Winter and I typically aren't the best of friends. Thriving in winter? Not a chance. Perhaps it all started when we moved to the cottage three years ago. The day we packed the moving trucks, it began to snow. And didn't stop for ten days.
Chickens, cows, pigs, geese, hay, and children were moved in the blizzard and I cursed it as I romped around in full-snow gear, weary from it all. Point being: I was far from thriving.
Even though we moved in January, the worst of winter usually comes in February. The charm and beauty of the snowfall has long passed and all we're left with nasty piles of dirty ice that have been decorated with chicken poop and gravel. Grey. Cold. Empty. No thank you.
But this year, oh, this year is different. This year, I will be thriving in winter.
Turns out, a lot of my dislike of winter came from the family (all six of us) being crammed into our living space all season. And for the last three years, that living space hasn't been the most livable. The kitchen hasn't been functioning during different periods of that time. The living room still needs a proper floor. So trying to constantly “make it work”, frankly, wore me out.
But even though the living spaces still aren't completed (perfection takes time, my friends), I'm still focused on creating space for this winter to be something beautiful. Life is still madness. Still messy. Still dysfunctional. And yet there is peace.
It's not complicated, but it's still taken a bit of effort to focus on it. Otherwise, before you know it, you're curled in fetal position longing for a tropical desert island.
Thriving in Winter
- Spend time, a lot of time, outside. I promised myself that I'd spend at least an hour outside each day with the littles. That whatever was happening inside, we'd drop it, and head out to enjoy the gardens, the animals, and the orchards. Sometimes this means long walks that leave us winded and blows the cobwebs from our bodies. Other times it's sledding. Exploring. Cooking outdoors. Standing by a fire. Anything to get us outside. My garden, my outdoor space, has always been how we get right as a family. When the kids are ornery, I send them outside to fend for themselves for awhile. “Sorry kids! I'm locking the door. See you at lunch time.” When I'm feeling ornery, I send myself outside to collect the eggs or gather up produce for supper or pet the cow. “Sorry family, but I'm busting out. Don't expect me back in before supper.” Sometimes a girl just has to pet her cow.
- Find ways to cultivate life indoors. I invested in paper white bulbs, amaryllis bulbs, small spruce trees, new house plants, and moss. These have give me little pockets of life throughout the house to care for, tend to, and appreciate. For the gardener, this can be as welcomed as a glass of cold water in the summer heat. I'm determined to have a better track record with my house plants than I've had in the past (read: they've died). I'm a gardener 12 months of the year. This is how I garden this time of year.
- Hear the silence. I don't mean indoors. The children are impossibly loud. But outside, this time of year, the earth is silent. I'm tuning my ears in to listen. The faint bellow of Cece from the barn. The joyful song of the few birds that remain. A rooster. But then – silence. I'm trying to fill my ears with it as must as possible.
- Learn new winter skills. I don't mean downhill skiing or snowboarding. Those aren't quite my speed. Rather, the stillness of winter allows me to brush up on a few new skills. This year, it's chopping firewood. I'll be chopping and stacking like a proper Norwegian in no time. (Actually, it'll probably take me awhile to get good at it because I'm horribly uncoordinated, but I'll keep trying none-the-less). I saw a gorgeous stack of firewood the other day that has set a new standard in my mind for how beautiful stacked wood can be. Challenge accepted.
- Bake like a mother. Ever since our trip to Italy last year with Jovial, I've been baking like a crazy person who loves to bake. (Me. I'm the crazy person who loves to bake.). The baking world is limitless and I've still many treasures to perfect: chocolate croissants are at the top of the list. I'm a sucker for beautiful, rustic treasures. (All made with einkorn flour and naturally sweetened, of course). Bored? Stir crazy? Uninspired? BAKE!
Instead of grieving the loss of my garden and farm life through the winter, I'm opening my eyes wide to the world as it is right at this moment.
All my beautiful plants are still living under the soil. Thousands of bulbs are tucked away under the leaves and snow. The branches hold onto the tiniest buds that spring leaves will sprout from. Hundreds of chickadees dance in the rose bushes. Hawks and crows dance among the clouds. The farm animals are tucked into the barn, fluffy with winter coats and pregnant bellies. The kids are reading and cuddling and playing.
