Hygge In The City

         The Danish people have this secret- or maybe it's not a secret since the word is out- to getting through winter- in a country where the winter sun often sets before 4 pm they know all about the dark days of winter. The Danes have this regional phenomenon known as "hygge"- while the translation is tricky and there really is no accurate word to explain what hygge is in English- words like coziness and togetherness only give a very lose translation or explanation.

         Essentially what brings the Danish so much joy during the darker days of winter is this underlying feeling of family and togetherness that extends well past the holidays. While we North Americans may only treat the weeks surrounding the high holidays as extra special the Danish continue well into the winter- buffering against the cold, solitude and stress.  Hygge is not a physical thing- its more intangible- a mental state of wellbeing- a mood that is catching from person to person.

     I love this idea- in months like January and February where the skies are so low and rainy- the weeks that sun doesn't break through the West Coast clouds ever- I'm embracing this Danish concept. I'm encouraging our family to rest- to take it slow- to linger- over games, meals and tea. I'm cozying up our little nest with lots of blankets and warm light- I think I will leave the Christmas lights up a while longer- the twinkling lights in the rain bring us all so much pleasure.

      Normally I would be pushing us all to get outside- hike- run errands- take lessons- get things done- but not this year- this year our winter will be all about resting up for the warmer days that are on their way! By creating our own version of hygge- which does include lots of yummy food to eat- warm beverages and togetherness- I'm hoping to get our family through this tough time of the year well rested and in good health. It's easy to start feeling down because of the short days and inclement weather but I think- I hope- by changing our patterns we can look forward to coming indoors after school and work- nesting- slowing it way down!

Some Early Elving

             These days I am in full on Elving mode- for those of you unfamiliar with the term "Elving" it refers to the act of secretive Holiday making- as in "I am being like an elf and making gifts". So the yarn and needles are flying- much to my children's dismay I have taken up the prime spot on the couch next to our only lamp- gifts are being made- people are getting checked off my list! This year I am dedicated to either making gifts, buying from local makers or - and this is the only exception- buying art supplies to give as gifts- because gifts that foster creativity and anarchy are worth giving.

          I am working my way through my yarn stash- all these lovely hand dyed goodies that I have been hoarding away for the past few years- these glorious fibres are making their way onto my needles and soon onto the hands, feet, heads and necks of folks I love. Every time I sit and knit it becomes a meditation of the intended recipient of the item- each item becoming infused with love- something that you could never buy in a store. Shopping local is a passion of mine- supporting local makers and by extension supporting their passion is the right and good thing to do in my opinion. I think about all the wonderful folks who have supported me over the years and I want to pay that forward- I want to exist in a society that can support a slow, local, handmade market place.

        The early Elving I am sure has been entirely influenced by the frosty weather we have been experiencing on the West Coast these past weeks- with temperatures hovering around zero families have been scrambling to properly outfit their wee ones in as many insulating layers as possible. Buying winter wear is always a bit of a gamble when you live in Vancouver- our family usually begs and borrows enough winter gear for our annual trip to the ski hill and Christmas visit home- there usually is no point in buying winter coats. This year thats not the case and so after a quick trip to the local thrift shop both my babes are outfitted in practically brand new gear- add in some hand knit goodness and they are set to go! The frosty temperatures, darkening days, the snow capped mountains all make it feel like winter might actually be coming this year. Add in the set up of the annual German Christmas Market and all I want to do is hum carols and knit in front of the warm glow of the television. Christmas is coming people- be ready!

Snow Day: Part Deux

If you will remember about a week ago Vancouver got a skiff of snow- a light dusting if you will- Friday however was the really big show- snow: part deux if you will! In fact it could have been a bonafide snow day in the eyes of many Vancouverites- it was just that much snow! By now it will most likely have melted and become a distant memory to many of us- but I thought I would share Miss Lo's and my magical snow adventure-AKA how it took us almost three hours to get to Granville Island!

  
        We had a bit of last minute Christmas shopping to do and so we set out for Granville Island early on Friday morning- we walked over to the closets bus stop to wait for the direct bus to the island- we waited and Miss Lo frolicked in the snow- we waited and our mitts became sodden- we waited and our toes grew numb- the bus never came. Not to bore you with all the details but we ended up walking from the closest sky train station to our destination. Once again with much thanks to serendipity what was just a run of the mill day became magical.

       One of the things I love most about Vancouver is that as soon as the snow starts falling folks disappear- aside from a few intrepid souls Miss Lo and I had the streets to ourselves- down through the slopes of Fairview we wandered down to the sea wall. making snow balls and playing along the way- enjoying how the snow becomes the universal equalizer- making all spaces clean and white. Aside from the occasional whir of stuck tires and the shrieks of school children on recess the air was quiet with the falling snow.

       We made finally made it to Granville Island- had our hot chocolate- bought our books and caught a bus home. By the time you read this the snow will be melted and life in this coastal city will be back to normal- but for one day we had this winter magic- a gift- perhaps just what we needed!