Ideas to make deep midwinter lovely ( or at least bearable)

[FoxRedLabbingtons]

I loved the ‘make autumn lovelier’ thread. But is there any hope for deep winter loveliness?

There was frost on my office windows this morning ( should’ve left a heater on over Christmas), dog walks are ankle deep in mud, all the chocolate is gone and it’s dark all day.

It’s lean picking for loveliness but here are my ideas:

I went to the church epiphany carol service this evening. A peaceful, candlelit hour. 2nd February is Candlemas- early pancake day!
Swimming with a quick jacuzzi dip once a week.
Actually lighting my posh candle. It’ll look it’s best on a grey afternoon.
Comfort food. DH is making boeuf a la daube this weekend.
Facing down the weather and enjoying beach walks and snowdrop rambles.
Spending my Christmas money on L’Occitaine bath foam.
Wintry books- Ghost stories. And comfort TV- maybe a bit of Scandi noir and This Farming Life.
Living vicariously through my best friend in Perth, who has been complaining all month about the terrible heat 🙄

@Magnited

There is something massive about January.

For one thing the world literally turned a couple of weeks ago with the Solstice and like the limbs unfolding on those new-born thoroughbreds that are coming into this world just now, the days are starting to stretch out longer. Though that may not yet be tangibly felt, this is the month of big skies. On a clear day like it is here today, with the sun low and thin cloud you will see different shapes, shadows and colours on the landscapes in front of you. The low sun picks out folds, crevices and tree trunks you did not see from the same spot in July.

When food was scarce our ancestors spent these days outside in the sun. Even this minute at a little after 10am if you turn your face towards the sun you can feel its warmth. The sun keeps us warm and preserved our energy which we saved for foraging and other tasks on the darker days. If you are near water you can watch the wading birds and gulls spend most of today in one place, on the banks or the cliffs sunbathing for warmth and in anticipation of longer days.

We can do that too. Warm boots, gloves, scarf and a woolly hat, leaving our faces open to enjoy the sun. Take a light foldable seat and spend a few hours anywhere in the open, with a book, a flask of coffee and sit and face the sun. It is set on defrost today and the air seems cleaner right now.

Then go home to the candles and fairy lights as the evening draws in. We do not need to hide away in January. Grab the day and grab the night in equal measure because both are full of light.

What a magnificent post. I was curled up in bed reading MN but you have inspired me to take a walk up the hill before I get on with some work.

@Magnited - because of your post I've just been for a stunning walk up the hill, noticing a flock of finches in the hedges, some flowering jasmine, squirrels and bright blue skies. It was as warm as a summer day on top of the hill. Unbelievable. I would have stayed under the duvet, so thank you. When I got back DH decided he'd go too!

Magnited what a super post.
You are quite right of course. It’s beautiful today. I went to agility training with DDog, and we both loved the sniff of warmth in the air and the bright sun. We watched a pair of kites hunting over the neighbouring meadow. After running a few courses I’d even shed my coat.

We are all (even the 13 year old hermit) getting into the garden this afternoon to start our veg patch project. This beautiful day is too good to miss.

We have been for a walk in the park today. When we got home I put the lamb shoulder in the oven, it’s smelling quite delicious. I have spent the afternoon building my Lego Christmas elves clubhouse. Dh and I get a big Lego set each for Christmas every year, it gives us a pleasing project for the January weekends.

Oh, and the amaryllis bulbs that I planted at the beginning of December, which flowered on cue two days before Christmas, have just opened their second flower spears, which is very satisfying indeed.

Another simple pleasure - a jigsaw, a hot cup of tea and an audio book or radio 4.

We were lucky enough to be in Durham on a January weekend many years ago when there was a heavy fall of snow overnight Saturday into Sunday. We walked up to the cathedral and round the cathedral close early on a freezing cold sunny Sunday morning, on pristine snow. Then later in the day we walked along the river out of the city and the footpaths were full of families with sledges, having snowball fights - like something out of Brueghel but with red wellies and lime green puffa jackets!

@TheGonnagle

Oh, and the amaryllis bulbs that I planted at the beginning of December, which flowered on cue two days before Christmas, have just opened their second flower spears, which is very satisfying indeed.

I got one in my Christmas stocking and when I opened it, it had already sprouted and was bent double by the box. Planted it a few days ago and it's already upright and shooting up with a bud. I love them. They are so jubilant at this time of year.

I've just been to a candlelit yoga session in a log cabin. It was beautiful.

I've just been to a candlelit yoga session in a log cabin. It was beautiful.

Oh wow! 😍

Thank you to whoever recommended the Wintering book. It arrived this afternoon and I'm looking forward to snuggling down to read it after tea.

This is a lovely thread.

I'm just settling down to an evening of crochet, and big mugs of tea, with my new candle lit 😊 I like a quiet/slow pace of life through winter.

Yes, we'll done @FoxRedLabbingtons on this lovely thread. It's bringing so much joy to people. It would be wonderful if we could keep it going to celebrate the changing seasons and all that comes with it.
It would be nice to come to the thread when feeling a bit fed up as there might be something that has been recommended that lifts the spirts. Whilst I was preparing the roast today, I listened to the As the Season Turns podcast again today - just so lovely.

