Creating a comfortable life one moment at a time
After the holidays, I was craving the healthiest food I could think of. Even though I’d tried not to overdo it on the sugar because I knew I’d pay for it (I swear my fingers get achy if I have too much), the extra cookies and desserts and eating out added up.
And so I made this homemade soup.
I think it’s safe to say that the Danish word hygge has firmly made its way into our collective consciousness. While the term is associated with coziness and evokes images of candles and woollen socks, I also think of it as another way to pay attention. To yourself, to your family and friends, and to the world around you. How’s everyone doing? Do you have enough to eat? Are you warm enough? Is there anything I can do to help? It’s the exact opposite of self-absorbed hedonism because to be truly content, you can’t just focus on yourself.
And so I was thrilled when I received not one, but two hygge-related presents for Christmas this year! Tim gave me The Hygge Game: Cozy Conversation in Pleasant Company. We read from the cards during Christmas brunch, dinner, New Year’s Eve, and at random times throughout the break. (The secret is to leave the game out on the table so people can pick up a card and toss a question out to whoever happens to be in the room.)
Day 22: Harry Potter Bookmarks (And a book!)
Since moving to the island two years ago, we needed to come up with new traditions of our own. One of the traditions we adopted is the Icelandic ritual of giving books and chocolate on Christmas Eve. But you could give out books a couple days early. Especially if you have younger kids who need to be kept busy during Christmas break! I think these bookmarks are so cute and you can personalize them for each Hogwarts House.
Day 23: Crepe Balls with Trinkets Inside
It was probably in Victoria magazine that I first came across Christmas Surprise Balls. It’s fun to unwind the balls and find little surprises as you go. And you have to love the riot of crepe paper everywhere when everyone’s done! To make these, you just need some small trinkets (for these, I used Harry Potter stamps and stickers) and some candy if you’d like. And then you just roll it all up into balls and secure each with a piece of tape. The best way to make these is while watching your favorite Christmas movie.
[Read more…] about Harry Potter Christmas Countdown: Week Four
We’ve just finished the Harry Potter Christmas Countdown: Week Two, so now it’s on to Week Three.
Day 15: Levitating Lemon Drops
I bought a good-sized bag of lemon drops on Amazon and made simple “Levitating Lemon Drops” print-outs. And then I just filled four of the incredibly useful clear cellophane bags that I keep on hand, tied them all with a bit of baker’s twine, and done. (What is it about baker’s twine that makes me so happy?)
[Read more…] about Harry Potter Christmas Countdown: Week Three
We’re picking up right from where we left off in the Harry Potter Christmas Countdown: Week One.
Day 8: Apparating Game
Ask your kids: “If you could apparate to anywhere in the world, where would it be?” You can use a map, books, or go online to find ideas or do some exploring. Or, if you have older kids, you can text each other photos of where you’d go. My pick is Amsterdam because we have friends living there and I’m itching to visit them.
[Read more…] about Harry Potter Christmas Countdown: Week Two