A Snowy Day Errand Run and Some Cozy Reading

Hey everyone! I hope your week is off to a good start, even with the crazy weather some of us are getting. Here in the city, we woke up to a solid blanket of snow this morning—probably a good 8 inches, which is more than we’ve seen in a while. I’m not complaining, though. There’s something so peaceful about watching it come down, especially when you’ve got nowhere urgent to be. Of course, I did have to venture out today for a few errands, so I bundled up and braved the slush. Let me tell you about my little snowy adventure and how I rewarded myself afterward.

Ren had the day off, lucky duck, but I had a client meeting scheduled for later this week that I needed to prep for, plus we were out of a few essentials at home. So, after my usual cup of Folgers with a splash of hazelnut creamer (my current obsession), I threw on my puffy coat, scarf, and boots and headed out. The sidewalks were a mess, half-shoveled and slippery, but I made it to the bus stop without any wipeouts. I swear, every winter I forget how to walk on ice until I’m halfway through January.

First stop was the post office to mail a package for my grandmother—she’s been asking for some old photos I found in a box last month, and I finally got around to sorting them. The line was ridiculous, but I popped in my AirPods and listened to a podcast to pass the time. Next, I swung by Target for some basics: toilet paper, dish soap, and a new pack of pens because I keep losing mine. I also couldn’t resist grabbing a candle from their winter collection—it’s called “Frosted Pine” and smells like Christmas in a jar. I’m terrible at sticking to a list, but at least this impulse buy was under $10.

By the time I got to the grocery store, the snow was picking up again, and I was ready to be done. I grabbed some chicken, veggies, and a loaf of sourdough for dinner, plus a box of hot chocolate mix because it just felt like the right kind of day for it. Here’s a weird little thing, though—did you know they’re selling milk in 5-pint cartons now? I swear it used to just be gallons or quarts, but I guess this is a thing. I picked one up because it’s the perfect size for the two of us for a few days. Anyway, laden with bags and freezing, I caught the bus home and practically sprinted from the stop to our front door.

Once I was back inside, I kicked off my boots, changed into my comfiest sweatpants, and decided the rest of the day was going to be pure relaxation. Ren was still lounging on the couch with their laptop, so I joined them with a mug of that hot chocolate (Swiss Miss, if you’re curious—it’s nostalgic, okay?) and finally cracked open a book I’ve been meaning to read for weeks. It’s The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides, and I’m only a few chapters in, but I’m already hooked. There’s something so satisfying about reading while it’s snowing outside—like the world slows down for a minute.

We kept dinner simple: just some pan-seared chicken with roasted carrots and a slice of that sourdough. I’m no chef, as you all know, but it turned out decently, and Ren didn’t complain, so I’ll call it a win. After we ate, we watched a couple episodes of The Office on Netflix—still hilarious, no matter how many times I’ve seen it—and then I went back to my book while Ren scrolled through their phone.

I’m trying to be better about unplugging in the evenings, especially on days like this when I’ve been out in the cold and just want to recharge. Reading feels like such a luxury sometimes, you know? Like, I’m always telling myself I’ll make time for it, and then I end up doomscrolling on Instagram instead. If you’ve got any book recs, by the way, drop them in the comments—I’m always looking for something new to add to my stack.

Anyway, that’s my little snowy day update. Nothing groundbreaking, just a peek into the mundane stuff that fills my week. I’ve got some work deadlines coming up, so I’ll probably be glued to my laptop for the next few days, but I’m hoping to sneak in another cozy night soon. Maybe I’ll even convince Ren to help me build a snowman if the yard isn’t too trampled by the weekend. Fingers crossed!

How are you all handling the winter weather? Got any tricks for staying warm or motivated when it’s this gray outside? Let me know—I could use the inspo. Talk soon!