Wintering

It’s not my favorite season. Of them all, I like it least. Winter is cold with daylight short and landscapes bare. January especially seems to stretch long with dreary days. Some seek escape and fly south, and some bundle up to enjoy the snow. Over the years I have learned to savor this time of rest, find beauty in snow-laden trees, and embrace a slower pace. 

Though the garden looks lifeless, it is but dormant; asleep; resting. Roots have gathered enough nutrients and water for the cold winter and will sustain until temperatures begin to warm once again. This is how I winter. 

A time for rest; a time for slowing down and gathering strength. After a very busy season of Christmas merriment, I feel a bit depleted. As a new year begins, it seems a good time to establish a wintering routine - more reading, more cozy nights, more candle glow, and more tea. 

January is also a time for planning, and I am using this down time to look ahead at the coming months and put ideas down on paper. I am excited about what 2026 will look like for the shoppe, and I’m taking steps to create a better life balance. I will share it all soon, but for now, I am still in recovery mode. 

If you struggle to thrive in winter, know that it’s ok to be still; to rest and reflect. Seek beauty in the outdoors; let the cold air revitalize you when you step outside. Our roots run deep and will sustain us until the weather warms. For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Let's find joy in winter, for even this is gift.