More mince pies and a whole lotta' Hygge
This is less of a recipe but more of a thoughts post I have to say so I'd make a some tea if I were you as it's quite a long one...
Just yesterday afternoon I went out for a walk with my Mum after lunch. Living in Cambridge, we're lucky enough to have the best of both worlds with fields and countryside just minutes away as well of course as the historic city with never ending alleyways to be explored, colleges to nose into and bridges to cross.
Having wandered into town, we went along the riverfront behind the colleges, walked through Clare College and ended up outside Heffers Book shop. (The most exquisite shop in the world, if you ask me).
According to various recent surveys and researchers, it has been discovered that Denmark as a whole has the happiest population in the world. Loads of people have been trying to find out why and it all comes back to their simple way of living and enjoyment and celebration of the little things in life. So, anyway, on entering Heffers, there was a large display on Scandinavian cookery and the Danish sense of 'HYGGE'. The world does't translate directly but the closest comparison is 'cosiness'. I'd never even heard of the word before but apparently, following a recent poll showing that the Danes are the
"Make the most of the little things because you'll look back and realise they were the big things."
This really inspired me and made me ponder for a while about how life is sometimes so quick, busy and frantic, that we forget to enjoy small, everyday pleasures like a perfect cup of tea in the morning, the incredible colours in hedgerows (especially at this time of year), huge stolen jumpers from Dad that you nearly drown in or just reading a gripping book late into the night.
It's these things, small but lovely that make everyday so special, especially as the days grown shorter and we spend more time in doors. So, this winter, take time to snuggle up or cosy down and relish in all things 'hygge'.
(How amazing is this evening sky from yesterday)?!!
I then set to, writing Christmas cards, planning some new recipes and 'sampling' some (many) mince pies!!!
Just after he'd made multiple attempts to snaffle some pies (that's why he's sulking)!
xxxx
