15 Ways to Make the Most of February

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.

February Flashbacks

I am so thankful that February is a short month. I am oh-so-ready to put this month behind me! I definitely don't want two or three more days of the energy that February brought. 

The most popular post on the blog for Febrary was actually the first Sunday Inspiration post of the month, followed closely behind by "A Giant Pain in the Back" where we talked some tips for dealing with back pain that often comes along in midlife. 

It was a quiet month in our house.  Especially for me. Honestly, I spent most of February lying on the couch.  Not by choice.

First, I caught a nasty head cold that knocked me off my routine for a few days.  Just as that started to clear up, I somehow hurt my back.  The back pain ranged from sore one day and annoying the next for almost two weeks and then suddenly went straight to excruciating.   

A trip to the Dr led to a diagnosis of "probable herniated disc", a prescription for prednisone and muscle relaxers and two weeks of rest to allow it to heal.  Fortunately things have greatly improved.  As I draw toward the end of the second week of rest,   it's still a little achy, but SO much better than before. I no longer spend the first few of hours of my day almost crying from the pain.  A few days ago I experienced the first shower in a couple of weeks that I wasn't miserable and rushing to get it over with. Yesterday was the first day I haven't needed to take any of the muscle relaxers.  Yay!

Because of all this, Valentine's Day was at home, quiet, and extremely low-key.  We had homemade pizzas for dinner and the Mr picked up a delicious chocolate pie for dessert.  He gave me a couple of books from my list and some chocolates. I gave him a game pin from the Ravens/Browns game we went to last month. (He collects them from each game we go to and somehow this one got lost in the process of traveling home from Baltimore, so i found a placement.)

We celebrated our youngest grandson's second birthday this month.  I had almost forgotten how fun birthdays are at that age.  He was having so much fun and was so excited about opening presents and his cake. 

I am excited to say that earlier this month I turned into my application to volunteer at the local library and received a call this week that it has been approved.  Starting next month, I'll be helping out one morning a week. This is like a dream come true for me.  I have loved the library since I was a very little girl, and I can't wait to give back to a place that has given me so much joy

And since we're speaking of books - this month I read four books and listened to one. My audio book for this month was "The Pirate's Wife" by Daphne Palmer Geanacopoulos.  The four books I read were "The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store " by James McBride, "The Boyfriend" by Freida McFadden, "Witchcraft for Wayward Girls" by Grady Hendrix, and "I Need You to Read This" by Jessa Maxwell.   

How was your February?  Any special memories from the month?

February Favorites

Even with Leap Day added into it this year, February is still the shortest month of the year.  Maybe that's why it feels like so much packed into it, even though it's really not any more or less than most other months.

February did bring some stress and struggles. What month doesn't?  But I am choosing not to focus on any negatives and instead I'm thinking about my favorite things from the past few weeks.

Valentine's Day:  We didn't have a special date night or anything this year.  I did make a nice dinner that night.  My husband brought me chocolates and a lovely bouquet of flowers.  Those flowers were still looking beautiful more than a week after Valentine's Day!  

First Birthday:  Our youngest grandson turned one this month.. His party had a cowboy theme and my daughter made the cutest little cupcakes with edible cowboy hats on top! 

Book Club:  I attended my first book club at the local library this month. The book of the month wasn't great.  But I enjoyed meeting some new people and talking about one of my favorite things.

All in all, I would say that February was a pretty good month. What were the highlights of your February?

Sunday Inspiration: How You Love Yourself

Connect

In 2024 I chose to skip my usual One Word for this year in favor of a Word of the Month. This came about after last year's experiment with doing both. I found that I liked the freshness of a new word to focus on for each month.  My word for February is "Connect".

As we all know - the big "holiday" for this month is Valentine's Day.  Which is all about love.  And to love someone, you need to make time to connect with them and build the relationship.  

In the month of February, I plan to make Connections a priority. 

Connections are important.  With spouses or partners, our family, friends and other loved ones.  We even need to make time and space to (re)connect with ourselves.

