Hygge helps...

 It is still cold and there doesn't seem to be an end in sight.  Everyone is going a bit stir crazy.  I'm trying to utilize hygge to stay sane.  I learned about hygge (pronounced hue ga) from my Danish friend. It is a concept of being cozy and finding comfort in life's simple pleasures.  Sunday is my day dedicated to hygge. The day begins cuddling on the couch with Ella.  I have two cups of coffee and I write a letter to my brother.

 A strong piece of hygge is to enjoy the outdoors, despite winter temperatures.  They say there is no bad weather, just bad clothing.  Every Sunday morning Ella and I venture out to enjoy some fresh air. I have on silk long johns, thermal shirts, hunting pants, sweatshirt, and it is all topped off with Carhartt overalls and coat.  As long as the wind isn't blowing I stay warm.  The fresh air is invigorating.  

 It is always interesting to see what has been going on in the woods.  Usually, we see a set of coyote tracks.  It seems to enjoy a Sunday stroll to our cabin. There are plenty of deer tracks on my snowshoeing trail.  They like walking on solid snow.  A grouse lives in one spot and his tracks cross the road quite a bit.  I am always relieved when I see his tracks because that means the coyote hasn't got him yet. 

 We turned back early today, as there were fresh mountain lion tracks on my snowshoeing trail.  Since we had a dusting of snow, it had to have been within two hours prior to our excurision.  Even though I always wear a gun, there is no reason to walk into trouble if you can avoid it.  Ella didn't complain when we turned around to go back. I texted my husband the lion tracks and some tracks of my own.

Sunday dinner is a big thing at our house.  My husband loves to grill something special. Today it was pork loin prepared with a savory rub and cooked on a smoker grill.  He spritzes it with apple cider to keep it moist.  Can I say heaven on Earth?  Meanwhile, I made a rosemary Parmesan skillet bread and for dessert my mom's apple crisp. Only I use homemade apple pie filling, instead of plain apples.  With Hygge, a meal is a process to be enjoyed.  My husband takes pride in smoking and grilling things to perfection.  I enjoy baking, so bread and desserts are my contribution.   

Skillet breads are fast and easy this one only took 1 1/2 hours.  I found the recipe at the handletheheat.com website.              Rosmary/Parmesan Skillet Bread

2 1/4 t. yeast   
2 c. warm water  
4 1/2 c. flour   
1 1/2 t. salt          
2 T. fresh chopped rosemary            
Spread 2 T. olive oil in the skillet and and on the bread.  Bake in skillet at 400 degrees for 25 min.  Top with 1/4 c. Parmesan cheese and more chopped rosemary.  Bake another 10-15 minutes.

Hygge is also about family and this crumpled piece of paper holds my mom's recipe for apple crisp.  I remember when I called her and wrote it down.  I had several failed attempts at apple crisp.  How is that possible?  It is only the worlds easiest thing to make.  We had a lot of apples one year and I was determined to try again.  My husband gave me some great advice.  Call your mom, hers is always perfect.  I did and it is.  As you can see, I must have called her some time in February years ago and I had to be somewhere at 11:30 on the 6th.  I know I should copy it nice on a recipe card, but I haven't because I enjoy the memory of calling my mom (probably a good 16 years after leaving home) to get one of her best recipes.   In case you can't read it... 
Mom's Apple Crisp
1 c. oatmeal
1 c. brown sugar
3/4  c. flour
1 c. butter  (I'm notorious for cold butter, so I cut it into little slabs when I add it to the mix)
1 t. cinnamon 
Try to keep it crumbly and cover the apples.  I have added to the recipe that I just use my frozen apple pie apple mix.  I thaw it in a sauce pan.  I think the added butter, sugar, and cinnamon adds even more.  Yum.  I bake it at 350 until the top looks done.  

After a good meal, I will usually take a sauna or my husband and I take a nap.  What else is there to do on a cold winter day?  The evening is spent reading and enjoying a cup of hot chai tea.  I prepare for the upcoming week making a grocery list, and planning next weeks meals.  I look back on last week while working on my blog.  Before bed I have a nice relaxing spa like shower with dry brushing and sugar scrubs.  Then end the weekend with a half hour of yoga.

I am tired of winter, but it is good to just relax.  Anyone that has read my blog for any length of time knows that I'm usually up to my elbows in projects.  When the weather warms up, there will be no stopping me.  For now, I will make the best of what hygge filled winter Sundays have to offer.   I hope this helps anyone else that is struggling with this long cold February.  Happy Hygge. 

-4

It is -4 and still snowing. Ella didn't even want to go on our weekly excurision. I believe this photo says it all.

I sure hope it is nicer where you are.

Let's go on a picnic...

I've had it with cold weather.  It has been below 0 most of this week.   We all have a case of cabin fever.  I want to go on a picnic.  My husband and I were at the hardware store and I saw this wonderful camping dinner set.  Cups, bowls, plates and silverware that perfectly match my red Let's Go on a Picnic basket.  I'm in love.  They look pretty snappy if you ask me.  The best part is they fit in the picnic basket perfectly.

 Not quite an Instagram photo, but I am desperate for entertainment.  Maybe next weekend I can take my new combination for a spin.  I think it is supposed to be in the 20's.  That is like a heatwave.  

Poor Ella has been cooped up in the house, so I had to take her on her Sunday run today.  It isn't as pleasant in 5 degree weather.  I can't say we went very far.  It is hard going when you have five layers and overalls on.  

I apologize for the short and not so creative posts.  I also haven't been commenting as much lately.  I am entrenched in my on-line class.  I'm kind of tired of typing.  My brain is stretched.  I think I may have found what I'm supposed to put in my locker.  I think it is used to download files.  I haven't done that, because my I-pad is much faster and I can read while typing.  The problem is I think I have to download files into it for my next assignment.  Ignorance was bliss, now I have to learn something computer related.  Drat. Wish me luck.

Thank you to those who have posted happy plant photos.  They are keeping my spirits somewhat afloat.  As for the rest of us in the deep freeze, there has to be and end.  Right?

It is only February!

Thanks to the cold weather the students and staff at our school didn't stray outside much last week.  Thus, we all ended up sick.  I spent most of Friday and Saturday in bed with a sore throat and fever.  Mind you those were the two warmest days all week.  I'm feeling better just as the snow and sleet starts again.  I'm sure it will be a lovely week.  I hope you all are warm and healthy.  It has given me a chance to get caught up on your blogs.