In the midst of a full holiday schedule, I’m enjoying the few moments I can find to check off household tasks and cozy up with a good book. Popping in my AirPods to listen to a story or music helps drown out the ongoing to-do list in my head when I start to feel overwhelmed.

I’ve reached peak “holiday brain,” and I’m ready for things to slow down. The allure of a typical daily schedule begins to call to me even while I enjoy the magic present in the holiday season. I’ve added a few pieces from this talented Etsy maker on our entryway shelves to remind us of childhood joy and whimsy at the heart of holiday cheer and to keep that magic in focus.

When “holiday brain” begins to wear me down, my office serves as my retreat for creativity, relaxation, and reading. Apparently, I’m not the only one who finds it rejuvenating. Our dog, Etta, often follows me up to nap in the sun while I read or work. The atrium-like feel, with plenty of plants and sunshine, seems to be the preferred place for a lizard to spend the winter, as I now have an anole lizard that has taken up residence just like the one last year. I noticed the lizard checking out my office from outside the window a few weeks ago, so it must have slipped in under the sliding window. I still open my window now and again in case the anole changes its mind and wants to move back outside. Anoles are curious and will peek out to say hello or to enjoy a little sunshine throughout the day.

I hope you enjoy this season’s short video as an antidote to what is likely a season filled with expectations, energy drains, decision-making overload, and more requests for your attention and holiday cheer than you have time in your schedule.

The gorgeous poinsettias in the video are from Arnosky Farms, and our Christmas tree, Sylvester, is from The Great Outdoors. The Eeboo puzzle and Little Free Libraries in the holiday village are new editions this holiday season. A special thank you to my son, who designed our holiday village AND decorated the tree this year, and to my husband, who built the beautiful mantle on our fireplace. The music featured in the video is A Million Things by Mochas and October 22 by Vendla on Epidemic Sound.

BOOK RECOMMENDATIONS

The recent warm spell and abundant sunshine have encouraged the greens to grow and flowers to bloom in the garden again. I’ve been harvesting rose petals for tea, trimming young greens for soups and rice bowls, and watching the transition of the fall garden to one of winter.

The garden knows to slow to a winter’s pace as the temperatures cool. Winter gardens are quiet and patient. Muted hues and bare branches give us a glimpse into the essential elements of nature.

“Don’t think the garden loses its ecstasy in winter. It’s quiet, but the roots are down there riotous.” — RUMI

Quatations Source

Winter Solstice is celebrated on December 21st. If you’re interested in reading about the history behind Yule and Winter Solstice, I suggest this article, but you might want to use reader view on your browser to limit ads.

As a mood reader, I love getting lost in a book that feels like the season I’m in, whether it’s the actual season on the calendar or the life phase I’m navigating. In last year’s post, I shared how to create an immersive reading experience. I’ve found ASMR rooms on YouTube (like this one with snow falling or this one with the sounds of a campfire) and coffee shop playlists to help create a certain mood, even if the weather outdoors or the location I’m in does not match the feel of the book.

As we move into winter, I’m shifting my reading selections to those that pair well with cozy winter days, have settings covered in snow, or take me deep into a forest. Winter is also a great time to finally tackle those doorstopper books that ask for more of my time and attention. I should note that the books I’m recommending this season are books I’m currently reading or plan to read over the next few weeks and are not books I have previously read. These book recommendations come from YouTube book channels that I follow regularly and have found to be good fits for my reading taste. I’m curious to hear if anyone has read these books yet. Please share in the comments below.

My 2023 TBR is growing, and I’ve begun to curate a list from the many book-related newsletters that I follow as well as recommendations from YouTube book channels. What are you adding to your 2023 TBR? Share in the comments below

What’s my simple joy this week? Sitting on the couch with my family at the end of a long day to watch a holiday movie surrounded by twinkling lights, sipping tea, and laughing together.

However you’re choosing to celebrate this year, I wish you a holiday season filled with light, laughter, abundant time connecting with nature, and cozy evenings with the ones you love.

I’m taking a break for the holidays, but I’ll see you back here on the blog in the new year on January 13, 2023! Until then, you can check out a few of my past blog posts.

Seasons 48-52 (2022): Preparing for the winter holidays with inspiration, connection to nature, play, reading, and rest

Seasons 1-3 (2022): Finding my roots after winter break

Purchasing items from the links below helps to support this blog AND some incredibly talented authors, illustrators, small businesses, and makers:

52 Seasons Bookshop.org Store

52 Seasons Libro.fm Audiobook List

52 Seasons Etsy Favorites

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Writing blog posts for 52 Seasons is a creative journey into the expressions that come from my heart: writing, photography, tending a garden, immersing myself in nature, reading stories from voices that need to be heard and sharing them with others, keeping a home, being an advocate and supporter of education and basic human rights, and sharing resources with others.

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