5 Things I Learned in February

February is the most misunderstood of all the months. If she were a person then she would be the kid in the corner with bangs hanging in her eyes, and a peculiar smell about her.

Intent on finding something encouraging to write about this rather abysmal month, I searched and searched for a pleasant quote about the month of February, but one does not seem to exist! I could only find a smattering of rather dismal and discouraging epithets written about the second month of the year. Case in point:

“The day and time itself: late afternoon in early February, was there a moment of the year better suited for despair?”
― Alice McDermott

Despite the lack of poets and novelists waxing and waning about the beauty of this month I stubbornly believe that even February can be redeemed if we try hard enough. Even the most melancholy of misfits can rally if given a little attention, and love.

In fact, February ceased to be as miserable this year, because of all the strangely balmy days we enjoyed here in Nebraska! We could hardly feel sorry for ourselves when we were shedding our coats for jackets, and our boots for flip flops, now could we?

It has been awhile since I have joined with Emily Freeman to share what I learned in the past month. In fact I looked back, and the last time I joined in this series was this past June, when I was two weeks away from my wedding day! So much has changed since then! Here’s what I learned this past month…

Butterscotch Coffee is Perfection

I met a friend in Omaha for a Saturday of fun, and we found ourselves drinking coffee in a sun-dappled shop past closing time. They served us this concoction of burnt brown sugar and butterscotch coffee (called a Cool Hand Luke). I am not a big fan of butterscotch but this cup of joe was so incredibly delicious. Butterscotch, evidently, can taste good if it is understated enough.

It is entirely possible to wear shorts, in February, even in Nebraska.

Hubs and I went on a two-hour bike ride when we were blessed with a very rare 67-degree February day in Nebraska! We hit up the bike trail, and had so much alternating between racing each other and leisurely peddling (or “paddling” as my husband says). We both wore shorts (it was that warm!!) and had it been dark we would not have needed reflective gear, because my white legs were pale enough to blind anyone! Hubs did not suffer from that problem.

We hobbled around for two days afterwards as our winter bodies adjusted to an activity they hadn’t experienced in lo many a month! Ha ha! But it was totally worth the pain.

The Lotulelei apartment can be kept clean for a month.

When I was five years old my Mom told me if I kept my room clean for three months then I could get a gerbil. With some help I managed to achieve this feat and got my very first pet! I believe that was the last time I consistently kept something that clean. I have had many spurts of cleanliness, but never an ongoing thing. However, a string of rather embarrassing events when people wanted to stop by and the apartment was a wreck led me to realize that I was not being a good steward of what has been given to me, and also that Hubs and I would never live life to the fullest while we were tripping over our possessions and constantly searching for the latest lost thing. So this past month we made cleanliness a priority. And we stuck to it! We high five each other in amazement every day.

Caring for a SCOBY is a ticket into the Kombucha community.

I had a sweet aunt and cousin come over and give me a SCOBY, lots of bottles, and teach me how to maintain kombucha. I have wanted to start continuous brew kombucha for SO LONG, and this dream was finally realized (thanks auntie!) I just bottled my first batch, and I have to say the peach-mango flavor is my new favorite. 🙂 I also found an incredible facebook group for all things kombucha! I feel as if I am a part of a new, albeit slightly wacky, family.

As it turns out, we are “Taco Tuesday” kind of people after all.

I have never really jumped on board when it comes to all those food-themed days like Meatless Monday, Taco Tuesday, and Fish Friday. I mean, I like an alliteration as much as the next person, but three in one week?

However, one seemingly innocuous crockpot full of chicken changed all of that. Hubs and I are now firmly entrenched in our tradition of Taco Tuesday and Leftover Thursday. But no more! One alliteration a week is enough! Sayeth I!

Well, friends, we are now dipping our toes in March. Who knows what adventures are around the corner?!