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Have you ever thought about the words “thank you” or “thanks?” They quickly roll off the tongue, oftentimes without a further thought to the impact they have. And, it’s a good thing. Telling someone “thank you” for opening a door, helping move a box, or refilling your water glass is a recognition of their efforts. It should be easy to appreciate a general act of kindness, but what happens when the next level kicks in? ...read more
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The holiday season is filled with art projects - from laying the perfect table and making sure the ornaments on the tree are dispersed in a way that is balanced in an asymmetrical way to create conversation and interest to preparing cuisine art for family and guests and, of course, beautifully wrapping gifts. There is also an art to stuffing stockings, and we went straight to the source for a few tips. ...read more
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It’s a magical thing what a pair of hands can do. ...read more
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... Our favorite foods! Food is universal because everybody’s got ta eat! And the last two months of the year are filled with more than their fair share of family meals, work gatherings, special outings to favorite restaurants, tins filled with homemade cookies and fudge, and the anticipation of food traditions handed down from generation to generation ...read more
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Even before we bought the Mast General Store, we were taken by the beauty of Valle Crucis. We’ve heard people describe the drive out Broadstone Road as traveling through a time portal. In the 1970s, fields in the river bottoms would be filled with tobacco, cabbage, or high with hay to feed cattle that were grazing in the summer pasture. ...read more
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The lucky few who have seen the Earth from a different perspective – astronauts - all echo the same viewpoint upon their return. Yuri Gagarin, a Russian cosmonaut and the first human to go to space, commented, “Orbiting Earth in the spaceship, I saw how beautiful our planet is. People, let us preserve and increase this beauty, not destroy it.”
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Five weeks of winter in the books and seven more to go. Longer nights, cold temperatures, and gray days all figure into a general feeling of sadness and depression. But, there are steps you can take to reduce its effects. Here are five ways to escape the winter blues.
**This blog was originally published in February of 2018. Please make sure to update some of these suggestions to fit within COVID-19 safety protocols. It might be prudent to delay a progressive dinner until late spring to enjoy it outside and to take your yoga class online.**
Take a Hike
It’s easy to come up with a list of reasons not to go outside – it’s cold; I’m tired; it’s dark. But being outside and active are the best things you can do to combat the effects of SAD. If you really think about it, fretting about going outside where the temperature is a little challenging is worse than the actual being outside. Once you’re out taking your walk or on the trail, the scenery and your hiking companion make it more fun than you’d anticipated. Dress in layers and cover your hands and head. The sunlight and fresh air will do you good.
Spend Some Time in the Kitchen
There’s no denying that eating our favorite comfort foods during the winter makes us feel better. You don’t have as many reasons to head outside like ballgames, gardening, or concerts, so pick up a new cookbook and try some new foods. Weekends are a great time to come up with meals for the rest of the week, so try a healthier spin on your favorite comfort foods and have them ready to heat and eat after coming home from work or picking up the kids at basketball practice.
Plan a Progressive Dinner
OK, so we like food, but this activity rolls three important SAD-busting activities into one. First, the planning part will likely require getting together with friends and neighbors. It’s important to socialize during the winter months because it will improve your mood. Second, you’ll get a bit of exercise walking from one place to another for each course. Third, a dinner like this presents opportunities to eat healthier and to try new foods and menus.
Practice a Little Yoga
Yoga can be an excellent way to relieve stress and depression. There are many forms of yoga, from ones that are highly meditative to forms that are extremely physically challenging. A gentle yoga class will have an instructor that leads you through breathing exercises and poses that increase your flexibility. Yoga may reduce your blood pressure and heart rate. It’s a time to focus on you and your body, to be meditative and at peace, oh, and it’s also a little socializing, too. Here's a link to Yoga for Complete Beginners by Yoga with Adriene. No special equipment needed - just 20 minutes and an open mind.
Wear Bright Colors
You may have noticed the tendency to mimic the weather in your winter wardrobe. Throw open your closet – do you see lots of dark colors, gray, black, navy, etc? That’s natural, and there’s a scientific reason behind it. The darker, grayer days in the winter make it more difficult for our eyes to tolerate brighter colors, but that’s not a reason to put them all away. Adding a little color to your wardrobe will not only positively affect your mood, but will also influence the moods of those around you. Brighter colors are associated with warmth and happiness, so try adding a touch of color to your daily ensemble. For instance, wear a bright blue t-shirt under a v-neck sweater. Add in some colorful jewelry; accessorize with a multi-colored scarf; try a brightly-colored tie. We bet you’ll get a compliment or two.
Hang in there. Spring really is on the way, but while you’re waiting, these steps will keep most of the gloom at bay.