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Welcome to midwinter! Here in Western Washington, we’re enjoying a sort of false spring with lots of sunlight, unseasonably warm days, and very few freezes.
It’s been foggy one day and then bright and sunny the next with airy, breezy sunlight dappling the dining table and driveway for much of the day.
Plus, I’ve just started to notice spring bulbs starting to emerge from the soil. The crocuses and daffodils will be here before we know it!
This is the first post in hopefully many more where I share a softer, gentler look into seasonal slow living. It’s a reflection of recipes, projects, and strategies I’m using to be present every day.
From the Kitchen
After the to-and-fro of the holidays, we’re craving simpler meals, especially pantry meals. We’re eating lots of soups and curries, making plenty of leftovers to reheat for later.
It’s really easy for us to end up eating lots of grains and starches this time of year, so we’ve been intentionally adding more vegetables or greens to every meal. It’s a fun little challenge that I’ve been quite enjoying.
That being said, we do enjoy a nice piece of homemade toast with breakfast or a warm roll for dunking into our soups.
This has been a great opportunity to break out the grain mill and dabble with more simple, everyday bakes. I’m hoping to have several new fresh milled recipes to share soon for things like whole wheat sandwich bread and biscuits.
For a sweet treat, my husband and I have also been enjoying these double chocolate chip cookie bars.
A couple of weekends ago, I made a “kitchen sink” version by adding different types of chocolate chips and marshmallows from the pantry. They were soft and chewy in all the right ways, and I loved the texture.
We’ve now made them several other times, and they do not last! Since they’re made with melted butter and make a full 9×13 pan, they’re really just right for a last-minute treat for entertaining.
Around the House
This midwinter energy has been all over the place for me. Some days, I have a ton of energy and am demolishing my to-do list and other days, I can barely get off the couch.
But as hard as it is, I’m just trying to go with it.
When your body calls for rest, try listening to it instead of resisting.
The thing I’ve found is that imperfect action creates more stamina and motion than trying to do everything all at once.
Normally, I’m all about trying to force myself into habits and routines, but this year, I’m trying to be kinder to myself.
This often looks like breaking down my goals into smaller pieces, like doing 5-10 minutes of exercising or tidying. It’s so brief that it’s very easy to complete without getting frustrated or overwhelmed, which makes it easier to come back and do it again later.
I also give myself permission to do something just once. It’s not about starting a habit streak I never, ever break. Instead, it’s a low-pressure invitation to try.
Best of all, it often leads me into wanting to do something more because I can actually feel the benefit of it instead of just guilt and pressure.
Looking Ahead
We’re moving quickly through winter and spring will really be here before you know it.
You’ll naturally notice yourself feeling more energized. You’ll want to go outside or start tidying a space.
Fall into it; let that seasonal momentum pull you into it.
If you’re not there yet, just let your body rest. It’s okay to feel like you need to hibernate right now. Trust that that feeling will shift.
And when it does, embrace it. This can be a really beautiful and special time of year if you let it!
Take care of yourself, and I’ll check in with you next month!
If you enjoy this post, please leave a comment below.
You can find more posts like this by exploring my At Home archives or join The Handmade Year on Patreon for my seasonal magazine and community with much more to explore.
