The Year of Cozy
I’ve loved to read books and magazines for as long as I can remember. All of my aunts read to us when we were little, my parents read to us and my grandparents read to us too. We started out with Dr. Seuss then graduated to Nancy Drew, which was followed by the Sweet Valley Twins series. They were all so good. I can remember stealing moments to read in between chores. Growing up, we weren’t allowed to watch a lot of TV so when we weren’t studying, playing games or racing to dance, cheerleading and gymnastics practice my nose was usually firmly planted in the pages of a good book.
I can’t remember when I let myself get so busy that I stopped reading books on a regular basis but a few months ago I decided that I really missed it. I missed just giving myself permission to take an hour out of my day to read. To intentionally get lost in the pages and have nothing else clamoring for my attention save for the words right in front of me. To be fully immersed in the moment. It doesn’t sound like much…an hour a day…but sometimes an hour is hard to find.
While we were in the mountains over the holidays I decided I was going to give myself the gift of carving out intentional time in my schedule each week to enjoy books again. This is also the same time I realized we were all reading similar books on Instagram and the monthly series, What’s on my Nightstand was born. This month the book, The Year of Cozy is on my nightstand and it’s so good.
The author Adrianna Adarme is the creator of the uber popular blog, A Cozy Kitchen. The Year of Cozy is filled with 125 recipes, crafts and other homemade adventures you won’t want to miss. The contents are divided by seasons and each season is broken down into months. During each month you’re encouraged to
Make…
Do…
and live…
The activities range from foraging to making ice cream to putting up a gallery wall. The photographs are so inviting, it makes you want to curl up and read the entire book in one sitting. But there’s something about this book that makes you want to savor each page.
To linger a little bit longer on a quiet Saturday.
To curl up with your old typewriter and write a note to a good friend.
To appreciate how your quilted plaid blanket kept you warm during movie night.
Sure, The Year of Cozy is totally on board with organizing your pantry and starting a good habit but it also makes packing a healthy lunch, going for a bike ride or hosting an impromptu dinner party seems like a lost art. Sometimes, I feel like that too but it doesn’t have to be lost at all. I want this to be the year that we’re intentional about our goals and dreams and priorities. About snuggles and rest and grace. Who’s with me?
This book would make a great Valentine’s Day gift or birthday gift too, just saying.
See you guys back here tomorrow. Joann’s had fabric on sale and I’m sharing 4 different no sew ideas!
Many blessings,
CoCo
This book sounds wonderful! It would make a nice gift too.
You’re so right, Stacey, it would be great for Valentines, birthday, Christmas or just because 🙂 Hope your day is totally fantastic, CoCo
Sounds like a fun read! I’ll have to check out her blog.
I am the same way: I was such a bookworm when I was little, but I’m not great at making time to read these days. But nothing is better than snuggling up with a good book, especially when it’s cold or rainy outside.
I couldn’t agree with you more, Jamie! It was hard at first to make myself relax enough to read through an entire chapter much less a whole book. I kept feeling guilty like I should be doing something with my time. But then I realized I was doing something…I was feeding my soul…and that little notion was enough to change my way of thinking. I now have books on my read list I’m totally excited about. Sending you hugs, CoCo
Hi Coco. You are on the mark on most of what you said. We rely on social media to “connect” way to often. Gone seem to be the things we do relished not so long ago. A good read. Friends over for potluck just because. Making lunch a time to enjoy a friend you just can’t seem to get up with. Pics of new babies no longer get hand delivered they get posted on social media. Etc. people are forgetting how to interact with one another in person. Lost is the day of indepth conversation. It’s now abbreviations and emoticons. In my opinion, nothing will ever replace a hug, the love you see in someone’s eyes for you, or the connection we have to be in person, in the moment. We need to be with other people, like we need air! This is a good start for me to shut it all down and hop in the truck!
Thank you so much for this comment, Hope. Everything you said speaks to my heart. I was at dinner with a girlfriend over the weekend and there was a young couple sitting in the booth next to us. They were both on their phones the entire time. I don’t want to judge…maybe they were having an emergency…but it was an awesome reminder to just be present. It’s really a gift. I hope your day is a fun one. Enjoy the fresh air 🙂 Hugs, CoCo
Hey CoCo – this post speaks to our hearts. You know we are all about cozy and “getting coco” in our homes. We all need to slow down and nurture ourselves…we will start by treating ourselves to this book. Thanks for sharing!
I think you guys will really like this book, ladies. She’s has simple ideas that really make an impact. I can’t wait until we make those ice cream bowls with the nail polish. I’m going to eat out of them every day this summer 🙂 Hugs and enjoy your “cocos”!
Wow, this sounds like an amazing read! I have started a “books to read” list in an app on my phone, and I just added this one. I think it would make a great Mother’s Day gift too, so I added it to that list also! 🙂 I need to follow in your footsteps and set aside some time to read each day. I’ll probably need to set a timer, because I can get lost in a good book so easily. 🙂
This book is really good, Kimm, there are so many different ideas for whatever suits your fancy. There are a few projects that I’ve already tried and loved and a few more I’m excited to try when the weather gets warmer. I love your idea for using a “books to read” list in an app on your phone. You are so clever. Sending you hugs, CoCo