February, we are so happy you are here! Plus a little Substack refresh

January always feels more like 310 days than 31. Welcoming February with open arms over here and new dreams for this Substack space!

Feb 03, 2025

Leaning into the season

Despite the fact that January felt like the world’s longest month I think there is something to be said about leaning into the cozy of these early months as we begin a new year. We are still deep in the midst of winter, though if you are like me longing eagerly for spring. This past month I found myself getting pulled into the winter dreariness and feeling more negative than positive. So instead of sinking into a slump, I am going to lean into the season. Be less focused on how dark and dreary it is at 7:00 pm and instead enjoy the fact that I get to curl up on the couch with my beloved husband and our fur baby laughing at the silly things that happened in our day. Instead of rolling out of bed to put on all the layers, starting my morning with warmth - a nice bath with a cup of coffee and a book. Cooking more soups and stews and warm skillet meals to feed our souls on the cold and dark days. And pour my time into things I love - like this Substack. So here I am pouring extra and new and bigger dreams into this sweet little space. Thank you, by the way, for reading and being here! Truly writing this brings me SO MUCH JOY and helps me focus on all the little things that are divine and simple and absolutely joyful!

So to start, I am going to share a little something some friends and I do daily or as our hearts feel so inclined. We just text each other 3 things that we are grateful for or that were highlights from the day. Essentially, 3 simple joys. Mine from this weekend are:

I would love to hear your three in the comment section - help us bring some sunshine to this sweet Substack community!

Recipes
I am excited to share two easy and healthy recipes with you all today!
Egg Roll in a Bowl
The first is one the most simple throw together dinner in the history of cooking. I think it took me a total of 12 minutes to make this week. Plus its healthy and delicious (we devoured the whole skillet that night!)
Bone Broth
The second is bone broth which has come recommended to me by so many people for the nutrient, collagen, and protein benefits. Personally, drinking it plain is not my cup of tea, but add in a little lemon and cayenne pepper and it is so much yummier! I try and implement this 3 times a week.
Book Review
I am still plugging away at All the Colors of the Dark and can’t wait to share my thoughts with you once I have finished.
Until then I thought I would share books I am excited to read soon and that are on my reading radar.
Favorite Four
1. Pajamas
These pajamas are the coziest and softest and make such a lovely gift. They are especially perfect for a soul weekend with your best friend!
2. The Perfect Flare Jean
These jeans are a splurge and I wish I didn’t love them as much as I do. They are the softest jean material and so flattering. I personally recommend finding them on sale at Nordstrom or when Frame has a sale (that is definitely what I did and they were over $100 off). I appreciate how long they are (they don’t cut at your ankles) and they are so comfy they don’t event feal like jeans.
3. Cutting Boards
I’ve been reading a lot about the danger of so many plastics in our kitchens and homes as a whole. One easy fix and change is to get rid of any plastic cutting boards and replace with wood or bamboo. We have some beautiful wood cutting boards, but for quick and convenient I love these bamboo ones.
4. Valentines
Pink and red, hearts, and sweet treats are all around us - Valentine’s season is here. I am a firm believer that the love shared on Valentine’s Day is not just for special someones, but for the dearest of friends and family too! When I think about it - my most favorite Valentine memories are from elementary school when I would decorate my box or bag and take such delight in selecting the most perfect valentines for my class. I remember chocolate roses from my mom in my lunchbox far more than I remember any from my high school crushes.
When I found myself chatting with a friend about the fun of Valentines and hearing all about her cute ideas I felt my winter negativity creep in saying “no, I don’t have time for that this year.” How silly and quite frankly ridiculous. Not only will I make the time for that year and do so joyfully, but leaning into the sweetness of Valentine’s Day whether you are 30 or 5 is so fun and not something I want to let slip away because of the busy of everyday life. So if you’re crafty (or even if you are not!) and you love Valentine’s Day or simply the people in your life I hope you send out just a few cards as an extra excuse to tell your people you love them!
How cute is this design for a heart wreath on your valentines?
Thought to Savor this Week
Quotes are one of my favorite things and I love when something just resonates with you right in the moment you read it. Here are a few that I have simply loved this week!