February has always seemed like the forgotten month. Not only is it the shortest month, it follows all the hub of the holiday season, and the weather is not always the most enjoyable. It is a little too cold to enjoy the outdoors and yet we have a bit of cabin fever from staying indoors since the beginning of winter. So today I bring you ideas for how to embrace the current season while still looking ahead and preparing for all the joy that spring will bring.
Garden Prep
If you plan to spend time outside in the garden this spring, you probably want to start your planning process now. Depending on what you are growing, and if you start from seedlings or seeds, you may need to first start in small pots indoors then transfer once it is warm enough. If you would like a guide to help determine the proper timing, I recommend this one. Even if gardening isn’t your thing, you may want to start cleaning off your lawn chairs or patio furniture so they are ready to use as soon as a nice day hits. Other things to consider are what outdoor maintenance you may need to do like cleaning out the gutters or filling up a tank of gas for your lawn mower. Even just considering how much time and money you would like to budget for investing into your yard will help you plan for what is to come.
Get Ready for Outdoor Activities
Similar to getting your yard ready for the season, you can start to get all your outdoor gear ready for the season as well! Now is the time to go through and see what should be kept (things you are looking forward to using) and what you can let go of (anything broken, no longer in use, or unwanted). After decluttering, you can find a spot where they will be seen and easily accessible for use when the time comes. For example, maybe instead of putting your bike in the corner behind all the sports equipment, this year you install hooks to hang it up on the wall. Or maybe you reorganize your shoe rack so you have your hiking boots and lawn-mowing old sneakers up front and at the ready! Small adjustments like that can help make getting out the door and being active much easier.
Start Thinking About Your Spring Break Plans
If you have children who will be out of school in March, you may want to get a head start on planning activities now. Whether you need to book a sitter or plan for family to come to town, it is always less stressful to put it on the calendar sooner rather than later. If you don’t have any plans and you need some ideas to keep your kids entertained, don’t you worry. We’ve got you covered. The library is hosting many exciting things this Spring Break so definitely keep an eye on our calendar. A few to note are our regularly scheduled storytimes but with special art projects, a four day coding camp for kids, and a special three day STEAM into science program.
Read for the Season
One of my favorite ways to get into the season is to read books that revolve around or are set in the time of year I am currently living in. So for February, you could pick up some romance or Valentines books such as Red, White, and Royal Blue by Casey McQuinton, You Had Me at Hola by Alexia Daria, Ties That Tether by Jane Igharo, or This is My Brain in Love by I. W. Gregorio. I would also recommend soaking up the last bits of icy atmosphere with books like The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse, Shiver by Allie Reynolds, or Spinning Silver by Naomi Novik.
Give Winter a Goodbye Hug
As February continues to throw ice and snow our way, really take a moment to live in the present and absorb the winter cozy vibes one last time before it is over for the year. Pick a movie that makes you feel like winter is magical (Harry Potter, Narnia, and Frozen are a few of my personal favorites), grab a giant mug of hot cocoa, and bundle up under blankets for a wintery night in. Use up the last bits of your winter candles. If you have little ones, you can make a pillow fort and use a flashlight to read in the dark, or make shadow puppets. Other fun winter indoor activity ideas include puzzles, board games, baking, and of course, snuggling up with a good book. Just take a day to be grateful for the season you are in and to remember what all there is to look forward to come next winter. Whatever you do, I hope you make the most of this month and live out a great, final, comfy winter day.
