Hygge

Posted by on

By Beth Carpenter

Are you familiar with the word “hygge”? (Pronounced hue-guh.) I think I first saw it in articles from women’s magazines, and then it was on the label of a sweater my dog got for Christmas. So I looked it up.


I notice it’s a noun, a feeling. Coziness. Contentment. Comfort. It derives (according to a New Yorker article) from the Norwegian term hugga (to comfort), which is related to the English word “hug.” 


I think Rogers and Hammerstein may have captured the feeling when they wrote of “whiskers on kittens” and “warm woolen mittens.”

According to HyggeHouse.com, “It literally only requires consciousness, a certain slowness, and the ability to not just be present – but recognize and enjoy the present.”




It sounds rather “Heartwarming” doesn’t it? Yes, the Heartwarming line fits right into the concept of hygge. Home, family, relationship.

I know the characters in my current release, An Alaskan Proposal, are looking for hygge. Oh, they don’t know it at the beginning. Sabrina's goal is a secure job, so she’ll never have to depend on anyone else. Leith only wants to avoid being in a position where he could be betrayed. But as they spend time together, they begin to feel it. Contentment. Coziness. Hygge.

An Alaskan Proposal is on tour right now with Prism Book Tours. If you follow the links, you can find excerpts, reviews, and a giveaway that includes a book, a tote bag, and an Amazon gift certificate you could use to buy more books. Or maybe a warm throw. Or a tea mug. Something cozy that makes you smile. Hygge.

Now, when it’s cold and dark and blustery outside, it the perfect time of the year for a little extra coziness. By the way, if you’re ever feeling anxious, go to one of those stock photo sites and type “cozy” into the search bar. I guarantee the images will lower your blood pressure.




Tell me something that makes you feel hygge. 
*******
An Alaskan Proposal

Can he teach her survival skills—

without endangering his heart? 

When Sabrina Bell taps Leith Jordan for a crash course in conquering the great Alaskan outdoors, he figures he’s on safe ground. They’re polar opposites and his spectacular home state’s just a pit stop for the hotshot fashionista. So no one’s more surprised than Leith when he starts falling for her. Now he’s a man with a plan: get Sabrina to fall in love with Alaska…and, hopefully, with him.


Comments

  1. Janice CarterJanuary 24, 2019 at 4:10 AM

    I wish we had a single word that sums up the idea of hygge....’comfort’ doesn’t have the same resonance. My idea of hygge is a bowl of homemade soup with a crusty baguette on a winter’s day. Or curling up with “An Alaskan Proposal”, which promises to be a wonderful book! Congrats Beth!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beth CarpenterJanuary 24, 2019 at 12:03 PM

      Mmm, I love homemade soup and bread. Thanks, Janice!

      Delete
  2. Liz FlahertyJanuary 24, 2019 at 4:51 AM

    Tea, soft sweater, fuzzy socks...some of Janice's soup...and, at the risk of sounding like a true fan girl, one of your books, Beth. A great post. I'm glad to learn what hygge is.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Virginia McCulloughJanuary 24, 2019 at 5:55 AM

    Thanks for adding that new word to my vocabulary. Since we had a fair amount of snow yesterday and are expecting sub-zero temps over the next few days, I'll be thinking about creating hygge in my house. Hope the Prism tour goes well.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beth CarpenterJanuary 24, 2019 at 1:16 PM

      Thanks, Virginia. Hope you're feeling all cozy at home.

      Delete
  4. rozdennyfoxJanuary 24, 2019 at 6:00 AM

    I saw the word explained somewhere recently, but thought "hug" would stick in my brain longer. The book was great, Beth. Keep them coming.

    ReplyDelete
  5. LeAnne BristowJanuary 24, 2019 at 8:34 AM

    I love this word! I'd never heard it before. But fuzzy blankets, warm socks and my favorite fleece pj pants would definitely be on my list!

    ReplyDelete
  6. dstoutholcombJanuary 24, 2019 at 9:32 AM

    books, tea, quilts from my grandma

    ReplyDelete
  7. Catherine LaniganJanuary 24, 2019 at 9:48 AM

    Beth! I love this word. I need a new word in my life. I was getting bored. Seriously, your book sounds amazing---I love ALL your books. For me, I need a roaring fire, books, lots of them, glass of wine and maybe some sesame sticks. At the end of my stress-filled days...I need chill and a hygge.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beth CarpenterJanuary 24, 2019 at 1:19 PM

      Catherine, from what I've seen of your get-togethers, food, and decorations, you're the master of hygge. Enjoy!

      Delete
  8. Elizabeth MowersJanuary 25, 2019 at 10:08 AM

    I remember learning the word hygge recently too. It makes me think of spending several hours with nothing on the agenda but sitting and talking to my favorite people. When I think back on my childhood, my favorite memories are sitting and talking with my family for long stretches of time with nothing else to do (except, perhaps, eat!). Beth, just the title of your book elicits thoughts of hygge! I think what attracts me to the show, Life Below Zero (about folks surviving the Alaskan wilderness) is that in the wilderness, there are so few distractions. Your reward after working hard all day is to snuggle by the fire and be with the ones you love. Ah, to be in the moment! Thanks for sharing. I'm looking forward to reading your book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Beth CarpenterJanuary 25, 2019 at 10:36 AM

      Aw, thank you Elizabeth. Yes, being in the moment is getting harder all the time, and you're right, talking and laughing and maybe dining with loved ones is what it's all about.

      Delete

Post a Comment