“I Learned to Know the Love of Bare November Days” - Robert Frost

Turning grey and cold into koselig

September is a month of roadside stands, replete with the harvest of the locals’ plentiful gardens.  We celebrate the month-long Fall Flavours Festival.  The evenings take on a brisker note and many folks enjoy the warmth of bonfires.

October is a month of change.  The leaves on the trees burst into a glorious riot of colour.  Even the colour of the water deepens from hues of teal and turquoise to deeper shades of navy and blue violet.  October is orange pumpkins, red apples and golden piles of leaves. 

Suddenly, November is upon us.  The brilliance of summer and the warm hues of autumn disappear into grey November days.  The weather takes a dramatic turn to cold wintery winds.  The leaves are gone from the trees; the ocean takes on various shades of grey to match the rain clouds; night closes in on us even earlier as we switch back from daylight savings time.
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We live in an older farmhouse – built around 1901 I believe.  Slowly but surely we have been making improvements:  some new windows, a new heating system, added insulation in the attic.  There is more work required and it can still be pretty chilly when the weather is wintery.  This year I bought a wool mattress pad and a wool comforter for my bed (there is no source of heat in the bedroom with the exception of my fur-beasts).  While the woollen bedding is an amazingly wonderful and cozy addition, it makes crawling out of bed in the morning a real challenge.  On a grey November day, I want to pull the covers back up over my head and stay in my warm cocoon.  (photo – Hobbes enjoying her cocoon of warm woollies)

​It seems like November wants us to take a break, to recharge our internal batteries in readiness for the festivities of the holiday season in December.  Maybe we should listen more closely to the lessons that nature is trying to teach us!  

​Suddenly, November’s bare branches and grey skies gave me inspiration.  What if, instead of dreading the approach of winter, I took advantage of this time? The entire house and studio workspace could become a cozy cocoon.  Savour the aromas of freshly baked bread.  Enjoy the glow of candlelight.  Indulge in comfort foods like chowder.  Surrounded by warmth and comfort, it is wonderful to let the creative mind flow and to have the time to dream up new ideas, new patterns.  The Danes call this “hygge”.  The Norwegians refer to it as “koselig”.  You can’t buy koselig – it’s what you create that gives you comfort.  (photo -George McMuffin enjoying the hygge simplicity of his box and brown paper)

​Another bit of wisdom from the Norwegians is a saying:  “There is no bad weather, only bad clothing.”  So, when the weather is brisk, don your woolly socks, layer on a woolly sweater, toque, scarf, mitts and head outdoors.  Those bracing temperatures are sure to refresh your mind and spirit.  When you come back inside, a nice cup of tea or hot cocoa will be just the thing!  

Rather than simply enduring wintery weather, approach it with a sense of excitement and enjoyment.  Take part in some cold weather activities.  I have absolutely no coordination so I won’t be going downhill skiing, but I can certainly strap on my snowshoes!  Too nasty to be outside?  I can envision some “Netflix and knit” evenings!  Or how about inviting your besties over for a retro evening of fondue and board games?

Do grey days and cold weather have an impact on your mood and energy level?  I would love to hear what works for you!