I’m in Kentucky. Since I stopped working full time, winters have become much harder. I was so busy before I didn’t notice it. Now I am at home and homeschooling my kids. The winter effects me much more.
I love the idea of having something to look forward to. I don’t do hot drinks, but I love stinging my OJ out of my grandmothers fancy Christmas red champagne glass at breakfast. We only pull these dishes out at Christmas time.
Thank you for the comments on Christmas and materialism. I struggle with this so much and constantly go back and forth about whether we are doing it right. Opening presents and giving gifts are my favorite part so I just need to embrace it and not worry about it.
in case anyone didn't know where I'm writing from - I'm in Massachusetts! Winters here start at the end of November and sometimes stretch into May or June. The year we moved here, it snowed in JULY. Wish I was kidding. But mostly, it's just really long, really, cold, and really gross. We live in a big city, so lots of dirty, sloshy, snow. I'll be vicariously living through those of you with prettier views!
Today is my birthday, and your words feel like the warmest hug on a special day ♥️😊♥️ NY winters are cold and snowy to say the least, and we've already had 3 straight days of flurries before December even started. "Wintering" as an action and feeling FEELS so much better than the cold hard word "winter". Everything about Christmas and anticipation and traditions touch upon questions I've been wrestling with for our family. We have one child, and up until recently, she was the only grandchild/niece/little cousin on both sides of the family which meant one big thing at Christmas-- a whole lotta stuff. Your words bring a bit of perspective (and calmness if I'm honest) my brain was missing. Looking forward to this wintering season 😊 - Rebecca
Happy Birthday!! I'm so glad to hear this brings you a little calm. Sounds like your little girl is so loved!! Can't go wrong with that! When my kids used to get a lot of gifts at their grandparents house, we'd say that the some of the presents (ahem. the loud ones.) they open at Nonna's house are Nonna's house presents and we'd leave them there for them to play with when they visited. Lol.
Good morning! I am reading from Northern New York (which is basically Canada). Our winters are long, dark, and cold. After reading this email/post, I am freshly grateful that winter begins with Advent. Without the Christmas lights and renewed focus on joy, it would definitely be harder for me to adjust to my 5pm commute in the pitch black. But our Savior is so worth celebrating, no matter the darkness in either the sky or the world, because He is our glorious Light. What a blessing to know Him and serve Him! I am so looking forward to this wintering series. Thank you, Kristen 🖤
so true! We lived in Western New York for 5 years (Oswego and then Jamestown) and girrrrllll. NY winters are not for the faint of heart. Praying peace and endurance for you today!
Oh, Alexis, I agree about Advent, and to be honest, I just got introduced to the meaning of it just today. I came across a video from Fr. John Riccardo about Advent, and it so encouraged me. I have been a life-long believer but never understood Advent until today. So I rejoice with you about the power, grace, and joy Advent gives. Blessings to you.
Jane, would you mind sharing the link to this video? I have lived life with my head in the sand about Advent -- Thinking about dabbling in it a bit more this year :)
Sure will, it is four video's for the four candles or weeks. Here is the link to the first one, and then you can search for 2,3, and 4 on youtube. Let me know if the link worked. 😊Be blessed.https://youtu.be/t_uZ1pK5uZw
I live in Manitoba, Canada. Generally we have long, cold winters. The bonus is that we tend to have a lot of sunny days. We put in a wood stove in spring of 2029 and it was the best decision ever. It’s so cozy and warm and I just curl up and read. I tend to have to deal with seasonal depression, especially as we get into January and February as those months are very cold here.
Wow... this whole thing was like a balm to my soul. My heart feels so comforted. I am trying to take the next step in parenting my children in a way that is best for them not just societally pleasing, and your words were so affirming in that. You always make me feel so supported to really tune into the voices inside and differentiate between which ones are outside influences or internal concerns vs the actual Holy Spirit.
I am so excited to be wintering with you, to fight the SAD together! ❤️
I’m in southern Wisconsin! Winters are beautiful here, but hard. I didn’t struggle with SAD until we moved here, so it’s been an adjustment. But I’m currently sipping coffee by my twinkling fir tree, so it’s not all bad! Looking forward to more wintering inspiration!
