I Am Thankful For:
Spring-like February days
A letter from a dear friend
My husband's new truck
Starting seeds in my little greenhouse
My grandson's birthday
Grocery run with my husband
Cozy socks
A friendly wager with my cousin
Waking up to a dusting of snow
Cute earrings
A bowl of Greek yogurt with berries
Books that make me want to learn more
A good check-up for my dog
I Am Thankful For:
My hair
Car rides with my husband
A beautiful bouquet of roses
A valentine from my grandson
My grandson's laugh
Brownie sundaes
French toast
Morning meditation
Sunny days
Learning something new
Immediately feeling connected to a book
Playing with my dogs
A productive day
My order finally shipped
I Am Thankful For:
Spending time with my daughter
My morning tea
When my grandson hears my voice on the phone and yells "Oma!"
Pulled pork
Hearing a song I used to love and had almost forgot about
Pancakes
Super Bowl Sunday
A weekend without snow or ice
Book Club day
A warm bowl of oatmeal
When the library is busy
Warm February days
Fresh blackberries
Pretty pastel sunsets
I Am Thankful For:
Having everything prepared for the next storm
The snow holding off long enough that I could go to my weekly craft group
My library hold became available just before the storm
A cozy snow day
Homemade chili
The power stayed on again
The snowy landscape
A warm house on a cold night
When the temperatures finally reached above freezing
Feeling pretty
Planning for spring planting
Finally getting out of the house
Celebrating my grandson's birthday
February doesn’t always get much love. It’s short, usually pretty cold (at least where I live), and by this point most of us are a little tired of winter. But honestly? It can be a really good month—especially in midlife.
This is the perfect month for saying yes to the small joys. Whether you’re in the mood for something cozy, something creative, or something that gets you out of the house just enough to feel refreshed - you can find that in February. Consider this list a collection of gentle ideas. Nothing overwhelming or requiring a lot of elaborate planning. Just inspiration to help you enjoy this month in a way that feels right for you
Get Out of the House
1) Take a winter walk through a nearby park, botanical garden, nature preserve, or your own neighborhood.
2) Visit a local restaurant or coffee shop. .
3) Visit a museum or art gallery
Celebrate Valentine’s Day
4) Schedule a romantic date night with your partner in honor of Valentine’s Day. It doesn't have to be fancy, do takeout at home or make a meal together.
5) Plan a Galentine’s dinner or party with your bestie(s)
6) Have a self love day. (Get your head out of the gutter!) Turn off your notifications. Pour your favorite warm beverage, snuggle under a blanket and read a book or binge your favorite series. Treat yourself to your favorite meal or snack. Have a nice bath. Go to bed early. Treat yourself like the goddess you are!
Observe Black History Month
7) Visit a local African-American history museum, exhibit, or landmark
8) Shop at a black-owned business
9) Read a book by a black author
Hibernate at Home
10) At home movie night
11) Take up a hobby, or dedicate time to an existing one - reading, knitting or crochet, drawing or painting, puzzles are perfect for cold February evenings.
Enjoy A Lesser-Known February "Holiday"
12) Make something with Nutella (National Nutella day is Feb 5)
13) Make a homemade pizza (February 9 is National Pizza Day)
14) Treat yourself (or someone else) to some donuts on Pączki Day ( Tlusty Czwartek February 12)
15) Make a big pot of homemade chili (National Chili Day is February 27)
You don’t need to do all the things on this list. Pick what sounds fun, skip what doesn’t, and let the rest go. This month has a way of rewarding small efforts and gentle intentions, so however you choose to spend it, trust that it counts.
I Am Thankful For:
Joining a new craft group
Clean laundry
A couple of mild days before the winter storm
Homemade potato soup
British panel shows
A warm home
The power stayed on
A gorgeous sunset at the end of the storm
A sunny, but frigid day
Sunshine making the ice covered grass sparkle
The "drip drip drip" of melting ice
A little bit of a warm-up
Getting out of the house for a little while
How is everyone affected by the weekend storm managing? I have seen some pictures involving crazy amounts of snow!
We didn't have any snow accumulation here. It was an all ice event for us.
Fortunately, our power remained in the entire time. We had several flickers throughout the day. A few that had us convinced that the electricity was going out at any moment.
There are lots and lots of people in the area who weren't so fortunate. I'm hoping they have a source for heat or have electricity restored before tonight when it is supposed to get even more dangerously cold.
Today is windy and bitter cold. Keeping our fingers crossed that the wind doesn't start bringing down trees weakened by the layers of ice.
Stay safe and warm out there! And be sure to check on family and neighbors who are elderly or otherwise vulnerable to the cold.