It's all just as alive in the valley of winter.
So, I'm determined to sink into it all. Some house projects to keep me feeling productive and creative on the inside of the cottage… and some quality time every day in the gardens, greenhouse, and barnyard to keep me feeling connected and inspired on the outside of the cottage.
I even packed a little space heater into the greenhouse so that I can putz with the dried flowers and such. No real purpose in there this time of year, other than to enjoy the smell of dirt. Still. I'll take it.
Winter at the cottage is shaping up to be rich, restful, and beautiful. I won't yet pine for the long, hot vibrant days of summer. Rather, I'll breathe in the deep chilly air, savor the crunch of the snow beneath my heavy boots, rest in the time spent by the fire, and bake extra goodies to see us all through.
But also, it's only 19 days until the winter solstice. Just in case you're counting.
Still. I'm thriving in winter.
And Amen.
Spencer
I love this – my wife and I live in a tiny house in the woods of Western New York and it can be hard to find the joy of being cramped, cold, and claustrophobic. I will be sure to share this with her and hope to do many of these same things myself. Thank you!
April
I feel the same way about winter Shae, I love it! But I didn’t always love it. This winter my ten year old daughter and I are planning to grind our own wheat (good Christmas sale on a grinder, yay!) and make so many goodies, like bread and homemade pasta. So excited for January and February and March! Spring comes along in April here in East Tennessee…but sometimes I really wish winter lasted longer.
Katie
We have a small farm in North Carolina and I struggle every year to thrive in winter! Great post and I love your books.
Just curious, do your rogue chickens scratch up all your mulch and make a mess of everything like mine do? Any coping mechanism I should know about? 🙂
-Katie
Nancy musser
I love your stories and site. I love to take something old or used and make it new.
I’ve kinda dreaded winter that last few years. Ice. Cold. Gray. I’d rather be tucked inside creating. But I think you’ve mentioned before about learning to love the winter so it’s encouraged me to do the same.
I’ve tried to get out in the cold Fall and take my grand girls and cut foliage..pick up colored leaves..rake leaves and jump in them.
I notice the beautiful geese flying overhead and two bucks and two deer who stood in our backyard for over an hour! Thank you! Nancy
Peggy Innamorato
I love reading your blog and watching your youtube videos, I am in Florida and it it a lot warmer here, high was 57 degrees today. That might seem really warm to you but living here in Florida for almost 20 years that temp is to cold for me. I miss seeing the snow and my children have never seen the snow, I just do not like the cold anymore. We took the kids to Asheville NC last winter in hopes of seeing snow since it was in the mountains and we did not see any snow but my kids got to feel real cold weather. You and your husband are such good parents and have a wonderful way of showing your beautiful home on youtube, I hope you continue to make videos since I know youtube will be changing a lot of things come Jan. Have a wonderful and blessed day 🙂
Ronda L Stump
Absolutely luv ur blog and hearing bout ur family and life!!! God bless u and ur sweet family. My husband, two grown girls with families live n IA. We r expecting our 4th great-grandchild n July, 2020. God has truly blessed us!!! We live on an 80 acre farm and still garden at our age. Keep writing sweet girl!!!
janie
I sure was hoping you would have a show on FN – I enjoy all about your life, your recipes, etc. See if you can get someone to speak to them again on your behalf. Im sorry to say, and Ill leave the show/person nameless that is the new kid on the block of FN, its quite horrible to say, but terrible.. Please grab that time slot!!! I’m sure she is trying her best, but it just doesn’t connect! Best of luck and wishes!
Jeannie Fessenden
This post inspired! It brought memories of the days I dreamed of and did many of these things now gone with my 7 ac, my “ladies” ( chickens) sheep and goats, my gardens and a view of Tiger Mt in King County Washington. Not as rural but the best in the most populated county. Divorce changed all that and in emptying the Dutch Colonial I apparently lost a favorite picture – I called it the ‘Blue Boy in the Straw Hat’. It’s on the table with your plates. Do you know the history of it? Where I could acquire another?
