"The Danish word 'hygge' (pronounced 'hooga') has exploded in popularity around the world. It translates roughly to "cosiness," but it means so much more than that. So what is hygge, really? We've created this handy introduction to the Danish way of life known as hygge. ..Hygge is as Danish as roast pork and in many ways is the essence that lights up the Danish soul. Hygge actually comes from a Norwegian word meaning "well-being." It first appeared in Danish writing in the 18th century and has been embraced by the Danes ever since!
Hygge is a tricky word to define, it's a feeling, an experience, a sensation. It means creating a warm atmosphere. It is enjoying the good things in life with good people. The warm amber glow of candlelight is hygge. Stomping through woods, wrapped up warm on a fresh Autumn day before returing to a fireside for hot cocoa is definitely hygge. Friends and family – that’s hygge too. There's nothing more hygge than sitting round a table, discussing the big and small things in life. Perhaps hygge explains why the Danes are some of the happiest people in the world? Hygge is more than a cosy room full of candles, company and good food. Hygge is a philosophy; a way of life that has helped Danes understand the importance of simplicity, time to unwind and slowing down the pace of life. So hygge may have started here, but you can definitely start practising it at home! Create space and time to do nothing but enjoy the little things with family and friends and you're on your way to a hyggelig home!" (Found at Visit Denmark.com)
Here are some ways we've incorporated hygge this winter...
I did take up Mom's advice and got a couple new sweaters, cozy and cute! It's amazing what a boost of confidence new clothes can give you sometimes. Sydnie's also been styling in her cute and warm ensembles. Lots of days it's so cold, we just stick with the footsie jammies.
We do some extra sleeping and like to snuggle up in bed with our stuffed animals. Even Jazzy has been staying warm and snug in her little heated bed.
We do some extra sleeping and like to snuggle up in bed with our stuffed animals. Even Jazzy has been staying warm and snug in her little heated bed.
Sledding fun - we were able to go a couple of times when it wasn't so cold. There are only so many places here, so we usually end up at the school, which is a good place to go. Why? Because it's so small they don't get tired going up and down a million times. I always love watching their faces as they go down the hill! And they loved climbing on this huge snow pile.
Oh it gets so cold here, so sometimes we have to bring the snow in. One day, we had a snow day! We did an indoor snowball fight, made snowflakes, painted using snow as our pallet, made some ice cream, and read some books about snowy days.
We've been able to play in our yard a lot as well - more in March when it was still very snowy but warm enough to really enjoy it. One day, we turned Lucy into a princess and Cov into the Easter bunny since it was the week of Easter. Sydnie went for her first sled ride. Cal built some awesome snow chairs and kept diving in the snow (he was mad and me and didn't want his picture taken). We made snow forts and had snowball fights, and everything in the snow.
Oh it gets so cold here, so sometimes we have to bring the snow in. One day, we had a snow day! We did an indoor snowball fight, made snowflakes, painted using snow as our pallet, made some ice cream, and read some books about snowy days.
For the Super Bowl Sunday (my favorite...not!) church was cancelled as the high was 0 degrees, and the roads were bad because it snowed all the day before so we had church at home! I quickly thought of an idea to keep them happy and learn and stay active, too. The kids all came up with their team name, decorated a little football while I prepared a simple football field game board. We introduced them all and they came out of the "tunnel", had a coin toss and were off! They all took turns rolling dice and we had 12 activities for them to do to make a first down and get across a field - write in journal, personal scripture study, family scriptures, sing a Hymn or Primary song, play a hymn or Primary song (extra 10 yards to best actions/singing), work on Faith in God books, bear your testimony, do 20 sit ups/jumping jacks/heisman, high knees/tires, etc., play Sunday game, look up names of Christ in scriptures and list them, etc. For each of the activities they completed, they got to move 10 yards down the field, and we'd do some cheers. They all scored touchdowns - yay! We did this for 3 hours and the kids really enjoyed it. Em & Cal also wanted to watch the Super Bowl, so they did. Lucy and Cov played with me. Their reward were "bowls" of ice cream with bananas, hot fudge sauce, whipped cream and chocolate footballs Lucy & I made.
We've practiced hygge by drinking lots and lots of hot chocolate. Our friends we introduced hot chocolate and toast to absolutely love it, and ask for it now when they come over. We also have made some other winter festive foods.
It's been a craft making winter ...we've made slime many times. Emma made galaxy slime one night, which was pretty. We also made moon dough, but we called it snow dough. We've painted a lot and made other random crafts. And lots of puzzles, too.
We've also done lots and lots of face painting, thanks to Lucy's new set she got for her birthday. And the kids got washable markers and made each other into random things. Cal wanted to be a gangster and that made me laugh (he knows so much about them living around here) and reminded me of when he was 5 and turned himself into a ninja turtle!
Lots of indoor dressing up and pretending! Even Sydnie has been getting in on the action, haha! One day when Dave was out of town, Cov dressed up in Daddy's clothes because he missed him and Lucy dressed up like me in my clothes. And let's not forget all of our indoor dance party sessions - they help keep us sane and burn some energy, too.
