Thursday, January 22, 2015

Hygge and Mr. Badger

 My friend MK at Through a Glass Darkly told me about the Danish concept called hygge.  Click on the word for a link to an explanation, but it basically means creating a warm atmosphere and enjoying the good things in life with good people. Doesn't that sound WONDERFUL?  I find it extremely motivating.  I like to cruise around the house with a hygge vision, arranging and setting the stage for cozy times.  Tonight is our family book club and to me, this is VERY hygge.  We'll sit on the soft chairs, comfortably discuss Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry. We'll eat brownies and drink coffee.  You like?  Me, too!






 It is time for Mr. Badger to wing his way to Belfast.  I think I shall send him tomorrow.  I will show you his passport, some photos of him taken in Taiwan (in my friend Yiping's kitchen in Taipei).  I will explain his purpose, his ambassador motivations, his journey overall.  He'll fly around Europe first.  He'll go see Betty from Betty the Wood Fairy and Kezzie, and he will go a few other places as well (once Mags and I get that part organized).  When he returns to the USA, he'll visit MK, Lisa, and some more nice people (I must organize this as well!) 
 Briefly, I can tell you that he is an ambassador of all things loving about taking care of people in your home and in your sphere.  You may experience hygge in your local coffee shop, at your church as you visit after the worship service.  Maybe you fluff up your guest bed for overnight guests and you prepare a place for them that is clean and comfortable.  The reason we keep our homes friendly and welcoming is because we want people to know they are loved when they come through our door.  Do you agree?  You can follow Mr. Badger on his travels. I'll update here and the hostesses will post their Badger adventures on their blogs, too.  It's not too late to volunteer to welcome him.  He'll arrive in a big envelope with his passport and the book.  You'll embellish the book, highlighting and illustrating, stamp the passport, blog about his stay and then mail him to the next person.  Mags and I will always respond to your inquiries.  When we sent Ratty, Mole, and Mr. Toad around the world, we had to adjust the itinerary a few times, but they came back safe and sound with all kinds of stories to tell!
Someone asked me if I thought it was okay that he travels alone.  Yes, he's coming to encourage you, to inspire you, and to know you.  This is silly fun for grown women.  You KNOW how we are, right?
I wish you plenty of hygge.  What a lovely word!

29 comments:

TexWisGirl said...

enjoy your book club! safe journey to mr. badger. :)

Heather LeFebvre said...

Oh I love this idea of hygge!!!!! Going to research it and add it to my journal.....it's just what I'm thinking about too. Also love your idea of making the car a warm and cozy place! I should think on that one.....at least I do always travel with my glass mug full of tea. :)

Heather LeFebvre said...

Oh forgot to say that if I am not on the list for Mr. Badger can you please put me on?! Thanks!!

Julia said...

I hope mr Badger will have lots of pleasant adventures to fill the book.
Have fun.

Hugs,
JB

Farm Girl said...

I loved when the crew went last time. I look forward to reading about Mr. Badger's journey, though, I do hope he stays safe and doesn't get too lonely.
I love that word. Hygge. I think you do that in your home and in your blog. I always feel warm and comfortable when I visit you. Have a lovely family book club, what a wonderful idea.

Anonymous said...

Your home and spirit are very hygge, and even your sending of Mr. Badger around the world has great potential for increasing the amount of hygge internationally. I feel very kindred with all of you who are Badger's postal friends. <3

Elderberry-Rob said...

Oh goody, Mr Badger' getting ready to visit. I hope he arrives here when we have something pretty happening in the woods.

magsmcc said...

I am so excited. We have wilds behind us where he can wander home from home, but there'll have to be some city adventures too... But always home for hygge!

Tessa~ Here there be musing said...

what a sweet new word, and its concept.

Lisa Richards said...

I am very pro-hygge! It's a lovely, warm, human idea.
I'm very excited to see Mr. Badger. I hope he will avoid getting damp and smudged! I really adore the "embroidered" edition of WITW!
Your family book club sounds like so much fun. :)
Stay cozy, my friend!

Flavia Sunshine said...

I want to wish you a hygge week-end dear Pom Pom ! How was you book club? Is it something you do with your whole family ? I'm quite curious about it :)

Amy at love made my home said...

I think that hygge is a wonderful thing, and wish you lots of it this weekend too! xx

M.K. said...

I love that we've found HYGGE together :) It is a warm, comforting concept. And Badger, who welcomed in the lost, cold animals, is the perfect hygge ambassador! Can't wait to see him :) Adam does good hygge because he loves to cook for others and loves to see them enjoy what he makes :)

Aida said...

What a brilliant idea PomPom. And I love that word, full of positive energy. Aww isn't he coming to Australia? Hope he drops by and enjoy some Australian hospitality.

Lovely post

Gumbo Lily said...

I think you have hygge very well pictured and explained today. I like the idea of a family book club. I'm reading Jayber Crow just now. I feel like I'm right there in Port William when I'm in the book.

I'd love a plate and tea just now.

ellen b. said...

Well how great to learn a new word and all that it means. Safe travels to Mr. Badger! Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Lisa Richards said...

Nope, no baby yet. The doctor wants her to stay put for another five weeks. We're working on that! :)

melanie said...

Thank you for introducing me to the word hygge Pom Pom, I love it!
Family book club looks and sounds lovely!
And I am loving Mr Badger :-)
I hope you are having a nice weekend x

sweetbriardreams said...

I love learning new words and Hygge is such a fantastic one! I'd love for Mr Badger to visit my little corner one day :-) Take care x

Janettessage.blogspot.com said...

what a lovely word...and having a welcoming home has always been my heart's desire
I am sharing this with hubby, who was telling me what the Lord was telling him for this year...I think this word sums it up

Attic Clutter said...

oh pom..your fun stuff is so cheery
thats why we love'ya
(:) patty

Maggie said...

Hygge - a strange word maybe but a wonderful concept!
WITW was my favourite book as a child and a couple of years ago I reread it for a blog hop post.
Please, please, please can Badger come to stay in Normandy. We're not that far from N.I. I'll treat him well, I promise. What a great follow up blog post it would make.
Maggie

Left-Handed Housewife said...

I love the notion of hygge and hope that I practice it fairly well, but there's always room for improvement.

Jayber Crow is one of my favorite books. I hope you enjoyed it, too!

xofrances

Fat Dormouse said...

What fun! And educational too. We have all learned a new word and now we must learn to extend HYGGE to everyone we meet.
Your blog is always such a warm and welcoming place, dear Pompom.

Bradley W. Maston said...

So glad to hear that the WITW folks are still alive and well. I love you so much. Thank you for the beautiful tea pot! It will surely hold much tea and provide for many happy conversations and contemplations. I love you!

Joanne said...

I do like hygge!

Sherry from Alabama said...

Love the warmth and coziness I got from your post today. Just what I needed!

Between Me and You said...

Been a lot of hygge-ing going on around here too! First for my BFF who's been visiting, then for the little person who's fast asleep in the next room and who's totally unaware that her Nana is envious of her golden slumbers as she battles to conquer this insomnia which has afflicted her of late!!Happy travels to Mr. Badger. I shall enjoy reading of his exploits at home and abroad. Much Love. xxx

Between Me and You said...

ps Totally loving your new background and header! x

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