For me this will look like:

- Connecting with my husband.  

Prioritizing spending more time together.  This doesn't mean sitting side by side while we watch television or mindlessly scroll on our phones.  It means engaging in some good conversations. Maybe taking some long walks or hikes together (if the weather cooperates). Holding hands more. Kissing more.  Trying to remember to stop what I'm doing to really listen and give him my full attention when he has something to say. Making time for a date night or two - or even a date lunch during the week to give him a break during the work day.

- Connecting with family.  

Sending more texts or phone calls just to say hello and check in with my adult children, parents, sister, and cousins.

- Connecting with myself.

Spending some time in meditation and doing more journaling.  Doing some self evaluation to determine what I want to do with the next season in my life. Writing more for the blog. And participating in more activities that bring me joy.

- Connecting with others

As part of "participating in activities that bring me joy", I am looking into attending a book club at the local library as well as a knitting and crochet group. This could help me to meet some new people and connect with others that share the same hobbies.

Throughout the month I will be thinking about and looking for additional ways to make connections. 

Do you make it a priority to connect with other or yourself on a regular basis?

Hello, February 2024

After a January that went by in a complete blur - we have arrived at the month of all things love-related.  February is upon us and Valentine's Day is just a few weeks away.  (If you're not feeling the love, be sure to check out my post "Love Someone" from Valentine's past.)

At the moment, February is looking to be another quiet month.  Actually, less than January turned out to be.  

Today is Groundhog Day.  I know that many of you are hoping that the fuzzy little creature does not see its shadow, forecasting an early spring.  At my house, we have seen no measurable snowfall this year. So, I'm kind of hoping for at least one good winter storm before warm weather arrives.  

I'm not sure what - if anything - the Man of the House and I will be doing for Valentine's Day.  We usually try to have a little date night on a day other than February 14th to avoid the crowds and long waits at all the restaurants.  I usually plan a nice dinner at home for the actual day of Valentine's. 

This month our youngest grandson is going to be a whole year old!  Watching him grow and learn new things over the past year has been so much fun.  His mom is planning a cowboy-themed party, and I can't wait to celebrate his birthday with the family!

The new gutters were finally installed in January, but thanks to a delay on an order and uncooperative weather conditions - we're still waiting for the trim on the front door to be completed.  Fingers crossed that February is the month this project finally gets put to rest. 

I don't have a clear idea about my reading list for February.  I am currently reading The Housemaid by Freida McFadden, and plan to read the sequel The Housemaid's Secret next.  I have a couple of holds at the library that I'm hoping will become available this month.  If not, I'll just read whatever strikes my fancy from my incredibly long To Be Read list. 

I did well on my January goals. The home office has mostly been cleared up and is a workable craft/guest room now.  There are still a few things to take care of.  I'd like to come up with a better guest bed than the current inflatable, but that's pretty low on the list. And I need to clear out and reorganize the closet.  I purged my dresser drawers and have them all nice and organized.  I'm still working on being more consistent about getting in some sort of exercise every day.  But I am doing better than I was - even if it's just a short session on the treadmill a couple of times a week.  It's all about progress. 

My goals for February include:

• Reorganizing the closet in the craft room
• Purge and reorganize bedroom closet
• Exercise at least 3 days per week

What are your plans for February?

Sunday Inspiration: As Much As Anybody

 

Sunday Inspiration: Listen

 

Sunday Inspiration: Love

 

Sunday Inspiration: Love What You Are

 

Love

If you've read my One Word for 2023 post, you know that this year I decided that I will also have a word for each month.  (if you haven't read that post yet - go ahead and do it now. I'll be right here when you're done)

My word for February is Love.

It seems appropriate since this is the month of Valentine's day, but I'm not focusing on romance when I think about the word love. For the month of February (and beyond) love is about so much more than hearts, and cupids, and chocolates.

When I think about a life of Love, for me, it all starts with Mstthew 22:37-39.

