LET’S HYGGE NOVEMBER 2024

Let's hygge Lindbjerg Graphic Journal Blog

[definition of hygge]

a quality of cosiness and comfortable living that engenders a feeling of contentment and well-being (regarded as a defining characteristic of Danish culture).

Add a little hygge to each month

I hope this little greeting finds you well! Thank you for your kind messages; it truly makes me happy to hear how inspired you are by my monthly greetings.

I’m preparing for a trip to Denmark to celebrate my mother’s 80th birthday and to visit the Danish Book Fair, where I have designed quite a few titles this year. Instead of giving out business cards, I’ve create a small series of postcards. Below, I’ll show you how to create your own postcards too.

My seeds have sprouted, and I’ve already planted the beans and pumpkins in the garden beds. I was set back by a cockatoo (Australian bird) that visited the little paper pots one morning and rearranged things a bit. But I managed to save the majority, and I’m now waiting for the last sprouts to grow stronger before transferring them to the garden beds.

I can hardly believe we’re entering the Christmas season! I’ve gathered my traditions into a digital flipbook ‘let’s hygge CHRISTMAS’ for you to explore and get inspired. It’s full of things to create, bake, and celebrate as you prepare for Christmas!

I’m also sharing a wonderful film about the life of Beatrix Potter, a recipe inspired by Miss Potter and my new favourite garden equipment.

Wishing you a lovely November! I hope this little greeting inspires you to create, cook, read, or watch something that will make you smile!

BREAD PUDDING WITH RHUBARB

One of my favourite ways to transform stale bread is by making a delightful, old fashion bread pudding. This versatile dish is perfect for incorporating seasonal fruits, and right now, my garden is overflowing with rhubarb!

ALL YOU NEED

6 persons

25 g butter
140 g raw sugar
½ stale white bread in cubes (200 g)
300 g rhubarb
100 g raisins/sultanas
4 eggs
1 cup (3 dl) cream
1 cup (3 dl) milk
1 seeds of vanilla pod
2 tbsp icing sugar

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease an ovenproof dish with butter and sprinkle with 2 tbsp of raw sugar. I didn’t have a large dish, som I used a few smaller ones instead.

2. Cut the stale bread into cubes. Rinse and cut the rhubarbs into cubes as well. Place the bread and rhubarb cubes in the dish, sprinkling the raisins/sultanas in between.

3. In a bowl, whisk together the eggs, cream, milk, and the remaining raw sugar. Split the vanilla pod, scrape out the seeds, and add both the seeds and the pod to the egg mixture.

4. Pour the mixture over the bread and rhubarb in the dish. Sprinkle with icing sugar and a few butter cubes and bake for about 25 minutes, or until the dessert is golden and crispy on top.

5. Serve warm, dusted with a little icing sugar, alongside some double cream, ice cream or lightly whipped cream. I served this with rhubarb soup. You can find the recipe here.

Every year, I print a new collection of postcards featuring some of my favourite photos. They make great little gifts or can serve as unique alternatives to business cards. Each postcard have a QR code on the back, linking to my website with all my details. I find they bring great joy and travel far and wide! If you’re interested in making your own postcards, here are a couple of great resources to get you started: Vista Print , Denmark and Vista Print , Australia. I recommend using Sovereign Offset 350 gsm paper for a high-quality finish. Happy creating!

I’ve really enjoyed watching the film ‘Miss Potter’, which tells the story of Beatrix Potter, the author of the beloved and best-selling children’s book ‘The Tale of Peter Rabbit’. The film explores her struggles for love, happiness, and success, with the charming and talented Renée Zellweger portraying her. Potter’s imagination, passion, and determination make her a strong role model, as the film highlights the constraints placed on women during that era. I was completely immerse into her world for the 1 hour and 28 minutes the film lasted. In Denmark you can watch it on Filmstriben and in Australia on Stan.

Explore my Christmas book, ‘Let’s Hygge!’ It’s a compilation of recipes, handmade decorations, favorite flowers, and cherished Christmas traditions. Contained within, I share some heirloom Christmas recipes, traditions from my Danish upbringing, and some I’ve cultivated here in Australia. My hope is to infuse a little hygge into your Christmas. Read it here

I treated myself to an early Christmas present: a classic watering can by Burgon & Ball in dark racing green. I use it every evening when watering the potted plants. I can truly feel the quality and thought that has gone into the design. Burgon & Ball has been creating garden tools since 1730 in Sheffield, England. It makes me feel a bit like Beatrix Potter in her beloved garden!