January was a long one, and it seemed most of the Internet felt that way. With snowstorms and ice blanketing our part of the world, we found that we were all homebound again with canceled school and canceled plans more often than expected.
But we still had adventures. As we believe here on The Family Trip, just because life is a traditional set-up doesn’t means it has to be devoid of fun or creativity.
Every day can be a fun trip taken together as a family.
Here are some of the things that helped us create family fun this January:
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My Powersheets were impactful this particular January. Coming out of a pandemic, but then kind of back in, plus taking on a new and nebulous job, it was hard to know what to focus on. I had energy and desires, but no clear vision for my days — until I went through my annual assessment using this method.
So here is what I was able to accomplish with focused energy using my Powersheets:
X Register for my last Harvard NPMC Class. This is my last semester with the Harvard Extension School, finishing up my Nonprofit Management Certificate. I started this program after the pandemic hit and the courses were forced to an online format. I am glad to have done it but am looking forward to graduating and having one less thing on my plate.
X Make progress on quilt. If you follow me on Instagram, you may have caught that I am making a T-shirt quilt. This has been in concept for years, but Powersheets goal setting is helping me actually get it done!
X Enjoy cooking & being in the kitchen.
Explore new church. What with ice and snow and Omicron, this didn’t come together as I wanted.
Yoga retreat. I love my yoga retreats and don’t mind a self-created one, but I was set to go to an actual ashram in January to find some solitude and time of reflection. Alas, the ashram canceled the weekend program.
X 1 family adventure. Yes! We made this happen.
X Make space for the new job.Â
X 1 “date” night out. I hate the phrase date night, but Mr. Family Trip and I did make it out for one fancy meal together, and I am grateful for that time.
X Work out 4 times/week.
X Yoga 1 time/week. I actually do yoga more often than once a week, but I wanted to be sure I was dedicating a solid 90-minute session at least once a week to an intentional practice.
X Walk Penny 3 times/week.
X Meal plan (& eat as a gift).
X Journal.
X Pray/meditate.
Piano. This one didn’t really work out. I simply don’t have daily space for this. Plus, it is really frustrating to do without lessons to guide me and help me through sticky parts. So I am letting this go.
X Read.
For more information on Powersheets and how I use them, read this and this and this and this.
We’ve had a lot of fun nights playing Bananagrams by the fire. We actually don’t play by the official rules (with the peel and split shouting) because we find those take too long and are too complicated for a 10-year-old. Instead, we each take 21 tiles and we work until everyone has used all their 21, with the first one to do so the round’s winner.
Of course, sometimes we just feel like we need to use ALL the tiles in one big puzzle.
Good Books
As evidenced by my Powersheets, I have been able to spend a lot of time curled up reading (I don’t do much TV, so this is generally how I unwind at night). The two books I was particularly taken with in January were:
If you want more book recommendations, check out all the book posts I love to share.Â
Fun Day Trips
January tested my resolve to live a life full of adventure even if we don’t live on the road or have a large trip planned. While getting away to somewhere special once a month is generally what we strive for, January just didn’t have that space.
Yet that gave us the opportunity to lean into the activities and things we love here in our part of Virginia. We went to a small ski slope for a day, went snow tubing, and hiked along very muddy and icy river banks.
Just being together, with time carved out for our small family unit, were the only trips that we really needed. They weren’t big (and they weren’t all successful), but they were all worth it.
Casseroles and Comfort Food
We are back into sports and Scouts and teaching, so dinnertimes are all different for our family. Casseroles have been a saving grace. I was given Joanna Gaines’ first cookbook, Magnolia Table, for Christmas and the casserole recipes in particular have been a big hit and easy to make.
Our Bird Feeder
The snowy mornings curled up on the couch, under a fuzzy blanket, with a hot cup of tea have only been enhanced by the joy our bird feeder gives. Seeing the brightly colored, delicate birds hopping around brings me so much hope. (We were given this bird feeder and it is actually squirrel proof!)
Like these tips? Want more?!
We hope your January and your 2022 has been off to a start that you can work with! Remember, the best trip is a family one, but it doesn’t have to be an epic one. Sometimes, being at home can be a fun adventure, too.