Love God.  Love others as yourself. So, this month I will focus on:

Loving God.  Taking time each day to read Scripture and to pour out my heart to him in prayer.  To meditate on what His word says about His love for me. And what it tells me I should be doing to love others. 

Loving myself.  Showing myself appreciation..  Focusing on the beauty and strength of my body and spirit instead of perceived negatives.  Appreciating the stage of life I am in and living it to the fullest. Showing myself some kindness in the form of self-care.  And treating myself to activities and things that bring me joy.

Loving others. Making time to connect with family and friends. Telling the people I care about that I love them - with both words and actions. Expressing kindness to others.  Treating them the way I would want to be treated.

And, yes - since Valentine's day is this month, I'm sure there will be some lovey-dovey,  romantic moments with the Man of the House tossed in for good measure. And maybe some chocolates. Because- why not?

February 2023

So long, January! Don't let the door hit ya on the way out!  Whew... I am more than a little bit glad that month is over with.

January was a mixed bag - and mostly a blur.  I experienced the joy of celebrating my grandson's 11th birthday, a frustrating experience trying to switch my cell phone carrier, having to cancel a short trip to see my mom, and a whole lot of dental drama.

Let's start with the dental drama...

On the 12th, I went in for a dental implant to replace a molar, and all seemed well.  On the 21st, my pain levels suddenly increased. The dentist suspected possible infection and put me on an antibiotic.

I went in on Tuesday the 24th to have it checked.  He removed the upper part and cleaned the implant, applying antibiotic ointment to everything. From there, my pain levels kept increasing,  so on the 26th, I was back at his office.  

That time, when he went to remove the upper portion,  the entire implant came out with it! It hadn't even begun to integrate with the bone. So, the space was cleaned out and refilled with material for a bone graft and sutured. 

This all happened just as I was supposed to go spend a day with my mom. Which explains why I had to cancel on her. The good news is that other than some soreness from the injections for local anesthesia,  my pain was 1000%  better.  Now, the graft has to heal for 6 months, and then we can try to place the implant again. (Which, right now, I'm not so sure I want to do).

I am ready to put all of that behind me and move forward to better and brighter things in February.

Our second grandson is expected to make his grand entrance at the end of the month. Which is just about the best thing I can think of. We've waited a long time for more grands, and I can't wait to meet this little guy!

My work cleaning and reorganizing my home office is going slower than I expected. It seems as if it is a case of two steps forward, one step back. I get an area done and feel good about that. Then I start a new section, and all of the sudden it looks like a bomb went off and I feel like you can't tell that I've done anything or made any progress at all. But, I keep plugging away at it and hope to have things completed by the end of February.

I am pleased to say that I completed my entire reading list for January.  February's list is a little longer. This month I plan to read: The Second Life of Mirielle West by Amanda Skenandore, Mini Habits: Smaller Habits, Bigger Results by Stephen Guise, Under the Whispering Door by TJ Klune, Simply Tuesday by Emily P Freeman, and The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood. 

My goals for February are:

• Finish organizing home office
• Complete crocheting set for new grandbaby
• Walk the stairs for 2 minutes each day
• Post at least 5 new items to my Etsy shop
• Schedule vet appointment for Max

What are your plans for February?

Currently... February 2022

Welcome, February!  It's the month of love.  Whether you celebrate Valentine's Day, Galentines, show yourself some affection with a little self-care, or don't observe the day at all - I hope you find an opportunity to let some love into your life.

Working On: I am doing a little bit of cleaning, organizing,  and redecorating around the house.  I need to clean out and extremely organize the linen closet.  I did a little redo of the kitchen counters - nothing major.  I'm also working on winding all my yarn into cakes and reorganizing it.  That's a whole process, but it will get there eventually.

I'm a month into the temperature blanket and so far I am pleased with how it's looking.  So far, I have only had to use a few of the cooler colors.  I am excited to see the colors change when we start to get warmer temperatures in a few months. 

Celebrating: The Man of the House and I made some plans to celebrate Valentine's Day a little early.  We're usually very low-key for that holiday, just a dinner out and a card or chocolate or something. But this year we're taking a little local overnight getaway.  

