Dealing With The Winter Blues

Hello Friends! Look at this picture above. Beautiful, right? WRONG! I am so sick of winter! Yes, this is a beautiful picture, if you like the cold, slushy sidewalks, bundling up in multiple layers just to go down the street. I, for one, am over it. OVER. IT. Please bring on the sun! I am not asking for summer weather (just yet) some spring weather would be nice.
     Living in Ohio, we have all four seasons. Which I love, I really do! I love spring when everything is warming up and coming to life. I love watching my Lilac bushes grow and the smell of the fragrant flower filling my nose!  I love fall with all it's crispness and colors! And every year I try to love winter. Sure it is beautiful when the snow and ice stick to the trees and plants. And wow is it beautiful to see light hitting the snow and making it glitter. But that is where it ends for me. Why can't we just have snow for Christmas and New Years and then be done with it. Just the other day our temperature was 61 degrees, followed by the 40's the next day. What a tease! There were so many people out and about and to be honest I felt bad for them. Everyone wants the weather to warm up so we can get out of the house and get out of the funk that is the Winter Blues. It is this time of year where we have had enough. I can't wait till the days of not bundling up to walk to library, to not have watch out for ice when walking on the sidewalks. To breathe in the scents of plants, trees and grass growing. When will this ice hell end? I am a summer baby and it seems like the older I get the colder I get. Literally. I remember being a young kid and playing in the snow. My parents were always yelling at me to "zip up my coat" and "put a hat on." I find myself saying the same things to my own kids. In just 5 years I went from running around the house in tanks tops to wearing multiple layers and slippers just to be remotely warm. I. Hate. It.
     So what can be done to help deal with the winter blues? Besides praying for warmth? lol not many but here are a few things that may help bring you n from the cold and warm your spirits!

1. Look into what plants you are wanting to grow in the spring/summer and research what all needs to be done to grow them successfully. If you need to plant indoors then you may be able to start working on that to warm up your "green thumb."

2. Start thinking about summer food that you want to try to make. Remember that some vegetables grow in different seasons. You can also explore the list and maybe find new recipes to add to your oldie but goodie summer food list!

3. Turn on a space heater in your bathroom and pretend it's summer! No, I am just joking. Unless you actually want to do this - then so be it. Go for it! Have a blast!

4. Make a bucket list of things you would like to do when the warm weather finally arrives. You might be surprised at the things you can come up with ahead of time!

I know this isn't a big list. Unfortunately if you live in a place that had winter you just have to wait it out. Be strong, friends! The warmth will be here again!  :)

From my cold location to yours!

Xo,

Michelle

5 Inexpensive Valentine's Day Date Ideas

Hello Friends!

With Valentine's Day right around the corner and Valentine's Day being shoved down everyone's throat on tv, and in stores, I decided to jump on board the Valentine's Day train! It seems like more people focus on the amount of money spent on the significant other, rather than the thought put into it. Let's face it, some times the funds for an over the top Valentine's Day just isn't there, so I have come up with 5 Inexpensive, fun, thoughtful Valentine's Day Date Ideas!

1. Body Paint Date - For this fun date night idea you can purchase actually body paint or if you want to spice things up buy editable body paint or use items from the grocery store such as chocolate syrup, whip cream etc. You can use imagination run wild and think of items that will add color. Take time to paint each other and enjoy the time together! Afterward you can take a picture to capture the moment forever. However I caution you posting it to instagram or other social media sites! Lol

2. Fondue - or should I say "fundue" - yeah I know that was a really bad pun! Anyway, get ur self a fondue pot and have a cosy night in complete with candlelight atmosphere of course! I love having fondue night! I always buy too much food. I forget that since you are taking time making the food you eat slower and fill up on a small amount! Having one fondue pot is helpful if you want to do a cheese course, a meat and veggie course, and of course a dessert course of melted chocolate or other delicious treat! You can use one pot but it is a little more time consuming because you have to clean the pot between courses.

3. Plan a picnic - This one can be done in a living room, outside (depending on where you live!) Or you could even surprise your honey if your significant other has to work. The thing that makes this extra special is attention to detail. Chose food your honey likes, try to think of everything so that you have everything you need to make it special!

4. Cook a recipe together - Get your Chef Ramsey on and heat up the kitchen by cooking a meal together. Plan a menu but have the number of take out near by, in case things don't turn out well. The key is too not stress out about it! Relax and let your creative juices fly! Again remember to set the mood, maybe if you are cooking a pasta dish turn on the French Cafe radio station on Pandora to make it feel more authentic!

5. Play Valentine's Day Guess The Food - With this one you can either use Valentine's Day food such as strawberries, chocolate etc. You don't have to stick to a theme, it is all up to you! Just make it fun! Blindfold and guess the food! You could also have your significant other buy his own food to make you guess so that you do not know what food is in play!


Some people hate Valentine's day, so you if are one of those people you don't have to be left out! Treat yourself to whatever it is you like and do for you! Or you can throw an Anti-Valentine's Day party!

I hope that these ideas have inspired you to think outside a box and remember, you don't need a ton of money to show someone you love them. You don't need a special day to do so either!

Whatever you do this Valentine's Day, I hope it's a great one for you!

                                           Xo,
                                      Michelle