We made it to Friday and the end of the first week of the new year. January can feel like such a difficult month but we get through it each and every year, don't we? It won't be long until the sun begins rising earlier and staying out later, the air feels warmer and the ground covers with flowers in bloom. Until then, I will hunker down inside taking care of the home and making most of what winter can offer. What is it that winter can offer, you ask? Rest, peace, hope, preparation and anticipation for the busier seasons that will follow. In last Sunday's sermon our pastor said we need the evening (darkness) to appreciate the morning (light). That's so very true and we can say the same in regards to wintertime. In the past I've talked about how much I dread this time of year but now I'm learning to embrace it a little better. So, in this week's Five for Friday I'd like to add five things I will do in order to make it manageable.
1. Spend time inside cleaning/reorganizing: This seems to be an ongoing task but my house is filled with toys the kids no longer play with, papers that need filed or tossed away, parts and pieces of random things scattered all over. A pantry that can use reorganizing. A bathroom closet that can use reorganizing. So many other areas that can use reorganizing. What better time to do this than now? Spring will be for outdoor yard work but winter is fully dedicated to the inside.
2. Plan for the garden: I have a very small garden in my backyard where I've been growing tomatoes and peppers. Last year I was lazy when it came to weeding but this year I plan on making it bigger and more efficient. This would be a great time to do some research and figure out ideas on how I want to make that garden better and also learn how to do some canning for tomato sauce and also growing cucumbers to pickle. A better garden means less money spent at the grocery store.
3. Reading. So far I've only read one book and that's the one I had written about before, After Auschwitz. I'm only a mile away from the library and there's no excuse for me not to stop in to borrow some books.
4. Crafting. Something I found fun to do years ago was diamond art. It pretty much took the place of my desire to do jigsaw puzzles. Our last trip to Walmart I spotted this cute Snoopy house and I mentioned how it was cute and my husband convinced me to buy it. It's something I've been doing in the evening before bed while sitting in the living room with my family. Things like this help to relax my mind.
5. Bible study: I often feel like having too much to do keeps me away from what is most important and what should be first priority. Now is a better time than ever to be in the Word. As a family (minus my daughter because she doesn't have the app) we have been holding each other accountable for doing the Bible in the Year on the Bible app and so far we've been doing well. I do enjoy using my actual paper Bible, too. Growing closer to the Lord is what it's all about.
Are there 5 ways you can think of to stay occupied against the winter blues? No matter what you do, I hope you can find rest and peace during this time and warmth through the cold.
This sounds like some very good ways to make the most of these winter months. my friend. I agree with the idea that now is the time we should be doing this inside work. Who wants to be doing spring cleaning in the spring?!?!? I am doing much the same as you. We have been playing games together too. Do you have Netflix? If so, they now have games to play together. We love Pictionary and Boggle! You just use your phone. Keeps the kids around and helps with the doom scrolling! Have a cozy weekend.
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