Wanting/Needing: After a winter storm dropped about 10 inches of snow on us last month, I realized that I need a new coat/jacket.  I haven't really been going out much in the last couple of years - especially in the cold, so I didn't realize how worn out mine was.  When I take the dogs out I usually just throw on one of my husband's jackets or an old coat that used to belong to the male offspring.  Time to order a little something new for myself. 

Eating: I have been trying out some new recipes recently.  Last week I made a delicious shakshuka!  Over the weekend, I created a version of chicken shawarma. We wrapped the chicken in flatbread with shredded lettuce, diced tomatoes, and a homemade yogurt sauce. Yummy!  I will definitely be making both of these again.

Loving: The Man of the House and I are celebrating our 30th anniversary later this year.  We're starting to make plans for a big anniversary trip. I am loving the anticipation and fun of dreaming about where we'll go and the adventures we will have.

February Goals:

• Post Easter items to Etsy shop
•  Organize linen closet
• Work on winding and organizing yarn
• Read at least 3 books
• Create Sunday posts for the 2nd quarter
• Make at least 3 new-to-me recipes

What are your plans for February?

Currently... February 2021

Welcome to February!  And Happy Groundhog Day!!  This is the shortest month of the year.  However, I know for many people it feels as if it lasts for-ev-er.  If that describes you, hang in there - spring is just around the corner. 

I'm trying to stay focused on my One Word for 2021.  Right now, it seems to be happening more in hindsight.  I'll get to the end of a day and think about something only to realize "Oh, I should have been looking at that as a challenge."  That in itself seems to be the first part of the "Challenge" for the year.  It's a work in progress.  

My goals for January were a mixed bag.  Staying on task and checking more off the February list is another challenge for this month. 

The only part of a relaxing bedtime routine that I did pretty well with was following my skincare routine every (ok... most) nights, regardless of whether I had worn makeup or gone anywhere.  I did get the bedroom pretty well cleaned up and organized.  I have one final step to take care of once the new storage containers I ordered arrive today.  I was very hit or miss about tracking my food.  (Mostly miss)  I only created one new hat, and two new cotton bath puffs for the Etsy shop before I got swamped with orders and needed to focus my time and energy on those. 

How are you doing with the goals, resolutions, or focus you set for yourself at the beginning of January?  If you are slaying it - good for you!!  Keep it up.  If you're struggling to start or already fell off the wagon - Don't give up.  You can start (or restart) at any point.  It's not too late.

Working On: A 14 day sugar detox.  Today is day two.  And can you guess what I'm craving right now?  Did you say "sugar"?  Ding Ding Ding!! Actually, it's not as bad as I thought it would be.  So far...  

Reading:  One of my goals for January was to read A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemmingway.  I didn't get started on it until late in the month, but I did finally get to it and I'm still working through it now.  Next, I will be starting In The Woods by Tara Finch.  

My nonfiction/personal growth book - The Struggle is Real: But so is God by Misty Phillip is part of a virtual Bible Study I am participating in via Zoom meetings.  So far it is not at all what I expected based on the title.  But I am still finding it helpful. 

The grandkid and I finished a couple of Ramona Quimby books in January.  We have now moved on to The Tiger Rising by Kate DiCamillo.  We previously read The Tale of Desperaux by the same author.  This is completely different from that fantasy story, but I think the grandkid is enjoying it.

Celebrating:  Valentine's Day... duh.  I'm trying to think of something that's social-distancing friendly for the Man of the House and I to do this year.  I also plan to be celebrating hitting my first weight loss goal by the end of the month. 

Loving:  Reading with the grandkid.  Every afternoon as part of his remote learning schedule is time for reading.  I have him read out loud to me during this time.  It gives him some good practice.  And I get to enjoy a nice story.  Some I read as a child and am now sharing with him.  Some are brand new to both of us.  If anyone has any suggestions for chapter books that are good for a 9-year-old boy who is a strong reader - please let me know!

