Well, we are finally in Florida. We left with the blizzard on our heels, but did not have any real trouble. While it has been chilly here, there's nothing to complain about. The sky is blue and all of the colors are vibrant!
One of the first things that we did was head to the beach, just to get our first glimpse. We went to one of our favorite spots, which is always a bit wild and wooly. Not so much at low tide though, when this picture was taken.
I have finally gotten together with my Florida knitting friends, and returned to my Jazzercise group down here. It's so good to see all of their friendly faces!
It is quite a wonder to just pull into our parking space and begin our southern living. This is one of the huge advantages of having our own place, and this winter, we really are able to just live, having completed our renovations and decorating. Quiet days with not much of anything scheduled. We can still hardly believe it! Heading back north, and beginning our house-hunt in earnest will be here soon enough. We intend to enjoy every moment of our respit!
 |
| Thinkstock |
I have been reading "The Year of Living Danishly" by Helen Russell. Helen moved from England to rural Denmark when her husband, Mr. Lego, accepted a position with Legos at their corporate headquarters. She writes about all aspects of Danish life in a quest to discover why Danes are so notoriously happy and satisfied.
I was very close to the end of the book, but in my travels over these last few weeks, I have lost it! It's not like I will not find out how the story ends, but I know that there will be some missing pieces about life in Denmark. At some point I will check the book out from the library, but while I am still in the snowy north, I want to share with you the part of the book that drew me to it in the first place - Hygge.
Hygge - (pronounced "heurgha") is:
1. The Danish concept of creating warmth, connection, and well-being.
2. Presence. committing spirit, pleasure, and warmth to ordinary rituals and gestures that comfort and make us feel rooted and generous.
3. The appreciative method of giving and receiving that occurs while around the table for a shared meal, sheltered from the rain at the bus stop, or alone in bed with a hot water bottle and a good book.
These are just a few of the loose definitions of hygge; a means of finding comfortable warmth in the long, dark, frigid winter days and nights in Denmark. It is an active pursuit, and one that I think that I have been practicing all along!
I have always loved to sit by the fire while a storm ragged outside. With knitting in hand, music or an audio book playing in the background, and a glass of wine nearby - this is heaven on earth to me. Yes - the beach is calling, but I am going to enjoy my last few days of the chilly north, and get my hygge on!
For further reading on the subject - try the links below. They will have you feeling cozy all over!
Alex's cat, Eowyn, has spent some time with us recently, and she seems intent on helping me with my knitting! It doesn't matter that I came up with a separate ball of yarn for her to play with - she had to go the extra mile and dive into my basket to snag what I was actually working with! She is a sweetheart!
Hello 2016! I know that I am usually posting from Florida at this point, but we have any number of things that have us remaining at home a bit longer than usual. So - snow! While I love sun and palm trees, I do love snow - as long as I can enjoy it from my fireside!
I know that I have written before that we plan to downsize our living by moving into a smaller home. We are making concrete steps in that direction, and have each been working at decluttering and getting rid of things. I must say that I was really on a roll, having gotten rid of those things I no longer need, wear, or don't want to move. I have slowed a bit over the holidays.
Bruce and I have good-naturedly teased each other about the things that we think the other has too much of. Me, I have too many throws (shawls) and Bruce, too many golf shirts. Well, the truth is, Bruce has too many hats! He arranged the following display for me (he does know how to have a good laugh at his own expense). Can one really have too many throws; golf shirts, or hats?
