The Danes have a wonderful word which is hygge. The nearest English language translation is cosy but it does not really capture the many meanings of hygge. It is pronounced hoo-ga, I believe. It describes an atmosphere of warmth, cosiness and comfort and a feeling of peace and well being. It means relaxing and spending time with friends and family, eating and drinking, firelight and candlelight. It can be used as an adjective, verb or noun. I think it is a wonderful word, a word which captures all that I want to celebrate during winter.* Of course, it helps that I am captivated by so much Scandinavian design and culture (how is it possible that after all the hours of Danish crime dramas I've watched I am still not fluent in the language?) and it is at least one word of the Danish language I will know when we visit Copenhagen in April. That, and tak (thank you).
We have been very cosy today. Last night we ate in an Indian restaurant and watched thick snow fall all through the evening and, when we couldn't get a taxi home, we all walked. It was magical. When I woke up this morning I was excited for the day to begin. We went out in the fresh snow and threw snowballs in the bright sunshine. I spent the afternoon crafting, crocheting, baking, drinking many cups of tea. Bella and Angus played with the train track, drew pictures, watched DVDs while snuggled under blankets.
It was a good day.
We have been very cosy today. Last night we ate in an Indian restaurant and watched thick snow fall all through the evening and, when we couldn't get a taxi home, we all walked. It was magical. When I woke up this morning I was excited for the day to begin. We went out in the fresh snow and threw snowballs in the bright sunshine. I spent the afternoon crafting, crocheting, baking, drinking many cups of tea. Bella and Angus played with the train track, drew pictures, watched DVDs while snuggled under blankets.
It was a good day.
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For those who asked about Yorkshire Pudding and roast potato recipes - I will ask John what he did and try to write a post. His ego will be suitably flattered, I am sure! I hope you are all enjoying your weekends. Hello new followers - you are most welcome! I will try to pop over to your blogs this weekend and say hi.
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*Incidentally, you can have a hygge atmosphere is summer too - a picnic or barbecue with friends and a few beers would be very hygge.
Soooooo cosy! :) x
ReplyDeleteHygge is a very good word and a brilliant concept. We've been having a cosy day here too: tv watching, radio listening, blog reading, lots of eating and tea drinking. I also managed to tidy up two big cupboards that everything has been dumped in, so I'm feeling very proud of myself. Relaxing Tidying - that's what I'll call it.
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely word, and so apt! Glad you're still enjoying the snow, sounds like a wonderful day :) xx
ReplyDeleteI also believe that I should be fluent in Danish but it somehow eludes me. Sounds like your day was just lovely. Am feeling inspired to make lemon drizzle tomorrow. Crochet happened here too. X
ReplyDeleteDear Gillian
ReplyDeleteSounds like the ideal day - 'cosy' is perfect for this time of year. I'm going to bake some spiced pear muffins tomorrow which will hopefully look as lovely as your cake does. Yum!
Enjoy the rest of your weekend.
Best wishes
Ellie
It sounds like the perfect, cosy day! Love your pretty lights in the first photo...so fun and colorful! And dinner at an Indian restaurant sounds lovely. Especially followed by a walk in the snow. I am all about being cosy this time of year. I like to be home in the evenings snuggling with a warm blanket, taking a hot bath, and enjoying a nice cup of hot tea or a glass of red wine! Enjoy the rest of the weekend! Your photos are lovely today, as always.
ReplyDeleteOh, I'd like to come over and enjoy some of that wintry hygge x
ReplyDeletelove the word! and wonderful post on staying cosy. we are doing the same in our house tonight.
ReplyDeletexoxo
serioussarahblog
www.serioussarahblog.blogspot.com
Now that's the kind of day (and word) weekends were made for.
ReplyDeleteLisa x
Hello Gillian
ReplyDeleteA perfect, cosy day. The walk sounds brilliant and so exhilerating.
