hygge – Page 2 – Jennifer Michie

December 19, 2017 / 0 Comments

The Last Batch

The cottage is turning into a regular ol’ cookie factory. I baked my last batch of Christmas cookies this morning. They’re all cooled now and waiting to be boxed up and delivered. This last batch of spritz cookies will be packaged up with snowballs and iced sugar cookies.

I made an extra batch this go round so there will be cookies for Mr. Michie to enjoy with a cup of tea. The vanilla, almond and hint of lemon flavour of this buttery flaky cookie goes perfectly with a hot cup of tea or a bowl of vanilla ice cream!

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December 15, 2017 / 0 Comments

The First Batch

I’ve spent my day baking my first Christmas batches of spritz cookies and sugar cookies. I think it took me longer to decide which cookie cutters to use than to actually make the sugar cookies. I love cookie cutters! This year I’ve used my pretty little lady and there are stars, hearts, reindeer, trees, mittens, a cute little bear and a log cabin. Tomorrow, I’ll ice the sugar cookies and start working on making snowballs.

I got the prettiest little pot of glacé cherries at the grocery store this week and I placed them in the middle of pink coloured spritz flowers. They reminded me of cookies on the tray of Italian Christmas sweets that always filled both of my grandmother’s homes during the holidays.

The cottage smells of sugar and lemons and vanilla and almonds and I think that everything might be covered in glitter dust now. But, that’s okay! Who doesn’t need a little sparkle in their life?

Have a wonderful weekend wherever you may be! ♥

December 11, 2017 / 0 Comments

Snowfall

We had our first snowfall of the season yesterday and it was magical. Above, is a photo I snapped yesterday morning. I went for a run and as I rounded the corner that was my view. I crossed the street and slowly made my way across the common until I came to the woodland path. The snow was half a foot deep in some places.

Once I entered the woods I just took my time. I walked, breathed in the clean fresh snow air and listened to that silence, the silence only snow can bring. I was happy to walk, I couldn’t have run if I wanted too anyway, the tree boughs were so heavy with snow that a lot of them were laying on the path. I had to shimmy my way over, under and around them.

It’s snowing again as I type this. Big fat velvety flakes are gently coming down. I don’t think too much of it will stick this time, it’s pretty icy out there. But, it is lovely to watch.

The candles are lit, Christmas music is playing and we’re staying toasty under blankets on this wintry Monday morning.

December 8, 2017 / 0 Comments

It’s Beginning to…

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in our little cottage. The candles are lit, the decorations are hung, Christmas music is playing and my little lady’s risengrød is almost ready for the Nisse.

Risengrød is Danish for “rice pudding”. Eating rice pudding as part of your Christmas meal and making a bowl as a gift for your Nisse is a Danish tradition. My friend R.’s sister lives in Denmark and around this time of year we would always talk about leaving out our little bowls of risengrød for the Nisse. I think R. might have been a pixie himself, there was always a twinkle in his eyes.

You want to keep your Nisse happy you see, especially at this time of year, or they’ll play all kinds of little jokes on you. Nisse love to tease! Our Nisse is usually very well behaved, but I know he’s been up to some kind of magic in the cottage lately. I heard laughing the other morning and came down to find that he had been feasting on a bowl of Christmas candy I had set out. A pile of foil wrappers littered the floor and a little trail of chocolate crumbs was leading away from it.

I’ve been very lucky this year because my little lady is making us a big patch of risengrød to put up in the attic for him. I prefer keeping him happy as I don’t want him to get up to too much mischief! ♥

February 10, 2017 / 0 Comments

A Taste of Snow

It’s trying so hard to snow today. You can feel it. That particular dampness that snow brings to the air and the way the world smells. I saw a few flakes tumble down around me on my run this morning. It makes me so happy! I’m keeping my fingers crossed for at least a good dusting. I want the world to look like a Christmas cake powdered in icing sugar, with no nook or cranny left un-sprinkled by white. Snow today seems fitting as tonight we usher in the Full Snow Moon.

I’m curled up this afternoon, the candles are lit. I’ve feasted on toasted challah bread, smothered in butter and strawberry jam. A hot cup of tea is by my side, sending steamy little tendrils into the air.

It feels like an Anne Shirley kind of day. So, I’m listening to the soundtrack while I work. Happiness is…

February 1, 2017 / 0 Comments

Poof!

Abracadabra and POOF! January has disappeared! How did that happen? How can we already be 31 days into this new year?

In some ways this month seems more barren than January to me. With all of Christmas put away, the cottage looks a bit bare. I actually don’t mind it, it simply feels fresh. There are still candles lit and a few twinkle lights glowing for coziness, but everything else has been stripped back. I like getting back to the bones of things and then re-fleshing them out again.

The first of February has brought with it a lot of rain. It is supposed to rain this entire week. I’m going to keep my fingers, toes, eyes and anything else I can think of, crossed for at least one snow day.

The first of the month also brings with it a very special birthday in our family! Happy, Happy Birthday and many, many more! You know who you are! I love you!

{Lucy meets Orson found HERE // Birthday Party found HERE}

January 10, 2017 / 0 Comments

The Flowers of Copenhagen

I have always loved flowers and I adore the flower shops in Denmark. Simple, yet elegantly arranged, candles lit in the windows and on stands outside. The flowers aren’t just contained within the stores, they spill out over the thresholds and into the street.

Without fail, I spot something unusual, like wreaths that have bulbs, ready to burst open, wired directly to the the frame. Or, hydrangea petals glued around a star shaped stake; placed in a pot amongst moss, bulbs and miniature candles. It’s invariably an array of colour and smells. A feast for the senses and a true delight!

January 4, 2017 / 0 Comments

Copenhagen Hot Chocolate

Sort Kaffe & Vinyl

The American Pie Co.

Sort Kaffe & Vinyl

Baresso

I adore hot chocolate and it tends to be my breakfast drink of choice while in Copenhagen. These were just a few snaps I took at some of my favourite places to have this comforting concoction of velvety chocolatey happiness. Very hygge!

December 23, 2016 / 0 Comments

Oh Christmas Tree!

“Oh Christmas Tree! Oh Christmas Tree! How lovely are your branches!” The Christmas trees in Denmark are particularly lovely during this festive season! Very hygge!

September 7, 2016 / 0 Comments

Copenhagen: Places

Giraffes at Tivoli

This is my last Copenhagen post for this visit. We explored two new spots this time and some old haunts as well. The Arken Museum for Modern Art and Frederiksborg Castle have been on our list for awhile. We had beautiful sunny days on both occasions so the walk around the lake and on the beach in both instances were breathtaking.

A visit to Copenhagen never seems to be complete unless we stroll around Tivoli’s beautiful gardens. The night we were there we hit the dance floor and took a spin along with the Big Band that was playing. They were fantastic! Afterwards we stayed to watch the fireworks and stayed cozy under the heaters, while sitting on sheepskin rugs and drinking hot chocolate. It was a perfect evening.

Oh Copenhagen, as always, I can’t wait to return!