Have you ever wondered why January has to come so soon after December? I'm never ready for it. All of December is Christmas and family and decorations and little white lights. Then we hang up the new calendar. January. Arctic blasts, sub-zero temperatures, icy windshields, frozen garage doors.
I think that in my mind's eye, the calendar is one long vertical strip with December at the bottom. If they made calendars in the shape of a circle, like all the months getting equal treatment (remember Arthur's roundtable? or maybe the desks in your elementary school classroom?), then maybe it wouldn't seem like there should be a big gap between December of one year and January of the next. I need time to brace myself for January. How about you?
January past
My favorite calendar is from the local feed mill.
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Although I usually forget to do it, there is a chance that this post will be linked to one or more of these great linky parties: Amaze Me Monday and Inspiration Monday and Mosaic Monday and The Barn Collective and Treasure Box Tuesday and Vintage Bliss Tuesday and KatheWithAnE and Rubbish Tuesday and Our World Tuesday and Tuesdays at our Home and Tuesday with a Twist and Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage) and Tweak it Tuesday and Vintage Inspiration Wednesday and A Creative Princess and Ivy and Elephants Wednesday and Adorned From Above and Artsy Corner Thursday and All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and Good Fences on Thursdays and Time Travel Thursday and Freedom Fridays and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Saturday's Critters
where i live December and January are my favorite months of the year because we cool down to waking up to mid fifties and highs of 75, and NO humidity.. this year has been 80's and we wake up to 70 degrees like today. AC used 5 days so far..but the cool air is on the way from the North and our high today is 68 and i am dancing a happy dance.
ReplyDeleteI think of January as an empty slate after so much hub-bub after all the holidays. I like exactly where it is because it allows me to sort of regroup and prepare for the rest of the year. Of course, where I live January and February are cold winter months so there isn't much else to do.
ReplyDeleteThe good thing about January is that it's one month closer to the good ole summertime. :)
ReplyDeleteI agree with the second commentor...I also like to have January as sort of clean slate...I actually look forward to any snow that we might receive here in NC and January & February are usually our best chance. There is no doubt though that I am always ready for spring :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it seems to be the coldest month of the year but Spring is on it's way!
ReplyDeleteI agree, December is filled with family, Christmas then January. Cold, cold and more cold. Blessings Francine.
ReplyDeleteJanuary always seems like the longest month of the year especially after being so busy during December and almost feels like a let down.
ReplyDeleteI like how January is a quiet month after the holidays and everything. Wishing you a nice day and a wonderful 1st week of the new year.
ReplyDeleteJulie
Oh it is cold in January here too, but oh so pretty especially looking at your pictures...I like the idea of a circular calendar.
ReplyDeleteWonderful shots. I love January with its promise of ice and snow and blue skies.
ReplyDeleteGood morning! I usually love January because the holidays are behind us with all the hustle and bustle and everything seems like a new beginning and a fresh slate. Of course I don't deal with snow or my tune would no doubt be very different, lol. Enjoy your week!
ReplyDeleteAnd we are in for an arctic blast here in PA...well, December was quite mild and even rainy versus snowy so I guess that we are due. We are to get snow tonight. As in our first snow that has at least an inch or two!
ReplyDeleteI know exactly what you mean:) It is depressing to take the decorations down and start thinking about January, taxes etc! We just have to enjoy ONE day at a time, ya know? Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way!
ReplyDeleteyou're funny. but i understand since you're in the north. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, I do understand :)
ReplyDeleteYes, it is a cold week here in the Sunny South. I could just skip January and move on to Valentine's day!!
ReplyDeleteWhen I was younger I used to dislike January because it seemed like a long, cold month, but now I don't seem to mind it. Maybe it's because I have a little one that keeps me busy playing in the snow :)
ReplyDeleteHugs to you, Judy!
I don't like January weather, but I do like the sense of quiet this month brings. A time to hunker down close to home, to enjoy stitching, reading, sewing, cooking. If I get tired of those things - there's always garden catalogues for inspiration!
ReplyDeleteSandra is, I believe, from the Tampa FL area, and her comment expresses my sentiments perfectly. We look forward to cooler temps with no humidity! Stay warm up there!
ReplyDeleteGood point.
ReplyDeleteWhy don't they put a July in there between the two? We could use another July!
I think I transition into January all right Judy because I leave snowflakes, snowmen and the kitchen icicle lights up. My winter dishes have snowflakes too so all these things are enjoyed until March.
ReplyDeleteFebruary brings a month in Florida so I'll just coast along this month until it's time to leave. :-)
Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday.
A huge rabbit out in the snow! How wonderful! The feed store, who would have known, it does look like it would be really cool, with lots of animals. January to March needs lots of bracing, that's when the reality sets in.
ReplyDeleteWell...I'll tell you...when we moved up here 20 months ago from the deep south, it was an adjustment...but now, I rather enjoy the cold --rather be cold than hot, lolol. I do understand where you're coming from though. Blessings
ReplyDeleteWell, being a Canadian and living in Ontario I am used to this frigid weather but that doesn't mean I have to like it. Today it is -16C with cold winds. I find it a pain to drive in snow and ice and our poor old dog doesn't get walked like he does in the better weather. But, the sun is shining today so I'll take that and stop complaining. I just keep reminding myself that we are already done with two months of this. Onwards and upwards. :) Deb
ReplyDeleteHi Judy,
ReplyDeleteI know January can be hard. It can be so cold!!
Good News for January...
