It's Hygge time.

​As the seasons shift to colder and darker days, rather than yearn for the return of summer, Nordic lifestyle embraces this time with a concept known as "hygge". 

It's not just during the fall and holidays though.

For me, now that the holidays have passed and the days have settled into more of a peaceful cadence, I'm really enjoying more time and space to settle down late in the afternoon with some hot tea and a good book, and also planning and preparing more of those comfort-food meals.  

You've heard the word "hygge" I'm pretty sure.   

What is hygge, though?
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Today is a Swedish holiday known as Santa Lucia (sometimes spelled Sankta Lucia).  Lucia means light, and this is a celebration of hope and light.  It is always on the 13th of December.

This is the cultural and traditional time to celebrate the darker days of winter and the coming solstice when the days will again begin to get longer, and lighter.

This year, the Winter Solstice happens on Thursday the 21st.  

So what is the connection between Santa Lucia and the Solstice?  And how can you celebrate?

​Today is World Coffee Day. 

Sweden is one of the top coffee consuming countries in the world, but we do it with a special touch, and not just once year but virtually every day.  "Fika" is a Swedish cultural ritual that we need more of here in the U.S., and I thought that today was the perfect day to inspire you.  

Fika is a treasured tradition that is in that sweet spot between the elaborate English afternoon high-tea and the American coffee-to-go. 

​Growing up in Sweden, no matter where we were or what we were doing, we would stop mid-afternoon, take a short soothing break, and enjoy an earthy cup of hot coffee along with a little sweet and some company. In Sweden, we have quite a sweet tooth, and indulge often, but always in moderation.

Fika is all about celebrating the simple pleasures in life, with others.
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🍄I lived much of my youth in Sweden with a large family (Swedish is my first language) and while the winters are long, and dark, the summers are oh so glorious.

I talk a lot about what I grow in my garden and in client's landscapes, but one of my most wonderful memories are the treasures that we foraged for in the wild, open woods of Sweden.  Most of that abundance came in July and August.

🌲So I just thought it would be pretty cool to share a few fun and inspiring posts about some of those hunting expeditions.

And I thought I'd start with the wild chanterelle mushroom.
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​I know the day after Thanksgiving is supposed to be all about making lists of things to give or buy.  And spending all day in line to get the best deals.  

But here at The Whiskey Porch we do the exact opposite.  Enjoying each other with gratitude for what we have and adding artful décor to our little home.  And spending time outdoors which is often gorgeous in these parts!

Here's a little peek at how we do things, Nordic style, here at Juniper Hill Cottage...

Simple and artful, nordic cottages are often so picturesque that they don't seem to look real.

But real they are, and outside of the largest cities, predominantly what you will find. 

To be clear, simple doesn't translate to minimalist in any way.  Although Nords tend to live lightly and not have much clutter or unnecessary possessions, what they do keep is treasured and often artful and beautiful.

So, although The Whiskey Porch specializes in Nordic Bungalow Lifestyle & Design, I wanted to clarify that this does not refer to the modern likes of Scandinavian Designs Furniture or Ikea.  Not that there is anything wrong with those ultra-clean and modern styles.  What we are thinking of is the more traditional aesthetic.

​Swedish Lagom will help you embrace a simpler lifestyle.

​Swedes have a few lifestyle concepts that might be part of the reason they are often considered one of the happiest places to live.   This post is just a little introduction to "lagom".

Lagom is all about living in moderation.  Finding a balance ... in life, at work, in your finances, and certainly with the size of your home.   Thinking about the "whole" and not just the "self".

To be fair, this is an idea that's been hyped and also can be, ironically, overdone.  But at it's core I think it has a lot to offer our American overly excessive way of life, if applied in a thoughtful way.

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