You may have seen the picture above on instagram while I was staying at my parents house last week. It was early in the morning as I was having coffee and it was so peaceful…it made me realize that winter actually has some unique qualities that aren’t found in other seasons, like simplicity.
Growing up, I didn’t pay much attention to the weather. I knew that summer was warm and awesome, getting to be outside all day long was something I looked forward to the entire year. Fall was another time of year I noticed, mainly getting to wear sweaters on crisp fall days after the long Texas heat was always a treat. Then of course, Christmas meant winter and I loved Christmas.
Other than that, I didn’t really care nor pay much mind to temperatures. I started realizing the cold when I got to be in Junior High or High School. I woke up one frosty chilly morning, and couldn’t believe how much I struggled to get out of bed. Having Rheumatoid Arthritis since I was ten, meant mornings were typically pretty rough. It was years later that I began to see how hard the COLD was!
The older I get, the harder mornings are, and the harder winter has become. It is just miserable at times!
Living in California, I didn’t have to worry much about this since the weather was so mild. Texas is all over the map, but the months of January and February are the tough ones.
I have spent many years just wishing winter away, but now that I am almost 29 (on the 21st!), I really want to embrace all the seasons, even the crappy ones…like winter!
The past few winters, I have been learning ways to enjoy this season and find things about it that are special and unlike other parts of the year.
Here the ways I am making the most of winter:
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Taking advantage of the fireplace!
I always had a fireplace growing up, but we didn’t get to light it unless it was icy or snowing. My mom has asthma, so smoke really gets to her. My husband always grew up with one too, so when we were house shopping, that was the number one thing on the list.
It’s not often you can enjoy a fire in Texas, so I am really taking advantage of it on a cold winter day. The living room instantly feels more cozy and comforting.
2. Catch up on reading!
I’m a total busy body at home. I can’t sit still long and always feel a need to be doing something, usually outside. When it’s cold, there isn’t much to do in the yard and it is too cold to do much else, so it’s a great excuse to get caught up on reading.
I have a fun list of winter reads here that you will love!
It is also fun to go back and find an old favorite on your bookshelf to read again 🙂
3. Enjoy the Simplicity and Calmness
Winter is a total minimalist season! There usually isn’t much blooming outside, no leaves on the trees, everything is just simple. For us, social activities and events are dried up this time of year also, so it is the perfect time to just be still.
Just relaxing, living in the moment, enjoying some winter tea and being grateful for the slow pace is something I try to enjoy in winter.
4. Experimenting in the kitchen!
I don’t know about your part of the world, but here in Texas, it is hot outside more times than not. This makes baking all day by a hot oven not much fun.
Winter is the perfect excuse to pop on the oven, and start trying out some recipes you have on your to-bake list. Sometimes on a cold Saturday, I just love to bake and try out some new stuff I have been working on.
Winter is when I came up with this healthy chocolate fudge cake for two, raspberry brownies, apple pie scones, fluffy pumpkin spice cookies, dutch chocolate brownies, dairy free pumpkin pie…you get the picture lol
If you love experimenting in the kitchen, don’t forget to sign up for my newsletter below! The next one is coming out at the end of this week and I have some special recipes that are perfect for Valentine’s Day baking and a great supper recipe!
5. Watch movies alllllll day!
I’ve mentioned it before, but my husband and I are total movie fanatics. We have a huge bookshelf full of DVD’s that we have been collecting over the years. I love watching movies on netflix or renting some online, but it is also fun to go back through our collection and having movie marathons all day with some homemade popcorn!
If you follow me on snapchat: username alexisroch, you have probably seen some snippets of this. (p.s if you don’t follow me, you totally should 🙂 )
6. Organize and Clean
The first of the year, I always have an itch to declutter everything. And really, it is the perfect time to do so!
I hate going outside on a cold day, so I love to work on something side. Right now I am organizing my office (will share soon). I am taking it one room at a time!
7. Have a Spa Day at home!
I love going out and getting my nails done or having a pedicure, but again, when it’s cold I just want to stay home. Plus, I am always bundled up in boots, jackets, etc, so it makes getting that stuff done a little harder.
I love doing my own at home, it is the best thing on a cold Saturday morning. I always make my own coffee chocolate scrub or this really fun rose petal sugar scrub to go along with it. Light some wintry candles, get some magazines, make some tea and enjoy the morning!
