Monthly Musings

 

Happy Thursday, friends! I'll jump in with today's prompts.

1. What do you do to stay warm in winter? I love the winter; even if I didn't love it, I try to embrace all of the seasons. I have learned that if my feet are warm, then I am warm, so the main thing I do is to wear socks with shoes that are warmer than my everyday shoes. When it's really cold, I wear wool socks with my Sorel boots. I am not one to wear a coat because of its bulk,  so on particularly cold days when I know I'll be in and out I wear something warmer with another shirt underneath. Here's an example:

I know I already shared this picture, but on Friday of last week, the high was only about thirty. I wore this favorite cozy fleece from Old Navy, and I had on a thermal type shirt underneath. 

2. What's your favorite wintertime activity? I don't do anything different in the winter, honestly. I have noticed that I read a lot more in the winter months, though. I read about twelve books this January! Come back next week to see which books I loved this month. 

3. Do you have a winter beauty routine that's different? I moisturize my skin really, really well in the winter. I have dry skin all year long, and from head to toe I am like that. My favorite way to keep my face moisturized is by doing two things: I use coconut oil to wash my face with before bed each night, and I use Cerave  every night and each morning before I put on my makeup. Yes, I am that dry! Click on that link to view the one I use, but I don't recommend buying it from Amazon; it's less expensive in Walmart. 

4. Do you prefer skating, sledding, or skiing? Ummm...how about reading? Or maybe going to a ski lodge in the snow covered mountains, and reading in a room with a fireplace and a beautiful view? Does that count? 

I'd gladly take a trip to either of these places above. 

5. Do you have any favorite winter recipes? I don't have actual recipes, but I love soup in the winter. My favorite is taco soup; I love making a big pot of it and eating it all week. 

6. Do you have any favorite winter beverages? I am much more likely to drink coffee more throughout the day in the winter season. I also sometimes will have hot chocolate if I'm craving something sweet; I consider it a dessert! I decided last week to start following the Weight Watchers (WW) eating plan again. I've done this in the past and had great success; once you know what to eat, it's easy. That being said, I've had to adjust my coffee, because I don't like to drink calories. I think I have it perfected: I use one packet of Splenda, and 1 TB of creamer that is flavored. My current favorites are coconut cream, and Snickers. 

7. What are your best winter memories? I always loved when the boys were out of school for snow while in a brick and mortar school. I worked at their elementary school, so when they were out, I was off! Those were the best days: they'd play outside for hours and come inside to warm up with hot chocolate and/or something hot and homemade. The boys in the neighborhood would usually be at our house as well, and sometimes we would all go sledding together! Those were the days. 

8. What is the coldest day you remember? I remember it being really cold here in December two years ago; I think it even snowed a little. I remember it being the closest I'd ever get to seeing a white Christmas here! It was around five degrees and less during that week; a few of my plants in front of my house died in that weather and had to be replaced. 

9. How do you practice self care in the winter? I take the time every single day to put lots of lotion on my body, and as I already mentioned, I double moisturize my face everyday with that Cerave. 

10. Flannel sheets: yes or no? No way! I am way too hot natured for that. Give me my favorite microfiber sheets from Amazon and a satin pillow case any day, and I am one happy camper. 

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Thanks for reading my blog today, friends. Keep scrolling when you're finished reading this one, because there's a bonus post below. I'll see you back here tomorrow. Love to all!

Jenn 🖤