LET’S HYGGE JANUARY 2024
[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 you have had some lovely Christmas days…mine have been calm and relaxing, just what I needed.
My December was filled with birthday celebrations as I turned 50. I decided to celebrate by going up the coast to Bells at Killcare. We did lots of coastal walks at Bouddi National Park. It was a lovely way of getting friends and family to get to know each other. “A walk & talk” is always a good idea!
New Years is going to be another big party. We have hosted parties here for the last 14 years, as we have a view of the iconic Sydney fireworks. We learnt early on to ask guests to bring a plate of finger food and drinks. In that way we can all enjoy the last day of the year. We provide buckets of ice, music and dessert – I give you my recipe on the easiest chocolate mousse : )
I wish you a happy New Year. Thank you for reading. Writing this little journal to you is one of the highlights from the past year. I truly enjoy the lovely community we have and your sweet messages and comments. Happy New Year – Welcome 2024!
I have made this Chocolate mousse for many years for New Year’s Eve. I like the combination of coffee and chocolate. It goes well with champagne and can be prepared the day before.
CHOCOLATE MOUSSE
INGREDIENTS
Makes about 12-16 small glass
200 g good quality, dark chocolate
1 dl cold, strong coffee
2 egg yolks
500 ml whipping cream
Flakes of roasted almonds and a bit of lemon balm leaves for garnish
Break the chocolate into pieces and melt the chocolate over a water bath. Slowly stir the cold coffee and egg yolks into the chocolate mass. Whip the cream until stiff and fold it into the chocolate mass. Arrange it in small glasses and let it rest in the fridge for min. 4-6 hours.
Garnish by sprinkling the toasted almond flakes on top and a few lemon balm leaves.
If you feel like watching a film I can recommend “As it is in Heaven” or in Danish “Som i himlen”. It’s a beautiful movie, which takes place in the northern part of Sweden. The start of the film is set in winter with the Swedish landscape covered in snow. It made my heart melt thinking of all my cold and cozy winters in Scandinavia. The film follows a famous international conductor who returns to his childhood village for early retirement. He slowly becomes involved with the church choir. It affects him and the lives of all in the choir in a profund way. They are all brought to life, strong enough to fight each of their own struggles. Nothing in the village is the same again. The choir grows and the conductor makes both friends and enemies and finds love. If you are in Australia you can watch the film on Apple TV . In Denmark it is for free on DR.
Turning 50 I have had a listen down memory lane. One of the abums I played most when I was younger was by Del Amitri. I also saw them live in concert. They are a Scottish pop/rock band from Glasgow. One of their most famous songs is “Let’s Kiss This Thing Goodbye”, one most suitable for New Years! It’s from the album “The Best of Del Amitri – Hatful of Rain”. Have a listen here: YouTube, Spotify or Apple music
let’s hygge october
We were lucky to witness two of our goats giving birth. They are incredible instinctive and manage to do everything with out help.
let’s hygge september
When we were 24, we purchased a little cottage in Småland, Sweden. It was built in the late 1700s and had solid bones but needed work.
let’s hygge August 2024
From Copenhagen I share with you an entertaining Danish serie, a wonderful Danish trilogy and a Danish song, which is so very iconic.