Monthly Musings: How to Survive the Winter Months

 I'm linking up with Patty and Holly again this month for February's Monthly Musings. I'll have to be honest though, we don't have a rough winter here in Louisiana compared to some people! I feel like my answers are really short and basic this month, but here they are anyway.

1. WHAT DO YOU DO IN THE WINTER THAT BRINGS YOU JOY?

I love curling up under a blanket with a good book or a good TV series on! I also love that I get to wear sweaters and jackets - most of the year it's too hot for those. I've been reading the Annie's Attic mystery book series and enjoying it. 

2. HOW DO YOU STAY WARM AND COZY?

I wear socks in the house when I normally go barefoot. I like to make soups and chili and bake warm cookies and brownies. Wearing sweaters and cardigans is also cozy!

Zeke looks adorable in his Carhartt beanie.

3. WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS WINTER?

Our winter is almost over. In fact, we've had plenty of days in the upper 70s where I live! I am looking forward to winter officially ending and spring beginning - especially when we "spring forward" and get another hour of daylight!

Typical day in February - no jacket!

4. FAVORITE WINTERTIME ACTIVITIES?

We don't get much snow, so we don't have the opportunity for sledding, skating, or skiing. My wintertime activities include watching the birds and squirrels in the yard and cleaning up flowerbeds for spring planting! Not your traditional winter activities, but when you live in Deep South then that's what it consists of. 

I also feel like I do more decluttering in the winter, probably because I'm cooped up more than in the warmer, drier months. I also tend to do more redecorating and rearranging!

- We rearranged the boys' room to give them more floor space -

5. FAVORITE MONTHS OF WINTER?

I love December for Christmas. It's such a festive and jolly month, with decorations and lights and music wherever you go! It's also a busy month, preparing for Christmas activities like the church play, wrapping presents, and planning menus. January is usually cold and muddy, and February is a mix of icy weather and sunny days for us. 

- Hanging of the Greens at church -

6. FAVORITE DISHES TO MAKE IN WINTER?

I haven't made this one yet, but last week at church we ate Stuffed Bell Pepper soup, and it was delicious. I do plan to make it for Rod soon since he missed out on it. 

I also love to make chili, and my recipe is so simple and delicious:

Brown your meat. Add in two packages of McCormick mild chili seasoning, a can of mild chili beans, a can of diced tomatoes, and a huge jar of Ragu spaghetti sauce in your favorite flavor! Simmer and serve with Fritos and cheese or crackers. 

7. GAS OR WOOD-BURNING FIREPLACE?

We have a wood-burning fireplace! It's so cozy in the winter, but it's also so messy to have a fire going! I'm constantly sweeping up debris from the firewood and cleaning the ashes. It's worth it, though, to have the extra heat source.

- The stockings were hung... - 

- Zeke loves to sit by the fire -

8. FAVORITE WINTER HOT BEVERAGE?

The only hot beverage I enjoy is hot chocolate, with big marshmallows!

9. FAVORITE WINTER MOVIES?

I love the Santa Clause trilogy as well as the Home Alone movies. I am also willing to watch any Lifetime or Hallmark Christmas movie in the winter! I watched a cute movie on Pureflix called The Spruces and The Pines.

10. HOW DO YOU STAY HEALTHY IN THE WINTER?

I take Vitamin C in the winter and try to drink more water to stay healthy. I think we eat more comfort-foods in the winter, especially baked goodies, which isn't too healthy. Getting outside even in the colder weather seems to help as well. I do wind up with bronchitis a few times each winter though.

What about you? Which question did you enjoy reading my answer to the most? 

Here is the monthly topic list for the rest of the year if you want to join in!

Monthly Musings - Winter Self-Care

I'm linking up with Patty and Holly for the first Monthly Musings of 2024, and today we're discussing Winter Self-Care. Here are the questions with my answers.

1.) How do you take care of yourself in winter?

Winters in Louisiana are mostly mild, although we’ve had some really cold temps and snow/ice this past week. I mainly take care of myself by dressing for the weather and putting away my Birkenstock sandals for a few months. I try to take extra vitamin C to stay healthy since I tend to get bronchitis several times each fall and winter. I also try to keep my skin moisturized since I tend to get dry skin the winter.

2.) How do you fight the winter blues?

It’s easy to get blue when it’s cloudy, cold, and rainy most of the winter. I try to read more and watch more television shows when I can’t spend much time outdoors. I do try to get outside every day because that helps my mood so much! Having a one-year-old this year, I haven’t been getting outside like I need to. It’s so cold and windy, and her little face gets so chapped and dry, so I keep her inside when I can. Sometimes I just have to get out of the house and go to Sonic and grab a sweet tea or run to the library with the kids. Reading the Bible, listening to music, playing card or board games, and redecorating or organizing also keep my spirits up. I usually do more online shopping in the winter - I find having a package on the way gives me a little anticipation of looking forward to something. That may not be practical, but hey - it's the truth for me.

- I went to the deer stand with Rod one cold evening -

3.) Tips to make your living space cozy?

I burn lots of candles in the winter, especially apple pie or cinnamon scented ones. I like to keep lamps on to keep a cozy feel, and there’s usually a blanket or two lying around that someone discarded. I also like to have fresh baked goods at least weekly if not more. A plate of warm cookies or brownies for the kids and their friends is always cozy! 

4.) Suggestions for fun wintertime activities?

We don’t get much snow and ice, so we don’t do traditional wintertime activities like sledding or building snowmen. We just do our normal outdoor activities year-round! 

Indoors - we do like to do more crafts and play more board games. I also like to bake more as I mentioned above, and I tend to watch more TV in winter compared to hardly any in the spring and summer. 

- Sugar cookie cream cheese bars -

5.) What are your exercise routines in winter?

I don’t really have an exercise routine, although I need to start! I do a lot more stretching in winter because my muscles tend to be stiffer. I also like aerobics, and I have done so many over the years that I can keep pretty steady free-style aerobics going on in my living room! I have been wanting to do more upper body strength training, so maybe I’ll start that soon. 

6.) Best tips for restful sleep?

Ha! Don’t co-sleep with your toddler! Just kidding - I do love co-sleeping, and it does help me to get better sleep when I have babies. I try to get to sleep early each night, and I wake up between 5-6 in the morning. Keeping a sound machine beside my bed helps me to sleep more soundly! I also like to sleep cold.

- We are trying to transition her into her toddler bed -

7.) Favorite warm beverages?

The only warm beverage I drink is hot chocolate. I love to add mini marshmallows! 

8.) Best winter skincare tips? 

I use Dove moisturizer on my face beneath my makeup. I also use make up remover wipes that are moisturizing. I like Jergens Ultra Healing lotion. If my skin gets super dry and chapped, I use Aquaphor for babies, but it works wonders! It's also great for chapped lips!

9.) Flannel sheets - yes or no?

No- regular cotton! I've never used flannel sheets, but I have a feeling they'd be too hot for me.

10.) Favorite winter pajamas?

I have a few pair of Blue Mountain from Tractor Supply that are really cozy. They're also on sale for less than $10 right now! I also love my satin pajamas that Rod got me for Christmas. They’re the Amanda Blu brand. The older I get, the more I enjoy wearing matching pajama sets instead of sweats or shorts and old t-shirts.

If you want to join in, here is the list of monthly topics for the entire year!