These Cozy Winter Days

Winter is a cozy season, wouldn't you agree?  It feels wonderful to be warm and cozy inside when it's cold outside!  During the winter, I enjoy working on indoor projects, because from March until November I spend most of my time outside tending to our yard and garden.  I'd rather be outdoors than inside! But, since winter offers me the chance - I have been at my computer more, working on some organizing projects, drinking a lot of hot tea, and visiting precious blog friends that I don't often get to visit!

I've also been writing (you can follow my writing adventures on Kindle Vella here) and creating videos on my YouTube channel HERE.  I've been preparing for the Ladies' Bible study I co-teach, and you can find my most recent lessons HERE and HERE.   But mostly - I've been enjoying some wonderful cups of hot tea! 

A dear neighbor came over this past weekend, and she had just purchased a set of 
cross-country skis.  I was so excited because now I have a neighbor who loves it as much as I do and we can ski together!  

Our ski was for the most part uneventful - we had to ski under
these two downed tree arches! Aren't they pretty! 

I'm so happy to have a neighbor close by who enjoys skiing as much as I do! 

While we were out skiing, I gathered cards from our game cameras.
This coyote was the only wildlife on my camera cards other than the usual turkeys and deer.  You just never know what is poking around in the woods! 

After our skiing on Saturday, we enjoyed a cup of hot tea together - I didn't get a picture of that. When my neighbor was leaving to go home, it started to rain - freezing rain.  Shortly afterward, it became quite obvious that home was the best destination for the evening! 

The next morning, Dan, Riley and I walked on the side of the road where there was still snow  The road itself was a skating rink! 

Here is all the ice buildup on my pickup. 

I went into the garden where the ice was
flattering the frosted plants in the most beautiful form! 

Later that afternoon, the weather shifted, and it began to warm up.  All that snow
that had accumulated over the past couple of weeks was still on our roof.  
Suddenly, it warmed up enough, that the snow began to slide off... watch the very short video below -  it is amazing to see the snow slide off our roof like an avalanche!! This happens often in the winter, but this is one of the few times I've been able to catch it on video. 

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I know that almost everyone has been struggling with a lot of snow/ice/cold weather these days across the northern hemisphere.  When the weather outside is too miserable to be outside, it is nice to stay inside and enjoy the coziness of home.  I light candles, have fairy lights on timers that light up the darkness and play soft background music.  There are a few books that I've been reading, and I also study for the bible studies I teach.  I have been writing for Kindle Vella, and I've been working on getting more episodes published.  

If you don't know what Kindle Vella is - let me explain. It is a unique form of the Kindle reader that allows the reader to pay by chapter or "episode" instead of paying for the entire book.  You buy tokens through the Kindle app and then you can read 3 episodes of any author's work for free.  On the 4th episode, if you've determined you like the author enough, you use your purchased tokens to read further into the book.  This is helpful for new authors, because no one knows who you are, and it takes getting the exposure this way to build readership.  Have you heard of Kindle Vella? Do you use Kindle books/apps at all to read? Please let me know below... So I have been writing and publishing on Kindle Vella and will continue to do so. 

I've also been sorting through and deciding on my garden seeds and what I will need to plant this coming year.  My husband recently discovered that sugar is a problem for him, and starches too.  So, we have cut sugars, and root vegetables, such as potatoes out of our diet for now.  His blood sugars have stabilized, and he has lost quite a bit of weight and feels so much better.  For that reason, I won't be planting potatoes this year.  This is sad for me - and him - because we both love potatoes so much.  But we do feel better if we don't eat them.  We have been enjoying our meals with just meat, dairy, and brassica vegetables (green veggies!) Both of us feel so much better and know that this is a lifestyle change for us.  So... I will be planting more spinach, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, peas, and peppers this year.  

Have you started thinking about spring? I think we all start to get a little stir-crazy when winter weather hems us in.  While I love being cozy - and I love getting outside to ski - when the weather is so miserable that I can't do much of that - I start to feel ready for spring. How about you? 

I made a few other videos, these 2 below are shorter videos.  I hope you will enjoy them! Like, subscribe, and share - as the saying goes! It means a lot to me to have your support as I share my photography through the videos. 

This video I have just finished working on today and I think you will enjoy it.  The instrumental music is played by a young man who is local to our area.  He plays the piano beautifully.  There are no words, just piano music, and it makes great background music! 

A scripture I'd like to leave with your heart today to bless you with. 

Malachi 3:16-17

Then they that feared the Lord 

spake often one to another: 

and the Lord hearkened and heard it, 

and a book of remembrance 

was written before him 

for them that feared the Lord, 

and that thought upon His name. 

And they shall be mine, 

saith the Lord of hosts, 

in that day when I make up my jewels. 

The Lord is keeping a book of remembrance for those who "fear the Lord, and speak often one to another" about Him! Isn't that encouraging!  The Lord knows those who love Him, and is keeping a "book of remembrance" about us! This is a good thing to remember - let's speak often about the Lord :)  Wishing each of you a blessed and wonderful week!