I'm also loving the winter weather we've had lately.  We haven't had any significant snow fall yet.  A couple of inches here and there.  But it's enough to give me all the cozy snow day feels.

Wanting/Needing:  Sleep.  It seems to be taking me a long time to fall asleep. I am waking up around 2 or 2:30 almost every night and it takes a while to fall back to sleep. Especially if a hot flash is the thing that woke me.  Then the doggos are up early demanding to be taken out for potty time and wanting to eat breakfast.  Sinus congestion is also causing me to toss and turn and wake frequently throughout the night. I suppose this is motivation for creating and sticking to that relaxing bedtime routine I was talking about last month.

Dreaming About: A time when I can feel comfortable about going out to dinner with my husband again.  Maybe stopping by a local brewery for a drink and/or going to hear some live music.  

Goals for February:

• Create and follow a relaxing bedtime routine every night
• Stay offline one day per week
• Reach next weight loss goal by February 28
• Plan a Valentine "date"
• Journal everyday
• Complete 14 day Sugar Detox

What are your goals for February? Share in the comments!

Thankful Thursday: February 27

I Am Thankful For:

Long weekends
Pretty February days
Phone calls from the Female Offspring
Playful puppy
Morning breeze
Treating myself to a coffee
Straightening up the house
Snow days
All Wheel drive
Cocoa
Blue skies
Road trip to Memphis
Bbq and Blues
Fried pickles
River views
Time alone with the Man of the House
Yummy breakfast
Waking up late
A welcome home from the puppy

Sunday Inspiration: More and Less

Sunday Inspiration: Stick with Love

Sunday Inspiration: And Everything Else

Currently... February 2020

The month of love has arrived!  The stores are bursting with hearts, flowers, candies and all the rest of the Valentine's Day trimmings.  Love is definitely in the air.   I hope you feel it.  Whether you have a significant other or not.  From your family, your friends, yourself.  And always from God.  

If you're looking for some inspiration this Valentine's Day, be sure to check out Romancing Him: The 14 Day Marriage Challenge or A Date A Month  - two of my favorite ideas I have come up with in recent years for my valentine (aka: The Man of the House). 

Working On:  Creating weekly and daily schedules that work for my life.  Also have some ideas for upcoming blog posts that I am pretty excited about!

Reading:  Finishing "The Starless Sea" by Erin Morgenstern and getting ready to start "Tidelands" by Philippa Gregory.  I am mid-read on both 168 Hours and The Fringe Hours.  Unfortunately both were due before I completed them and since there were holds I could not renew.  Now I have them on hold so I can (hopefully) complete them soon. Until then, I am reading "Hallelujah Anyway" by Anne Lamott.

Loving:  Still loving my sweet little dachshund puppy, Max.  I have to admit it - he's a spoiled brat at this point.  It's all mostly my fault, and I have enjoyed every minute of it.   But c'mon... look at that face!

Celebrating: Valentine's day is the only thing I can think of that's coming up this month.  Birthdays,  anniversaries,  etc seem to come in clusters for our family.  Next month will be a busier one.  Oh, wait... I almost forgot - one of my brother in laws' has a birthday this month.  Oops!

Wanting/Needing:  Sleep!  Having a new puppy who likes to stay up past my bed time playing, and gets up early wanting to go outside has put a hurt on my previous sleep schedule.  I am not getting as much rest as I need.  There are many afternoons when I sit down to write or read or work on my Etsy shop and instead I end up taking a nap with Max.

Dreaming About:  Going back to Disney in 2021.  Can't wait!!


February Goals:

1.  Lose 5 pounds
2.  Drink 75 ounces of water per day (I have been very slack about my water lately)
3.  Etsy shop sales increase 20% over January
4.  List at least 5 new items in Etsy shop
5.  Prepare graphics for March Thankful blog posts
6.  Schedule Sunday Inspiration blog posts for March

What do you have planned for February?

Sunday Inspiration: Do Everything With Love