notes on january
reflecting on slow days in the heart of winter
january has a way of making me feel closest to nature. i think perhaps this is because the rush of the holidays (which seems inescapable) is finally over, and a true winter is allowed to set in. the woods are quiet, and covered in snow and sparkle. each day is longer than the last, and time seems to move at a more deliberate pace. part of the joy that i find by following the seasons comes from seeing myself rest while the earth is resting. i dont see january as a fresh start, but more as a time to hibernate, reflect on what we accomplished this past year, and look forward to the future. we have a few months until the first lily of the valley start popping up in the garden, and there is lots to care for at the cottage before that happens.
the woods this month
the woods have settled into what feels like a very deliberate quiet. snow has piled up to waist height, and the lake is dotted with hopeful ice fishers. the pine and cedar are drooping, still carrying the weight of the daily snowfall, and it feels like the quiet is broken only by the crunch of boots on the snow. days are filled with dog walks, and teddy, previously a city dog, now lives for running through the woods and over the frozen lake.
in the cottage
i’ve been trying to take advantage of the colder days and evenings indoors by baking, and generally just making things whenever possible. on my mind this month has been my active dry yeast- she is unstoppable, and i credit her for my new appreciation for bread baking. i’ve also been trying to add as much personality to the cottage as possible, and most evenings this past month were spent painting portraits of my pets onto tiles for the kitchen, and knitting slippers with absolutely no experience whatsoever. possibly because of how comfortable i’ve gotten with the constant snow- january has felt reliable and soft. by the end of the month, i’m remembering that soon i’ll hear hundreds of birds outside the windows every morning, and crickets every night, but for now i can settle into the quiet and mirror the season as best as possible, quietly working away to prepare for spring.
january has been a reminder of the importance of balance, that not everything should be running at full capacity all the time, and that the only way to grow and move forward is to rest and reflect.
love from the woods,