The Gift of the Storm

The familiar sound of pelting snow against windows has returned

There are few things I long for in life. Only a few that I feel my body ache for, and over the years, I have deeply become in tune with them and what they tell me about who I am: body, mind, and soul. Each of them involves nature, and thus, they are things that I trust will happen, but I cannot control when and how. Instead, I must be present when they do arrive. If I did not have them in my life that year, I would feel like my life had not been lived if I didn't enjoy these things. It is an odd feeling, but the cells in my body crave these simple things.

• Snow for skiing.

• Cold air in my lungs.

• The sound of the rain on the leaves in fall.

• The scent and wildness of the garden.

• The feeling of green beneath my bare feet.

• The rushing of water on a hot day.

• The scent of damp, wet soil in the sunlight.

All these things sit high in my desires in life, along with the feeling of my kids at night, all warm and snuggled next to me as they fall asleep, and how I feel when I laugh hard with people I love. I have a running list of these simple pleasures of life now that I am deep into my 30’s. I want to remember what brings joy. The kind of joy that can only come when the moment presents itself. To remind myself what is worth waking up early for or waiting patiently for in life. To remind me that life is beautiful and magical for many reasons, and most of them never require me to consume anything but life itself.

This means I have been waiting for the snow to settle this year. To feel and absorb the magic that comes from the snow beneath my skis and the cold air filling me up. I have waited to see the hills completely smoothed under feet of snow. Waited to feel the heat that only a good cross-country ski session can provide. To fly over the groomed texture or cut my own path. I grew up on skis from the age of 2. I have known it like I know how to walk. It is part of my DNA. The smell of snow is as much like coming home as the smell of the garden in July or the first scent of the soil in spring. I know it and crave it as a Michigander and northerner. It humbles me and brings me extremely serenity to watch the snow pile up outside.

Laying in bed and hearing the sound of a snowstorm hitting the windows and the swoosh of the loose snow coming around the house is as comforting as the bird songs that return in April. It feels good to have the snow settle in now as another snowstorm swoops in tonight and the winds rise, and I hope it is here for a while. I need it as much as the land does. I need to see the canvas of my work in my garden fall beneath the blanket of white fluff so I can dream something new. I need it to paint a new painting for a new year of new goals and ideas that have stirred in me in 2023 and now have the path to come to be. I also need to have the work quiet in my head long enough to remember what it is to rest as someone who loves tending to the land. A snowstorm is a gift in these months when we have yet to see the cold sink into the hills.

Clearing the clutter in the landscape under the snow clears the filter in my brain so things can flow and take shape. The snow reminds me how beautiful it is to start anew.

I have learned over the years there are 2 types of northerners —- those who love winter and those who endure it. I believe every time in our life is precious. Every season is a gift. Every moment we breathe should be seen as something worthy of our gratitude. Thus, sometimes in winter, taking those breaths in the cold hurts. Sometimes, winter is challenging (I haven’t loved driving in the winter since an accident a few years back), but what I am reminded of is that even the challenge is worthy of gratitude because it gives us space to grow and find joy in simple things, like making it home after a snow storm. I mean this not in a toxic way but in a way where we can find thanks for just being alive. Being here. Being able to endure the season with renewed gratitude.

For me, a year without a true winter never allows me to fall in love with the gift of the first crocus or the first songs of the bird with as much admiration. The thing snow gives us is multifold, but it reminds us of what life is like when we have space to dream up something completely different. Gives us space to dream and connect with ourselves. It contrasts with the abundance of beauty that awaits in the soil beneath us, so we better appreciate it and value what it gives.

Whether you have snow or not, how are you creating a clean landscape in yourself to dream? Comment below!

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Some of you have asked for some ways to tend to yourself this month, I have a list below, but I also chat through more in this podcast episode today! Enjoy.

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1/12 Reflection - The Path

The fresh snow called me, and it was all I could do to finish breakfast and wait for the first sign of light on the hills before I was in my gear and out the door. The first light ski on these hills is a balm to my soul. As a winter lover, I don’t just crave the sound of swooshing my skis through that fresh, untouched snow; I need it. Every cell in my body craves it.

As I pushed into my first few glides, I knew it was still iffy and possibly too sticky. The snow was warmer than I would prefer, but the still-fresh-from-the-night snow can be colder than what I may meet by 10 AM, so I go. The chickadee chirps. The pines hang with ice and snow. The whole landscape looks coated in icing. I savor it all as I watch the snow flow over my skis and boots—a gift.

I carve a path. The one I know well where the snags are less when the snow is still below a foot, and it is relatively even. Even though things have been changing over the years as new development happens around us, the path is a perfect place to cruise along on my skis. I can get grooving and my body starts heating up. It is a glorious feeling to be in the height of snowy season.

Then, when the road I follow ends, I follow the path into the woods—an old horse trail. The one no one takes this early in the morning or, for that matter, much at all this time of year. It’s mine. Fresh and untouched. The snow is stickier now as the sun rises, but it’s still the same magic if I keep moving. My heart beats—sweat forms. The heat rises in me despite the snow beginning to fall again.

As I debate how to return home, I opt for the path I already carved. I love the chance to cut my own way out here. It is lovely to connect with myself in this way and trust my intuition with such low risk, but as I know the hills yet to climb to return home, having grooves set in the snow feels like the best choice as the snow becomes less generous to my skis.

