Hey y’all! It’s almost the end of January and that means the middle of winter. Long nights, cozy fires, hot chocolate and candlelight. What’s not to love? Apart from sub zero temps, snow and ice if you live in that part of the country, winter can be a season of simple joys.  I posted my latest AHA moment on Instagram a couple of weeks ago. If you don’t follow me on “IG,” why not? It’s so much fun! Sharing photos, ideas and inspiration with like minded people is food for the soul…. Geez… I lost command of this post right in the beginning. It isn’t about Instagram, It’s about my AHA moment! So let me get back on track….

Ask anyone what their favorite season is and the majority will say Fall. I was in that category. I would probably still be in that category if I lived north of the Mason Dixon line. But. Fall in Florida falls short of my idea of what autumn should be, the autumns of my younger days. I lovingly  sarcastically call it Faux Fall here  and dutifully bring out the pumpkins, pine cones and dried leaves.  But I’m enjoying it less and less. It seems silly given the fact that there are virtually none of my favorite fall colors in the Tampa Bay area, everything is still lush and green and it’s still hot. I couldn’t pack up the pumpkins fast enough to begin Christmas decorating. Only to find that I couldn’t pack up my Christmas fast enough. What the what?? I need to rethink my seasonal decor so that I can savor and enjoy the seasons where I live.

As I was sorting the holiday decor in preparation for the trip into the mouth of hell, otherwise known as my attic crawlspace, I left out some faux cedar greenery  along with a few pine boughs and of course pine cones to decorate the mantel. Out came my brown bottles again and that’s when it hit me. Dang! I love winter in Florida!! All the greens and browns, clear skies and crisp air, yes please, I’ve found my season. I look out my window and the colors actually match my seasonal decor! WOOT!! Winter, you’ve won me over.

Besides the simple decor, and all the reasons I listed at the beginning to love winter, the longer nights mean more snuggle time, more books to read, more music to listen to. When it’s light until 9:00 p.m. in the summer, it’s all about the outdoors, but dark at 5:30?? Bring on the candles and the chili. I’m so there.

I kept the winter vibes pretty simple here, a couple of little evergreens, lots of pine cones and the a fore mentioned greenery. Woolen throws and comfy pillows add texture and softness and it gets cold enough here that those throws are welcome. (Don’t judge people, 40 is cold here). I even got a comment without an eye roll from Mr B! He said the mantel looked like it could go through every season. That, in and of itself is reason to sing. And I did. And did a happy dance. Then told him I would change it for spring and summer. Let the eye rolls begin.

I hope wherever you live, the simple joys of winter are giving you all the feels. The good feels. Savor the season you’re in. Don’t be in such a hurry to get to the next season that you forget to count the many joys of the season you’re in. Spring will come, why not enjoy winter until it does?

Create your sanctuary no matter where you live. One room, one season at a time.