Game nights and having friends over for dinner has been fun! One night, we did a soup swap night and the Coles, Williamses and Goettles all brought some soups and I made soup bowls. Then the adults played Paper Telephone and all laughed so hard we cried! The kids played board games and watched movies. It was so great. The Goettles started the tradition last year and we love it. As Ruth said, it helps break up the winter doldrums. Why do I never take pictures? We also had cookie sundaes. It was fun. We also had a chocolate fondue night one night. Yumm!
One Saturday we played "stores". Dad had "Dave's Big Guns", I did "Ma's Jewlerly Shop", Emma and Lucy were the Unicorn Spa owners, Cal is the proud owner of "Make Drugstores Great Again" and Cov had his donut store. Lucy made up play money and "free coupons". Wish that happened in real life. It was lots of Saturday fun!
One Saturday we played "stores". Dad had "Dave's Big Guns", I did "Ma's Jewlerly Shop", Emma and Lucy were the Unicorn Spa owners, Cal is the proud owner of "Make Drugstores Great Again" and Cov had his donut store. Lucy made up play money and "free coupons". Wish that happened in real life. It was lots of Saturday fun!
Reading indoors under a nice heated blanket or on the treadmill is a great way to warm up. I think I have more motivation to workout during the winter because it does help warm me up...haha! I started a boot camp workout group with friend Halsey Anderberg, who recently finished school and became a certified personal trainer. It's been fun! I've always been one to work out pretty consistently, but lately, I haven't been giving it as much time as I should. This is keeping me accountable and making me stronger.
We've been celebrating weird holidays like we always do. Like send a card day, random acts of kindness day, etc. We also make up our own days, like Castle & Knights and Princess day. We made medieval hats, had a jousting tournament, played games from that era. So funny! We also had fun with Pie day, of course! We made a couple of pies and they were delicious. Finished off the night playing Pie Face and Pie Face showdown.
We love, loved watching the Olympics! The Opening ceremonies were awesome! We made Korean sticky chicken for dinner, and then let the games begin. We colored USA flags, and Emma and Ivy designed their own ice skating outfits and posters to cheer on our teams. I loved that North and South Korea walked together and supported each other throughout the games, what neat moments and notion of peace. We had the TV on lots, and Dave and I, who don't watch much TV, looked forward to watching more after bedtime. We also made some olympic themed snacks. And did our own olympics. Kitchen figure skating - I win! We laughed a ton and it made for a great Sunday afternoon.
We enjoyed Dr. Suess Day, like always! We had a special dinner of Yertle the Turtle bread and Oodles of Noodles pasta with Truffala trees for dessert. We played some games, read a bunch of books, including "The Shape of Me" and made some silhouette crafts. We love Dr. Suess - his books teach us great things, like to be happy for who we are!
We like getting away a bit too during the winter. We were able to head to Billings for a weekend, as our boys basketball team made it to state (and oh, what a game!! talk about buzzer beater with one second left to win the game!) so they shut down school.
First stop? Chuck E. Cheese's for Lucy's belated birthday celebration. Lucy was thrilled, the last time we went she was 2 and Cov's never been, so he was stoked! They loved it all, but were creeped out by the animatronic characters. "Oh, that's so creepy! I wish they had it without it!" We also were able to get to Williston a little as well.
We did a 7 day Hygge challenge that I found on Pinterest. The kids loved being pampered and enjoying our time indoors. The kids loved the candelit dinner and asked if we could do it every night. They also made up a song and dance called "Hygge, hygge, hygge". We picked out a hanging spider plant, which is growing long and cute little flowers are budding on it. The girls made some bath bombs for one of the crafts. Then they made some foam crowns for their stuffed animals another night. The boys just chose to read instead. They also enjoyed walks around the block, but we only made it just that far since it's been so cold. To top it off, it was breakfast in bed, which they've never done before and thought was a huge treat.
Our saving grace this winter has been our air purifyer we got. We have been so healthy this winter, it's crazy! We had one case of strep with Covey in December. But no flu with its unlovely symptoms. No major colds. None of the other viruses that were going around all winter. This thing is worth its weight in gold for our family!
Sometimes it gets so cold, the snow on the trees freezes and crystalizes and then when the wind blows a bit, it sparkles all over. One day when this was going on, Cov explained "It looks like we're in a snow globe!" It is beautiful! But, I'm not gonna lie - once it was mid April and still snowing and cold consistently, I just felt like crying. This weather stuff can get on your nerves! I am just looking ahead for Spring for sure! One day, I went to the window and started singing "Where are you spring time? I don't remember. Could you please come right away!" The kids giggled a little and rolled their eyes more. Lucy said she thinks Jesus is just giving spring a break this year. Hope it's just around the corner!
Sometimes it gets so cold, the snow on the trees freezes and crystalizes and then when the wind blows a bit, it sparkles all over. One day when this was going on, Cov explained "It looks like we're in a snow globe!" It is beautiful! But, I'm not gonna lie - once it was mid April and still snowing and cold consistently, I just felt like crying. This weather stuff can get on your nerves! I am just looking ahead for Spring for sure! One day, I went to the window and started singing "Where are you spring time? I don't remember. Could you please come right away!" The kids giggled a little and rolled their eyes more. Lucy said she thinks Jesus is just giving spring a break this year. Hope it's just around the corner!
Though winters are cold and dark and long (started snowing right when November came and the snow stayed well into April) here, we are trying our best to embrace them. Hygglig forever...or at least until May when we are done with the snow and cold!
