Almost time

It's almost time for my hibernaculum!  This is the first time I can remember looking forward with pleasure to winter, which says a lot for how I found my first attempt last year.

Hibernaculum?  It's what Roman soldiers used to call their winter quarters when they took a break from looting and pillaging.  These days it's more commonly a place for over-wintering plants, or the lair of a wintering animal.   

I had read that the Scandinavian peoples are amongst the happiest in the world which seemed very odd as they have much "harder" winters than we do.  I wondered if I too could have happier winters.

One of my great sources of inspiration was "The Gifts of Winter" by Stephanie Fitzgerald.  She had started from a similar viewpoint to mine i.e Winter Is Bleugh!  I actually read an article from The Guardian first.  This takes several points from the book in a very short form.

This year I start with a little experience as to what helped me.  I've started to batch cook and freeze some of my favourite meals for days when cooking feels like too much effort.  I've dug out and added to my collection of LED candles.  I've draped throws over all the chairs in the sitting room.

I've also set aside money for a treat meal each week and some flowers.  It's part of my self-care.