I love to learn new things…I love to figure “stuff” out…it makes me happy.

With all of this cold and cozy weather we’ve been having this March…I’ve had time on my hands to read thru the stack of books on my ottoman and sort out the emails that have piled up! In doing so I came across an article in the New Yorker that explains a method of life…that I knew existed…but had no idea had a name! Hygge.

From this article I’ve realized that the term Hygge which is actually a Danish word, is the reason I’m in love with Pinterest, Instagram, and could actually live in a Pottery Barn Catalog.

Even the word ‘Hygge’ reads like a hug…cozy slippers, a fire, and my favorite gray oversized sweater.

According to The Book of Hygge, written by Louisa Thomsen Brits, The definition of the word Hygge, which is  pronounced “hoo-gah”, is a quality of presence and an experience of belonging and togetherness. It is a feeling of being warm, safe, comforted and sheltered.

Meik Wiking, who is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen ( yes, such a research institute exists!) wrote a book ….The Little Book of HYGGE, Danish Secrets of Happy Living. In his book, he suggests that the Danish people are in fact, the happiest on earth. The Happiness Research Institute is located in Denmark, so that they can study this “Happiness effect” and the reasons behind it. The word Hygge originates from a Norwegian word meaning “well-being”. The Danish people have been found to spend much of their time with family and friends and feel the calmest and most peaceful! I think we all need some of this Hygge!

My thoughts are…that this Hygge is not really a secret …and I think we as Americans have it…we just don’t use it enough…and don’t incorporate it into our life enough. It’s going to be my new motto…#hygge, #itsthelittlethings, #itsaboutthefamily #feedthefamily.

Below you will find a beautiful recipe which I consider to be Hygge…It will warm you up on these chilly spring days…and it will feed two…or a crew….Enjoy!!

Cook up some love,
The Butchers Wife

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