My husband and I found ourselves sleepy by 10 p.m. last night, and put aside our books to head upstairs (we alternate our celebrations with a dinner out one year and a quiet night at home the next; this was the year to stay home).At midnight we were awakened by fireworks across the river and a band of neighbors with pots and pans welcoming 2008 with a noise march around the block. It was a charming moment, and a sweet way to see the new year in.
This weekend, I will take the decorations down - an easy task since I decorated so lightly this year - and begin my annual process of separating, throwing out and recycling. This activity lasts about a month. My resolution is to make it last longer this year.
In a week of so, I will begin another winter ritual: The purchase of potted forced bulbs for my desk at work. It is a ritual that cheers me and reminds me that even with all the snow (and we've had 30 inches or so already) there will be spring.
The flowers above, by the way, were shot in Paris along the Seine on the Right Bank near the Marais.
My other ritual is Asian food in winter. I am looking forward to adding a few new recipes to my repertoire, which is rather slim.
It's been a while since I made a real French dish, too. Winter is a good time for some hearty country dish.
What's your winter ritual?
19 comments:
Hi Mimi, I'm glad you had a happy New Year. I'm like you I am going to start going through things and tossing and donating or whatever the case may be.
I like to do it now while the weathr is cold and then when it gets warm I can spend time outside.
Great post for the first of the year and good idea for alternating night out for New Years. I actually feel asleep in my hubby's arms before the clock struck midnight. I was too tired to make it all the way.
You have some solid winter rituals. It made me think that I don't have a single one, except for maybe sleeping in later. Perhaps I can come up with something soon.
Hi Mimi - What a wonderful way to start a New Year! It seems I spend the last month of the year doing the cleaning out and sorting. I never thought of it before now - thanks for the reminder!
I've traveled to New Mexico so that I can have winter. It is my much- needed retreat from the endless southern California sun.
Happy New Year, my friend.
Judy, I have the same plan. I find I like the cold weather because it keeps me inside and focused on my tasks.
LT$, I look forward to hearing what you come up with!
Toni, what a wonderful idea: I prefer the sun, but I think I would be unnerved by too much of it.
Happy New Year to each one of you!
We share the same winter rituals -- my first pots of bulbs are starting to grow -- when they get a bit bigger I'll start another batch AND I never get the January blues because I always do closets, cupboards and drawers. I've never thought of them as winter rituals -- I like calling them that!
We stayed in as well and I didn't make it till midnight though the husband did. Our neighbors love their fireworks at midnight of the new year though I was zonked and didn't hear a thing. I love the idea of forcing bulbs for my office! Can you give a few quick hints of the type of pot, bulbs and what you plant them in?
Trish
What a wonderful way to ring in the new year. I like your recycling and sorting idea.
Hi Mimi , well here its BBQ season . Took down the tree (plastic one) and all the ornaments. I tell you its such a job! I made it easy with a glass of champagne. He, he.
I do like the recycling idea but ... tell me , how do you get a husband who keeps Everything "just incase" to chuck some of that junk out??? LOL
Trish, I buy my forced bulbs at a florists shop! Here is a link you might try.
JDV, this will be an ongoing project, I fear. I must keep my resolutions longer than a month.
Lady J, I guess you throw it out when he's not looking!
Wonderful post Mimi!
This year I'm changing all my normal winter rituals in an effort to start my "new normal" after the wretched 2008 I had.
I love the glow of the Christmas tree lights in a dark room with only some soft music playing and a glass of wine. Since my tree is a little 2' table top model I've decided to leave it up with its lights on until I'm bored with it or just have to put it away. I just want a little Christmas in my life until winter is over.
I'm also downsizing my life by going through everything I own and deciding if I really need it or not. Anything I don't need will either be consigned to the garage sale pile or the donate to the woman's shelter pile.
Finally, I've never bought the forced bulbs because I don't know why but I think I need some daffodils in my life very soon!
I like the idea of having flowers at work and there's nothing nicer than a bulb. I have flowers at my desk year round if possible, growing in a pot rather than cut flowers in a vase.
I haven't stayed up for New Year for years now, though I usually hear it ;)
Wonderful ideas, Mary. I like them all, and I especially like the idea of some change and a little Christmas into the new year.
Sometimes we "need a little Christmas" at other times. I've done things like that myself. In fact, my own mother always keeps her tree up well into January.
Fiona, I usually start with pink tulips. Last year, I also had white tulips, red tulips, purple tulips and daffodils from about Jan. 10 into March 15.
Happy New Year Mimi!
I try to clean out closets and de-clutter during the winter.
Other than that, I like to cook lots of stews, gumbos, braises and hearty winter fare! With some good red wine, of course.
Happy 2009 to you Mimi! My New Year's rituals are to pull out a craft that I've long since set aside- this year it is a quilt that I've been ever-so-slowly piecing together. (My first quilt, but it was set aside some time ago.) I also warm myself on this frigid winter days by pouring through seed catalogs. The flowers and the vegetables just cheer me so, and remind me that spring is a certainty.
The forced bulbs are a fantastic idea- I'm going to keep my eye out!
Asian food in the winter is such a great ritual! I have to say I love trying out new French recipes. I am still perfecting my coq au vin!
I think I'll borrow your idea of bulbs to force at your desk. It's a lovely thought.
Hey LouLou - congrats on your good news. Gumbo sounds good tonight. And red wine, too.
Erika, I hope to buy my flowers this weekend - the store usually has them buy the end of the first full week of January.
Anne, I want to make Coq au Vin one of these snowy Sundays. I'll pop over to your place for inspiration.
Andrea, I need to keep my office a happy place and flowers do the trick. Luckily, there is a florist across the street.
I am charmed by your comment...let's stay chatting.
I am taking the Christmas stuff down today...re-arranging and all that jazz
it's nice being back here
Yes, let's CF! I liked your latest post, too.
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