The word January stems from the Roman god Janus. Janus was the god of doorways, and beginnings, and the rising and setting sun. While it’s true January is the doorway and the beginning to our year, to me January feels more like a middle. A stagnant piece of time between the luster of the holidays and the renewing color of Spring. So much of my news feed is filled with pictures of bright flowers and big plans for the seasons ahead, but so little of it is appreciating the season we are in. I easily get caught up in that mindset, wishing away these January days, when in truth there is so much about this time to be loved. I love the crisp blue sky that only comes when the sunshine reflects off of the polished January snow. I love the slow pace that takes over my days at home with True, the bustle of the holidays long in the rearview. I love the smell of the wood smoke that lofts through the air forever reminding me of days spent in the shop with my dad. I love the way the the deer and the fox and the birds seem to loose all inhibitions, gathering in plain sight when the snow becomes deep. I love the stillness that sets in every time it snows as if the falling snow amplifies my awareness of the woods that surround us.

I think contentment comes from taking time to see a little good in the unchangeable things instead of convincing ourselves what lies ahead will be so much better than the present. January might take a little more effort to love, but it’s well worth the effort it takes.

Apparently there is a science to why the world is so quiet when it snows. Reconnectwithnature.com and the weather network share a few interesting reasons linked below.

I thought it was only fitting to share some of my favorite shots of January.