It’s mid-December. As the days get shorter and the weather gets colder, I feel the familiar tugging at my soul to slow down and savor this time.

We’re finding that as the kids get older, time seems to speed up only to keep up with the frenetic pace of sports and social schedules. And the season of slow, cozy togetherness in our “homeschool era” is all too quickly unfolding into a crazy sports-all-the-time or hanging-with-friends kind of schedule.

But I will say that, as the days are colder and shorter, there is a natural pull towards that cozy togetherness that I long for. I think it’s safe to say that the kids like it too.

So, as we embark on a season of togetherness, our family goal is to be intentional with our time together and to do our days on purpose. I wish more than anything I could focus on only this… but, as the modern-day world would have it, I’ll need to create a delicate and purposeful balance between these loosely curated times and the deep work I do in my real estate profession. I know that so many of you feel me here.

Here’s a look at my Cozy Season Bucket List

1. Baking

So much baking. Mostly breads…yeast rolls, homemade hamburger buns. I’m even working on a new sourdough starter from scratch! Baking has a biblical quality that truly nurtures the soul. It starts with the rhythmic process of making the bread, followed by a pause… waiting for that dough to rise just right. The rest of the process is a pure delight for our senses… starting with the yeasty aroma of the bread baking in the oven, followed by the feel of a freshly sliced piece of bread in our hands…and the taste of rich, creamy butter melting into it. It’s what Heaven must be made of. And a bonding experience from the first step to the last. There’s just something about the Magnolia Table cookbooks that makes them such a treat to read. If you’re embarking on a baking journey this holiday season, you should definitely check them out.

2. Connecting with God

This one isn’t just reserved for the cozy months. But just like everything else, the connection feels deeper when I’m cuddled up on the couch, enveloped in a warm blanket with a steaming cup of coffee in one hand and my bible in the other. I love my one-on-one time with God in the early hours. That time when the house is still in a peaceful slumber, and it’s just me and the big guy. This has been my routine for years. And now that the kids are getting older, we’re excited to embark on a family Bible study… starting with the holiday season. Did you know that there are precisely 24 chapters in the book of Luke? Making it the perfect book to start the habit of a family bible study during the holiday season.

3. Reading the Classics Together

During our first two years of homeschooling, we’ve utilized a literature-based curriculum called Sonlight. We’d save our read-alouds for nighttime, just before bed. The kids and I would curl up on Emerson’s daybed and get lost in the stories. It allowed us to slow down, engage in meaningful conversation, and spend some quality time together before lights out for the night. This is something I’d love to bring back in the slower, shorter winter months. Finding ones that can capture the interest of both our eight and 12-year-olds can be challenging, but not impossible. Some of our favorites in the past have been Johnny Tremain, The Witch at Blackbird Pond, The Wright Brothers, and Carry on Mr. Boditch. Next on our list is The Call of the Wild by Jack London. Be sure to check out the links, because at the time of this blog post, you can read many of them for free with Kindle Unlimited on Amazon.

4. Adventure Close to Home

Mother/Son or Daughter, Daddy/Daughter or Son, and of course, Mom & Dad…that sums up the kind of special one-on-one time we’re looking for here. Something as simple as a cup of hot cocoa and some quality conversation at a local coffee shop, or painting our next family heirloom at the local pottery place, to shooting hoops at the neighborhood basketball court (with Dad, of course). All of the togetherness without any of the fuss. Even a local class on soap-making or sewing has made for fun mother-daughter dates with Em.

At this point, the bucket list is short…but deep.

I’m a constant work in progress in this busy world and with my busy brain. But my top to-do’s to make these things a reality instead of just an inspiring blog post are to: 1) keep my social media use to a minimum and 2) keep the phones and other devices out of our hands.

I hope this list sparked a little inspiration in your hearts and minds for ways to connect deeper with your family in this season as well. If you have a favorite winter season “savor” or tradition that your family loves, let us know in the comments.