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Happy New Year, Time to get Hygge!

1/17/2017

 

The dickens you say ...

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PSYNOVEC/SHUTTERSTOCK

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Hygge
(Noun: who - guh)


The Danish concept of coziness created when enjoying good food, drink, and fireside times with dear friends and family

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If you haven't heard of it yet, don't fret.  You'll soon be seeing hygge everywhere.  The Danish people are consistently reported to be the happiest people on the planet, and hygge is an ingrained part of their national culture. 
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geaugadoggy.wordpress.com
According to Meik Wiking, (pronounced Mike Viking)  author of the little book that is taking the UK by storm, 

"Hygge
 is about an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things. It is about being with people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe, that we are shielded from the world."  
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​Available in the US next week The Little Book of Hygge

So how exactly do we get hyggelig?

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Graphics by Sherbetlane.com


Want to learn more
?
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​Try one of these books, preferably with a cup of something warm, snuggled down by a fire.

Hygge

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Hygge 


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How to Hygge



Hygge Feast​

Sharing your home and table are important aspects of this lifestyle. Simple,  slow cooked meals around a convivial table with friends is something we can all embrace.  

Need some inspiration? I devoured this gem of a cookbook last weekend while watching the snow fall and can't wait to try out some of the recipes. 

I'm especially intrigued by Hot Love, mashed yukon gold potatoes topped with bacon, mushrooms, apples and greens.
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Scandinavian Comfort Food 

Abelskiver

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My Aunt Jean is Danish and her home is a testament to the concept of hygge.  Always warm and welcoming, with an attention to details and personal connection.  

This is her grandmother's recipe for abelskiver, a wonderful combination of pancake and round doughnut hole, that is worth buying the pan needed to make them. You won't be disappointed. 


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Ingredients
2 eggs - separated
2 C flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 Tbsp. sugar
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
4 Tbsp. butter, melted
2 C buttermilk
melted butter (for greasing pan)



Instructions
  1.  Beat the egg whites until they can hold a stiff peak. 
  2. Mix together the flour, baking powder, salt, baking soda, sugar, egg yolks, 4 Tbsp. melted butter and buttermilk. 
  3. Beat until smooth.
  4.  Gently fold in the egg whites 
  5. Use the remaining butter to grease the pan
  6.  Pour in about 2 tablespoons of the batter into each cup. As soon as they get bubbly around the edge, flip them over Continue cooking, turning the ball until is is golden brown all the way around and is cooked through.
Serve with jam or syrup and sprinkle with powdered sugar.



Merry Christmas

12/25/2016

 
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Wishing you the joy and peace of the season


Karen

Christmas in NYC

12/19/2016

 
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Wednesday I played hooky and popped up to New York City to spend a fun day
with friends.  We chose a slow paced agenda with a focus on pretty. 

First stop 

The Frick Collection
1 East 70th Street

Housed in the former 5th Ave. mansion of industrialist Henry Clay Frick, this is a very personal collection of some of the world's finest artwork.  Intimate and inspiring, it was a lovely way to start our day.
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PictureImage via TripAdvisor


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Leave it to Evelyn to know just the perfect
spot for lunch. Our only trouble was making
​up our minds amongst the many delicious offerings.

Caravaggio Ristorante
23 E 74th St


​No dessert, but we did save just enough space for a little something from one of my personal favorites ...
Lauduree
864 Madison Ave.
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​A jewel box of a shop, with the tastiest macarons you will
​every eat.

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Then on to a leisurely stroll down Madison and 5th Avenues to enjoy the imaginative window displays.
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​I just loved Hermes' window.

How awesome is that doggie in the window?

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Bergdorf Goodman never disappoints
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​Why I don't ski

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And our last stop, 
Bobby Van's  for a little sit-down and fortification before we set out for home.
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All and all a great day.

The Gift of Giving

12/7/2016

 
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It's that time again, when lists are made, advertisements are studied, online searches completed and strategic plans equal to military operations are set into motion. All done in the hopes of getting our Christmas shopping done in an efficient and timely fashion. 

But sometimes in the midst of all the mayhem we lose sight of a truth that adds so much to our lives.   

A giving heart is a happy heart.

It simply feels good to do something nice for someone else.


This truth was brought home to me last weekend while catching up with one of my favorite fifteen year olds, Sierra Miller. She excitedly told me about her new project. 

Warmth from the Heart, a Blanket Drive
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Wanting to share the warmth and security a snuggly blanket can offer, she set about collecting new and gently used blankets to distribute to those in need.

​ In her first month she has already distributed over 50 blankets to area soup kitchens and shelters. 

It is not a part of a school or group project, simply one person who has learned the joy of a caring heart.  I couldn't be prouder of her.


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If you'd like to help Sierra spread the warmth
this winter, simply drop off new or gently used blankets at FOUND.
We'll see that she gets them.

If you know of a local charity that would welcome her blankets, let me know.


Leave it to William Shakespeare to put the sentiment most eloquently.
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Happy Thanksgiving

11/23/2016

 
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​With the exception of these fellows, we all have much to be thankful for.  Family, health, community and so much more.


 As I was leaving the mayhem at the market this morning, it struck me what an extraordinary country we live in.  Although a few other countries have days of thanksgiving, none rise to the level of national importance as our celebration of gratitude.

Well done us.

So in the words of the great .....

"Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others" - Marcus Tullius Cicero


and the good ......
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Enjoy this special day.

Counting my blessings

I am thankful for many many things in my personal life. 
My professional life has been blessed as well.  How lucky am I to be able to do what I love for a living.  

Owning a small business takes a leap of faith and the support of many people, none the least are you, my clients and friends.
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As a Thank You for your support, we're celebrating in the shop this Saturday with refreshments, special products and a small take away token of our appreciation. 

I hope to see you.


What to do with the left over pumpkin puree?
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​I always seem to buy too many cans of this stuff, never remembering how much you need to make a pie. 

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I came across this recipe on one of my favorite blogs, The Kitchen McCabe and think I'll give it a try - but not the baking my own pumpkin part.  Can it seriously taste that much better?
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Pumpkin Caramel Puff Pastry Twist
Click for the recipe
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    Karen Helme

    Karen is an interior designer and the owner of FOUND. 

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Frederick Country Center
5716 Kennett Pike
Centreville, DE 19807


Hours

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10:00-5:00

Telephone

302-777-FIND

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