Winter is here. Snowy, blustery days have arrived and the temperature has dropped. I've always found that the word cozy has a significant meaning this time of year. The delightful art of cozy is a Nordic way of life, the Danes call it Hygge (pronounced "hoo-ga"). It describes the contented mood evoked by comfort, taking time away from our busy lives and connecting with our loved ones or with ourselves. That might mean something different to you, but I think everyone can agree that this time of year our chilly Canadian winters are something special. How do you cozy? Have you thought about it?
For most people cozy, or Hygge, is being at home in their favourite snuggly outfit or whatever place they feel content. Maybe for you, that's sharing a meal or a warm drink with a cherished friend or loved one. Cozy is less about the space and more about the atmosphere. A celebration of contentment. The Library Zest team has curated a list of all things cozy.
The Little Book of Hygge: Danish Secrets to Happy Living by Meik Wiking
Hygge has been described as everything from "coziness of the soul" to "the pursuit of everyday pleasures". The Little Book of Hygge is the book we all need right now and is guaranteed to bring warmth and comfort to you and your loved ones this winter.
Hooga? Hhyooguh? Heurgh? It is not important how you choose to pronounce 'hygge'. What is important is that you feel it. Whether you're cuddled up on a sofa with a loved one, or sharing comfort food with your closest friends, hygge is about creating an atmosphere where you can let your guard down.
My Hygge Home: How to Make Home Your Happy Place
The urge to nest and control our close environments has never been stronger. We spend more time in our homes than anywhere else—but how our homes impact how we feel has remained relatively unexplored until now.
Backed with Danish design principles, years of research, case studies, and a sprinkle of hygge, Meik Wiking has created the ultimate guide to turning your home, office, or wherever you may be, into your happy place.
My Hygge Home will teach us all how to create a much-needed cozy safe space in our homes into which we can retreat to escape the tough things going on in the outside world. Meik will explore the size of our spaces, the way we decorate our homes, the amount of natural light coming in, how much access to green space we have, and how we can extend these design principles from inside our homes to our neighbourhoods and beyond.
The Ultimate Soup Cookbook by Dru Melton and Jamie Taerbaum
With over 100 recipes to enjoy, each one with as little as fifteen minutes of prep time, this cookbook is ideal for busy families on the go and anyone pressed for time.
With easy-to-follow instructions and full-colour photos, learn to create a wide variety of soups for every palate.
Earth to Table Every Day by Jeff Crump and Bettina Schormann
Cook through the seasons with Canadian chef Jeff Crump as he shows you the satisfaction of seeking out good ingredients for a delicious, seasonal approach to cooking.
This book contains a collection of 140 simple, everyday recipes, full of familiar ingredients and vibrant flavours--peppered throughout with inspiring stories and gorgeous photography.
Looking to work on a cozy hobby? These next selections might give you some inspiration.
Sensational Slippers by Benedikte Rathmann Hansen
Offering a modern spin on a comfort classic, this fashionable project guide presents slipper designs to crochet, knit, or felt for every member of the family.
Thorough descriptions, helpful diagrams, and eye-catching illustrations make each project as convenient and useful as the slippers themselves.
Have you tried our Hobby Kits? Hobby Kits include all the items you need to learn a new skill, like loom knitting or crochet.
We have a variety of kits you can check out and enjoy at home from our Library of Things. Click here to see what else is in this unique collection.
The long winter days and absence of sunlight can wreak havoc on our bodies. Light therapy lamps, or happy lights, are designed to give you a boost during these dark months. The lights mimic sunlight and have been shown to aid in combatting difficulty with sleep and mood. For best use, turn the light on and sit near it early in the day for twenty to thirty minutes.
If all you want for a cozy winter is a great book, check out some recommendations and the top picks of 2023 from a recent blog post here. And, however you cozy, know that your local library has a wide variety of special items to get you through the winter.
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