. Because this one feels just like that. I swear, it’s been winter since October and if I never see snow again, that’s really fine with me. I’m tired of being cold, I’m tired of wearing 97 layers when I go outside, I’m tired of gray, drab, and dreary everything, and I’m seriously tired of not knowing whether my child has to go to school or not. I would also like to be able to open my windows to air out all the sick germs that have taken up residence in my house because really, enough is enough with this sickness bullshit. Also, it’s March. Let’s move on already.
Now that that’s off my chest, I can say that I’m officially protesting winter from here on out. Well, protesting it as much as I can. I won’t put on flip flops because I enjoy having all my toes and really, who has time for frostbite. But that doesn’t mean I can’t start bringing a little bit of spring into my life even though it’s about 20 degrees outside. Here’s how I’m doing it:
- Planning my garden. From what I understand, it’s best to start some of your plants inside so I’m doing that. My family and I sat down, drafted what we’re planting, and we’ve started getting to work. We’ve been working on the compost pile all winter and now it’s time to put it into action.
- Following spring training. Baseball starting up again is to spring what Memorial Day is to summer–the unofficial start. Knowing that it’s there makes everthing feel more spring-like. And getting the score updates on my phone reminds me that spring is just around the corner. (Note: this probably won’t work for you if you don’t like baseball.)
- Getting rid of winter smells. That means putting away winter scented candles and bringing out the spring scented ones. Just having the different smells in the house makes a difference.
- Putting away the winter decor. See you later, snowmen and winter colors. I don’t want to look at you anymore. I’m bringing out the spring colored placemats, napkins, flowers, and all the other springtime decorations. It might be cold outside but it looks like spring in my house.
- Changing my nail polish. I typically wear seasonally colored nail polish. However, if I look at another dark brown or red, I might scream. Instead, I’m using my springy, pastely colors on my hands. Just changing the look is an instant mood lifter.
- Creating spring menus. I love a hearty soup or a casserole as much as the next person. But adding a salad or something from the grill to my weekly menu makes it feel a little less…heavy and a lot more springy.
- Analyzing winter and spring wardrobes. Working from home, I wear approximately 9 items of clothing every week. At this point, I’m getting ready to put the rest of my winter clothes away and start focusing on the spring ones. Putting away the bulky, warm clothes is a relief and makes it feel like winter is almost gone.
- Looking at outdoor activities. Many places near my home are starting to put out their spring schedules. This means outdoor activities, day trips to the beach, and afternoons at the park. Starting to factor those into our weekends is taking one step towards getting rid of our severe cabin fever.
- Making spring crafts. It’s fine to paint winter scenes and bake cookies for Santa. But I’m so over that. Instead, I’m starting to do spring crafts with my daughter like popsicle stick bird feeders and writing stories about going to the beach. Total mindset shift and it works to alleviate the misery of winter.
I can’t say that this winter has been completely terrible. My outdoor cat has learned to come inside, we figured out just how bad our gas and electric bills will be in our new house, and we became way more creative with our time indoors. And this is the first time in years I didn’t put on winter weight. HUGE victory there.
Those small wins aside, I’m ready for spring. Because winter can suck it.
Jenniemarie @ Another Housewife says
I am hanging on to our current weather for as long as possible. We are on opposite ends of seasonal hibernation. All to soon we will be stuck inside because it will be too hot to go outside! Then I will use these steps to plan for Fall ๐
I do love that you included baseball. We have our traditional AZ Diamondback Home Opener tickets purchased! However, I find it shameful that I live in Spring Training heaven and have not been to a game yet. Hoping to go during Spring Break. We have MLB Network, of course, so we get to see the games on TV.
Jenniemarie @ Another Housewife recently posted…The Word of the Year is Perspective
Jana says
Honestly, I’d rather live somewhere that’s too hot. I find it easier to cool down than to warm up. Plus, swimming ๐
Sarah @ Beauty School Dropout says
These are great suggestions. Sadly, the grill will have to wait until the snow melts, but I do believe I’m ready for some springy candles and nail polish!
Sarah @ Beauty School Dropout recently posted…March Goals, and February Goals in review
Jana says
My husband doesn’t seem to comprehend that 10 degrees is not appropriate grilling weather. Although our grill is currently broken so that will have to wait a bit.
Kara says
Oh funny. Great minds think alike.
~ I don’t polish my fingernails (it never lasts) but I always polish my toes and just this week I decided enough of winter colors and switched to a bright springy pink.
~ I set myself a challenge to eat salads of some kind every day this week, both to get more veggies into my diet and because I don’t care how cold it is out, I’m sick of squash! I need greens and crunchy things!
~ And finally, I started planning the redo of my front garden beds just today. I spent about an hour searching for various plants online and making plans.
Yeah, I’m ready for winter to be over and mine hasn’t even been as bad as some people have had it!!
Kara recently posted…Meal Planning Monday – 2014 Week 10
Jana says
I’m with you on the crunchy things. I cannot wait for the return of summer fruits, either. Winter ones just don’t have the same appeal.
Madeleine Giorgio says
Oh I love spring. The perfect season for gardening.
SMD @ Life According to Steph says
I am heading out to buy a new springy nail polish today!
Jana says
I’m going this weekend. I can’t wait!
Jennifer @Making Our Life Matter says
We are supposed to have baseball field clean up next Saturday. I really hope that the weather decides to cooperate. Best thing I invested in? A sunlight lamp! Best $40 I ever spent!
Jana says
I never even thought to do that! What a great idea!
The sunlight lamp, not the baseball field clean up ๐