For most of my adult life I've not really embraced January, or February if I'm honest. I've always loved December and the lead up to Christmas, enjoying the darkening evenings, candles lit, and being cosy under blankets...crocheted of course. Then after the New Year, I hankering after March, the beginning of spring, wanting to skip January and February altogether!
I would will January and February to move on quickly, count down the days to March...come on March, hurry up March, hurry Spring. The days are so cold, and grey, and dark...and you know how much I love my colour.
This week I've had a bit of a light bulb moment. An epiphany? Maybe, but that sounds a bit dramatic. Definitely a realisation. I'm 50 now, and if most of my adult life, I've wished away those two months, then that's FIVE YEARS! Five years I've effectively wished away. How crazy is that?
There are people all over the earth, fighting for their lives, and I've wished away five years of mine. If I live into my 80s, and carry on this way, then that's another five years. (I do hope I'm getting the maths right here!). So from now on...well I'm loving January, and February too. After all, who wants to hurry on ten years of their life!
Happy January (and February) Folks...
Amanda :) xxx
(This however, won't mean the same to any of you living in the Southern Hemisphere, or in a continual warm climate!)
Fabulous photos and bless otto hes got amazing ears :-) bet he loved the snow. I agree with you and don't think your alone in wanting to wish jan and feb away I hate the dark days and coldness and wish for spring to but I agree with you embracing them both and the reason why :-) dee xx
ReplyDeleteHe's ears are his best feature ;) I'm just going to carry on lighting my candles Dee :) xxx
DeleteMy philosophy for this year is to take each day slowly, because last year whizzed by far too quickly for my liking
ReplyDeleteJulie xxx
An excellent approach to 2016 Julie! :) xxx
DeleteI don't mind January and February to be honest, especially when it's a proper winter. I these months I do the most planning for my business (and planning makes perfect, really.... my mother was right, don't tell her). And I actually like the fact that the whole December frenzy with all those must-do's is over and done with. I like that the first 2 months of the year are all about new chances and new opportunities. Who knows what the new year will bring, gotta love curiosity.
ReplyDeleteI like your attitude, especially having your own business, they are good months to plan! I'm planning my garden, what I need to grow etc, perhaps I need a business too! ;) xxx
DeleteYes January & February do have perks - I use them for planning my year. Otto looks so sweet in the snow. xx
ReplyDeleteHe loved the snow Jo, kept asking to go out in it! :) xxx
DeleteExactly what i thought this morning. I have 30 winters to come. Don't waist them with silly toughts.. Hugs from Holland, Katrien.
ReplyDeleteI think when you've got a big chunk of life behind you, the chunk in front is very precious! ;) xxx
DeleteLovely photos. Don't like January much myself - your post made me think about that!
ReplyDeleteLiz
It's food for thought isn't it Liz...I hadn't really thought about it like this ;) xxx
DeleteI enjoy the calm after Christmas and enjoy planning the year ahead, decorating and enjoying some simple weekends and light them with Candles, play games and baking yummy comfort foods.x
ReplyDeletePerfect. Sounds like you've got the balance just right Michelle :) xxx
DeleteThere are lots of January haters. I have never seen it as any better or worse than any other time - it just depends on what is happening. Life or mood is not determined by the weather or what colour the sky is and it has no bearing on my mood at all. Happy is happy regardless! (or unfortunately the reverse). Seems of a bit of a first world problem to me. People start acting as if winter is over after Christmas, well it really has two months left! It can be enjoyed as a bringer of its own pleasures and rewards and then we can relish the delights of spring and so on. Everything needs a rest - why shouldn't nature get one?
ReplyDeleteYou are so right, happy is happy regardless! Thank you :) xxx
DeleteI know exactly what you are saying x
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful photos! especially love the one of the flying puppy.
ReplyDeleteLisa, he absolutely loved it! :) xxx
DeleteHappy January, Amanda! Glad to hear you're embracing the winter months. Although the dark mornings are horrible, I actually quite like this time of year as the light and colours can be really beautiful on a calm, frosty day. I've been out taking photographs too :)
ReplyDeleteI do love a frosty morning Jo, even better when you don't need to scrape the ice off the car! ;) xxx
DeleteI have a long-term dislike of snow. But while I am still suspicious of its wicked slipperiness I have decided to embrace it for its lightness and brightness. I'll take every photon I can get right now. xx
DeleteI daren't walk anywhere in the ice...I fall over easy enough on dry land! ;) xxx
DeleteBeauty pictures Otto is lucky to have played in the snow Tavi hasn't come across it yet! Sarah x
ReplyDeleteHe will love when he finally gets some! :) xxx
DeleteI actually love January and February. And your photos are so beautiful. Welcome to the winter lovers club.
