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The New Year and Wintertime Reset

First, welcome to a fresh new year! 2022 is another chance for a new beginning. I like the idea of new beginnings; it gives me a little hope and something to look forward to. Winter has certainly set in around here, so I tend to get a little sad when it’s always cold and raining or even recent snow that creates a few extra chores for the homestead. I also consider myself like a “frost tender flower” as I have heard Jess from Roots and Refuge on YouTube say. Today, I share a few things that I like to do to keep myself from going crazy during these dark days of winter when I just wish it was sunny and warm again.

Probably one of the most enjoyable activities is time to reset myself with a warm cup of tea and relaxing with a good book. Instead of making resolutions, I like to read books. I like various genres, but this is a great time for me to increase my skills in the garden, so I have been studying about no-dig techniques, grafting fruit trees, fermenting, preserving, recipes, seed saving and so much more. It is so easy to create a free library account and a list of items available at the library, and then put items on hold. In a few days usually they are available to be picked up. I walk right in with my returns to drop off and the holds shelf is right next to a kiosk I can check out and be gone in less than 5 minutes. The best part is it doesn’t cost a thing. I usually try to schedule these pickups on dry days so I can get a little walk in too for some exercise, otherwise it’s in between other errands to save on trips and gas. My goal is to read 50 books a year, last year I almost achieved that goal however in the spring, summer, and fall when things get busy outdoors I read less. Therefore, trying to get as much reading as I can in during the wintertime seems like a smart way to get a good start on my reading goals.

Another activity I spend a lot more time doing is baking and cooking from scratch and the pantry. Soups and homemade bread are one of the meals that we have been eating at least once a week, so I have been doubling up the recipes and freezing the leftover soup in jars. Turns out this is a great strategy for other types of meals that you love too, because having another one in the freezer is so convenient on days that you don’t feel up to being in the kitchen making meals from scratch. I probably have about 5 or 6 different soups in my freezer in quarts that in worst case, I just need to defrost in the microwave a few minutes. Double batches of lasagna, pizzas, casseroles and quiche in which we eat one and freeze one also save us from spending money on convenience takeout food. I went ahead and purchased some glass pie and casserole dishes from Goodwill as suggested from Becky @ Acre Homestead on YouTube just for this purpose. This way I will not have to keep purchasing the foil disposable pans. I have seen people spend a day, prepping freezer meals for the month, I haven’t tried that yet however, this small batch has been a gamechanger for me.

Have you been struggling with feeling restless or maybe cooped up this winter? Take some time to figure out what you have always wanted to do more of and do a wintertime reset. Learn a skill that you need to be more effective or versatile. Check out the free books at the library, put some on hold and just wait until they email you that your items requested are ready for pick up. Spend some time making a little extra food to put away for another day. Since we are all likely spending more time in the home and likely in our kitchens, why not cook once and have another meal for a day you may be feeling under the weather, or just plain old lazy. It is kind of like putting money in the bank because you are saving money by putting away that prepared meal now.

Check out some of my other blogs like How to Use more Garden Herbs, and Tips to Save Money on Garden Supplies. You might also like my other wintertime classics Practice an Attitude of Gratitude, and Winter is the Best Season for Getting Cozy with a Good Book.