Welcome back to The Self Sufficient Citizen where I talk about homemaking, homesteading, minimalism and self-reliance. Today is the 5th day of Blogmas and I thought it would be fun to make a list of all the things I look forward to doing in the warmer months of 2023.
It’s no lie that I am an outdoors person and enjoy spending most of my year outside originally in the summer. I moved to apartments in a little town this year and I realized I don’t even really hate the winter really. I just really dislike how dirty it is in the inner city. But there are things that I can’t/wont do in the winter.
Hiking
One of those things is hiking. It is possible to winter hike but it is just not something I am prepared for this year. I haven’t even researched anything about it and if there is one thing I know is that you must research before doing something. If you don’t believe me, go back and read my first blog post of blogmas. It is about what happens when you winter camp without research.
So, when it inevitably warms up this spring, I will be more than excited to get covered in sweat and mud exploring all the trails I can find. If you want to start hiking, I suggest using the app AllTrails. I really love the app so much I have been using it for two years (not sponsored). The only downside is sometimes the length of the trail is wrong. Double check with the comments that the trail is absolutely how long as it says it is. (That’s a story for another time but trust me on that.)
Rain
The next thing I am excited for is rain. We definitely still get rain in the winter but when that happens it has no smell and turns to black ice. I miss the warm rain of spring and summer where you can smell the plants and earth breathing. I even miss the thunder that rolls in with the clouds in occasional storms.
Plants and Trees
Leading off of warm rain I can’t wait to find the first buds of spring. Every year I watch carefully under trees for the light green leaves poking their head up after a deep slumber. Each day they grow and change, often morphing into flowers. Little red and green buds appear on the trees here too since most of them are deciduous. They stay like that until one day they seemingly pop open revealing tiny adorable leaves. The wind that flows through the trees shakes the branches and you can tell unlike during winter where they would seem stiff and asleep that the trees are wiggling almost stretching waking up to a new year.
I love these trees because in summer they will have thick foliage to hide from the heat after long walks while the breeze makes a wonderful melody with the leaves. The trees even say goodnight with a rich array of colors in the fall as their leaves change and fall to the ground only to start the process over again. I love fall but I am more than willing to wait the year to see it.
The Sun
As the winter melts away it gets warmer, and we can all thank the Sun for that. That wonderful ball of gas is a little closer to us as the spring progresses into summer. With the Earth’s tilt it causes our little part of the world to warm up and have a new season. Now I am paler than paper, so I burn easily but in the early morning before the rays become harsh, I sit in the sun and enjoy all that it brings. I love the sun and will enjoy it next year.
A Garden in 2023
Spring and summer let me garden and even though I am in an apartment I am determined to have one. Last year I tried hanging window plant boxes on the rails of the balcony and my petunias went crazy! I definitely will be doing that again and I think I might even pay $40 to have a garden box near the office so I can can food in fall. I really want to grow tomatoes this next year and other wonderful vegetables so if you’re in an apartment too, stick around and I will find out how we can have a garden in
Camping and Fishing
The last two things I can not wait to do are camping and fishing. I am closer than ever to great fishing areas so I have no excuse now! If I can catch one fish next season I will consider it a win. Camping for me will take more planning but I want to go on at least two small camp trips and experience the outdoors properly. I can not wait for either.
So what are you guys excited to do as it warms up next year? Leave a comment below and consider subscribing to my newsletter to find out how I will garden in an apartment. Until next time!
