Blog Post

In a warm and bright Cornerstone home, sitting by your fireplace or enjoying your personalized flex spaces, you have all the room you need to enjoy some of the fall downtime.  And who says you can’t have downtime? You deserve it!    

Want to binge on a Netflix series? You can.  Feel like eating popcorn for dinner? Go for it. You can do whatever you want now that you are living the carefree life. And you may just come to love the downtime that comes with hiding out during the colder months. It’s the best time to take it slow, organize your life, and practice some of your favorite hobbies. Plus, there’s nothing quite like curling up with a new book and a cup of hot tea or a glass of wine next to your fireplace. 

With the right attitude, you can make winter something to look forward to. Here are a few ideas to get you started!

Plan a Brunch:  How often do you get to wake up late and eat brunch with friends? This fall, plan a brunch or two with your best pals.  Or invite your grandkids.  Make it exciting by trying new recipes like setting up a breakfast taco bar.  Get everyone in on the action.  

Photo Books:  Treasure your memories in a personalized photo book or two. It’s really easy!There are lots of online sites that will walk you through this.  One of our favorites is:  Shutterfly.  Another great photo book that offers excellent value for the service and quality offered;  AdoramaPix.  Other brilliant photo book creator for weddings and special occasions;  Amazon Prints; and Walmart Photo.

Old Photos:  Cull like crazy. You will probably get a chuckle out of all the bad photos you kept!  Decide if you want to digitize. Scan or take photographs of your old photos. Decide if you want to keep all of your hard copy photos. Display and share your old photos. There are lots of reasons for  getting digital copies of old photos.  First, it’s a great way to share them. Scan or take photographs of your old photos. It may be worth it to pay someone to scan your photos. Now that you’ve gone to the trouble of organizing, culling and scanning your photos give them their due. Display them in photo albums that are easily accessible in your home. Take the album with you the next time you visit your grandkids. They will certainly get a kick out of the old photos. If you’re going to keep things - use them!

Scrapbooking: Photography today may be all digital, but we think that good old fashioned “Kodak moments” never go out of style. If you love looking through old photos of family gatherings, celebrations, vacations, etc., you’ll love putting everything together in a beautiful scrapbook (you can pick one up at any arts and crafts store around your home)! Add your personal touch in there with drawings, funny captions, and anecdotes.

Painting/Coloring: Products like Paint By Numbers and adult coloring books are specifically designed for adults who want to unleash their creativity. Both products come with outlines to be filled in, whether with paint or ink, and offer different levels of difficulty. The perfect activity to enjoy in a bonus room or lower level that you have turned into a hobby space, or at your kitchen table.   These projects are also known to relieve stress and promote calmness.

Cooking: Let your inner Julia Child out! Take the plunge and try a new recipe. They come from many sources: cookbooks, food magazines, blogs, online sites, Facebook, and maybe your family members!  Start small and make something new just for you. Or invite neighbors and have everyone bring a “new” dish. Sharing meals with friends and family makes the food even tastier.

Journaling:  Journaling does more than just help you record your memories or find self-expression. It’s good for you.  It reduces stress, improves immune function, keeps your memory sharp, boosts your mood, and strengthens emotional functions. Go ahead, grab one of those four-for-a-dollar marble composition books or another fancier option and set aside a dedicated space and time for journaling.

Knitting:  Crocheting is awesome for two reasons. First, your brain will get a stellar workout. Second, you'll be able to make a scarf to protect your neck from the cold. It's a win-win.  There are many tutorial videos on YouTube for any project you want to tackle.  Go for it!  

Yoga:  Instead of staring at the TV all day, take some time to meditate by doing yoga or simple breathing exercises. Meditation can boost your brain health, de-stress, and give you a break from  life.  You don't even need a lot of time. A few minutes of meditation could help promote calmness and reduce negative feelings.

Book/Movie Club: What better time than a rainy day to watch that movie or TV show you’ve been eyeing, or read that book that’s been sitting on your night stand? Since your neighbors will be inside when it’s raining as well, invite everyone over for a fun social gathering! In your open-concept living space, you can serve apps and wine while everyone relaxes comfortably and discusses or watches the latest entertainment.

Online Classes: Have you always dreamed of learning French... and then speaking it in Paris? Did you want to take an economics class in college but never got to it? A rainy day is your chance to develop your skills and reach your goals with an exciting and challenging online class. Best of all, you can go at your own pace and decide your schedule. No pressure, all fun. 

Pamper Yourself:   Learning how to give yourself an at-home manicure or pedicure is one of the best ways to enjoy your luxurious bathroom. Plus, it can come in handy when it's too cold to trek to the salon. Nothing like DIY beauty at its finest.   This can be part of your at-home spa treatment or a “just because” treat for yourself. Top it off with a soothing hand soak and you’re all set.

55 Plus Communities in Virginia

In a Cornerstone Home community, you have the freedom to live leisurely and do exactly what you love. Even on a rainy day, your home is your sanctuary to relax and enjoy life or to entertain your neighbors and friends.  Plus, our thoughtfully designed homes provide flexible spaces for every way you want to live! So enjoy your downtime!  For more information on our new homes and a luxurious carefree lifestyle in our active adult communities in Virginia, give us a call at 804-215-0766.  This is where you want to be!