Saturday 1 October 2016

Simply Seasonal: Autumn foraging

To me, one of the best things about autumn is the foraging for conkers, acorns, beechnut shells and pine cones. I can’t help myself but bring back a handful of things every time I take the dog for a walk. We are so lucky to have a wood within 10 minute walking distance!

Out for a walk with "Regi"
Once I am home, I usual arrange my finds either in a bowl with candles –




Or along the mantelpiece. I also like to use dried flower heads such as from my hydrangea bush in the garden –




I hope you like my little displays and that I might have inspired you to go out walking and start foraging yourself!

 Sabine



Sunday 11 September 2016

Simply Lifestyle: A hygge life

Welcome back readers! I can’t believe that I haven’t blogged for nearly a year!

Life has just been incredibly busy (some of it good and some of it bad), so blogging felt a bit of a chore which is why I decided to give it a break. Now that things are more settled again, I feel inspired again to pick up my pen (or keyboard). I have recently read a book called “The Cozy Life” by Pia Edberg which explains all about the Danish “hygge”. Here is an extract of her book:

What is Hygge?
Hygge (pronounced HOO-gah) is both a noun and a verb and does not have a direct translation into English. The closest word would have to be coziness,but that doesn’t really do it justice.
While hygge is centered around cozy activities, it also includes a mental state of wellbeing and togetherness. It’s a holistic approach to deliberately creating intimacy, connection, and warmth with ourselves and those around us.
When we hygge, we make a conscious decision to find joy in the simple things. For example, lighting candles and drinking wine with a close friend you haven’t seen in a while, or sprawling out on a blanket while having a relaxing picnic in the park with a circle of your loved ones in the summertime are both hygge.
Image courtesy of http://www.greigedesign.com/blogs/blog/17324903-dinner-with-friends
Though hygge is often a planned affair, it can be as simple as curling up and reading a good book on the sofa. It’s about surrounding ourselves with everything we love and treasuring the moment. In a big departure from modern culture, we intentionally enjoy the domestic and personal aspects of life, rather than rushing through them just to make it through the day’s tasks. We seek and embrace that warm, fuzzy feeling inside.
Image courtesy of https://bookstopcorner.blogspot.co.uk/2014/12/10-christmas-gifting-ideas-for-your.html
This sums up my philosophy of life in just a few sentences. Maybe it is because I was born and raised in North Germany which isn’t a million miles away from the Danish culture and also the German concept of Gemülichkeit. Whatever the reason, I hope you have enjoyed today’s blog entry and feel inspired to join the “hygge” lifestyle! If you want to read a bit more about it, check out the following:

“Hygge was never meant to be translated. It was meant to be felt.”                               
                                                                                                      Tove Maren Stakkestad


Sabine