Here in Northern Minnesota winter is in full swing. The ground is covered in snow, the temperatures are dipping below zero and I find myself happily hunkering down in my house. Most people by now have packed up all their Christmas decor and are moving ahead towards spring. This is not me, as I find myself lingering in the beauty and calmness of the snowy winter landscape all around me.
While I have packed away all of the Christmas decor, items of winter remain. Cedar and pine garlands, wreaths and sprigs of greenery are displayed throughout our home. Similarly, lit trees, snowflakes and sleds, and glowing lanterns continue. The outside landscape indicates that winter is here to stay awhile, why not embrace it?
As I began to clean up Christmas I started in the dining room. The faux fireplace is where I usually begin. This space is so fun to change out throughout the seasons. A rounded mirror, cedar with twinkle lights, vases of faux pinecones are calm and comforting to the space.
Beside the fireplace stand two beadboard bookshelves. They got dusted and slightly rearranged. A framed picture and mirror with cream colored satin bows, cedar wreaths and candles, a bowl of pinecones and cinnamon sticks are charming touches to enhance the winter theme.
Other peaceful elements are: a simple lit pencil tree, a blooming yellow Christmas cactus and a simple but elegant tablescape. The soft glow of the lights in the evening or on dark winter days provide comfort and calmness to our home.
Next, is the kitchen space. Cedar and pine draping from a ceiling ladder, placed in a shelf basket or displayed on our vent shelf add easy warmth to the space. Throw in some warm homemade bread and cinnamon clove scent and it becomes a kitchen I actually want to be in.
By far, the living room is the space that feels the most barren once the tree comes down. Carefully sprinkling in some garlands with lights and keeping the lanterns glowing in the evenings keeps the post-holiday blues at bay. Scripture handwritten on a corner chalkboard can be quietly reflected on throughout the day.
Last, but not least, is our heated back porch. Collected snowflakes hang from garland lined shelves and are hung from a frosted lit tree. There is nothing like sipping on my morning coffee wrapped in a warm blanket by the warm fire. This is definitely one of my favorite rooms in our house.
In summary, while many people have packed all of their wintery decor away, I am one of the few that relishes it. As I get older, I find myself desiring to embrace the moment instead of always moving to the next thing. There is beauty to be found in all the seasons if we take the time to truly seek it and enjoy it.
Perhaps this isn’t just about the seasons of the year but also about the seasons of life. Maybe a topic for another post…