Hey there! I’ve been living in Michigan for about 10 years now, where we’re known for having pretty long and drawn out winters. I can handle it alright as long as there is some sunshine thrown in, but that’s never a guarantee. Before Michigan, I was a missionary kid in the Czech Republic for 17 years, where the winters were absolutely miserable. We’d go months without seeing the sun. I struggled so much that my parents would let me skip school if the sun did happen to come out so that I could just soak up the rays. Sometimes they’d let me skip school and take me to Ikea to cheer me up when I was feeling particularly down. Every year I tell myself I need to just force myself to feel cozy instead of depressed, but every year I fail miserably. I look forward to wintering this time around, instead of forcing myself to just love winter. Thanks for making this a fun little adventure we can all go on together!
Your parents are gems! I visited my uncle and aunt when they were missionaries in Paraguay and they let their kids take mental health days too and I was blown away by the concept. My parents would never. lol. Missionaries are built different!
Hello! I’m in Syracuse NY and our winters are cold and long but beautiful! Especially south of the city in the hills (where I grew up). My husband and I used to snowboard but with three under three that season of our life is now on pause 😆 This is also my first winter as a SAHM so I’m really looking forward to ideas for making this a beautiful season for my whole family.
I’ll admit wintering has gotten a lot easier for me. 2 years ago we moved from Minnesota to Tennessee. I was Jersey Girl that had lived in the Midwest for 30 some years. I had become well adjusted to 30 below 0 temps and winter lasting for 6 months. The move to Tennessee has been GLORIOUS!!!! I am still in awe that I love somewhere more where I can go for walks outside year round. And, I’ll also admit that I do still chuckle seeing southerners complain about how cold it is. The move has made me realize even more how weather is all relative and trying to keep it all in perspective is so important. We are heading up to Fargo, North Dakota this weekend to visit our daughter, so I will have a nice blast of winter that will help me continue to appreciate the winter I have down here. I do love when I head north because I can wear all my heavy, warm, wool Norwegian sweaters.😁
We lived in TN for a few years and I LOVED the winter there. Except for the one year where it did know like half an inch and the whole city shut down. Enjoy your visit to North Dakota! Eat a caramel roll for me please.
I'm in Saskatchewan, Canada so predictably our winters are... long and brutal. Last year, our city laid cross country skiing tracks in almost every park and getting out and physical brought so much joy. This year, though, I'm 8 months pregnant and have horrible SPD which makes any playing outside really painful, so instead I'm trying to make my hibernation as beautiful as possible. We've got our lights up and tons of candles and I'm collecting my booklists and playing all the old carols already. I'm a bit nervous for January though, when my SAD merges with the postpartum hormones. I've been loving the reminder that Jesus is the light, and the idea of the world getting darker and darker and the light coming is so poetic. Trying to lean into that light and let it carry me through January and February which tend to be the hardest months for me.
Hello!! I am in New Hampshire..has it not felt extra cold lately?! Maybe it’s a tad warmer where you are though. I will hope so, haha. Lately I have definitely been in the mindset of “ why haven’t we moved to FL yet?!” The kids don’t get out as much which means they don’t sleep as well which means..they are crabby. We are all crabby. Starting our advent book/calendar this morning did help to shift our mindset though a little.
I LOVE that idea of searching thrift stores for a new mug! I am too sick to get out and do that but that would be so fun. I think I will check out what I can find on Etsy. 😊
Thank you for the reminder about doing what brings our family maximum joy!! I needed that. ❤️
This is so beautiful and makes me warm inside :) I’m in northern Alabama, so it’s cold (to us) with little to no snow most winters. The darkness still creeps in! I’m looking forward to the rest of this series, and I love all your encouragement about parenting.
I'm currently in Western Maryland, and it is very different from the winters of my childhood in Northern Maine. It may be warmer, but everything tends to look dead here with only the occasionally blanketing of white snow. In Maine, the snow stays from the start of winter until the end, with old buildings and long icicles creating a classic winter painting scene. That's been a difference for me, winters that are cold, but seeming to lack the beauty I became used to. We are just starting to feel more like winter than fall, and it'll feel like spring around the first week of March (typically of course).
