tips: thriving in winter

"One kind word can warm three winter months."

If anything, winter has only intensified since my last post.  This past week has been crazy: sleet wars, fluffy white snow, and ice that is persistently caking our driveway. still.

One of the perks of teaching is the loveliness of snow days, and the giddy feeling you get when the day is called off.  However, faced with six days of no planning, grading, students, or errands - even the best of us can easily succomb to cabin fever.  I tried to stay up to the challenge of soaking in the simple moments (and not leaping ahead of myself).

Don't get me wrong - I am especially ready for spring now, but here are some of the things that helped me stay occupied for four days in my house.

step #1 - go thrifting (at home).  find those boxed up items that can cover up unsightly nail holes and redecorate.

step #2 - keep warm.  brew some spicy hot tea (my mother-in-law introduced me to this) and curl up with a book

step #3 - winter colors.  clean all the dishes and admire the snowy white dish collection.

step #4 - forgotten projects.  reattach the ribbon on those pretty little shoes, so they'll be ready for spring outfits

p.s. all forms of chocolate have been major spirit-lifters lately - hot cocoa, brownies, and 70% chocolate bars (all eaten way too quickly to be caught on camera).  hope you are all staying warm and cozy!