8. Take advantage of family time.
Since it is a slower time of year, I really love just getting to spend time with my husband and Ruger. My husband is going through some really hard training right now, so his weekends are usually jam packed with studying and preparing for the work week.
I love just getting to stay home with him since there isn’t much going on. It is really nice to just hang out together and Ruger is the most happy when we are both home together! Follow us on instagram to see more Ruger loving 🙂
[Tweet “8 ways to make the most of winter, even when you hate it! @chemistrycachet”]
So, those are my eight ways to make the most of winter this year! All this aspects have actually helped me start to enjoy the season for what it is!
So how are you making the most of winter? Follow me on instagram and snapchat :: (alexisroch) if you would like to see more of our winter fun 🙂
Happy February!
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Alexis is an investigative chemist sharing her expertise in cleaning, skincare, gardening, and home hacks. She personally tests out products like the best skincare products or home products then shares not only the science behind how it works, but also her personal results. She is the mom of two living in Texas with her husband. Find her on Instagram for fantastic videos, tips, and behind the scenes.
I wish I had a fireplace. I joke that I go into hibernation mode in the winter. I totally use the time to get organized as well!
Christina :: Simple and Delish
I love having a fireplace! I am so grateful for it when it is super cold outside! Oh me too, total hibernation lol. It is fun to have the excuse though 🙂
These are all great tips!! I rarely feel guilty for spending all day inside when it’s 20 and below that outside…time to get things done! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
Thanks girl! Yes, I so agree! Any other time, I feel like I am slacking off!
I love this list, especially the reading! I definitely read more when it is cold outside! A spa day at home sounds like such a great idea. Chris has been working a lot of nights lately, so I need to do that to treat myself. 🙂
I love doing a spa day! It is so relaxing and fun! I hope you get to enjoy it soon 🙂
I always read a ton more during the colder months! I love snuggling up my with fireplace with a good book and a delicious cup of tea!
It is really the best! I read so much more too!
Yes to all of this! I wish I had a fireplace… and sometimes cold enough weather to actually use one! I love reading during the winter too! <3, Pamela Sequins & Sea Breezes
That is really the only thing good about the cold weather is having that fireplace! I missed having one for so many years!
I was totally doing the watch movies all day yesterday!
Us too! It was the best!
I definitely experiment in the kitchen! It also helps that my husband does the dishes. Nothing like creating without having to do the cleanup!
That’s the best! My hubby chips in as well, so it isn’t so bad having a messy kitchen 🙂
Loving all these ideas! I was just like you, as a kid I noticed the different seasons but they didn’t phase me until I got to about middle school/high school and I realized how much it sucked to be outside in the bitter cold and longed for the warm days of summer. Moving south has helped immensely, but we still get pretty chilly here this time of year, and I find myself longing for warmer days again. I love the idea of stepping back and enjoying the peacefulness of this time of year, I need to take advantage of it more <3
Green Fashionista
I have really been working on taking advantage of that this year and it makes the season go by so much faster! It’s funny how as kids we never noticed anything and all year was fun! Good times 🙂
Organize and clean and yes to more movies. Hihi. 🙂
Spices + Everything Nice | http://www.ajeinomoto.com
It is so much fun to do this time of year!
This about sums up my winter so far, ha! I’ve been spending time reading and trying to just hunker down and do things I’m enjoying versus looking outside at how filthy it is! Also, yarncrafts – once you get a decent way into a decent sized project, you have something warm and soft hanging out in your lap to help keep you warm, ha! 😉
That sounds like a really fun idea! But you are so right, keeping busy inside helps keep your mind off the crappy weather!
Happy February Alexis! It’s your birthday month! How’s Ruger doing? Sweet boy…
Ah, winter – somedays it’s good, somedays bad. I prefer the cold to the hot – except for morning RA joint stiffness. I LOVE the fireplace, but with CA drought and pollution concerns, we are asked not to burn wood more often (spare the air nights). And my fireplace is upstairs, and my TV and family are often downstairs… The daytime temps are in 50s so not so bad to get out and do things. I had a desire to garden yesterday, but 20+ mph winds drove me inside. I also like to make comfort foods, too. I got a wee bit of de-cluttering done last week, and burrowed in a mystery over the weekend.
