seasons in review : winter

Hello Friends. This is a Winter edition of Seasons in Review – a reflection through the last season into our lives that references certain events and projects that may have been written about in this space. It’s also a fun way to get to know one another some more and to have a fun dive into the archives of your blog! Link up and get reflecting ;)

What was the best memory of this winter season for you and your family?
This winter flew by for us so much, and of course the best memory would have to be our holidays, which now seems so long ago. But it was great appreciating the holiday season through a 3 year old with all its magic and wonder…
but then there’s the time my daughter learned to read – that was pure joy and continues to be ;)

What is the one event you looked forward to the most? Did it turn out as you expected?
I guess it would be Christmas again, and yes it was exciting but I’ve learned that prior to having a big fancy dinner – my husband and I get wrapped up with preparation issues that are not fun at all. Eventually, we iron out the wrinkles as the guests come in and we have a good time.  But throwing a large dinner is relatively new for us, and we’ve already decided have the Easter dinner at my mom’s ;D

Our baking day at my sister’s with the kids was so much fun. And this kids party was loads of fun ;)

Have you done/tried/tasted something completely new, how was your experience?
Swiss Chard ;) I never had it before. I still have some and I need to make another pot of a delicious soup.

Is there a valuable lesson you learned this winter season?
That I can’t keep on snacking on foods that potentially could be making me sick. I have not cheated on a single crumb of wheat since January and I feel so much better as a reward ;)
And that the house won’t clean up itself.

Have you applied yourself creatively and created projects that you wanted to?
I had a lot of fun doing a sweater makeover which I was thrilled with. I turned an old boring cardigan into something a little more showy. Take a look at the post From Drab to Fab!
And I did a cute little maracas craft project made from a coconut with my daughter.
And this bird mobile was so much fun.
And then there’s the salt-dough hearts that became magnets and hanging decorations.
There’s still so much I wanted to do but I keep putting things off as different priorities come on by.
I did however do a contribution for ROTH with some awesome spice decorated gingerbread cookie ornaments and I did a few other ornaments which were also fun.

Is there something you wanted to try or complete that you didn’t have the time for? What do you think stood in your way and will you still attempt it?
Hi, my name is Ella and I’m a procrastinator.
Enough said? And yes, I will finish things up, promise. There’s cushions I started, a box play house and the #2 of my sweater re-fab. I will get to those projects soon. Promise.

From your winter experience, what are you most grateful for?
That i’ve got the vegan/ gluten-free baking down to almost perfection. I don’t crave foods (as much-still do sometimes-who doesn’t) but I have now graduated to baking without a recipe even and not using an egg-replacer. Yeah!
And I wish I spent more time outside but I’ve never been a huge fan of winter ;) Once the real spring comes, I know I will be a different person.

I am most thankful for though, is having such a great support system in my family and for all those great times we’ve spent together cozying up indoors ;)

What was your favourite place you travelled to? Do you plan to go back there?
I went on a little trip to Niagara Falls to my mom’s with my daughter and my father-in-law. Just us three. It was the first time I spent so much time with him alone, it’s a 1 hr trip one way, and I was a little worried ;) But it’s been great getting to know him and getting closer. Since then, we’ve taken on occasional Ikea trips together (we both love the ‘as is’ section) lol. and Gabi loves the kid’s care, not as much as I do ;)

Is there a blog that inspires you the most?
I love visiting my friend’s blogs (so You) and getting to know them more. I am so inspired by such amazing and talented women out there and I am so thankful I can peek into their lives. Lately, I challenge myself more with photography, and one amateur photographer is really helping me to see life a little differently. She is Aura Joon.

What are your favourite photos, stories or memories that you want to share from your winter season?
We started having fun little ‘movie nights’ with our daughter. We had our nephew stay for a sleepover which was so fun. I loved our winter walks and sleigh rides with guaranteed hot chocolate with marshmellows to warm up to at home…
Mostly though, I really enjoy doing little things with my daughter, like little crafting projects, baking muffins together and things like this ;) I am reminded how quickly time flies by and kids are only kids for so long – I am happy and lucky to have a flexible schedule that can put family first ;) Those times spent together are the ones I’ll always treasure most…

Thank you for reading this and for allowing me to share my bit of life with you. Maybe you’ve clicked on a few old posts you haven’t seen before ;)

I hope you will join me in reviewing your winter season.
Grab a badge and copy and paste the questions and happy reflecting. You will be pleased you did as this will create a wonderful connection with yourself  and your memories for a season gone by….

Have fun saying farewell to winter!

Leave a link to your post in the comments below, you can still come back and add to it throughout the whole week. No rush, just have fun ;)