There is a LOT to be said for cocooning ...

especially in the month of January, on the east coast of Canada.   With -35 Celsius temperatures, blizzards, weather bombs, treacherous roads, 45 degree temperature change in the span of a week, flooding, freezing rain and flash freezes, who wants to venture outside unless they HAVE to.

I DO, even when I don't have to!  I make a point of trying to embrace SOME of winter.  Getting outside in the fresh air can cure what ails you.  It clears the cobwebs, and is so good for both your physical AND mental health.  Of course, having a dog to walk really helps motivate you and get you OFF  the couch. That, and a HUGE dollop of good,old Catholic guilt.  Plus, when you come in, you can treat yourself to a hot chocolate with Baileys.  Maybe even add a dollop of whipped cream.

Vimy was less than thrilled to be going out decked out in his latest winter wardrobe recently, to go snowshoeing.  Dressing him in his fancy ADIDOG coat and bootees, took me l-o-n-g-e-r  to do than dressing my two preschoolers back in the day.  Once out there, he DID NOT come bounding behind me, when I called him, as he ALWAYS does. I had to put his leash on him and drag him down the driveway, poor thing.  Do you think he was maybe mortified by his getup?

I enjoy the month of January.  While I try to remain active and embrace the outdoors, I also take this month to COCOON!!  I see it as my time to reflect, re-energize, redo, reorganize, replete and relax!!   I take this month to indulge in some great series on Netflix, devour lots of good books, bake bread, throw together soups, stews, ragouts and chili, take a woodworking course, tackle a five hundred piece puzzle, clean out closets and drawers, and even do some spring cleaning.  Now is the time to do the latter.  I want to be outside when spring comes, NOT inside! 

So far this month, I have T-H-O-R-O-U-G-H-L-Y cleaned out my freezer, my fridge, and my stove. It is so marvelous to NOT have the fire alarm go off every time I turn on a burner, or the oven.

When I cocoon, I tend to stay out of trouble, or trouble doesn't come looking for me. BRR!  It's too cold!