It is Jeremy's Birthday month :-)
D-Abby is on TV!!
And the days are getting longer.
Let's get together soon and brighten up each others January.
xx oo
Carla
Never ready for winter, and it finally caught up to us this week. COLD!
ReplyDeleteJudy, what lovely winter scene photos. January for me is a time to tidy up, clean out, and start all over. Hope yours is wonderful.
ReplyDeleteLove that soap theme. Awesome!!
ReplyDeleteJudy, we've had a warmer January than predicted but it's due to get colder later this week. Love that calendar!
ReplyDeleteYou are cordially invited to my With Twigs and Branches January Giveaway. I hope to see you there! http://www.withtwigsandbranches.com/2015/01/with-twigs-and-branches-january-giveaway.html
Very good point, although I find January to be a good month to get things in order and even do a little extra cleaning around the house. Since it is a blaa month why not make good use of it. :)
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with your photo of the rabbit! Cute cute!
Have a wonderful week.
Debbie
I feel it too! We have had just a silly winter this year, and it began for us all throughout November! It was -15 on my way out this morning, and now it's around 10 degrees and snowing hard!
ReplyDelete"Bracing" indeed, Judy! Typically, winter around these parts has a few bitter cold days and lots of chilly days and I look forward to making soup and having slow and lingering school days. But last winter has made me skittish, to say the least. Oh my. And to think that you have those sorts of winters every year!
ReplyDeleteOh I agree wholeheartedly Judy. January is 'another world' altogether from December. February is a bit kinder. January is a harsh reality that it really is winter. I try to make myself enjoy it. Did you notice a bit more daylight at suppertime? :)
ReplyDeleteI don't usually need to brace myself for January. Because it's rarely any different from December. Which is not that different from November. We're mostly in the 50s. We are, however, going to be at a frigid 28 on Thursday. Which is what, to you? A heat wave? LOL
ReplyDeleteJanuary in Wisconsin as I remember is really cold, so stay warm, Judy, and have a wonderful New Year!
ReplyDeleteI like BJ's comment!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed the photos from January past! My siblings and I always used to build snow caves and forts! Now I think it's just too cold! I'm already ready for summer!
ReplyDeleteI still need to transfer all my birthdays etc to my new calendar. Yes you must brace yourself. Our son who moved to Pittsburgh after Christmas is going to have a whole new experience with snow!!!
ReplyDeleteI just brace for more icy winter storms, which usually come in January. I like winter though, the biting cold on a frosty morning ... what could be more refreshing?! My cheeks are still burning from my early morning walk today :) I find March is the worst month to get through. Wet slush and mud just bugs me, and all that grit and salt from the winter roads tracked through the house. I think you're onto something with the round calender though. Love that shot on the cover of your calender - good friends sharing a blade of grass. Wendy x
ReplyDeleteJanuary always seems like a "transition" month to me. Calming down after the rush of Christmas and just settling into normal routines again. It's generally not a horrible weather month here. Some years we have snow, ice etc...but so far this year mainly rain & more rain.
ReplyDeleteJanuary marks the beginning of bitter cold temps in Wyoming, so it's a month I would gladly skip. One good thing about January is that the hours of daylight are starting to be noticeably longer.
ReplyDeleteI think you're idea of a circle calendar is close to how Celtic people used to represent time.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.pinterest.com/pin/434667801510957769/
I think it's very interesting and closer to nature!
I am ready for January. It's time for some real winter and at least the cold is coming. The thing about it here in the south as we know it won't stay long--a few days, maybe a week or two, and then our more moderate temps will be back (40s). But I know you will have endless days of it.
ReplyDeleteAt least you've braced yourself for January. I haven't even gotten a calendar! Have a great evening. :)
ReplyDeleteMy calendar has Decemuary. Doesn't yours?
ReplyDeleteYou know what - for some reason January has always been my least favorite season. I guess it is a let down from the busy holidays. Then it is long and cold. I bet we are warmer than you are!
ReplyDeleteI love the quietness of January around here. But, it does seem a very abrupt change from our constantly busy Decembers. =) Love your calendar. Happy new year and warm blessings, Valerie
ReplyDeleteHappy and healthy New Year!
ReplyDeleteI usually don't mind January. It is usually the month we get an "Arctic Blast" and have to try to stay snug and warm, but there is something cozy about that. After all the holiday meals it is nice to eat lighter, and to have quiet time to reorganize and set goals for the year. If I had to pick a month I dislike it would be March. It is so close to Spring, but it is the snowiest month in Colorado and the winds get very strong here. We lost a pretty tree the first March we lived here.
I am ready for January . . . BUT, I don't have my calendar for 2015 that I hang inside the pantry. (Usually my brother gives me one each year . . . guess he cut me off his list!)
ReplyDeleteIt is on my list though for tomorrow if the roads are plowed and I can get out to the store.
I think if there were just a few more days in December, January would be doable. p
ReplyDeleteGorgeous images - the sunset is spectacular! Northern winters are not for sissies! Keep cozy! Hugs xo Karen
ReplyDeleteI was beginning to think we were going to have a comparably warm, yet rainy, winter.
ReplyDeleteHowever, once December passed and January came on board, here comes the much cooler temps.
Some lovely rich colours in the collage photo. January for me is a time of new seasons to plan the first half of the years holidays, shifts at work, band duties and also a church weekend away in mid January. As far as I am concerned I would like the snow to be done by the end of this month too as it's a Christmas card thing, but I'll give it a little leeway :-)
ReplyDelete