I am a fourth grade teacher and mother of a one year old, and December is a time of joy before January hits. Winter had long been my favorite season, and I love to embrace Hygge. It is less pretty where I'm at now, but I am believing this will be a wonderful winter season filled with cuddling, warm drinks, and winter fun. Plenty of long johns and burning fireplaces. Looking forward to this email series and diving into a community as I try to revitalize my love of winter.
I just bought a new mug at Target yesterday! The Magnolia stoneware ones are my favorites and they are all $5 and under.
I’m in Florida, and I actually love the break from the heat, but the holiday season is full of sad and hard memories. I’m trying to make some magic for my family and embrace the good along with the hard. Having little things to look forward to that are new and don’t carry the weight of memories is really helpful.
Looking forward to one of those little things being an email from you in my inbox!
I always try to convince myself that I am too unique for magnolia but it gets me every time.lol. The morning sunshine mug is my go to morning mug right now!
I live in rural southwest Wisconsin and winters here are pretty (lots of farms, fields and woods) but they feel so long some years. We moved in the Spring to a farm that sits up on a hill a little and I know the cold wind is going to brutal. I'm a wuss when it comes to being cold! And definitely struggle with SAD. I have 3 Littles 5 and under and 15 weeks pregnant with our 4th. I love thrifting so I'll gladly take any thrifting homework you have for us. :) Looking forward to doing this together!
I’m in Kentucky. Since I stopped working full time, winters have become much harder. I was so busy before I didn’t notice it. Now I am at home and homeschooling my kids. The winter effects me much more.
I love the idea of having something to look forward to. I don’t do hot drinks, but I love stinging my OJ out of my grandmothers fancy Christmas red champagne glass at breakfast. We only pull these dishes out at Christmas time.
Thank you for the comments on Christmas and materialism. I struggle with this so much and constantly go back and forth about whether we are doing it right. Opening presents and giving gifts are my favorite part so I just need to embrace it and not worry about it.
a fancy red champagne glass sounds like the perfect way to drink OJ.
I hope you're able to give without stress this year!
in case anyone didn't know where I'm writing from - I'm in Massachusetts! Winters here start at the end of November and sometimes stretch into May or June. The year we moved here, it snowed in JULY. Wish I was kidding. But mostly, it's just really long, really, cold, and really gross. We live in a big city, so lots of dirty, sloshy, snow. I'll be vicariously living through those of you with prettier views!
Today is my birthday, and your words feel like the warmest hug on a special day ♥️😊♥️ NY winters are cold and snowy to say the least, and we've already had 3 straight days of flurries before December even started. "Wintering" as an action and feeling FEELS so much better than the cold hard word "winter". Everything about Christmas and anticipation and traditions touch upon questions I've been wrestling with for our family. We have one child, and up until recently, she was the only grandchild/niece/little cousin on both sides of the family which meant one big thing at Christmas-- a whole lotta stuff. Your words bring a bit of perspective (and calmness if I'm honest) my brain was missing. Looking forward to this wintering season 😊 - Rebecca
Happy Birthday!! I'm so glad to hear this brings you a little calm. Sounds like your little girl is so loved!! Can't go wrong with that! When my kids used to get a lot of gifts at their grandparents house, we'd say that the some of the presents (ahem. the loud ones.) they open at Nonna's house are Nonna's house presents and we'd leave them there for them to play with when they visited. Lol.
Happy Birthday, Rebecca. I love your name! Rebecca is my daughter's name and was my mother's name also. 🎂
Happy birthday Rebecca!!
Happy Birthday, Rebecca!
Good morning! I am reading from Northern New York (which is basically Canada). Our winters are long, dark, and cold. After reading this email/post, I am freshly grateful that winter begins with Advent. Without the Christmas lights and renewed focus on joy, it would definitely be harder for me to adjust to my 5pm commute in the pitch black. But our Savior is so worth celebrating, no matter the darkness in either the sky or the world, because He is our glorious Light. What a blessing to know Him and serve Him! I am so looking forward to this wintering series. Thank you, Kristen 🖤
so true! We lived in Western New York for 5 years (Oswego and then Jamestown) and girrrrllll. NY winters are not for the faint of heart. Praying peace and endurance for you today!