I begin my travels back home; I will climb nearly 1,000 feet in incline before I take my skis off. It is then that I think sometimes we need to carve our path, but equally, we need the guidance and smooth terrain of a path already set for us. How many times have I realized this is true in life? There is beauty in carving things out on your own, but there is just as much of a gift in gaining the gifts of following another, even if just for a bit. Both things can be a gift in the process, and one is not exclusive to the other.

Finding my way home simply by the path I had already carved, I can glide and float back as I open my coat to cool off and let my warm body breathe in the cold air. A moment of calm and less thought. Finding the joy in both the path I carved and the one that takes away a little bit of the stickiness to the task at hand.

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5 Ways to Tend To Yourself This Month

As we settle into January, I wanted to share four ways I tend to myself personally in this season despite life's demands. As always, these are ideas. These are not intended to all be implemented; we feel enough of those demands. Since January is about caring for ourselves, I suggest doing what makes you feel your best. Whatever that may be for you. Here are just some of the things I do:

1. No over-exertion in working out: The New Year's resolution thing is loud! Even off social it is still loud. Instead, if you want to move your body in this season, think of things focused on mobility, daily walks for 30-40 minutes, skiing, yoga, pilates, etc. Thinking about doing exercise that is a little more connected to nature and the ground, I find it to be the most nourishing. I love movement and exercise, but winter doesn’t lend well to intense workouts unless you are established in these areas of your life. Remember that being in the cold places more demands on your body already.

2. Prioritize warmth: Sounds simple, but believe me, when night temps drop below 10 degrees, it can feel hard. In Chinese Medicine (which I am not professional at, just enjoy bringing into my life through professionals), it is important to keep your head, neck, and feet covered in the cold weather. I have taken this to heart. I am not a cold plunging person for personal reasons of my health, but I am a lover of the sauna. Sweating for 15-20 minutes and then cooling off in the cold air feels exhilarating, and I note a major difference in my overall warmth and health. I see keeping warm as coming both from the outside, inside and from our cozy aesthetic, aka hygge, as the Danish say. Approaching warmth in all directions is as simple as putting on socks and a hat every morning.

3. Moisturize and Exfoliate: Winter is hard on the skin. So, I make sure to keep myself well moisturized in the dry and cold air. I spend much of my day outside, whether skiing, walking, or teaching. This means I make it a priority to keep my skin healthy. I make my own balm with olive oil and beeswax in the summer, specifically for winter, containing marshmallow leaves, calendula, tulsi, chamomile, lavender, and yarrow. It keeps my skin happy and healthy through the coldest and driest days. I also use the beauty balm from Badger on my face at night, which is heavy for some, but in the north, you wake up looking dewy and nice without needing anything else. Post-sauna exfoliating can be really awesome, too!

4. Warm and nourishing meals: I hold 0 restrictions in this season other than less alcohol and only beer (post-ski beers are too good to give up, but an NA beer can usually do the trick) or a glass of wine. Everything else is about nourishing food like soups with beans and root veggies and sourdough bread or a kale salad with beets and adding in meat, we stored away from the local farms. Meals are simple, hearty, and warm in this season. If salads are eaten, they are with plenty of roasted roots, lentils, and greens from local farms. What a good soup or bowl of noodles with hard-boiled eggs, broth, and veggies can do to the soul is amazing. Listen to your body and what it wants. Also, lots of tea!

5. Rest: This is the number one priority in our home. TV isn’t really watched. There are only special times on the weekend when we do a movie night cozy style as a family, and we prioritize getting in bed as early as we can as a family who enjoys our nights (we are not early risers even in summer). The darkness makes sleep easier, which is wonderful.

What things do you prioritize in winter to help nourish and tend to yourself?

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Join The Garden Planning Intensive in February

I will share more, but all Paid Subscribers get access to this event this year. It will be a 4-week intensive where I will guide you through the process of planning your garden. You will get to know your other cohort/gardeners in the process and be able to learn from one another as well.

Dates for the live events (recordings will also be done), assignments, and discussions will all go live on Monday next week. This is a great time to join if you want to participate because I have 20% off for annual subscribers, so you can get access to this + the entire year of content, including seasonal guides and more, for only $40. Such a steal!

I hope you join us! Use the discount below to get info next week and access your Winter Guide.

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This week off the gram

I'm still going strong on that no-social thing. I have popped in a few times to grab a message or two, but I have found 0 desire to post other than sharing about a project I am working on with some friends who announced it. It will break for friends, of course. On a note, I realized the only thing I like about Instagram is staying connected with my local community. So I have spent time PURGING my follow list. My goal is to follow people I know and/or local businesses. That’s it. Though Instagram loves to say I need to do otherwise. It’s been nearly a month and a half since I posted, and I don’t miss that aspect. Soon enough, I will find my way back there, but I am in 0 rush at the moment.

Images described left to right and top row to bottom:

1. Revived my sourdough starter through some tedious work

2. Snowy pines after a warm snow speak to me

3. I do lots of cooking myself, between 170 and 180 in the Sauna, and it is my favorite.

4. There are lots of designs on the table right now, and the snow falling makes me more inspired

5. Many walks amongst the snow with company and without

6. Sunsets under the quiet of low clouds in winter are the best.

7. I have been spending time paying attention to the trees and landscape here with fresh eyes with classes and things I am learning right now.

8. Tying up my first full semester teaching at the school garden and prepped the beds for the incoming cold temps

9. The kitchen/herb garden is under snow and still beautiful

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This week, I also shared these posts for subscribers:

• Held Potential - The leaves for spring already exist, but they must first handle winter to open

• How to Pay Attention This Week - Noting the tension between the modern world and the natural world.

• Dreamlike Thoughts - This was last Friday’s newsletter

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