21 Reasons to love February

Did you forget?

Apparently it’s going to be 15°today round our way. But it’s not spring just yet.

February can be tough but I have come to enjoy this month more and more as I come out blinking from beneath blankets and the fireside, for a few moments before scuttling back indoors for more tv binging. Because it is still winter.

I heard someone say on the radio, to all those that moan about winter and especially February, that we get one a year. Get into it. I loved that.

In the last few moments, I am rinsing the best of the season now for i’ll be nostalgic for it when I am all hot and bothered and gnat bitten come July.

1. Piles of cushions and blankets on the sofa and a box set. Or a movie. No guilt of missing the sunset of a warm balmy evening when you can hibernate for a bit longer.

2. Jigsaw puzzles on the table.

3. Feeling good after a good dirty winter stomp and coming home for a roast / dahl / soup.

4. Soup! Thick rooty soup, generous ministrone or my current favourite, Buttered rice and miso soup for lunch.Birds wedding day

5. Terracotta pots of Iris Reticulata.

   

6. Snuggling enjoying a great book (absolutely loved this one)

7. First sunny daffoldils, hellebores and primroses.

8. Bright blue skies. The light at this time of year is cooler and bluer.

9. February Half Term - the worst one of the year make it super chilled and relaxing.

10. Valentines. But not to actually buy anything. We call it love day here. Make each other cards and have a special dinner to apprecaite each other. We had heart shaped pizzas this year. Well, the intention was that they looked like hearts. Does anything say ‘I love you’ children more than heart shaped pizza? And millionaires shortbread obvs.

11. The swelling of buds on plants and wild cherries about to burst.

12. Imbolic - half way between the winter and spring solstice. Celebrate with lighting candles for max cosiness.

13. Snowdrops on the verge as I walk into town & snowdrop water meadow down the road.

    

14. Momentary bright shadows on the fence panel. The sun is high enough to make them. Blink and you’ll miss it but it did happen.

15. The sweet scent of Sarcoccoca flowers on dark green leafed stems.

16. It’s light at 5.30pm! Suddenly it feels done and hopeful. The days will roll out quicky now. Don’t take that light for granted!

17. Roaring fire on the damp grotty cold grey days.

18. Fortune cookies and noodles for Chinese New Year.

19. The little lights and table lamps switched off by 8am.

20. Pancake day. Piles of pancakes and sharp lemon juice on a dark night.

21. Still time to plan my seed sowing, flick through catalogues, making lists and dreaming of the abundance I intend to grow.

What did I forget?

Do please kindly leave a ❤️ if you liked it. Thank you. Be back on Tuesday with a link to speak in the evening.