Oh, Alexis, I agree about Advent, and to be honest, I just got introduced to the meaning of it just today. I came across a video from Fr. John Riccardo about Advent, and it so encouraged me. I have been a life-long believer but never understood Advent until today. So I rejoice with you about the power, grace, and joy Advent gives. Blessings to you.
Jane, would you mind sharing the link to this video? I have lived life with my head in the sand about Advent -- Thinking about dabbling in it a bit more this year :)
Sure will, it is four video's for the four candles or weeks. Here is the link to the first one, and then you can search for 2,3, and 4 on youtube. Let me know if the link worked. 😊Be blessed.https://youtu.be/t_uZ1pK5uZw
Thanks so much, Jane! Looking at it now :) it did work!
I live in Manitoba, Canada. Generally we have long, cold winters. The bonus is that we tend to have a lot of sunny days. We put in a wood stove in spring of 2029 and it was the best decision ever. It’s so cozy and warm and I just curl up and read. I tend to have to deal with seasonal depression, especially as we get into January and February as those months are very cold here.
Wow… proofreading would be a good idea 😂. That wood stove is already in, I promise. I’m not living in the future. Should read 2020.
Hahahaha! I was about to say — you’re really a planner, eh? Lol
Wow... this whole thing was like a balm to my soul. My heart feels so comforted. I am trying to take the next step in parenting my children in a way that is best for them not just societally pleasing, and your words were so affirming in that. You always make me feel so supported to really tune into the voices inside and differentiate between which ones are outside influences or internal concerns vs the actual Holy Spirit.
I am so excited to be wintering with you, to fight the SAD together! ❤️
that is so encouraging! I’m so glad?. Excited to be wintering with you too!
I’m in southern Wisconsin! Winters are beautiful here, but hard. I didn’t struggle with SAD until we moved here, so it’s been an adjustment. But I’m currently sipping coffee by my twinkling fir tree, so it’s not all bad! Looking forward to more wintering inspiration!
so glad you're here!
Hey there! I’ve been living in Michigan for about 10 years now, where we’re known for having pretty long and drawn out winters. I can handle it alright as long as there is some sunshine thrown in, but that’s never a guarantee. Before Michigan, I was a missionary kid in the Czech Republic for 17 years, where the winters were absolutely miserable. We’d go months without seeing the sun. I struggled so much that my parents would let me skip school if the sun did happen to come out so that I could just soak up the rays. Sometimes they’d let me skip school and take me to Ikea to cheer me up when I was feeling particularly down. Every year I tell myself I need to just force myself to feel cozy instead of depressed, but every year I fail miserably. I look forward to wintering this time around, instead of forcing myself to just love winter. Thanks for making this a fun little adventure we can all go on together!
Your parents are gems! I visited my uncle and aunt when they were missionaries in Paraguay and they let their kids take mental health days too and I was blown away by the concept. My parents would never. lol. Missionaries are built different!
Hello! I’m in Syracuse NY and our winters are cold and long but beautiful! Especially south of the city in the hills (where I grew up). My husband and I used to snowboard but with three under three that season of our life is now on pause 😆 This is also my first winter as a SAHM so I’m really looking forward to ideas for making this a beautiful season for my whole family.
Just strap those kids to your back and hit the slopes! lol. JK JK
That would not be a good idea with how much I fall! 😂
I’ll admit wintering has gotten a lot easier for me. 2 years ago we moved from Minnesota to Tennessee. I was Jersey Girl that had lived in the Midwest for 30 some years. I had become well adjusted to 30 below 0 temps and winter lasting for 6 months. The move to Tennessee has been GLORIOUS!!!! I am still in awe that I love somewhere more where I can go for walks outside year round. And, I’ll also admit that I do still chuckle seeing southerners complain about how cold it is. The move has made me realize even more how weather is all relative and trying to keep it all in perspective is so important. We are heading up to Fargo, North Dakota this weekend to visit our daughter, so I will have a nice blast of winter that will help me continue to appreciate the winter I have down here. I do love when I head north because I can wear all my heavy, warm, wool Norwegian sweaters.😁
We lived in TN for a few years and I LOVED the winter there. Except for the one year where it did know like half an inch and the whole city shut down. Enjoy your visit to North Dakota! Eat a caramel roll for me please.
