CATHOLIC BROAD EMBRACES HYGGE
For those of you who haven't yet heard the term "hygge," (and why haven't you?), it is a Danish word describing things we do in winter to be cozy, centered, and relaxed. This could include: sitting by a fire, knitting, sipping warm milk and honey, downing hot toddies, wearing fuzzy slippers, pulling on warm socks, and gathering beloved friends for dinner on trays before the fire (as Mr. Apple and his wife do in the "Brambly Hedge" series, which is about as hygge as you can get.).
"Hygge" is pronounced a bit like a Freshman throwing up in the dormitory bathroom, "Hoo-gah!" I have never done this, of course in all of my years.
So, with that quick orientation to the Danes' great word (you can go on Pinterest, type Hygge into the search bar, and a lot of posts will come up), here are some ways I embrace it in my house 1200' up on a ridge in Western Mass, where the eagles fly, bears roam, and ice, sleet, and snow make their home.
--get real sheepskin slippers if the budget allows it (Vermont Store has them);
--stock up on raw, natural honey for tea and milk;
--purchase a small flask of good Puerto Rican rum for said hot drinks;
--take up knitting with thick, colorful yarn and wooden needles, size 10, especially of a shawl which is easy to do: check out this book, Knitting Into the Mystery, a Guide to the Shawl-Knitting Ministry, by Susan S. Jorgensen & Susan S. Izard;
--if knitting is not your thing, get a small sketchbook and try drawing--it is very relaxing;
--if you don't have an open fire and the budget allows, you can purchase a nifty electric fire with real looking flames from Amazon for around $130; they throw off a lot of heat;
--use paper plates and bowls for eating easy suppers in front of the fire (Campbell's Tomato Soup, anyone, and grilled cheese sandwiches?);
--gather a few friends to share the warmth and easy conversation with you (avoid politics like the plague);
--if you have the energy, cook up some hot, hearty soups (recipe to follow); toast ciabatta rolls over the fire, and enjoy;
--read a book out loud to your honey(s), sipping a hot drink and curled up next to him/her/non-binary loved one. Here's my recommendations:
--The Prodigal Son, by Henri Nouwen;
--Barking At the Choir, by Fr. Greg Boyle (Homeboy)
--Wind In the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame;
--The Long Winter, by Laura Ingalls Wilder;
--Three Men In a Boat, by J.K.Jerome which is so hilarious I can't read it aloud without collapsing.
Ok, enough books. Now for the food. Here's the recipe for my very own crafted, favorite corn chowder (to eat before your fire):
Ingredients:
--1 bag frozen corn, 10 oz
--4 medium organic potatoes, unpeeled, chop into 1" pieces
--4 cups "Better Than Bouillon" chicken broth, or homemade
--4 slices organic, smoked bacon
--1 chopped medium yellow onion
--2 tsp. leaf thyme
--1 tsp. toasted, ground cumin (measure before toasting)
--1 tsp. toasted, ground coriander (""")
--1/2 tsp. (or more) hot ancho chili powder
--artisanal salt and pepper to taste
--1/2 cup Greek yogurt
Directions:
1/ Heat bacon in large pot until crisp; remove, drain, cut into pieces and save for later.
2/ Saute chopped onion in bacon fat, 10 min. until soft.
3/ Add frozen corn and chopped potatoes, stir, & saute 10 min.
4/ Add chicken broth and mix well.
5/ Add spices and incorporate. Taste for seasonings.
6/ Bring to boil, turn heat down, simmer 1 hour. About 15 min. before end, add chopped bacon and stir.
7/ Turn off heat, let cool slightly, & add yogurt. I also usually add a dash of balsamic vinegar or its reduction at the end.
So, my darlings, invite friends--or not; insert feet into socks or slippers; pour yourself something warm and delicious; light the fire, draw your chairs close, and eat in the flickering light. Enjoy your hygge!
"Hygge" is pronounced a bit like a Freshman throwing up in the dormitory bathroom, "Hoo-gah!" I have never done this, of course in all of my years.
So, with that quick orientation to the Danes' great word (you can go on Pinterest, type Hygge into the search bar, and a lot of posts will come up), here are some ways I embrace it in my house 1200' up on a ridge in Western Mass, where the eagles fly, bears roam, and ice, sleet, and snow make their home.
--get real sheepskin slippers if the budget allows it (Vermont Store has them);
--stock up on raw, natural honey for tea and milk;
--purchase a small flask of good Puerto Rican rum for said hot drinks;
--take up knitting with thick, colorful yarn and wooden needles, size 10, especially of a shawl which is easy to do: check out this book, Knitting Into the Mystery, a Guide to the Shawl-Knitting Ministry, by Susan S. Jorgensen & Susan S. Izard;
--if knitting is not your thing, get a small sketchbook and try drawing--it is very relaxing;
--if you don't have an open fire and the budget allows, you can purchase a nifty electric fire with real looking flames from Amazon for around $130; they throw off a lot of heat;
--use paper plates and bowls for eating easy suppers in front of the fire (Campbell's Tomato Soup, anyone, and grilled cheese sandwiches?);
--gather a few friends to share the warmth and easy conversation with you (avoid politics like the plague);
--if you have the energy, cook up some hot, hearty soups (recipe to follow); toast ciabatta rolls over the fire, and enjoy;
--read a book out loud to your honey(s), sipping a hot drink and curled up next to him/her/non-binary loved one. Here's my recommendations:
--The Prodigal Son, by Henri Nouwen;
--Barking At the Choir, by Fr. Greg Boyle (Homeboy)
--Wind In the Willows, by Kenneth Grahame;
--The Long Winter, by Laura Ingalls Wilder;
--Three Men In a Boat, by J.K.Jerome which is so hilarious I can't read it aloud without collapsing.
Ok, enough books. Now for the food. Here's the recipe for my very own crafted, favorite corn chowder (to eat before your fire):
Ingredients:
--1 bag frozen corn, 10 oz
--4 medium organic potatoes, unpeeled, chop into 1" pieces
--4 cups "Better Than Bouillon" chicken broth, or homemade
--4 slices organic, smoked bacon
--1 chopped medium yellow onion
--2 tsp. leaf thyme
--1 tsp. toasted, ground cumin (measure before toasting)
--1 tsp. toasted, ground coriander (""")
--1/2 tsp. (or more) hot ancho chili powder
--artisanal salt and pepper to taste
--1/2 cup Greek yogurt
Directions:
1/ Heat bacon in large pot until crisp; remove, drain, cut into pieces and save for later.
2/ Saute chopped onion in bacon fat, 10 min. until soft.
3/ Add frozen corn and chopped potatoes, stir, & saute 10 min.
4/ Add chicken broth and mix well.
5/ Add spices and incorporate. Taste for seasonings.
6/ Bring to boil, turn heat down, simmer 1 hour. About 15 min. before end, add chopped bacon and stir.
7/ Turn off heat, let cool slightly, & add yogurt. I also usually add a dash of balsamic vinegar or its reduction at the end.
So, my darlings, invite friends--or not; insert feet into socks or slippers; pour yourself something warm and delicious; light the fire, draw your chairs close, and eat in the flickering light. Enjoy your hygge!
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