ReplyDeleteWinter Lovers Club...I'm in! ;) xxx
DeleteI'm the same, willing January away. I might be able to stop that but I think embracing it might be a step too far for me lol
ReplyDeleteJillxo
He He! ;) xxx
DeleteWhat an amazing way to look at things! I am glad that you are going to love January!! xx
ReplyDeleteMore about loving life Amy than any specific time! :) xxx
DeleteI do struggle with Jan and Feb, especially living in an old house with no central heating! BUT, I will try harder from now on ... !!
ReplyDeleteI love the pic of Otto with his flying ears!
M x
Oh my dear, you have my full sympathies...I've got not heating for only a couple of days (new boiler being fitted!) and I'm useless, a real whimp!;) xxx
DeleteLooks like Otto had fun in the snow. The snow, frost and sun can be uplifting, I do not like the dark and rain so much, I think because there is such little light in the sky. Good lights indoors now help with that. I can not imagine how the women saw to do tiny stitching in the olden times with just candles!
ReplyDeleteI know, candle light is not really that good when stitching, I know I'd be useless...but then again I still am with bright lights! ;) xxx
DeleteYou,ve made me want to love January and February now,as i felt like you Amanda ,but no more ,and here on the west coast it is a gorgous sunny day ,with the mountains covered in snow,what is there not to like about a day like today !!!!! xxx
ReplyDeleteMichelle, that sounds brilliant, snow topped mountains are the best :) xxx
DeleteI've always loved January, February, every month ... the only thing I don't like is super hot weather.
ReplyDeleteThat little fella of yours looks like he thinks January is definitely okay!
I think every month will be ok with Otto! ;) xxx
DeleteI feel exactly the same but opposite! Here in Brisbane January and February are hot and today it is HOT HOT. I long for a storm to cool things off give the garden a drink. The will to start things that comes with a new year is tempered by the heat - I can't plant out because the little seedlings will wilt and burn and die, I can't start a program of walking because I will wilt and burn! I feel like its a month or more of waiting for the coolness of Autumn so that I can get things done! But I do try to engage myself with things that can be done - crochet under a fan is top of my list! Second is looking a gorgeous snowy pictures from the northern hemisphere :)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny how it's opposite for us, I can't do really hot weather anymore...not that we ever really get any here in the UK! ;) xxx
DeleteQuite right too and I do try, I enjoy the momnets of each day but January's weather is still awful for me!!
ReplyDeletebestest d x
We have a warm spell coming in time for the weekend, even better if the sun shines at the same time! ;) xxx
DeleteI am having the same thoughts and feelings about the period after Christmas, before spring. I try to live it calmly, trying to "taste" it, because time passes so fast that Summer and Christmas chasing each other!
ReplyDeleteH&K,
Miriam
It's a chance to 'pause' after all that's what nature does! :) xxx
DeleteJanuary always seems too bleak to me for all the diets and resolutions people make so I try to continue the candles and treats to brighten the days until Spring. The days are already getting longer. Hx
ReplyDeleteH, candles and treats sound perfect! ;) xxx
DeleteI love all your winter pictures but Flying Otto rules...
ReplyDeleteLove,
Mirjam
It's so funny isn't it, he's so quick he almost flies! ;) xxx
DeleteAmazing and beautiful Winter photographs dear Amanda. Beautiful white snow, frost, love that first pic of the ice, Otto seems to be having a great time and lovely Minnie doesn't look too impressed at all.
ReplyDeleteI would love to live in the U.K, I am so tired of the heat here.
Happy week!
xoxoxo ♡
Thank you Dianne, I'd love to know how to use my camera properly...technology is wasted on me! ;) xxx
DeleteYour photography is great dear Amanda!
Deletexoxoxo ♡
I can understand you looking fwd to march, i am in nz but after days of 30 degrees i look fwd to march and autumn cool, although like you we dont want the years to rush by do we. I really enjoyed your blog, love the granny sqrs. I am working on some too, good they are small and it doesnt matter if it is so hot, i can still crochet small sqrs. Carolyn.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your lovely comments Carolyn, I'm glad you've enjoyed your visit...I would be useless in the heat now, loved it when I was younger, although here in the UK we never get more than a few days together! ;) xxx
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