The Winter Doldrums

Now that the holiday season is over, we are headed into what some people refer to as the "winter doldrums." This is the usually cold, snowy, party-less time of the year when it gets dark early and we all want to just stay home. If you are like me, there is only so much home-staying you can do before going beserk. So here are a few fun projects to occupy your time.

1) If you are budget conscious and craving a shopping trip throw a Junque swap party. Yes, I spelled Junk with a Q on purpose. Call your girlfriends and ask them to go through their closest and pick out a few pieces they don't wear anymore (GENTLY worn or NEW only), do the same with your closet. Then have everyone over to swap and trade - make cosmos, hot chocolate, pizza... E-mail me for more details

2) Do a kitchen purge. Admit it - you have NO idea how long that bottle of paprika has been in your spice rack. Believe it or not, spices and herbs expire and the old adage applies here; when in doubt - throw it out! I know spices are expensive --- here's where a small investment now can pay off later. If you really look at what you are throwing away, you will realize what you use and what you don't -- like the marjoram, even I don't know what to do with that. So once you figure out what you use most - buy only those (I bet you'll find it is really just a few) and for the other oddballs you need occasionally, see if you can share with a friend.

3) Scrapbook. There I said it! Either full-on get the cricut, colored papers, and stickers out OR just get the photos out from under the bed and into a pretty book or box OR better yet a frame and display them. Feng Shui note --- very bad to keep things under your bed. I inherited my mother's collection of photos spanning her 69 years (two bankers boxes full) and while they are sometimes emotionally draining to look at, I am determined to share, scrapbook, and frame the majority of them.

So if you are going stir crazy and need a distraction, try one of these ideas or post some of your own!