Blankets and throws, bed socks, furry hot water bottles.

Planning a summer holiday?

I had a fabulous midwinter day today.

Did my yoga session first thing (it wasn't candlelit, but I do live in a wooden house!)

Had toast with fig and cardamom jam from the Bonne Maman advent calendar I bought in the sale (Jamuary!)

Went for a cold but sunny walk around the local lake which was busy with swans, coots, moorhens, ducks, gulls and two types of geese, plus got a flash of kingfisher.

Had delicious roast dinner - the back-up Christmas plan from the freezer in case anyone tested positive and we couldn't see family as planned - roast chicken, venison stuffing, sprouts and chestnuts, parsnips, roast potatoes, carrots.

Just been for a brisk 15 minutes round the block to look at the moon and stars, and to stop me nodding off before bedtime.

Inspired by this thread I drove to the coast today and had a wonderful walk. The weather was a little bleak but it was lovely to watch the seabirds and listen to the waves.

Now I'm home and the stove is lit and I'm enjoying the last of the Christmas chocolate.

What struck me earlier in the thread is the notion that we potentially waste so much time waiting for the winter to pass. No more!

This thread is like sinking into a feather bed on a cold night. Love it.

Have become completely obsessed with Outlander now and DH has suggested a mini tour of the Highlands this October. Now looking for the quintessential (but luxurious) Highland croft to stay in. Must have a real fire and great views. DH is most reluctant to wear a kilt though. Git.

'I had a fabulous midwinter day today.'

Today was the absolute best of midwinter, in London at least. Cold but not freezing and really summy. Yoga for me too to start the day, a 3 hour walk mostly by the river, then went to a new Lebanese restaurant for dinner. Home early, making soup for tomorrow's lunches, and bed before long with a book ☺️

Sunny obviously, not summy (whatever that is when it's at home!)

Thank you to those who suggested Wintering book, I’m really enjoying it and really relating to the narrative, when you go through a bad patch it’s really easy to feel like everyone else is coping better with life but of course we all have events that derail us.

Candle, mug of tea and new board game here this evening. I’ve been feeling really flat and didn’t manage to leave the house today, but tomorrow might be better and I’m trying to channel some hygge this evening.

DH and I drove out to the coast today. Weather mixed, real lowering cloud over the Cheviots and much evidence of Storm Arwen's destruction, many, many uprooted trees. We shared fish and chips, watched the seals in the harbour and several fishing boats coming in and unloading their catch.

Home to a roast dinner, a bottle of red, Around the World in 80 days, David Attenborough and Midwives on the TV, some crochet to hand, and an early night in the offing.

A good day.

I decided to follow the Irish tradition of Women's Christmas this year on the 6th of January. Laid out some pretty china, put flowers out, gave DD some little cheap gifts in a left over gift bag, had some nice treats. In the future, when she is bigger, we will do it properly and go out for a nice meal or afternoon tea.

I echo others and say that winter is about slowing down and noticing things. Just take extra time and pay attention to things in nature that you wouldn't usually look closely at. Get outside, whenever you can.

Mosses and lichens on bare branches, I like to touch them to compare textures. Hazel catkins that are full of pollen which will puff into a cloud of yellow when knocked. Try and see if you can spot the tiny flowers on the hazel trees too. Hot neon pink but if you don't look closely then you'll never see as they're so very tiny.

Listen to the wind whip through bare trees. Listen for birds. If you can, find a stream or river and listen to the crescendo as it moves over the rocks. Or listen to the rain on your umbrella. Really pay attention. Make it a total sensory experience.

It's all about the changing light too. Bright pink and orange sunrises. Moody, stormy skies. Even the meh greys have depth if you look closely. The watery afternoon sun that casts long shadows. The golden sunsets. It can be so magical this time of year.

If it's too horrendous to leave the house I really recommend snuggling down and watching winter walks on iPlayer. I find it very gentle, comforting and even inspiring.

Sorry for rambling on but I really love this time of year.

PenelopePitstop79, women's Christmas comes up on Mumsnet every year. I think it's the most lovely idea, especially as it's still women who 'do' Christmas and make it a special time for their families.

The idea of a group of women sitting down to a festive celebratory meal and a good blether without any pressure sounds like so much fun.

What a beautiful and inspiring thread.

Thanks to @Whatliesbeneath707 for the As the Season Turns podcast mention – I listened to the January ep during a wet and windy parkrun last week, and it turned my physical endurance into an uplifting experience!

Park run can be a challenge at this time of year! Can feel particularly virtuous if it's blowing a gale though.

The nights are definitely lighter. I've been concentrating on the birdsong whilst walking to work which is rather uplifting.

I love threads like this! I love Winter and although I ADORE Christmas I like the calmness and newness that January brings, we went for a long Winter walk up on the South Downs on Sunday, it was so lovely, we always take a flask of hot tea with us and find a spot to watch the wildlife, it's the simple things in life that are the best.