I'm in Saskatchewan, Canada so predictably our winters are... long and brutal. Last year, our city laid cross country skiing tracks in almost every park and getting out and physical brought so much joy. This year, though, I'm 8 months pregnant and have horrible SPD which makes any playing outside really painful, so instead I'm trying to make my hibernation as beautiful as possible. We've got our lights up and tons of candles and I'm collecting my booklists and playing all the old carols already. I'm a bit nervous for January though, when my SAD merges with the postpartum hormones. I've been loving the reminder that Jesus is the light, and the idea of the world getting darker and darker and the light coming is so poetic. Trying to lean into that light and let it carry me through January and February which tend to be the hardest months for me.
The city laying tracks down is so cool! Do you think it makes a difference when the whole town is in it together like that? Sounds so great!
January and February are the hardest months for me too. So much solidarity with you there.
Hello!! I am in New Hampshire..has it not felt extra cold lately?! Maybe it’s a tad warmer where you are though. I will hope so, haha. Lately I have definitely been in the mindset of “ why haven’t we moved to FL yet?!” The kids don’t get out as much which means they don’t sleep as well which means..they are crabby. We are all crabby. Starting our advent book/calendar this morning did help to shift our mindset though a little.
I LOVE that idea of searching thrift stores for a new mug! I am too sick to get out and do that but that would be so fun. I think I will check out what I can find on Etsy. 😊
Thank you for the reminder about doing what brings our family maximum joy!! I needed that. ❤️
Bethany, I, too, have a hard time getting out; thanks for the Etsy suggestion. I will check it out today. Blessings to you.
This is so beautiful and makes me warm inside :) I’m in northern Alabama, so it’s cold (to us) with little to no snow most winters. The darkness still creeps in! I’m looking forward to the rest of this series, and I love all your encouragement about parenting.
I'm currently in Western Maryland, and it is very different from the winters of my childhood in Northern Maine. It may be warmer, but everything tends to look dead here with only the occasionally blanketing of white snow. In Maine, the snow stays from the start of winter until the end, with old buildings and long icicles creating a classic winter painting scene. That's been a difference for me, winters that are cold, but seeming to lack the beauty I became used to. We are just starting to feel more like winter than fall, and it'll feel like spring around the first week of March (typically of course).
I am a fourth grade teacher and mother of a one year old, and December is a time of joy before January hits. Winter had long been my favorite season, and I love to embrace Hygge. It is less pretty where I'm at now, but I am believing this will be a wonderful winter season filled with cuddling, warm drinks, and winter fun. Plenty of long johns and burning fireplaces. Looking forward to this email series and diving into a community as I try to revitalize my love of winter.
I just bought a new mug at Target yesterday! The Magnolia stoneware ones are my favorites and they are all $5 and under.
I’m in Florida, and I actually love the break from the heat, but the holiday season is full of sad and hard memories. I’m trying to make some magic for my family and embrace the good along with the hard. Having little things to look forward to that are new and don’t carry the weight of memories is really helpful.
Looking forward to one of those little things being an email from you in my inbox!
I always try to convince myself that I am too unique for magnolia but it gets me every time.lol. The morning sunshine mug is my go to morning mug right now!
I live in rural southwest Wisconsin and winters here are pretty (lots of farms, fields and woods) but they feel so long some years. We moved in the Spring to a farm that sits up on a hill a little and I know the cold wind is going to brutal. I'm a wuss when it comes to being cold! And definitely struggle with SAD. I have 3 Littles 5 and under and 15 weeks pregnant with our 4th. I love thrifting so I'll gladly take any thrifting homework you have for us. :) Looking forward to doing this together!