Groundhog Day is upon us and every year we hope that Punxsutawney Phil - the little weatherman who predicts our fate for
the next six weeks - will be evaded by his shadow and bring us an early spring. There is always a possibility
that he will see his shadow and bring us another six weeks of winter weather.
Whether we have another month and a half of ice and snow, or have blue skies and sunshine
in our near future, here’s how to cope with whatever weather old Phil sees for us.
If He Doesn’t See His Shadow:
If the groundhog doesn’t see his shadow, legend says
spring will be arriving shortly! While
we’re always eager for warmer weather, there is a lot of preparation that goes
into readying your home, vehicle and
family for spring when you live in a
cold climate. Here are some things to consider, should spring be shortly on its
way:
Prepare for
Spring Cleaning
An easy way to prepare for spring is to stock up
on cleaning supplies for the areas of your life that need tidying up. Once you
get going, don’t be afraid to extend this momentum outside of the home. Perhaps
your
vehicle is in
need of a deep clean as well. Being prepared will make the process of cleaning
that much more efficient once the warmer weather rolls around.
Make a To-Do List
Preparing a list of things, you would like to
accomplish in the coming season will
help ensure those tasks are actually completed when the time comes. Perhaps
you’ve been hoping to get some painting done or have been dreaming of fencing in your backyard.
Think of things that are most important to you and prioritize your list based
on those needs. Then you can start to plan out those projects well in advance.
Order Summer-Flowering Bulbs and Seeds
If you enjoy gardening, use this time to order the
bulbs and seeds you’ll want to plant this spring. If you’re interested in
taking up gardening, but have never done so before, you
can use this time to plan out where you’d like to build your garden and
research what plants you might be interested in growing.
Declutter
Your Wardrobe
Before unpacking all of your warm-weather clothing
from storage, it’s important to go through your winter clothes. If there are items
that you didn’t touch during the colder months or items that no longer fit,
consider donating the gently-used pieces to charity. If you have clothing that is torn or stained
beyond repair, you might consider repurposing them as cleaning rags.
If He Does See His Shadow:
In the event that little Phil does see his shadow,
it is said that we will have another six weeks of winter weather. Since we’re already in the throes of winter,
you may have completed a lot of preparation earlier in the season. Winters in
New York state can feel never-ending. By the time February rolls around, many
of us are itching for a beach day. Here are some things you can do to help you
cope with the long, cold season and - perhaps - keep up on some simple
maintenance:
Get Cozy
While it’s probably safe to say that no one truly
enjoys scraping ice off of their car or driving through a blizzard, there
are enjoyable aspects of winter that tend to get overlooked. One of which, is
the opportunity to create a welcoming environment in your home. Consider making
your space extra inviting by stocking up on cozy, cold-weather essentials, such
as fluffy blankets, your favorite candles and hot coco or
tea. Trying new recipes in the oven or slow
cooker will make for an exciting evening. The smell of a
home cooked meal in the air will add its own charm.
Get Moving
Being active can be one of the simplest ways to boost
your mood. Exercise
releases endorphins in your brain which can make you feel happier as a result. One
Harvard study suggests that just five
minutes of outdoor exercise, can result in improvements
to self-esteem and overall mood. Click here
to read about some of our favorite outdoor winter activities for families.
Top Off
Your Windshield Wiper Fluid
It looks like you’ll be using winterized washer
fluid for another few weeks. You might consider purchasing an extra bottle or
two and topping off your car so that you’re prepared for the
weeks ahead. It’s always a good idea to keep extra washer fluid in the trunk of
your car in case of emergency.
Stock Up
on Fuel
Depending on how you heat your home, it might be time to restock
your firewood, pellets or oil reserve to keep
your living quarters warm and cozy for
the rest of the winter.
Whether Phil sees his shadow or not, we know that spring will eventually be on the horizon. Check out the link below to learn more about preparing your home for the coming season.
