The two most dreary months of the year!

We have some birthdays in both those months. I like getting back to all the activities that have been on hold over the Christmas period. Getting back to meeting friends who’ve been tied up with family commitments.
Also there’s new films and theatre productions after the Christmas pantos and children’s animations have finished. Not to mention Burn’s Night and Valentines Day.
Before we know it, it will be Easter!

Farzanah

What’s wrong with the winter? It’s being alive that counts.

What do you do to spruce or spice things up?

I don’t mind February so much - it starts with my birthday (not so exciting at my age of course) and around here, at least, we usually see the first crocuses appearing. And in a mild-ish winter, several mimosa trees not far away will be covered with fluffy yellow blooms before the end of February.

January is generally pure, unmitigated horribleness, though!

Another here who hates this dark, dismal start to the year. I’m almost the same as RosiesMaw - so many bills - beats me why they’re all due at the same time!!
At least my car is paid for and the old desktop soldiers on.

I’ve also got my annual cold (thank you DGS2), which will rumble on until March.

When I look at the garden particularly if it’s very cold my thoughts are: lovely, killing off all those narsties .
Providing it’s not raining I still walk round the garden looking at plants and shrubs.
I’ve almost got my first Daff Yeh😂
Another bonus is that our pet fox visits more. She came to visit Friday, she looked magnificent 🥰
Sunsets this time of year can be glorious.
So no, I don’t hate this time of year 😂

I love Christmas, but it’s special, so I wouldn’t want it any longer that it is, about three weeks in this house.
I don’t mind these winter months either, cosy indoors and brisk walks spotting signs of growth and seasonal food.
I just like seasons I suppose and would rather they didn’t blend any more than they do.

I hate winter gloom, I long for the bright days, which are few and far between. I’m out every day looking for the signs of spring. I’ve got primroses, and strangely, a cowslip, out in my garden in the snow today. This year I’m spoiling myself with a lovely White Company advent calendar which I’ve deliberately delayed opening until now, and a set of Whittard coffees of the world I had for Christmas, so spoiling myself with little daily treats.

The winter jasmine is flowering.

When I bought it, many years ago, I had no idea it was winter jasmine and thought it would be beautiful sweet-smelling white jasmine and was disappointed.

However, now it's appreciated because it's a lovely splash of colour every January.

I so struggle in the dark new year but persevere with my early morning walks and slowly realise that mornings and afternoons get lighter and nature does what it’s been doing forever…

January has no birthday/anniversary highlights for me but once I focus and plan beyond to February with a Valentine 💘 celebration I’m on my way to the best year…hopefully 🤗

Just glad to have made it this far after various health problems. Like other posters I enjoy a brisk ( ish) walk with my dogs then coming home to curl up with my book or TV. I can work better when it's cold rather than in warmer weather so not depressing at all for me.

Walks, books, netflix, and online scrabble, oh and also a little thing called Gransnet.
Sorted.

M0nica

I love them, the cold outside the warmth in. Log fires and heaps of books, going for walks and coming home with cold hands and feet and a rosy red face.

I am starting to feel the same. Add in watching tv in the afternoons without feeling guilty.

JamesandJon33

*Babs03*. Ours is divided by ten .Therfore two months no payment. Although of course you pay more each month £319.00

Ah…thanks for the explanation.

I love the colder months as we don't have to listen to the neighbours inane conversations in their garden or their conservatory when they have the door open. They both love the sound of their own voices and loudly drone on and on! I have to close my back door in the summer to get any peace! So in the winter I can spend time in my garden, even though it is freezing and listen to the birds and not the neighbours! I know, I'm a grumpy old git. :-)

Just be grateful you are still on this earth. It's not the months that are dreary it is what you make of them that counts.

We do in January.

RosiesMaw2

I don't want Christmas all over again but agree about the two dreariest months.
Add into that Car tax and MOT, insurance, house insurance, all due,inevitably higher energy bills,full freezer (at vast expense) but nothing to eat, half a stone (at least) up...need I go on?
Oh and my computer died and will need to be replaced and I've got the final payment to make (the big one) on my car.

And here was I forgetting the house insurance, although I have just made out the household budget, which did include all my insurances for this year!

Have you considerd a reconditioned computer ? I did, last time mine died and have been completely satisfied with it and only paid a third of what a new one would have cost.

I like the time after Christmas. Not chaotic, just calm and cosy by the fire. The dog walks are a bit quicker - but we bundle up. Also the months to ski!

why why why do you have a pattern for a cowl as I’ve been looking for one. They are such a good idea aren’t they ? Well done on your fundraising.

Millie 22 I read your post too quickly I think and read that you were “ knitting testicles next “. I had begun thinking how when I read again and saw that you were knitting tentacles. Easier I think !!

I don’t like January, but I think the bleakest month of the year for me is November as the clocks have just gone back and the daylight hours are getting shorter by the day. It is usually damp, dreary weather with endless grey skies, too. December has my birthday as well as Christmas, so it is much better. I think January is very much an anticlimax after the festivities and, as a self-employed person, I need to make sure my tax return is in by the end of the month. This should be quick this year, though, because I am now semi-retired and will not have to pay any tax. One bright spot is that the days are gradually becoming longer again. I like reading and listening to music at this time of year, too. There is something about drawing the curtains and a cosy house that is very endearing. I don’t mind February at all because it is a short month and the days are noticeably longer and once March is here, Spring is well and truly on its way. One thing I do is to treat myself to weekly bunches of daffodils as soon as they come into the shops, which won’t be long now. They are cheap and extremely cheerful and I think they are a sign of better things to come.

We have six family birthdays in January so the celebration goes on.

I really love these months especially when we have storms and I'm cosy inside/ or the dramatic sea storms near where I live.. and of course watching the beginnings of new life..
as long as I have reasonable health I like all seasons

Not keen on January or early February, depressingly short days and cold. However, today the snow has been washed away, decorations gone, down stairs cleaned and vacuumed. Felt better about things, the only bit of December I like is run up week to Christmas. I feel better in myself facing this year than any of last 12 years as I have now finally accepted estrangement from daughter and can live with it. Its like a fresh start.

Allira

The winter jasmine is flowering.

When I bought it, many years ago, I had no idea it was winter jasmine and thought it would be beautiful sweet-smelling white jasmine and was disappointed.

However, now it's appreciated because it's a lovely splash of colour every January.

I have a winter jasmine but very rarely get tiny white flowers on it. I prune it right down every year as it grows up thick and beautiful at the top but leaves the bottom 2-3 feet without any leaves at all. Why is this do you think? What colour is yours, do you have a photo you wish to share please?

Musicgirl

I don’t like January, but I think the bleakest month of the year for me is November as the clocks have just gone back and the daylight hours are getting shorter by the day. It is usually damp, dreary weather with endless grey skies, too. December has my birthday as well as Christmas, so it is much better. I think January is very much an anticlimax after the festivities and, as a self-employed person, I need to make sure my tax return is in by the end of the month. This should be quick this year, though, because I am now semi-retired and will not have to pay any tax. One bright spot is that the days are gradually becoming longer again. I like reading and listening to music at this time of year, too. There is something about drawing the curtains and a cosy house that is very endearing. I don’t mind February at all because it is a short month and the days are noticeably longer and once March is here, Spring is well and truly on its way. One thing I do is to treat myself to weekly bunches of daffodils as soon as they come into the shops, which won’t be long now. They are cheap and extremely cheerful and I think they are a sign of better things to come.

That will be my New Year resolution, to have fresh daffodils in my vases throughout the winter & spring. Thank you for inspiring me.