Around this time of year, I start hearing “I’ve had enough of winter! or I’m ready for spring!” At first, I’m always confused. It really hasn’t been such a bad winter, the cold weather and snow has just really started. But, then I remember that we do most of our traveling between November through March, and, for the most part, to warmer climates. We are not usually gone for the entire winter, but rather a week or so each month during the winter. This conveniently reduces the amount of time we are in the frigid north. Before I met my husband, my travel pattern was by design. Since my 20s, I realize traveling in the winter made winter bearable and much shorter. Besides, I’ve always lived in wonderful places with lots of things to do, so there was never much need to travel during warmer months. Then I fell in love with a farmer who has a lot more time to travel in the winter than in the fairer months. A match made in heaven.
Besides cold weather, winter brings more darkness than light. We are fortunate to have a home that aids in this challenge. We live in an old farmhouse with large picture windows and lots of smaller windows in each room. Most of the walls throughout the house are painted with an off white, which adds to the cheerfulness of the rooms. It is so bright in the house most of the time that I feel apart of nature while sitting all cozy next to our wood stove Although I love to hike and snowshoe in the winter, the house allows me to forget that I’m indoors. Some days, I find little desire to venture outside as my room is filled with sunshine where I can watch all the critters take care of their business.
Complain about winter? Not me. I have created the perfect balance that will get me through the cold grey months of wintry weather. I simply leave and go where it is warm and sunny from time to time and return to a home that allows the sun to shine in all the rooms. Okay, not everyone can travel during the grey days of winter, but adding light and brightness to your home may be possible. What do you do to make winters bearable? Please share and I will continue to share.
A typical grey winter day in our home