Thank you for warming my heart and spurring childhood Kansas memories with your posts!
Judy
Beautiful pictures!
Calm and peaceful!
Gale Hunnicutt
Love your ideas about winter. We live in SC and we don’t have snow. We have cold grey days that make you want to stay in bed. This winter I have just not wanted to go out and trim trees or do anything. Reading this makes me want to get outside. Hope you have a a Blessed day.
Susie Honea
As usual, you never disappoint, this was lovely. What is it about a blanket of snow that makes the world seem so at peace. It’s always been a mystery to me. There is nothing more beautiful than snow reflecting the light from the moon. It’s a totally different world. We don’t get snow much here in Texas, darn it, but when it does show up, I savor it. Thanks for sharing your life. I’m going to try to look at your bundle of oils offer, my computer was blocking the server for some reason. Anywho, enjoy your day 🙂
NildaJordan
Lovely to read I’m going to try liking my little cold days no snow or bitter wind here in my beautiful Georgia. I’m a transplant from New Jersey ,but still don’t like the cold of any kind ,going to try to be more positive like you I enjoy your stories stay well all of your family many Blessings N.J.
Carissa B
Thanks for this post. I despise winter but, living in the northeast, I tell myself every year that this year, I will thrive in winter. With your suggestions, this will be the year!!!
deborah wilson
really enjoyed your pictures. I actually like winter up till feb or so. im like you love to bake embroidery snuggle in with my hubby and lab put up Christmas tree wrap gifts. please send a picture of your tree. I did not get bulbs in darn it but I do have indoor plants. you are so inspiring. thanks
Brenda
Thank you, you’re such a good story teller. I stumbled upon your site when I was searching for essential oils and chicken pox and now I cannot stop myself from browsing your posts. I really enjoyed your narratives, so light, so honest. I keep on smiling, sometimes laughing from your lines and wits. Bless you always, enjoy home making more.Thanks for being such an inspiration. Warm regards from Philippines.
kim Phillips
I just started watching your show and I love it..Even tho I am 60 I am still learning new things..You have a beautiful family…Blessings~
Anna
I just ordered your book, which is why I’m on your blog and reading this! My husband and I felt the call to farm life, as well, and recently relocated to Eastern TN. We are working our way forward, but our first year found us with chickens, an ample garden, a compost spot (that was not easy!) and a ‘worm farm’ for the future garden. I’m eager to dig into your book as you’re miles ahead of us and doing what we’re on the way to do. Rabbits, ducks, cow (maybe cowS ha!), sheep….someday soon! I’m so glad I’ve come upon a kindred spirit here. Within the first few pages of your book, I felt myself nodding my head in agreement – how the animals live, where the plants come from…its all SO important! Thanks for sharing your knowledge and for the inspiration!
Anne
The frozen tundra in which I live, makes for a grumpy me the months of the year. In fact yesterday, there was definitely an instance of me shaking fists at the sky and me yelling, I hate this place (along with some obscenities) as I attempted to access a stack of hay bails buried by several feet of snow…. not a proud moment. But this post hit the spot. I needed that… ❤ love your blog.
L.Be
wooooooooo girl…. ain’t this the TRUTH?? I struggle with winter blues (serious Seasonal Affective Disorder) and have felt so horrible this past year since moving north. (I’m in the north east right outside NYC now but grew up in rural KY.) It’s hard not to resent the darkness and cold that’s taken my precious outdoor moments filled with buzzing pollinators, sunburns, and the daily routine of caring for the plants I took so much time and care to birth. (Seed starting is a special ritual for me… lol) Your approach is inspiring. Thanks for the needed boost today. <3
Cheryl Hatfield
I am in love with the lovely blue wallpaper and I’m wondering if you would possibly share a link as to how I may purchase some 😊 please and thank you!
Tracy H
I loved your comment about baking. Baking in the winter is the best because it warms the house. It also warms the soul because it forces me to get out and share my goodies with friends, family and neighbors!