Lantern Light and Evenings on the Terrace
As autumn creeps in and the nights grow darker, our terrace becomes a warm retreat. Lanterns sway, candles flicker, and the woods hum with mystery. A touch of citrus oil keeps the mosquitoes at bay, while a hot cup of cocoa, coffee, or tea adds to the comfort. Wrapped in the glow of candlelight, we soak in the crisp air and the quiet magic of the season—that’s hygge.
Honoring an Old Friend: The Tanning of a Badger's Hide
We recently embarked on a poignant project to honor a familiar woodland companion, an old badger known to us from our garden. After finding it deceased, we carefully preserved its pelt through a meticulous tanning process involving skinning, cleaning, salt curing, a formic acid treatment, and finally, finishing with tanning oil.
Lanterns and our cozy garden terrace
Our little garden nook, nestled beneath elder trees and framed by honeysuckle and ivy, is the perfect spot for lounging in the sun or shade. Lanterns sway gently from natural fiber ropes, casting a warm glow at night, while citronella keeps the mosquitoes at bay. Murkla, our cat, has claimed the coziest seat. With climbing roses and more greenery on the way, this secluded hideaway only gets more magical with time.
The Making of a Harry Potter-Themed Puzzle Box
In preparation for a classic Scandinavian confirmation, we embarked on creating a Harry Potter-themed puzzle box as a unique gift for a Potterhead guest of honor.
Crafting 5 riddles for a Harry Potter-Themed Puzzle Box
Attending a classic Scandinavian confirmation party for a guest of honor who was a major Potterhead.. inspired us to create a Harry Potter-themed puzzle box. This magical gift adventure combined the enchantment of J.K. Rowling's universe with the joy of problem-solving, leading the recipient through a series of riddles and tasks that engaged their love for the wizarding world.
Waking Up the Wintering Butterflies
At first, they seem like nothing more than dry, curled leaves clinging to the attic beams. But then, as the spring sun warms them, their husky brown wings unfold, revealing flashes of fiery orange and deep indigo. And just like that, as if by magic, they come alive—fluttering out the window, waking from their long winter sleep to greet the world once more.
Gækkebrev: The snowdrop teasing-letters of Easter
Gækkebreve, a cherished Danish springtime tradition, are playful teasing letters that come alive with secret rhymes challenging the recipient to guess the sender's identity, spelled out in dots (...).
From Winter Felling to Autumn Stacking
In the quiet of winter, we begin the time-honored task of preparing our firewood, a traditional ritual that spans the seasons.
Stainless Steel Meal Prep
In our kitchen, we navigate the challenge of incorporating exotic, rare ingredients into our daily meals by mastering the art of large batch cooking. This approach allows us to fully utilize these special ingredients, locking in their vibrant flavors and aromas in our trusty stainless steel containers - and our deep freezer.
Snowcraft - Building a LEGO Snowfort from giant LEGO snow-bricks
In the heart of winter, our family found joy in transforming freshly fallen snow into giant Lego-like bricks using the tops of storage bins. The children eagerly assembled these into a grand snowfort, crafting an impressive igloo with walls sturdy enough to host their snowy adventures. As dusk fell, a warm light placed within turned their icy creation into a glowing beacon, a proud display of their day's play.
The Craft of Whittling Our Wooden Spoons
In the embrace of winter's chill, our hearth becomes the cradle for whittling rustic spoons from our woodpile's treasures. Each spoon, from the hazel to the cherry, is whittled by hand, no machines, just knives and the wood guiding us to reveal its hidden charm.
Vintage Sparkle: Repurposing Chandelier Crystals as Yule Tree Ornaments
In our household, the charm of Yule is often found in the blending of the old with the new, the traditional with the repurposed. This season, we want to share with you a special tradition that brings an extra sparkle to our Yule tree: repurposing old chandelier crystals as ornaments.
Pulleys for the playground
In our latest backyard adventure, we've introduced pulleys to the playground, transforming playtime into an immersive lesson in physics and fun. Our children are now hoisting and heaving with glee, learning the power of mechanics in the most delightful way. Join us as we share this simple yet profound addition to our family's outdoor haven.
A whittled wooden knife for our Youngest Chef
Nestled within the daily rhythm of tending to our wood stove lies an opportunity for creativity—a chance to transform a simple beech log destined for kindling into something more, something special. Today, we found such a piece, one that whispered the potential of becoming more than just a spark for our fire.
The Art of Upcycling Old Dining Chairs
In our kitchen stands a circle of oak chairs, each over a century old, handcrafted and originally part of a grand estate's dining set. With history etched into their grain, these chairs have been a canvas for our family's creative expression. Today, we've breathed new life into them once more, re-upholstering their seats with fabric that tells its own story—floral patterns from fabric scraps, the back of an old jacket, the remnants of a favorite T-shirt. This isn't just upcycling; it's a way of weaving our memories into the very place we gather, eat, and share our lives.
Bear's Bone Adventures: A Halloween Extravaganza!
In the heart of the woods, young Bear stumbled upon red deer bones, igniting his imagination of a time where dinosaurs roamed. In Scandinavia, kids often confront life's realities, from nature's cycles to a chicken's fate in kindergarten. At home, these bones transformed into tales of mighty beasts, showcasing the wonder of childhood during this Halloween season.
Homemade Hazel Broom Handles
Our affinity for the versatile hazel doesn’t just stop at whimsical curtain rods; it extends to functional elements around our cottage, like creating sturdy and natural broom handles. With their innate strength, slight taper, and rugged charm, hazel sticks make for a delightful and practical addition to our daily tools.
Rooted in Comfort: Our Outdoor Teak Furniture
Amidst our lush garden, gnarled pieces of teak furniture tell their story of time and nature. Weathering beautifully like driftwood, they've turned from a honey hue to a whiteish bone, hosting a myriad of tiny critters and creeping moss. Our guests often wonder if they sprouted straight from the woodland floor. These ever-evolving pieces bear the marks of love, play, and the passage of time, turning them into living pieces of our cottage story
A Touch of the Woods: Using Hazel Sticks for Your Curtains
Breathing life into our minimalist decor, we harness the rugged charm of the woodland by using hazel sticks as curtain rods. These sticks, chosen for their straight and slender form, when paired with the sheer elegance of tulle drapes, lend a touch of rustic enchantment to our space. This harmonious blend of natural and ethereal is a perfect way to introduce a piece of the outdoors into our sanctuary, creating a serene and romantic ambiance that we adore.
Sparkling Wonders: Introducing Crystals and Gemstones to Our Playground
With crystals and semi-gemstones as our playful companions, our playground has transformed into a world of wonder and adventure. These durable rocks have sparked our creativity, inviting us to engage in imaginative play and embark on exciting quests. Join us in this enchanting journey, where the magic of nature's gems unfolds, and where our playground becomes a realm of endless possibilities and extraordinary tales.
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