getting cozy

November 21, 2014 Megan Rodriguez

It's been a cold week filled with short days and long nights. Each evening we've been finding ourselves wondering if it's time for bed, only to realize that it's only 8:30. The cold and the darkness are catching up with us and making us want to stay in and sleep a bit more.

I've been thinking a lot lately about Minnesota winters (or cold climate winters in any part of the country/world). One of the things that I've really been mulling over is how our fast-paced lifestyles often demand just as much from us during the frigid winters as they do during the warmer months. However, the cold months also require much more from our bodies to keep functioning normally. As our bodies try to stay warm, whether it be outside or in a chilly house, we need to expel more energy. As we bundle up to head out the door, it takes longer and requires more effort. As we commute to work in snow, ice, and slush, we may find ourselves feeling frazzled, stressed, or late by the time we walk into the office. As we walk through the door in the evening hours, we have to turn on all of the lights just to see our way through the house. All of these things require more from us, yet our lives (generally speaking) don't seem to really slow down. I've been pondering these things and the pace of our own house, as this winter has begun to settle upon us, and I've been a bit more intentional about slowing things down. We've been eating warmer, heartier meals. We've been lighting candles throughout the house. We've been cuddling up in blankets with tea or tasty drinks. We've been reading more and doing a bit less. We've been keeping the house a bit tidier so that it's easier to just sink down into a comfy warm spot. And we've been going to bed early. All of these things, while they may be small, have helped me to begin to feel the coziness of winter. To begin to take things slower and let my body rest and hibernate a bit.

There is a word in Danish that perfectly describes this cozy winter feeling, hygge. While we don't have a direct translation in English, it seems to encompass everything from feeling warm and cozy, to being surrounded by happy, loving family and friends (read more about it here and here). It's like the feelings we feel during the Christmas season where everything is warm and magical and we are in love with the winter's chill. In the upper Midwest, I feel that we really understand this feeling through parts of the holiday season, especially when we're actually celebrating, but throughout the rest of the winter, we seem to lose sight of these cozy feelings.

Winter is long in Minnesota, and this year it seems to have gotten a nice early start. But, whether we like it or not, it's here to stay and stay for quite some time. So, we can either keep on with our busy, crazy lives, all the while begrudging winter, or we can choose to step back a bit, to let our bodies rest, hibernate, and get cozy. In our house, we want this winter to be a true hygge winter. So, tonight, I'm going to fill my house with flickering candles, cozy up with a good book and blanket, warm myself with a mug of something delicious, and enjoy the quiet and rest that winter can bring.

joy comes in the morning

September 22, 2014 Megan Rodriguez

Two weeks ago, we lost someone very near and dear to our hearts. It was a shocking loss that made us all stop and simply hold one another for days. The details of the loss are not mine to share, especially not in a public space such as this. But one thing I can share is that although the past two weeks have been filled with such sadness and heartbreak. They have also been filled with love, joy, peace, strength, support, and healing, both from the people who have surrounded us all and the God we serve.

What I have learned from these past two weeks, is that God is forever faithful. I have also learned that giving gifts of food is so needed and so appreciated in times of tragedy, especially when the food just shows up and requires no planning or coordination from those who need it. The many gifts of food we received made us all feel so loved and supported, and allowed us all to be together without thinking about groceries or preparation.

The flowers that showed up at my house, from a dear friend, also brightened my week and made me feel so very loved and cared for.

Another small thing that brought a smile to my face these past two weeks was the number of people who still checked in on this space, even though I wasn't writing. Thank you, dear readers, for being consistent and supportive of this little blog of mine. I hope you and I can be blog friends for many, many years to come.

Happy Monday to you all.

return to routine

August 22, 2014 Megan Rodriguez

Today I go back to work at the University of Minnesota. (For those who don't know, I'm an adjunct teaching specialist in the Minnesota English Language Program, which means I teach English as a Second Language to international students.) After a full summer of traveling, gardening, reading, and a few little projects, I feel ready and excited to go back to work. I love my job and the summer break is the fuel that gets me through the long hours of grading that will fill my next few months.

With the end of the summer, for me, also comes the desire to return to a routine. I love schedules and routines, and while I have thoroughly enjoyed my free schedule-less summer, I'm finding myself more than ready to get back to a more consistent rhythm.

Yesterday, my house felt the preparations of that coming routine. While the heat index caused my thermometer to rise, the oven added to the heat while I baked bread, two batches of muffins (stay tuned for a recipe), and a batch of granola. I then also busied myself with cleaning the house, organizing a few things, and working through a bit of laundry. I love feeling ready for change and that's just what yesterday did for me.

Summer is not completely over, though, not until school officially starts (at least for me, that is). This weekend will be full of canning and the MN State Fair, and next week will be filled with semesters plans and preparations, and then Labor Day celebrations. There is still much fun to be had, and it looks like a lot more warm weather to be had! So, while I'm excited for the routine, I'm also going to thoroughly these last days of summer!

from a different perspective

July 28, 2014 Megan Rodriguez

On Saturday night, Minneapolis had their annual Aquatennial festival fireworks. That same night, Dan and I also had my grandpa's fishing boat in our possession. So, we decided that the fireworks should be enjoyed from the water of the Mississippi, rather than just the banks. This was the first time we'd ever done this and we've now decided that we should always do it this way.

The view was absolutely spectacular! However, what surprised me the most, was not the beauty of the fireworks (I mean, they are just fireworks), but rather it was the beauty of the city. This city that I love so much looked so different from the vantage point of that little fishing boat. The river is so much a part of the character and history of this city, yet I had never really looked at the city from the river's perspective. When I did, I realized that this city is far more beautiful that I even realized. The series of bridges and the lights that illuminate the water are truly stunning.

Seeing the city from this different perspective, made me think about the people and circumstances that I look at every day. It made me wonder if there is beauty right in front of me that I'm not seeing because I'm looking at it from the wrong angle. It made me want to be more intentional as I look at people--to make sure that I'm really looking at them and trying to see them from more than just one vantage point. Maybe doing so could help me to love people more and help me to foster better relationships. Maybe it could help make this little corner of the world just a little bit better.