The sweet little boy is doing good! You’d never know he had surgery, that’s for sure! I would love a fireplace in the bedroom too, but then I would probably spend all my time there lol. I did a bunch of reading this weekend too…I intended to mainly clean, but didn’t get very far lol! Happy February!
love all of these! you’re right. when I was younger, i didn’t really pay much attention to the weather. I am very thankful for seasons and what they bring!
elle
Southern Elle Style
I am thankful for them too. I love how each one has a special purpose and has different things to enjoy 🙂
Everything mentioned makes me want to never leave my home. I am so a winter person. I love the stillness, the peacefulness and everything warm and cozy. Today it was in the 60’s, that is not winter to me. Here in NC, everyday can be different and you never know what season it is. Our dogs, like Ruger love when we are all home. I can relate to that part too.
The past few days have been warm here too and it has been kinda fun going outside again. It is supposed to get cold again in a few days. Everyday is different in Texas too. We can have snow and tornadoes in the same few days, which we did in December lol. It keeps it interesting, that’s for sure! It is so sweet how our dogs enjoy it when family is home, they are so sweet 🙂
These are such great ideas. I totally feel like hibernating in the winter and it helps to have refreshing ideas on ways to keep from getting too down. I plan on doing a lot of reading too 🙂
I am a total hibernator too!! I would love to curl up for the entire winter, but having fun things to do really helps me enjoy the season 🙂
These are great ideas. I’m going to look at your best teas post. I tweeted for you. Happy Winter!
Blessings,
Laura of Harvest Lane Cottage
Do drop in!
Hi Laura! Thanks so much for tweeting and sharing! I appreciate that 🙂
Wonderful ways to enjoy and savor winter! Thanks for sharing!
BTW. I have never read Little Women. I know! It’s crazy. I am 55 and have never read that classic AND I found out not too long ago that I am a direct descendant of Louise May Alcott! It is definitely on my must read list. 🙂
Thanks Karen! Oh wow, you definitely need to read it at least once! I read it before I saw the movie, but loved the movie that came out in the 90s more than the book. It is still fun to go back and read writing from that era on a cold winter day! 🙂
Great list and good reminder. Even reading this list made me feel a little better. I hate winter, but this list is truly what acceptance looks like for me. 🙂
Melanie
Thanks Melanie! I hate it too..for years I just huddled up and waited for it to go. I have been loving accepting it the last few years and enjoying it while it is here 🙂
These are some great reminders to enjoy the season we are in. Today I was wishing for Spring! I Hope you can stop by:
http://collettaskitchensink.blogspot.com/2016/02/book-review-heart-divided-by-kathleen.html
Colletta
I wish for spring too…it helps to be happy in the here and now for winter though! I have been loving all these activities!!! Have a great weekend!!! 🙂
What wonderful ideas! We have had a much milder than usual winter so far here in New Hampshire, although it’s snowing steadily right at this moment. I wish that we had a fireplace, but we don’t … however, I will enjoy using your other ideas. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much!! Our winter has also been a little warmer than usual. It switches from day to day honestly! I hope you get to enjoy the rest of winter 🙂
These are great ideas! I need to have more fires in the fireplace, I tend to forget about it, but I do love a fire. #PitStop
We are trying to do fires every weekend if the weather is cold enough! It is so fun!
I do kinda love winter (sometimes) because it does allow you to slow down a bit. A little less running around. Plus, when it is too warm outside, I tend not to bake as much, and I love to bake! And if the weather is bad you can go to a movie during the day! Guilty pleasure!
I totally agree! There are so many things you can do in the winter without feeling bad about it. Whenever the winter is warm, I feel super guilty if I am inside all day 🙂
I wish I had a fireplace, but we would never get to use it here in Central Florida. I love your list. I want to take a few days and do nothing other than read and chill. Thanks so much for sharing your winter tips with us at Funtastic Friday.
Thanks so much Sherry! It is such a treat to use the fireplace, although it doesn’t happen to often. I love taking a few days off to just relax and read. It is always good for the soul 🙂 Have a great day!
I so enjoy your posts! I just wanted to tell you that. I could read them all day. My fav thing to do in winter, which I LOVE BTW, is spend the day sewing…. All the best to you and yours. Good job!
What a sweet comment, I really appreciate that!! I would love to take up sewing, such a great way to spend time indoors!