The two most dreary months of the year!

I so struggle in the dark new year but persevere with my early morning walks and slowly realise that mornings and afternoons get lighter and nature does what it’s been doing forever…

January has no birthday/anniversary highlights for me but once I focus and plan beyond to February with a Valentine 💘 celebration I’m on my way to the best year…hopefully 🤗

The winter jasmine is flowering.

When I bought it, many years ago, I had no idea it was winter jasmine and thought it would be beautiful sweet-smelling white jasmine and was disappointed.

However, now it's appreciated because it's a lovely splash of colour every January.

I hate winter gloom, I long for the bright days, which are few and far between. I’m out every day looking for the signs of spring. I’ve got primroses, and strangely, a cowslip, out in my garden in the snow today. This year I’m spoiling myself with a lovely White Company advent calendar which I’ve deliberately delayed opening until now, and a set of Whittard coffees of the world I had for Christmas, so spoiling myself with little daily treats.

I love Christmas, but it’s special, so I wouldn’t want it any longer that it is, about three weeks in this house.
I don’t mind these winter months either, cosy indoors and brisk walks spotting signs of growth and seasonal food.
I just like seasons I suppose and would rather they didn’t blend any more than they do.

When I look at the garden particularly if it’s very cold my thoughts are: lovely, killing off all those narsties .
Providing it’s not raining I still walk round the garden looking at plants and shrubs.
I’ve almost got my first Daff Yeh😂
Another bonus is that our pet fox visits more. She came to visit Friday, she looked magnificent 🥰
Sunsets this time of year can be glorious.
So no, I don’t hate this time of year 😂

Another here who hates this dark, dismal start to the year. I’m almost the same as RosiesMaw - so many bills - beats me why they’re all due at the same time!!
At least my car is paid for and the old desktop soldiers on.

I’ve also got my annual cold (thank you DGS2), which will rumble on until March.

I don’t mind February so much - it starts with my birthday (not so exciting at my age of course) and around here, at least, we usually see the first crocuses appearing. And in a mild-ish winter, several mimosa trees not far away will be covered with fluffy yellow blooms before the end of February.

January is generally pure, unmitigated horribleness, though!

Farzanah

What’s wrong with the winter? It’s being alive that counts.

What do you do to spruce or spice things up?

We have some birthdays in both those months. I like getting back to all the activities that have been on hold over the Christmas period. Getting back to meeting friends who’ve been tied up with family commitments.
Also there’s new films and theatre productions after the Christmas pantos and children’s animations have finished. Not to mention Burn’s Night and Valentines Day.
Before we know it, it will be Easter!

I don’t agree with the Christmas bit but I agree with the awful long winter months terribly depressing November December January February March are really off months for me roll on spring and prayers for a rare warm summer

Babs03. Ours is divided by ten .Therfore two months no payment. Although of course you pay more each month £319.00

Ilovedogs
I know 😂
Honestly I thought it would be an easy pattern. Tentacles next.

Ziggy. I’m with your friend, I love coming home, I’m a real homebird.
Washerwomen. New jigsaws and books sounds great too. We bought DGD a new jigsaw for Christmas that's proving a bit too much for her so I’m going to give it a go.
Agree though it wouldn’t be the same without our DH. I have many friends and relatives going through some terrible times at the moment. Time to be grateful for what we have 🤞

Millie22

I am knitting a jellyfish but the wool is quite thick and awkward so it's taking longer than normal.

Poor jellyfish! Millie22. 😉

That sounds all very good to me Washerwoman.😊

I am knitting a jellyfish but the wool is quite thick and awkward so it's taking longer than normal.

Tbh I like January. I have new books and jigsaws from Xmas but now the time and peace to enjoy them.And DH is good company to be hunkered down with.Fire lit.Dogs that had a snowy walk earlier snoozing.Plus I like winter comfort food.However I can imagine if /when I'm significantly older and infirm.If I was without DH and as many friends they would seem long days. So just grateful for a cosy home and health.

My dear friend (who died a year ago today) once said on a miserable dark winters afternoon "it's nice to go out to come back home again".
She lived in a lovely old cottage and I often remember her words on cold days.
I quite enjoy sitting in with a good book, snuggled up under my blanket

For the first time ever I’ve not dreaded the winter months and I’ve no idea why. I’m 67 and retired 18 months ago. My favourite time of year is spring, but now I’m older I can’t tolerate the heat. Maybe that’s it.
Anyway life is too short to waste six months, so I’m going to enjoy it.

Well done whywhywhy
I'm giving crocheting and knitting a break for a few weeks as I seem to have developed tennis elbow (no, I haven't been playing tennis but it's very painful).

It's good to see the Christmas decorations neatly packed away in boxes ready to go into the attic.

I couldn’t face Christmas again and I do hate these two dreary months

Take up a hobby to keep your mind busy during these dark days. I’ve just finished the sponsored knit along for cancer research and raised £535 for them. I’m starting to make some warm winter cowls now. Hugs 🤗🤗🤗

What’s wrong with the winter? It’s being alive that counts.

I'm going out to lunch with friends tomorrow - if our hill is not icy!

Then clubs start up again so something to look forward to at least.

JamesandJon33

Yes they are dreary month, but we don’t pay council tax in them .

We do.
🧐

We have lots of family birthdays.
Helps out a great deal.