You take the most stunning pictures, and a mouthwatering cake - just perfect.
luv
irene
xxxx
Hygge is a wonderful concept! I can't understand why I'm not fluent in danish either - loving Borgen at the moment. I'm envious of that trip to Copenhagen! xx
ReplyDeleteI love Forbrydelsen and I too think how it happens that I still don't understand Danish? :-)
ReplyDeleteI feel so inspired! Your photos exude so much warmth and cosiness that I can't wait to get home to create a bit of hygge myself. I hope you'll show us what will become of the sweet pink crochet circles. Mel x
ReplyDeleteI feel cosy after looking at your post its raining here in Ireland so I am lighting candles and snuggling with a blanket as I type! Lovely blog x
ReplyDeleteI'm familiar with this wonderful word too as I'm married to a half Dane and I think you've summed it up perfectly here with just the right images. In fact, I'd say in spirit you speak perfect Danish! There is also a Swedish word 'fika' which can be a noun or verb as well and is the whole concept of coffee/tea and cake in the afternoon with friends/family. I do love your blog and always look forward to a new post - it makes these dreary winter days much brighter.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a great weekend! I haven't heard of hygge before but it really is a lovely concept. x
ReplyDeletegreat snow pictures...but im soooo pleased its gone!
ReplyDeleteI love that word and I love your photos. I enjoyed spotting the familiar faces in the photos on your shelf. xxx
ReplyDeleteLovely photos Gillian. We've had a cosy weekend too - no snow anymore though. Sunshine instead, hurrah! x
ReplyDeleteHygge is one of my favourite words too, although I didn't know how to pronounce it. Try switching off subtitles when watching something like The Killing and just listening, once you get your ear in much of it is quite like English spoken with a thick Scots accent, as I recently proved to friends we had staying with us!
ReplyDeleteHope the rest of your weekend was as cosy. And thank you for the get well wishes Gillian, every one has been so sweet :)
*everyone ... being ill seems to have affected my ability to spell!
DeleteSounds like my kind of word...and my kind of day...thanks for sharing x
ReplyDeleteIt gave me a hygge feeling just to see your photos. I think I would add a lovely bowl of steaming soup, a hot water bottle (and assorted dogs and cats on your knee) and anything with custard. x
ReplyDeletePlease tell me you watch Borgen. I am obsessed with it (massive girl-crush on Birgitte!) and no one I know watches and I NEED someone to talk to about it!! Gorgeous, cuddly post - looks like a dreamy weekend. Are those hazelnut and raisin cookies I spy? They look like some I made this week and ate in about four and a half seconds!
ReplyDeleteEmily x
What a perfect word for this time of year. I love it!
ReplyDeleteI understood what is meant by this word very well. Glad to see your happy cozy moments. Take care!
ReplyDeleteAnna
What a lovely concept! Glad to know how to pronounce it too - it would have had me baffled! Your pics evoke it beautifully. E x
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the scandinavian love - totally. I love that danish word, love what it means. I woke up very late this morning because I wasn't feeling well last night and I couldn't sleep, and when I looked out the windows it was snowing!! Yesterday there was the sun and bright sky, now everything is white and feels very very cosy.
ReplyDeleteooh that cake looks divine! lovely cosy photos x
ReplyDeleteThe perfect word for a perfectly cosy day.
ReplyDeleteWas wondering how you would get home on Friday night! Love the idea of hygge and you've captured it so well through your photographs. Did you watch Ab Fab when Edina imagines Sarah Lund in her bedroom and she she thinks she can speak Danish from watching The Killing? Haha! x
ReplyDeleteReading your blog makes me feel very hygge! I had a lovely weekend of crafting and vintage goodie hunting, but now me and the boys seem to have been struck down with another winter lurgy - very boring all these germs! Was hoping to catch up properly with yours and lots of other lovely blogs that I've been missing, but I'm off for an early night...lots of love to you Gillian. Rachel xx
ReplyDeleteEverything about this post is so very hygge/cozy. Your photos are wonderful, as usual.
ReplyDeletexx
Jenny