Our beloved Minnesota is finally looking more like winter, thanks to the blizzard that blew in, January 22nd! I love this time of year. I didn't used to, but now, I do. Let me tell you what has changed, and why...
I struggle with Seasonal Affective Disorder or SAD. It sounds kinda silly, but its a real thing for a lot of people who live in the Northern Hemisphere. We get cranky, sluggish and lack energy...the absence of strong sunlight, and depleting vitamin D stores, puts forth a desire to hibernate. If we have endless cloudy days, we start to feel the effects, pretty intensely! Thanks to light therapy, exercise and supplements, it is manageable for me.
Some other things I do is embrace the season for what it is: a time to slow down, reflect on life's blessings, and notice the beauty of winter. The Danish call it 'Hygge', pronounced (Hue-guh). Basically, it means enjoying the moments that bring light into what is normally a darker time, seasonally. I leave the strands of white lights up, after holiday time, burn candles, feed my corn stove regularly(LOL). I make coffee, get together with friends, go skating and skiing, donning full winter gear. And when alone, I enjoy the stillness...all good things. And all of it points me to my Creator God, who I am forever grateful to.
The Winter Landscape has much to offer, which is why I shy away from pruning my shrubs and dormant perennials, until Spring. The form, color and textures come alive in a way that isn't revealed when leaves and flowers abound. The snow adds a backdrop, reflecting the sunlight upward, capturing our attention even further. The setting sun, blazing against Birch bark...red jewel-like berries on the Crab trees...watching the birds feast. We've seen lots of backyard birds, feasting on our Peanut Butter Pine Cone feeders, and homemade Bacon Suet Cakes. They love the Black-Oiled Sunflower and Wild Bird Seed Mix. Its also an opportunity to teach good stewardship to our kids--an awareness of the wildlife we share the land with.
I love the creative energy of winter and how it is different: instead of planting in the ground, I am designing unique evergreen pot displays and one-of-a-kind wreaths that are above this frozen tundra. Never the same, from year to year, depending on what ornaments and accents I find, in my travels. It is a joy to see how the elements come together!
Our family loves winter for the slower pace and more normal schedule. We live on a farm which can feel much busier when the ground isn't frozen. Seeing the snow and ice reminds us that we can stay inside, or go outside simply to play...and not always work...just yet! Our 3 kitties hang out in the heated garage, which means we can play with them more frequently. I'm sure they're dreaming of hunting mice and other small critters. But for now, they feel more like house cats, which our kids love.
Enjoy this season. It won't last forever. Pretty soon, we'll be starting our garden seeds and planning for Spring. Until then, I hope you have a restful, healthy Winter season with many mugs of coffee or other hot drinks. Enjoy!
